Today, most hydroponic growers are more frequently dealing with nutrient element excesses and imbalances rather than individual elemental deficiencies. Those who select a NPK nutrient element fertilizer that does not contain about equal contents of N and K, and P at about 20% of the NK content, are likely to have plant nutritional problems. In addition, the use factors, volume applied with each application and frequency of applications, associated with a particular nutrient solution formulation can lead to nutrient element insufficiencies. A good rule of thumb is that with an increase in either volume applied and frequency of application, the elemental content of a nutrient solution should be decreased, the extent of dilution being determined by experimentation and nutrient element monitoring of the growing plant. Those who would add supplements to their nutrient solution to boost plant growth or flowering, or to increase product yield and quality, run the risk of doing the opposite. Also, those who would add “organic-based” supplements, run the risk of significant decrease in plant growth as well as adversely affecting the nutritional status of the plant.
