Nutritional Basics

Fertilisers La Poción del Brujo are well known among growers for their original formulas and offer a range of unique nutritional supplements and additives that you will not find from any other fertiliser manufacturer. We have selected the best products from the La Poción del Brujo range for rooting, the growth and flowering stages, ripening and drying.

Behind the La Poción del Brujo brand is the Spanish manufacturer Cannaboom S.L., with almost twenty years of experience in the development, research and distribution of fertilisers. In recent years, Cannaboom S.L. has undergone a rebranding, and their La Poción del Brujo range attracts attention not only for its quality, but also for its attractive design.

La Poción del Brujo: Rooting and the growth stage

Raimil Fullcrem – universal root stimulator

The basis of success in indoor growing under artificial lighting is plants with a rich and branched root system. Only then can they quickly use all the nutrients from fertilisers and fully benefit from the controlled climate of the indoor grow room and the energy from artificial lighting.

Raimil Fullcrem is a concentrated root stimulator in the form of a laminar suspension. It is suitable for use in soil, horticultural substrates, coco and hydroponics. Use Raimil Fullcrem from seed germination or rooting of cuttings until the fifth week of flowering.

Clonadon – effective rooting gel

When cloning plants from cuttings, cleanliness and speed are especially important. As soon as you cut a branch and expose the plant tissues, air bubbles begin to form at the cut site, preventing proper root development. Rooting products for cuttings help prevent oxidation and greatly increase success when cloning.

Clonadon is a completely natural rooting product for cuttings containing plant extracts combined with trace elements, vitamins and amino acids. Thanks to its gel consistency, Clonadon adheres easily to the cut site, and it also contains substances that protect against root diseases. When taking cuttings, dip approximately two centimetres of the stem into the gel and plant the cutting into rockwool or a jiffy as quickly as possible.

Rizoclon – natural growth activator for seeds and cuttings

Rizoclon is a root growth activator for cuttings or seeds with a completely natural composition and without growth hormones. It contains bacteria, microorganisms and amino acids that quickly colonise plants and activate the growth of new roots. For use, soak rockwool cubes or jiffies in water, into which you mix 0.2 ml of Rizoclon per 1 litre of water.

Brujo Vit

For healthy development, plants need not only nutrients in the form of minerals, but, just like people, they also benefit from vitamins and amino acids. Nutritional supplements containing these substances support healthy plant development and at the same time increase nutrient uptake by the roots, which further strengthens the effect of fertilisers.

Brujo Vit is a complex of concentrated vitamins and L-amino acids suitable as a nutritional supplement in all growth stages, from rooting to ripening. The product does not increase the EC of the nutrient solution because it contains no salts. Apply Brujo Vit from the tenth day after seed germination or rooting of cuttings, and it can be combined with all types of fertilisers.

Boom Rapid Fullcrem – balanced nutritional supplement to support growth

A number of fast-growing plant species have higher nutrient requirements during the vegetative stage. This is doubly true in indoor growing under artificial lighting, where plants quickly gain biomass. Growth stimulators and nutritional supplements intended for the growth stage help prevent nutritional deficiencies during the growth phase of the vegetative cycle.

Boom Rapid Fullcrem is a concentrated growth stimulator for the growth stage containing a balanced amount of nitrogen, potassium and phosphorus in chelated form. The product has a unique formula, thanks to which it can contain more organic substances than other growth stimulators. For use in soil, soil-based substrates, coco and hydroponics from the second to the third week of the growth stage.

La Poción del Brujo: Flowering stage

Biotonex F1 – flowering stimulator for the growth and flowering stages

Proper nutrition in plants affects not only their size and growth rate, but also their appearance. Plants suffering from nutrient deficiencies are often leggy and have longer internodal distances, which results in fewer side branches, buds and flowers. Flowering stimulators contain substances that trigger flowering in plants and nutrients essential for their proper development.

