Understanding Hydroponics Fertilizers Labels
…from Plants are Basically Electric (Michael Christian, American Hydroponics)
The first step to being able to create hydroponic nutrients is to understand the difference between soil nutrients and the requirements of plants. Most gardeners are familiar with soil nutrients such as those called by the numbers 20-20-20, but what does 20-20-20* really mean?
One might assume N.P.K ratio means 20% Nitrogen (N), and 20% Phosphorous (P), and 20% Potassium (K). (*Powdered hydroponics fertilizer)
No, it’s not that simple. It’s 20% Nitrogen (N) and 20% Phosphorous Pentoxide (P2O5) and 20% Di-Potassium Oxide (K2O). (Depending on the country of origin, these units change by continent.)
This translates to the actual % of the N.P.K as follows:
20% Nitrogen (N), 8.8% Phosphorous (P), and 16.6% Potassium (K).
However a good hydroponic nutrient contains all of these plus all the other minerals required for healthy growth. They will also be in the correct ratio to each other, according to plant type, and stage of growth, e.g. vegetative, flowering or fruiting stage.
The minerals required for good growth are as follows:
Macro elements:
Nitrogen (N)
Phosphorous (P)
Potassium (K)
Calcium (Ca)
Magnesium (Mg)
Sulphur (S)
Micro elements:
Iron (Fe)
Manganese (Mn)
Boron (B)
Copper (Cu)
Zinc (Zn)
Molybdenum (Mo)
Sodium (Na)
Chloride (Cl)
Silicon (Si)
There are other minerals found in plant tissue when analyzed, but for our purposes these are the main requirements for hydroponic growing, and the ones we have to monitor.
Above: Liquid hydroponics fertilizer
About the Author:
Michael Christian is President of American Hydroponics, with over 30 years experience in offering hydroponic production expertise and technologies across the globe.
