Nutrient Strength

What Does Nutrient Strength Mean?

Nutrient strength is the intensity of the nutrient solution or fertilizer used when growing plants.

All plants require nutrients to thrive and produce fruit, and in hydroponics all nutrition is received from the horticulturalist. For this reason monitoring nutrient strength is extremely important for hydroponics where no nutrients are derived naturally.

Maximum Yield Explains Nutrient Strength

A nutrient solution that is too weak will result in feeble, nutrient-starved plants that are leggy and yellowed. A nutrient solution that is too strong will cause the plant to overgrow, but produce little or no fruit, and in some cases high nitrogen levels will burn a plant.

A nutrient solution meter is recommended to monitor and adjust nutrient levels. A meter is also used to monitor pH and nitrogen levels.

Different plants utilize nutrients at different rates, so a different nutrient solution is required depending upon what is being grown. For this reason there are many plant-specific formulas commercially available.

The proper nutrient strength will not remain constant because plants will require more nutrients as they grow and produce fruit. When growing hydroponically a horticulturalist may use several different nutrient solutions during the growing cycle.