Biotonex F1 is a highly concentrated flowering stimulator whose main effect is to shorten internodal distances and limit plant stretching after switching to flowering. Biotonex F1 also makes it easier for plants to assimilate nutrients, both NPK and micronutrients. The product is for use from the third week of growth until the sixth week of flowering and is suitable for all types of substrates and hydroponics.

Florabloom Fullcrem

In the first weeks of flowering, plants consume large amounts of nutrients and especially phosphorus, which is an important element in genetic transfer and, when insufficient, disrupts the formation of buds and flowers. Flowering stimulators and nutritional supplements for the flowering stage help prevent phosphorus deficiency in the first weeks of the flowering phase.

Florabloom Fullcrem is a concentrated flowering stimulator in the form of a laminar suspension that contains a balanced amount of nitrogen and potassium and a high amount of readily available phosphorus. For use in all types of substrates and for hydroponic growing from the first to the fifth week of flowering.

Red Boom – highly effective PK booster

NPK macronutrients, especially phosphorus and potassium, are essential for plants during the flowering stage. Basic fertilisers usually contain enough NPK nutrients, but by increasing the supply of phosphorus and potassium it is possible to achieve a higher yield and improve the taste and aroma of flowers. PK boosters are a useful tool in such cases.

Red Boom is an effective PK booster which, in addition to phosphorus and potassium, contains nitrogen and natural activators that make nutrient assimilation easier and increase the potential of this product. For all types of substrates and in hydroponic nutrient solutions from the third to the sixth week of flowering.

La Poción del Brujo: Ripening and drying stage

Super Boom Compactor – support for ripening

Many growers add an extra dose of phosphorus and potassium to plants in the last days and weeks before harvest. This supports resin production, increases flower weight and enhances the aroma of plants. The disadvantage of strongly concentrated PK boosters, however, is the risk of over-salting the substrate or burning the plants with fertiliser.

Super Boom Compactor is a unique nutritional supplement intended for the final flowering stage with a high content of potassium and other nutrients, made from organic and natural materials and specially developed for growers of aromatic and medicinal plants. Super Boom Compactor can be used with any other type of fertiliser and is suitable for growing in soil and soil-based substrates, coco and for some hydroponic systems.

Roca Boost – ripening finisher

To achieve the highest possible yield and support the formation of flowers and active substances in plants, some growers increase the EC of the nutrient solution to the maximum possible level in the last weeks of flowering. For these purposes, it is possible to use either PK boosters or special ripening finishers.

Roca Boost is a concentrated ripening stimulator in granular form with a high content of potassium and silicon. It increases the production of sugars and essential oils and raises the harvest yield. For all types of substrates and hydroponics in the last three weeks of flowering.

Terpenum – support for terpene production

Plants produce natural aromatic substances called terpenes, which create their scent and serve as protection against pests and to attract pollinators. Terpenes are formed in trichomes, microscopic glands on the leaves and stems of plants that are responsible for resin production.

Terpenum is a unique additive that forces plants to produce a high amount of trichomes and increases the amount of resin on the flowers. For use in all types of substrates and in hydroponics. Add Terpenum to the watering for the last four weeks before harvest. If you double the dose in the last 15 days, you will achieve harvest roughly a week earlier.

More Grams – reducing losses during drying

Herbs, aromatic or medicinal plants are often dried after cultivation, and during this process more than 80% of the weight of the grown biomass can be lost. This is because plant tissues contain a high amount of water, which evaporates during drying. For commercial and home growers alike, this means lower yields and increased financial costs.

More Grams is an additive intended for the last two weeks before harvest, which works by increasing the amount of plant fibres, starch and proteins inside the flowers and turning part of the water back into plant mass. As a result, the buds are firmer and retain more weight even after drying. For use when growing in soil, coco and soil-based horticultural substrates and hydroponics in the last two weeks of flowering.

Every Sunday, our blog gives you the opportunity to get to know in detail the best manufacturers of products for indoor and outdoor gardening, whether these are fertilisers, substrates or grow boxes and their equipment, such as various ventilation equipment or, for example, grow lights. In recent weeks, truly big names have been featured on this occasion, including Shogun, Plagron, Bionova and Canna. But what about Guanokalong?

