Ideas on mixing own dry salt nutrients

Hello,

I've been messing around with hydrobuddy which is awesome. I've also been looking at some old threads on different nutrient formulas.

How did anyone that does this come up with there own mix? Did you copy a specific commercial nutrient lines, or modify it slightly? Also where do you source your micro (and what micro nutrients do you use?)

- Jiji

There are a few built in formulas in the formula database. I mostly looked at the ppms of all those, and of course the Hoagland solution for a reference.

The Hoagland solution is sort of a de facto go to standard for growing foliage type plants in scientific experiments.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hoagland_solution

From there, it's mostly dialing in with guess and check. A lot of the work in designing mixes could be done with 0 theory to be honest. Just try changing all the variables (substances) agnostic to the theory, and see how the plant reacts.

jijiandfarmgang said:

Hello,

I've been messing around with hydrobuddy which is awesome. I've also been looking at some old threads on different nutrient formulas.

How did anyone that does this come up with there own mix? Did you copy a specific commercial nutrient lines, or modify it slightly? Also where do you source your micro (and what micro nutrients do you use?)

- Jiji

Click to expand...

I got the smallest quantities available of sodium borate (solubor), manganese sulfate, and sodium molybdate from cropking.

I do not include any form of zinc, copper, or nickle and so far haven't been able to single out any related deficiencies.

The only micro nutrient that really matters is iron. The plant will die, fast, without iron. I use iron sulfate for its low price, but a chelated form would definitely work better for stock solutions.

If you do use iron sulfate, I have a suggestion. I make a "micro" stock solution containing the Fe, B, Mn, and Mo salts. When mixed together in RO water, the solution turned black, and the black settled to the bottom. I thought the solution was ruined.... Before discarding, I added a few milliliters of nitric acid, and the solution went clear instantly. It's been perfect ever since! If you use iron sulfate, add a tiny bit of nitric acid to the stock solution! (I accidentally invented indicator solution)

jijiandfarmgang said:

Also where do you source your micro (and what micro nutrients do you use?)

- Jiji

Click to expand...

Thanks for the info. I just planned on using chelated iron even though its expensive.

There's so many different nutrient solution "recipes" its hard to decide. I think I'll kind of just go with the median, plug the numbers and watch for any extremes.

- Jiji

Creating a mix is not easy. Even a lot of hydroponic vegetable farmers will buy a premixed bag, just because after all the time trying to find the raw materials and dial it in, they don't save a lot of time or money. Potassium Nitrate, Calcium Nitrate, MKP (MonoPotassium Phosphate), Phosphoric Acid, Urea are some commonly used NPKs and you can get Epsom Salt (Magnesium Sulfate) and an Iron EDTA for the minors. As far as getting you micros, I would recommend a mix, because buying big bags of these will prove to be unhelpful.

Word of caution withe the Pot Nit, Cal Nit and Urea. They will begin to "volatilize" and/or start absorbing moisture as soon as you open the bags, I would recommend making a stock mixture right away or have some airtight container to store them in a cool dry place.