Nutrient Guides
Plants need 17 essential nutrients to grow. In hydroponics, you control every one of them. Understanding how they work, how they interact, and what goes wrong is the foundation of expert growing.
💪 Macronutrients (High Demand)
N — Nitrogen
Drives leaf and stem growth · Deficiency: yellowing lower leaves · Toxicity: dark green, delayed fruiting
Drives leaf and stem growth · Deficiency: yellowing lower leaves · Toxicity: dark green, delayed fruiting
P — Phosphorus
Root development and flowering · Deficiency: purple stems · Most available at pH 6.0–7.0
Root development and flowering · Deficiency: purple stems · Most available at pH 6.0–7.0
K — Potassium
Fruit quality and disease resistance · Deficiency: brown leaf edges · Critical in fruiting stage
Fruit quality and disease resistance · Deficiency: brown leaf edges · Critical in fruiting stage
🔬 Secondary Macronutrients
Ca — Calcium
Cell wall strength · Tip burn in lettuce · Must have adequate airflow and circulation
Cell wall strength · Tip burn in lettuce · Must have adequate airflow and circulation
Mg — Magnesium
Core of chlorophyll molecule · Deficiency: interveinal chlorosis on older leaves
Core of chlorophyll molecule · Deficiency: interveinal chlorosis on older leaves
S — Sulfur
Enzyme function and protein synthesis · Deficiency: yellowing new leaves
Enzyme function and protein synthesis · Deficiency: yellowing new leaves
⚗️ Key Micronutrients
Fe — Iron
Most commonly deficient micronutrient · Interveinal chlorosis on new leaves · Locked out above pH 7.0
Most commonly deficient micronutrient · Interveinal chlorosis on new leaves · Locked out above pH 7.0
Mn — Manganese
Enzyme activation · Deficiency similar to iron but on younger leaves
Enzyme activation · Deficiency similar to iron but on younger leaves
Zn, Cu, B, Mo, Cl, Ni
Trace elements — supplied by complete A+B nutrient solutions in correct ratios
Trace elements — supplied by complete A+B nutrient solutions in correct ratios
📊 EC & Nutrient Reference Table
| Crop | EC Range (mS/cm) | pH Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lettuce | 1.2 – 2.0 | 6.0 – 7.0 | Reduce EC in high heat |
| Tomato | 2.0 – 4.0 | 5.5 – 6.5 | Increase EC in fruiting stage |
| Basil | 1.0 – 1.6 | 5.5 – 6.5 | Low EC for best flavour |
| Strawberry | 1.0 – 1.4 | 5.5 – 6.5 | Very sensitive to high EC |
| Cucumber | 1.7 – 2.5 | 5.5 – 6.0 | Consistent EC critical |
| Pepper/Chilli | 2.0 – 3.5 | 5.5 – 6.5 | Higher EC improves flavour intensity |
| Spinach | 1.8 – 2.3 | 6.0 – 7.0 | Sensitive to tip burn |
| Mint | 2.0 – 3.0 | 5.5 – 6.5 | Vigorous feeder |
Source: General hydroponic agronomic data. Always verify with your specific nutrient manufacturer’s recommendations. EC and pH targets may vary by growth stage.