It has been proved in many elementary scientific studies that only a handful of nutrient solution
Formulas are useful; at best, only one formulation would be sufficient for most plants as long as the ion balance among the elements is maintained. Steiner (1961).
Our studies shows that most plants will grow extremely well in one universal nutrient solution with the following percentage equivalent ratios of anions and cations. The proper balance and utilization of ions in the nutrient solution are best achieved by using All Purpose Hydroponics Premix.
The nutrient is a complex mixture of NPK nutrients with a balanced micronutrients. The raw material used in the mixture are 98% chemically pure. Plant scientist use hydroponic as tool to study role of nutrient elements in plant growth. So they use balanced formula for Hydroponics. We have derived the formulation from those studies.
Micro Nutrient Secret
Micronutrient used in this formula are in chelated from. It helps plant to absorbed then even in adverse pH conditions
How Total Hydroponics Premix is different from A:B or A:B:C type nutrient
No Ammonia and Chlorine toxicity
Total Hydroponics does not release free ammonium and Chloride residue, thus does not leads to ammonium-chlorine based toxicity. It is composed of unique formulation of NPK elements associated with carrier that release Ions as per solution environment.
Maintained Chelated Micro root environment
All micronutrients used in formulation are in chelated form. Which makes them readily available for absorption even in unfavorable pH condition.
Favors Active Transport in Root hairs
The premix maintain ionic environment by slow releasing K+, Ca+ and NO3 Ions. Which favors
Active transport for plants to take up mineral ions, ions are moved into root hairs.
How to Use Total Hydroponics Nutrient
The Water: - We recommend Natural water for domestic hydroponics cultivation because it already contains contain sizable concentrations of some of the Essential elements required by plants, particularly Ca and Mg. In general Potable water (IS: 10500) is good enough. In hard-water areas, there may be sufficient Ca and Mg in the water to provide a portion or all of the plant requirements. In addition, the micronutrient element concentration could be sufficient
Water from Rain water Harvest is not recommended as they contains inorganic and organic substances that can affect plant growth. Surface or pond water may contain disease organisms or algae, which can pose problems.
Organic chemicals, such as pesticides and herbicides, many of which are water soluble, can significantly affect plant growth if present even in low concentrations.
RO water is not necessarily required however we sometime recommend customer to add partial RO water to decrease Feed Water TDS.
Our recommendations on pH
The optimum pH range for 22 crops that can be hydroponically grown; the desired range in pH among these 22 species are between 5.0 and 7.5. In general, the range in pH suggested for most hydroponic solutions and that in an inorganic growing medium is between 5.8 and 6.5. It should be remembered that the pH of a nutrient solution is dependent on such factors as temperature, content of inorganic and organic ions and substances, type of ions present, and CO2 content. Diurnal fluctuations in pH occur as the result of the changing solubility of CO2 in the nutrient solution; however, these changes are usually
not of sufficient magnitude to warrant daily adjustment. At any one point in time, the pH of a nutrient solution will oscillate about a point that can vary by as much as a 0.5 pH unit. Those who would recommend continuously monitoring and altering the pH of a nutrient solution may find this recommendation both costly and of no real benefit to the growing crop.
If your nutrient solution falls outside the 5.0 to 7.5 range, try the following remedies:
1. To a solution that is too alkaline add one tablespoon of white vinegar check the pH level every eight hours. The waiting period has to do with the fact that it sometimes takes a few hours for the
vinegar to work through the solution. Using vinegar is only a temporary measure. On the whole it is too unstable to be satisfactory for more than a few days.
2. To a solution that is too acidic simply add baking soda. It is difficult to specify the quantity here due to wide variations in water quality and nutrient balance. You might try half tablespoon Experience will be the best guide.
3. If you want to be more accurate, try adding phosphoric acid to a solution that is too alkaline. It is considerably less dangerous than the acids commonly used by commercial growers. phosphoric acid used carefully is almost harmless. let your solution mix with the acid and check the pH about eight hours later and again twenty-four hours later.
4. Yet another way of adjusting the pH level is through the use of lime. It will not only raise the level of your nutrient from acidic to more alkaline, but it also makes potassium more available to your plants. In addition, lime provides the calcium and magnesium which may be lacking in your water supply.
The best way to apply lime is to sprinkle it evenly throughout your drainage or growing medium.
Lime should not be added continuously should be applied only when you are certain your plants need it, or after dismantling and cleaning the system thoroughly.
Temperature
The temperature of the nutrient solution should never be less than the ambient air temperature, particularly in systems where plant roots are exposed to intermittent surges of a large volume of nutrient solution. On warm days, when the atmospheric demand on plants is high, root contact with nutrient solution below the ambient temperature can result in plant wilting, putting an undesirable stress on plants. Plant roots sitting in cool or cold nutrient solution cannot absorb sufficient water and elements to meet the demand of plant tops exposed to warm air and bright sunshine. Repeated exposure to cool nutrient solution results in plant growth and performance, below expected
Levels, evidenced by poor fruit set and quality and delayed maturity. In such circumstances, it may be necessary to warm the nutrient solution to avoid this stress.
On the other hand, warming the nutrient solution above the ambient temperature is not recommended and may do harm to the crop. VR International recommended highest rate of shoot growth, and water uptake, the optimum root temperature at 77°F or 25°C.
Plant grow recommendations:-
We believes in continuous improvements and new findings. Our recommendation are based on our experience. Our major recommendation is to keep on experimenting and get new finding.
Leafy vegetables
Spinach, Lettuce, red Lettuce, Pak-Choi, Basil, Red Basil,
Transplant Stage:-
Plant high is range from 1 inch to 2 inch, true leaves are present, 3-4 leaves well grown. Root is double in length of plant, small root hairs are present, single main root present.