Quite a cumbersome name, isn’t it? However, if you are interested in growing plants in soil, organic growing and ecological agriculture, it conceals specific, 100% biological fertilisers and substrate from the Netherlands, enabling growers to achieve high yields more efficiently by natural means. That is already a compelling reason to focus today on products originating in the Dutch village of Aalten.

Origin and significance of the basic raw materials

In the coastal caves of Java and Madagascar, bats have lived for centuries, feeding on the surrounding insects and fruit in this completely untouched and natural environment. As the years, or rather centuries, passed, their droppings had time to decompose in these places into high-quality compost, representing a rich source of nutrients for plants of all kinds. This brings us to the common feature and the very basis of all Guanokalong products. The brand uses bat droppings, provided they are collected gently under the strict supervision of local authorities, without causing any disturbance to the environment. The company’s workers still use spatulas and oil lamps the old-fashioned way. No machines or noise. The fact that Guanokalong does its work as ecologically as possible is also confirmed by the prestigious Control Union certification. It has held this certification since 2012. From other parts of the world and exclusively from verified suppliers with the appropriate ecological certification come further valuable raw materials important for the production of Guanokalong products. Palm ash comes from Sumatra and seaweed powder comes from Norway.

Now it is time to introduce the individual products. Let us begin with substrates and soil additives.

Guanokalong soil substrate

Guanokalong produces only one, but truly unique biological growing medium called Complete Mix. This substrate is sold in classic 50-litre packs. Why should you try it?

• It offers growers convenient use. This will especially please beginners. It is a pre-mixed soil rich in nutrients thanks to the addition of bat droppings. You do not need to deal with fertilising for at least the first month. In some cases, the nutrients contained in this substrate are sufficient for plants for up to 6 weeks.
• The composition of this soil will also satisfy even the most demanding growers. It consists of two types of peat (Baltic and black), bat guano, biohumus, PG mix and seaweed extract.
• We will continue with the convenience of use. Nutrients are released from this natural growing substrate gradually through the fermentation process, which significantly reduces the risk of so-called plant burn due to over-fertilisation.
• If you store Complete Mix in a dry and dark place, you do not need to deal with any expiry date either.
• If bat droppings do not sound particularly appealing to you, or if you are even concerned about odour, we can assure you that no unpleasant odour really occurs when the substrate is opened or used.
• Natural soil with bat droppings provides plants with additional protection against bacterial infections.
• It stimulates root growth and subsequently the formation of beautiful, large flowers or fruits.
• Complete Mix can be used both for outdoor gardening and for indoor growing in a grow box.
• Using this substrate brings the following results in practice:
• Better taste and overall (organic) quality of the harvest.
• Higher yields.

Guanokalong soil additive

If, for the purpose of organic plant cultivation, you do not want to use unnecessarily many additives, you will probably also be interested in the 100% natural Guanokalong soil additive Lawa Worm Powder. This new product stands out for its ability to improve soil properties to such an extent that it is no longer absolutely necessary to add any further fertilisers! And it does not matter whether you prefer open soil in the garden or whether you would rather use flower pots inside a grow tent.

The final product is a combination of volcanic rock dust and worm castings. In the plant nutrition market, it has become a completely unique product, especially in terms of composition, which naturally goes hand in hand with the final effect:

• Lawa Worm Powder contains a wide range of rare trace elements.
• The composition of this soil additive is naturally rich in minerals as well.
• The product itself stimulates plant growth to a degree usually achieved with the help of many different additives.

