Plant Nutrition - Why Hydroponics?

With Hydroponics, complete balanced nutrition is easy. In fact, that's what hydroponics is all about - delivering nutrients directly to the plant without the soil getting in the way.

Ordinary fertilizers rely on the potting mix for many of the elements needed for growth. Relying on the media for nutrition is risky because the chemistry of the potting media is constantly changing and you don't know what your plant is getting. 

Hydroponics doesn't rely on the potting mix for any nutritional value. Hydroponic fertilizers always contain the entire group of nutritional elements plants need - in a form the plant can use immediately.

Don't get overwhelmed with all the nutrient concoctions you see for hydroponics on the Internet.

You can grow prize winning plants without them.

Why Hydroponics?

Conventional media such as bark and moss compact and deteriorate over time - especially in the heat of summer. Decaying potting materials trap impurities and restrict air flow at the roots. This alters the chemistry and blocks many nutrients from getting to the plant. Your plant is not only robbed from getting what it needs - the unused nutrients turn to salt and eventually become harmful to the roots. 

If your planting media is old, your fertilizer could actually be harmng your plants! The only solution is replacing the media. 

In our system, LECA pebbles replace all other media. LECA pebbles are a sterile ceramic that will never compact or decompose, promoting an even flow of air and water over the roots. You'll never get "exhausted media" with LECA, eliminating the "trapped nutrients syndrome".


Removing impurities from the system is also easy. Simply take your plant to the sink every couple of months (or use the garden hose if outdoors) and leach the pebbles thoroughly. The relatively smooth outer shell on the pebbles allows any foreign matter to wash away. This is impossible with bark or moss.

Oncidium roots
Decaying roots trap impurities and block air flow, making balanced nutrition impossible.

Oncidium roots
Healthy roots growing in LECA

Remove plant (and culture pot) from outer pot
Leach pebbles at sink
Return plant to outer pot for a fresh start.

How Can Nutrients with Lower Numbers Work Better?

It all has to do with the purity of the chemicals, not the amount. Many nutrients are made from low grade minerals which are much cheaper (1/4 the price!). Low grade minerals contain filler elements that your plants cannot use - not good for orchids.

In nature, orchids cling to rocks and trees. Their roots are designed to quickly absorb anything that comes their way. The roots act like a sponge and are sensitive to harsh chemicals. Their nutrient supply is pure and doesn't contain cheap chemical fillers.

Why jeapordize your plant's health with cheap fertilizer that's mostly filler? Give them the good stuff - you'll see the difference!

Plant Nutrition - The Basics

Know Your Fertilizer

Basic Grow Formula
Dyna-Gro Grow 7-9-5
click here to buy

Basic Bloom Formula
Dyna-Gro-Bloom 3-12-6
click here to buy
Other nutritional supplements you might want to try.

Bloom booster
A unique supplement to be added to Grow or Bloom fomulas as a bloom booster.
click here to buy
Silicon Solution
Plants use Silicon is a benefitical element to reduce stress. Add it to your nutrients to build stronger plants and flowers that resist heat drought.
click here to buy
Don't forget about the roots! Give the roots a boost with KLN Rooting Concentrate.
While most nurtrient solutions focus on leaves, stems and flowers, KLN promotes vigorous roots. Even mature plants benefit from an occasional KLN treatment.
click here to buy