Hydroponics means “working water” (hydro means water and ponos means labor). So, Hydroponic Farming is a way to replace soil and grow crops directly in liquid nutrient solution. This liquid nutrient solution is nothing but a mixture of essential plant nutrients in the water.
While hydroponics farming is an ancient method of growing plants, the method has become much more advanced and sophisticated with modern innovations.
There are many benefits of hydroponic farming like –
- Higher productivity than the traditional soil-based farming system.
- Minimum wastage.
- Crops can grow year-round since hydroponic farming is a controlled climate system.
- Attack of pests and insects is eliminated because of closed space of farming.
- Allows food to be grown and consumed in areas non-arable areas of the world.
- Facilitating cleaner air, water, soil, and food by eliminating the use of pesticides.
- The mass scale practice of Hydroponic Farming can even solve two significant problems of the world – soil & food pollution and world hunger.
Because of its long list of advantages, traditional farmers and eager hobbyists have started giving hydroponic farming a real shot.
One of the common questions that come up here is, “WHERE can I practice hydroponic farming?”
The simple and straightforward answer to this question is – ANYWHERE! You can grow almost any plant anywhere with the help of Hydroponic Method – indoors, greenhouse, and outdoors.
Now, the most important question is, “what do you need for Hydroponic Farming?
This answer depends on the type and design of the hydroponic system used but here are the core elements that are essentially the same –
- Fresh Water – You will need filtered water with a balanced pH. The water’s pH level can be adjusted with the help of our products Hydroponics pH DOWN (Acid Base) and Hydroponics Alkaline Base pH UP. Generally speaking, a pH reading of 7 is neutral, while numbers lower than 7 are acidic, and number higher than 7 are alkaline. Most Hydroponic crops like water with a pH level around 5.5–6.5.
- Oxygen – In traditional farming, roots can get the oxygen from air pockets in the soil. Your hydroponic setup must have a way for roots to intake Oxygen. Oxygenating through Air pumps and air stones is quite common.
- Root Support – In traditional farming, roots have the strong support and base of soil. In your setup, you must give your plant’s roots something to hold on to. Coconut Fiber, perlite, vermiculite, rockwool etc are commonly used for this purpose.
- Light – Depending upon your type of plants, you will have to ensure sufficient light. The placement of light and the amount of light will vary from plant to plant.
- Nutrients – This is the most important element of Hydroponic Farming because it is the nutrients that make this farming method possible and successful. Your plants will need a whole range of nutrients like magnesium, phosphorus, calcium, etc to grow and stay healthy. Here is an “Advanced nutrient system for Hydroponics by Utkarsh” that will fulfil this requirement for you –
Utkarsh Micro provides rapidly growing plants with Nitrogen, Potassium, and Calcium as well as a combination of chelated micro nutrients and trace elements. Utkarsh Micro is the foundation of the “Advanced Nutrient System,” while Utkarsh Gro and Utkarsh Bloom form the structure.
Utkarsh Gro provides nutrient for structural and foliar growth. Combine with Utkarsh Micro to provide a specialized nutrient for rapidly growing plants during the structural and foliar growth phase. Our combination of primary nutrient, magnesium, and pH buffers keep nutrients fully water soluble and available to plants.
Utkarsh bloom provides minerals for the reproductive growth stage – Flowering, Fruiting and Seed production. Combine Utkarsh Bloom with Utkarsh Micro to provide a specialized nutrient for rapidly growing plant during the flowing and fruiting growth phase.
Advanced Nutrient System by Utkarsh – You can combine Utkarsh Micro, Utkarsh Gro and Utkarsh Bloom in different ratios to create specialized nutrient mixes for
Hydroponic Farming. We call this the “building-block” method. This “building block “system enables you to create tailor-made nutrient mixes for many different types of plants and each phase of growth: seeding, cutting, structural, flowering and fruiting. This unique system gives growers greater control over nutrient mix than a single part nutrient.
An aggressive nutrient can be mixed for fast growing plants with a high metabolic rate, or a mild nutrient can be mixed for delicate or slow growing plants. Adjust the nutrient mix to meet specialized needs for each phase in the plants life cycle: seeding, vegetable, transitional, flowing and fruiting. This product combination should be used as part of a complete fertilizer program. The combination of primary and secondary nutrients keeps nutrients fully water soluble and available to plants. This Advanced nutrient system for Hydroponics is ideal for all kinds of hydroponic setups and crops.
For best Results, use a conductivity or TDS meter to monitor water quality and control nutrient strength. Drain, discard, and replace nutrient every week or two to prevent nutrient imbalance. Maintain nutrient pH between 5.5 and 6.5 and adjustment may be necessary since water quality and pH vary both regionally and seasonally.
Visit our website – https://utkarshagro.com/ and refer to the Basic Applications Table for general mixing recommendation.
