DWC HYDROPONIC SYSTEMS
include calcium , sulfur and iron . Mobile nutrients on the other hand will display deficiency symptoms in the older leaves as they are able to penetrate through the plant to the areas of new growth where they are needed to continue growing . Mobile nutrients include nitrogen , phosphorus , potassium and magnesium . Different crops and different strains of the same crop will also all have their own set of demands for nutrition , so there will always be somewhat of a learning curve when growing something for the first time .
pH SWINGS
Another cause for concern is pH instability when underfeeding your plants in a DWC setting . The mineral ratios in many of the hydroponic nutrient formulas on the market have been previously calculated to deliver a product that has already been buffered by the ingredients themselves . When growers use substantially less than the manufacturer advises , the buffering capacity of these formulas is compromised , leading to pH instability . This can be easily fixed by upping the dosage to produce a nutrient solution that matches the target EC or total dissolved solids ( TDS ) listed by the manufacturer . Keep in mind , if the plants already began exhibiting symptoms of pH imbalances or nutrient deficiencies , it may take three to seven days for the new growth to appear healthy again after the solution has been adjusted . Most changes brought on by nutrient imbalances do not happen overnight .
IS ‘ LESS-IS-MORE ’ DEAD ?
Not at all ! However , in some instances it does need to be reined in so as to not go overboard with underfeeding . The less-is-more principle found its place in DWC because it offers a unique environment for plants whereby ion exchange is more easily facilitated . Increased levels of dissolved oxygen in DWC also plays a role in increased nutrient uptake . Roots that are suspended indefinitely in a DWC system are provided with ample oxygen through various sources such as air pumps , air stones , and ozone injection . Maintaining cool water temperatures is crucial to holding the dissolved oxygen in place so that it is readily available to the plant during uptake . Colder , deeper water temperatures have the ability to hold higher concentrations of dissolved oxygen . Roots exposed to higher levels of oxygen will uptake nutrients more rapidly , expediting plant processes in general . That is why you will often notice plants in hydroponics tend to grow larger faster than those in soil . Keep in mind that bad things will also permeate through the entire system faster , too .
If your goal is to grow large plants , the best practice is to push them to their highest uptake potential at the upper end of the optimal range without overfeeding . Some growers will even feed their plants until they see the slightest sign of downward leaf curl , indicating overfertilization . At that point , it ’ s time to back off and let the plants do their thing . Starving your plants though , will make bulking very difficult .
“
ROOTS THAT ARE SUSPENDED INDEFINITELY IN A DWC SYSTEM ARE PROVIDED WITH AMPLE OXYGEN THROUGH VARIOUS SOURCES SUCH AS AIR PUMPS , AIR STONES , AND OZONE INJECTION .
”
66 Maximum Yield USA | October 2016