Nutrient :- Add 0.5 gm in 2 liter of water. Maintained 5 day cycle (add nutrient in next 5th day). This cycle will run twice (for 10 days). Increase nutrient dosing 1 gm/ liter for next 5 day cycle. (15th day onward).
TDS: - maintain TDS at 50 to 100 units. Suppose your feed water TDS is 300 then maintain TDS 350 to 500 units. Initially it may possible that by adding nutrient may not lead TDS 50- 100 units, so don’t worry, keep low TDS and add nutrient in next 3rd day instead of 5th day and gradually increase TDS.
EC: - do not let EC to be increase more than 2200 micro semen’s unit.
Water cycle: - in 24 hrs water should recycle at least 24-30 times.
Trouble and troubleshoot: -
Yellowing of leaf - pH dis-balanced so maintain pH (maintain pH at 5-5 to 7.0), low concentration of nutrient increase nutrient by adding nutrient or increase frequency ( 3 day interval) , slow growth by low nutrient concentration, or very high TDS or Ec of water. Leaf curling upward cause by excess nutrient concentration.
2nd Stage:-
Plant age in 20-30 days old, Root density will be high, new leaves started and true leaves grown well, Stem grows thicker.
Nutrient: - Add 1 gm in 2 liter of water. Maintained 5 day cycle (add nutrient in next 5th day). This cycle will run for 15 days. Top up fresh water regularly (maintain water level).
TDS: - maintain TDS at 50 to 100 units. Suppose your feed water TDS is 300 then maintain TDS 350 to 500 units
EC: - do not let EC to be increase more than 2200 micro semen’s unit.
Water cycle: - in 24 hrs water should recycle minimum 96 times.
Trouble and troubleshoot: -
Yellowing of leaf - pH dis-balanced so maintain pH (maintain pH at 5-5 to 7.0), low concentration of nutrient increase nutrient by adding nutrient or increase frequency ( 3 day interval) , slow growth by low nutrient concentration, or very high TDS or Ec of water. Leaf curling upward cause by excess nutrient concentration. Leaf curling down ward meaning high water activity or low light.
Final Stage:-
Plant age in 30-35 days old, Root density will be high, new leaves started and true leaves grown well, Stem grows thicker.
Nutrient: - Add 1 gm in 2 liter of water. Maintained 7 day cycle (add nutrient in next 7th day). This cycle will run for 15 days. Top up fresh water regularly (maintain water level), till harvesting.
TDS: - maintain TDS at 75 to 125 units. Suppose your feed water TDS is 300 then maintain TDS 375 to 425 units.
EC: - do not let EC to be increase more than 2200 micro semen’s unit.
Water cycle: - During light or day time keep water running for 6-8 Hrs.
Trouble and troubleshoot: -
Root Browning, - trim Brown roots gently, Maintain pH at 5.5 to 7.0. Keep adding fresh water.
Fruiting plants
Tomato, Okra, Cucumber, Strawberries etc
From seeding to final harvest, the plant goes through four stages, seedling stage (4 to 6 weeks), vegetative stage (2 to 3 weeks), early fruiting stage of first flowers to first fruit (6 to 8 weeks), and mature fruiting stage of first harvest until plant removal. Just prior to plant removal, the growing point is removed to stimulate rapid fruit development of those fruit still remaining on the plant.
Transplant Seedlings
As in soil growing, seeds are not directly seeded into a hydroponic growing medium, but are seeded in germination cubes or trays of soilless medium to produce a seedling that will then be transplanted into the
hydroponic growing medium. VR INTERNATIONAL recommend that transplanting seedlings shortly after the first “true” leaves appear generally results in best initial plant growth
Plant Spacing
The area that a plant occupies is determined by plant spacing, The Plant spacing for NFT system (100x80mm) provided by VR INTERNATION the recommended spacing is 3 plant per meter for commercial cultivation.
Plant Nutrition
Transplant Stage:- Add 0.5 gm in 2 liter of water. Maintained 5 day cycle (add nutrient in next 5th day). This cycle will run for 20 days. Increase nutrient dosing 1 gm/ liter for next 5 day cycle. (15th day onward).
TDS: - maintain TDS at 50 to 100 units. Suppose your feed water TDS is 300 then maintain TDS 350 to 500 units. Initially it may possible that by adding nutrient may not lead TDS 50- 100 units, so don’t worry, keep low TDS and add nutrient in next 3rd day instead of 5th day and gradually increase TDS.
Water cycle: - in 24 hrs water should recycle at least 24-30 times.
2nd Stage:-
Add 1 gm in 2 liter of water. Maintained 5 day cycle (add nutrient in next 5th day). This cycle will run for next 30 days. Top up fresh water regularly (maintain water level).
Water cycle: - in 24 hrs water should recycle minimum 96 times.
Flowering Stage:-
Nutrient: - Add 1 gm in 1 liter of water. Maintained 7 day cycle (add nutrient in next 7th day). This cycle will run till fruiting. Top up fresh water regularly (maintain water level), till harvesting.
Water cycle: - During light or day time keep water running for 6-8 Hrs.
Fruiting Stage:-
Nutrient: - Add 1 gm in 2 liter of water. Maintained 5 day cycle (add nutrient in next5th day). This cycle will run till end of cropping. Top up fresh water regularly (maintain water level).
Water cycle: - During light or day time keep water running for 6-8 Hrs.
Precautions
• Avoid direct sunlight contact to nutrient solution, it may lead to algae formation.
• Use only potable water
• Do not add another fertilizer directly to nutrient solution until recommended.
• Maintain EC and pH as per grow chart
• Use good quality seeds and plants
• Maintain Aeration in closed systems
• The product is complex mixture of chemical compounds so keep it in cool dark and dry place. Keep away from reach of children and use responsibly
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