Other Nutrients and related Products
Nitrogen Fertilizers – Utkarsh Calcium Nitrate – Ca(NO3)2 is dense granular fertilizer which dissolves quickly and completely in water. Utkarsh NOP (13:00:45) (Potassium Nitrate) KNO3 is also free-flowing and fine crystalline powder which dissolves speedily and completely in water.
Phosphorous Nutrient – Utkarsh MAP (12:61:00) (Mono Ammonium Phosphate) (NH4) H2PO4 is a water-soluble fertilizer containing the highest phosphorus (P) content available. Utkarsh MKP (Mono Potassium Phosphate) (00:52:34) KH2PO4 the most concentrated water-soluble fertilizer containing both P and K imported micro nutrients.
Potassium Fertilizers – Utkarsh NOP (13:00:45) (Potassium Nitrate) KNO3 has low N: K ratio, therefore suitable for all crops and all growing stages in crop cycle. Utkarsh SOP (00:00:50) can be applied in combination with N, NP and PK fertilizers according to crop needs. Utkarsh MKP (Mono Potassium Phosphate) is the most concentrated water-soluble fertilizer containing both P and K imported micro nutrients.
Magnesium Fertilizers – Utkarsh MagGreen Magnesium Mg 6% EDTA Chelated is useful to correct crop deficiency of Magnesium (Mg). Utkarsh Magnesium Sulphate is good source for Magnesium and Sulphur. Magnesium Sulphate plays important role in photosynthesis.
Calcium Fertilizers – Utkarsh Calcium Nitrate – Ca(NO3)2 is dense granular fertilizer which dissolves quickly and completely in water. It helps plants for tolerance to diseases infection due to cells strength. Utkarsh CaLong Calcium Improves the strength of the cell walls, resulting in improved shelf life and resistance to disease.
Zinc Fertilizers – Utkarsh ZinGap Zinc – Zn 12% EDTA Chelated activates enzymes that are responsible for the synthesis of certain proteins. It helps to prevent Zinc (Zn) Deficiencies in different crops occurred gradually at different growth stages of crops.
Iron Fertilizers – Utkarsh FeeDrip contains micronutrient Iron (Fe) and is im0mediately absorbed by root system and carried throughout the plant, therefore it provides a quick, long lasting solution to the problem of Iron (Fe) deficiency in Hydroponic Farming.
Utkarsh FeGro Iron stimulates and regulates enzyme reactions for growth and development of crops as iron activates several enzymes.
Fe-Aquarium is more suitable than Chelated Iron EDTA since it is 100% more efficient from a pH level of 6. In a healthy aquaponics system, the pH level is usually between 6 and 7.5.
Once again, visit our website – https://utkarshagro.com/ to get more details on application and dosage instructions.
Boron Fertilizers – Utkarsh CalciBoron (Calcium Boron Proteinate mixture – Amino acid Chelated) helps in prolonged blooming, improved plant health, increased crop yield, reduced growth stress, better cold & heat resistance, and improved resistance to heat & cold. Utkarsh BeShape (Disodium Octaborate Tetrahydrate – Boron 20%) helps to prevent boron deficiencies in different forms occurred gradually at different growth stages of crops.
Copper Fertilizers – Utkarsh CopQual Copper Cu 15% EDTA Chelated helps to prevent Copper (Cu) Deficiencies in different crops occurred gradually at different growth stages of crops. It also serves to intensity flavour and colour in vegetables and colour in flowers.
Manganese Fertilizers – Utkarsh Mandate Manganese -Mn 12% EDTA Chelated helps to prevent Manganese (Mn) Deficiencies in different crops occured gradually at different growth stages of crops in Hydroponic Farming. It also helps plants as a major contributor to various biological systems including photosynthesis, respiration, and nitrogen assimilation.
Mo Fertilizers – Utkarsh Molyb-N (Mo 52% Ammonium Molybdate) useful to correct crop deficiency of Molybdenum (Mo) as and when appeared. It is an essential component in two enzymes that convert nitrate into nitrate (a toxic form of nitrogen) and then into ammonia before it is used to synthesize amino acids within the plant.
Silicon Fertilizers – Utkarsh Silfert (Enhances Silica Absorption in plants) is a micronutrient and free silicon derived using nano organic technology. It increases resistance to pathogens, insects, white root development and helps in plant growth. Silfert increases N, P.Ca, Mg and Si uptake of plant. Silfert helps to increase overall crop yield.
Use our products to practice Hydroponic Farming and get assured success. In another blog, we will also talk about different methods of Hydroponic Farming.
Feel free to contact Utkarsh for any doubts and advice –
Mobile Numbers: 919824133044, +919924864422, +919824300544
Landline: 02621-255972
Email ID: rd@utkarshagro.com
Once again, all the products mentioned in this blog can be found on Amazon as well as the website of Utkarsh. Also, the method of application and the required dose can be easily found on our Website – Utkarshagro.com.
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