Best Hydroponic Fertilizer – Alternate Planting Methods

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Last Updated on April 6, 2023 by Griselda M.

This blog post offers a comprehensive guide to the best hydroponic fertilizer. Hydroponic nutrients are, to water-based roots, what fertilizers are to soil-based roots of plants. If you are growing plants in a hydroponic system, you need these hydroponic nutrients to foster their growth. 

Their roots aren’t in the soil where organic nutrients are resident naturally, rather their roots are dipped in mediums like hyrdrocorn, rockwool, coco coir, and in the deep water culture. This is where it’s just water serving as the root of the plant system with no media at all. 

Since there are tons of hydroponic nutrients out there in the market, having difficulties in making the right choices is bound to be a major problem. 

That, however, will be taken care of in this article, where we’ve carefully picked the top 5 Best Hydroponic Nutrients for you. This review will also handpick the best out of the 5. 

So let’s hit it straight away. 

Top 5 Best Hydroponics Nutrients 

General Hydroponics Flora Grow, Bloom, Micro Combo Fertilizer Set 

With a solid reputation built over the years in Hydroponics, General Hydroponics is a leading brand in the industry. This hydroponics comes in 3 parts, housed in 3 different bottles. This packaging is to ensure that different plants and their varied growing seasons will have all the micronutrients and macronutrients they need to grow. 

One bottle can still suffice in providing your hydroponic plant system with all the nutrient ratio it needs, but it’s ideal to fuse the 3 bottles together to reap its optimal benefits. 

It also comes with a balanced pH technology system as well as some trace minerals and the very grand fertilizer combo of Nitrogen, Phosphorous, and Potassium (N-P-K) in the ratio of 5-0-1. 

Pros

• It can be used for a wide variety of hydroponic plants in different growth periods 
• It’s foremost and credible in the industry
• It is great for both seasoned experts and first-timers 

Cons

• Price not friendly
• Not potent on a commercial level

Fox Farm Liquid Nutrient Trio Soil Formula

Coming in a similar 3-pack style the General hydroponics is the Fox Farm nutrient formula. The Fox Farm Hydroponics incorporates the three foremost liquid nutrient concentration variants. It has a bottle of grow, a bottle of big bloom, and a bottle of tiger boom.   

The grow-big bottle is specially designed to promote vegetative growth in the vegetative phase of the plant’s growing cycle. As soon as the plant begins to grow and blossom, the tiger bloom is there to accelerate the process and give you the best results. 

The big bloom is another powerful hydroponic fertilizer that can be used all through the growth cycle of the plant to improve the root systems and for the general productivity of the plant. 

Pros 

• It comes in 3 different packages 
• They can even work when incorporated in soils 
• Easy to use

Cons

• About the most expensive of them all 
• Not potent enough on a commercial level 

General Hydroponics Organic Go Box 

If you have any animosity for synthetic products when it comes to vegetation, then this hydroponics organic go box is here for you, even though they aren’t made from 100% organic components. 

This box contains a 16-ounce bottle of BioThrive Grow and another 16-ounce bottle of BioThrive Bloom. The BioThrive bottle is part of the series of organic products in the General hydroponics brand, designed to enable budding plants to thrive well all around their growth cycles. The BioBloom enables them to blossom better as they start to radiate in appearance and size. 

The instructions are clear on how to use this hydroponic product, so you just can’t go wrong. You can find the information you want about it on their website. It’s a trusted product since the hydroponics brand “General” is not known for producing crappy products. 

Pros

• It’s a no-brainer to use with instructions on the bottle to guide you 
• From a reputable brand that never compromises on quality 

Cons

The smell is quite unpleasant and almost pungent

Advanced Nutrients Bloom, Micro, and Grow 

From the advanced nutrients company comes this 3-part hydroponic nutrient package. The three different bottles are specialized in their functions. The micro bottle incorporates different essential nutrients needed for the budding plant and serves as a primary hydroponic fertilizer.

The grow bottle supplements the nutrients in that of the micro and facilitates vegetative growth while the bloom enhances the provision of more nutrients that ensures the plant blossoms better and appears luxurious instead of having a pale and famished look. 

It also comes with an accurate pH technology that helps balance the pH of the water solution. 

Pros

• Balanced pH technology system in place
• Top-notch carrier molecules 
• It comes in 3 unique formulas 

Cons

A bit on the high side in terms of pricing

MasterBlend 4-18-38 Complete Combo Kit Fertilizer 

When it comes to hydroponics, liquid concentrations are the most preferred because they come in varied options, are easy to mix in water to formulate a hydroponic nutrient-based solution, and after all, its water we are talking about here and not soil, so they both tally. 

However, this MasterBlend is a solid fertilizer option that’s great for hydroponic systems. 

This is the best solid fertilizer option you can ever get if you want to toe the path of solid hydroponics. It’s also a cost-friendly option if you roll on a tight budget, and it can offer more results than you imagined. 

More awesome is this solid option that it also comes in three unique grand style concentrations. As included in the name, they are 4-18-38 and are packed with all the basic nutrients that your plants need to grow, thrive and blossom. 

