Getting started

In hydroponics, the plant roots are constantly provided with all the water, oxygen, and nutrients they need. The challenge for the grower is to keep up with the plant’s needs and to avoid damaging it with either excesses or deficiencies of minerals. As a general rule, a plant consumes more nitrogen during the formative or vegetative stage and more phosphorus, potassium, and magnesium as it flowers.

Throughout its growth cycle, the plant will also consume calcium, sulfur and micro nutrients such as iron, manganese, boron, molybdenum, copper and zinc.

FloraMicro®, the foundation or “building block” of the FloraSeries system, provides nitrogen, calcium, micronutrients and trace minerals, which are essential for a comprehensive hydroponic plant diet. By adding FloraGro® to FloraMicro, the plant will receive additional nitrogen and potassium, stimulating structural and foliar growth. To stimulate flower and fruit development, FloraBloom® is added to provide the necessary phosphorus, potassium, magnesium, and sulfur.

Fast growing crops consume large amounts of nutrients and water so it is important to keep an eye on the reservoir every couple of days. Also consider the size of the plants(bigger plants, more water consumption) and how warm and dry the environment.(hotter, more transpiration).

Absolutely! All of our nutrient blends contain the necessary elements for plant growth. Start with the formula ratios identified on the label for the specific plant or crop you are growing, and then adjust and experiment until you find the right formula for your specific need.

For further information, refer to our feedcharts.

Of course. Make sure you use a weaker nutrient solution than you would for root feeding. Avoid foliar feeding in the heat of the day and under excessive sunlight. Generally, the best times to foliar feed are in the early morning and late afternoon. Make sure you spray the undersides of the leaves. This is where the stomata or “lungs of the plant” are located, and where maximum absorption occurs.

Never mix the nutrients together in their concentrated form, as this will cause nutrient “lock-out,” making some minerals unavailable. It is best to begin by adding FloraMicro®, stirring well, and then adding FloraGro® and/or FloraBloom®. If both FloraGro® and FloraBloom® are used, add one, stir well, then add the other.

1. Start with a reservoir of fresh water, adding concentrates one at a time and thoroughly stirring each one in to prevent nutrient lockout. Shake each bottle well before pouring.
2. If using any silicon products, like Armor Si^™, add them to your reservoir first.
3. Next add any calcium sources – start with supplements, like CALiMAGic™. Following any supplements, add FloraMicro®, which also contains calcium.
4. If using FloraBloom®, or any other bloom supplements that contain phosphorus, like Purpinator® / Terpinator®, add it following your calcium products.
5. If using FloraGro®, add it to your reservoir now.
6. Any additional supplements can typically be added in any order at this point, except organics, like Floralicious®, which should be added last.
7. Adjust pH to match the recommended range for the crop you’re growing.

Refer to feedcharts for guidance on measurements by growth stage.

Be sure to watch Jesse walk you through the process of mixing FloraSeries® here ⟶

To obtain an approximate sodium chloride TDS value, multiply the EC reading (in milliSiemens/cm) by 1000 and divide by 2.

To get an EC value, multiply the ppm reading by 2 and divide by 1000.

Thus, if your EC is 1:
1 * 1000/2= 500 ppm.

And if your ppm is 500:
500 * 2/1000= 1 EC