You are also given a bag of calcium nitrate and Epsom salt. 

Pros

• It comes as a cheaper option
• Three unique component styles

Cons 

It can be difficult to use since it’s almost a deviation from the usual liquid options 

Can I Use Miracle-Gro for Hydroponics?

So, the question is, can I use Miracle-Gro for Hydroponics? The answer is yes; you can make use of Miracle-Gro when it comes to hydroponic gardening. However, this product is not commonly used in hydroponics. The reason for this is that it is not considered efficient in breaking down and supplying the necessary nutrients that a plant needs.

But, if you want to give Miracle-Gro a shot in your hydroponic system, then you can, by all means. But, steering clear of the traditional types that are available in the market is advised. In this instance, the Miracle-Gro All Purpose Water Soluble Fertilizer with Micronutrients is recommended for hydroponic systems.

This specific product is packed with sufficient nutrients that other fertilizers may lack. It is the ideal choice as it is one of the best hydroponic fertilizers that you can use.

Best Hydroponic Nutrients for Vegetables?

If you are in search of the best hydroponic nutrients for vegetables, then the following information would be useful to you. For plants to grow their best, the best available nutrients are required throughout the growing stage. The reason that most people assume that hydroponic systems are complicated is that plants lack the minerals they require and are often fed the incorrect fertilizer.

Several products can claim to be the best hydroponic fertilizer, but unless it is tried and tested by you, the gardener, you would have to go on other people’s reviews. We have gone through the process of using several brands to see which ones offer the essential hydroponic nutrients for vegetable plants. A balanced fertilizer solution is required to grow hydroponic crops.

This solution must include both macro and micronutrients that hydroponic plants require. Amongst the primary nutrients that plants need to grow their best, potassium, nitrogen, and phosphorous are the most essential. Keep in mind that the plant’s development will be heavily impacted if one of these nutritional components is absent. Cultivating vegetables using the hydroponic system is excellent if done correctly.

Therefore, we recommend using the best hydroponic fertilizer to acquire an abundant yield. In this case, we recommend a liquid nitrogen solution that is simple and easy to use. Alternatively, you can use dry hydroponic fertilizers if you are not new to this type of gardening. The reason I say this is because dry fertilizers come with complex directions to use.

Here are a few nutrient-rich fertilizers to consider:

• The MasterBlend 4-18-36 Tomato & Vegetable Fertilizer
• Fox Farm Liquid Nutrient Trio Hydro Formula
• All BIO Organic Plant Food Starter Kit
• General Hydroponics Flora Grow, Bloom, Micro Combo Fertilizer Set
• Microbe Life Hydroponics  Yield Enhancer
• Aero Garden Liquid Nutrients

Best Dry Hydroponic Nutrients?

When it comes to the best dry hydroponic nutrients, it can be confusing. Deciding whether you go for individual nutrients or a pre-mixed blend can be somewhat of a task. Choosing the appropriate fertilizers is essential for obtaining the best development and production when growing plants hydroponically.

Dry hydroponic nutrients are great alternatives to liquid nutrients. This is because the dry varieties have an extended shelf life compared to the liquid types. They are also much simpler to store and can be distributed to plants in a precise manner. This is why the best dry hydroponic fertilizers are made with a balance of micronutrients which include calcium, magnesium, and iron.

Macronutrients are also an important component as it contains nitrogen, potassium, and phosphorous. Without these nutrients in your hydroponic system, plant growth will essentially be flawed. Dry nutrients also contain elements that are simple for plants to absorb.

Here are our picks:

• Botanicare Pure Blend Pro Hydro Nutrient Package
• House and Home Hydroponic Nutrient Package
• Cultured Solutions Premium Hydroponic Nutrient Package

Homemade Nutrients for Hydroponics

Homemade nutrients for hydroponics are easy to acquire. It is a fantastic method to create your own hydroponic nutrients at home. This is because it is cost-effective and simple to do, and you have full control of the components that are used to make it. While some people may look at it as difficult to do, Making your own nutrition solution is quite straightforward.

You may be surprised to know that a hydroponic solution that is homemade only requires a few basic ingredients. It is made up of a combination of water, Epsom salts, calcium nitrate, and potassium sulfate. However, you will have to know the right amounts to create a homemade hydroponic solution that is effective for plant growth.

Including iron, zinc, and copper, which are micronutrients, would also be advantageous. Keep in mind that to ensure the nutrient solution stays within the ideal range for plant uptake, it is crucial to check pH levels regularly and make adjustments as needed.

• 10 grams (40%) N.P.K. 0:25
• 10 grams (40%) of calcium nitrate 0:36
• 5 grams (20%) Epsom Salt
• 1 cup of clean RO water

Verdict

Before all, General Flora Grow, Bloom, and Micro Combo Fertilizers come as our first choice. It’s from the most trusted brand in the small world of hydroponics. This product comes with a balanced pH technology packaged in 3 different bottles, with each serving a unique purpose for the benefit of the plant. They are also packed with trace minerals which are needed by the plant. 

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