Guanokalong plant nutrition

Dry forms of fertilisers

Let us begin with the classic in loose form. By this we mean the universal loose Guanokalong fertilisers, obtained from bat excrement by drying, which you can use throughout the entire growing cycle (for growth and flowering) at home and outdoors (indoor and outdoor). This “super fertiliser” with a low salt index, full of natural ingredients and rich in microelements and enzymes that intensively strengthen the root zone, is sold in 6 packs of different weights, from 0.5 kg packs up to 25 kg packs. Are you interested in which elements such 100% bat droppings contain? Detailed information can be found in the product description of Guanokalong Powder - bat droppings (Powder). High-quality bat droppings, on the other hand, do not contain any germinating weed seeds. Some growers, especially outdoor growers and farmers, prefer the pelleted form of bat droppings rather than powder - Guanokalong Granules (Pellets). Compared with powder, pellets are less prone to being dispersed by the wind. Another major advantage of these fertilisers is their rapid action, which in practice makes targeted adjustments to plant growth easier.

As for granules or pellets made from bat droppings, an interesting alternative is also a mixture of granules and humic acids - Guanokalong Guano Black (Black Pellets). Humic acids help plants absorb important nutrients efficiently. For completeness, you can read more in the separate article entitled Fulvic and humic acids: significance and use in plant nutrition. The gradual release of nutrients, which in the case of this product takes a quarter to half a year, eliminates the risk of plant burn due to over-fertilisation, which is therefore practically impossible. Enzymes, calcium and magnesium take care of rich soil life. Guanokalong Guano Black granules make transplanting plants easier for growers, among other things.

It should be added that natural fertilisers based on bat droppings also bring growers the same benefits when growing plants as the above-mentioned substrate. Again, you can count on natural protection against bacterial plant infections, there is no need to deal with an expiry date, you do not have to worry about unpleasant odour and you can look forward to a wonderful harvest in organic quality, whether you are growing fruit, vegetables or medicinal herbs. However, Guanokalong goes much further in the matter of maximally effective, yet purely natural plant nutrition...

Proof of this is another new product for indoor and outdoor use throughout the growing cycle: the vegan growth fertiliser Guanokalong Veg Pearls. It is made from sugar cane plant extract and, after application, your plants will quite literally amaze you with their growth! In addition, it also works with less frequent watering. Besides the economic aspect, there are also other reasons why growers like it:

• Increased plant resistance to stress. (We recommend the separate article: Stress also harms plants, or abiotic stresses in plants.)
• Easy application (spreading) thanks to the rounded shape of each pellet.
• Longer soil life.
• There is no risk of mineral leaching.

Guanokalong Complete Organics is a comprehensive organic fertiliser of the “all in one” type. What does that mean?

• A completely ideal natural fertiliser for growth and flowering if you do not want to worry too much about soil conditions for healthy plant development, whether in a pot or in a bed in the garden.
• What does this balanced mixture consist of?
• powdered Guanokalong
• seaweed powder
• palm ash
• vegetative powder
• fish meal
• volcanic soil
• As a result, the final composition is rich in important microelements, as well as amino acids, humic acids and enzymes (see separate article: Enzymes).
• All active substances that are part of the complex composition of Guanokalong Complete Organics are released and activated by normal fermentation, and so when it is used in soil, natural processes occur that improve its properties and support the soil microflora.

Therefore, if your plants are exposed to obvious stress, or if your soil is poor in nutrients, Complete Organics will serve you better than many chemical and mineral fertilisers.

Other products from the Guanokalong brand have proven themselves as natural boosters:

• Guanokalong Palm Tree Ash is a 100% VEGAN product based on palm ash. A raw material rich in basic nutrients, namely nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium (N - P - K) (see separate article: NPK - what is it?). Other elements contained in the palm ash naturally regulate soil acidity. We can confidently describe this ecologically sourced palm ash as a highly effective flowering booster. It is released directly, so dose it with increased caution. Experienced growers like to use the composition of this product in combination with bat droppings in powder form when growing vegetables (especially tomatoes) in the garden.
• Guanokalong Seaweed Powder is a 100% vegan additive suitable for any mixture of natural fertilisers. In this case, it is the already several times mentioned seaweed powder, which stands out for its ability to stimulate the activity of beneficial microorganisms living in the soil. The microelements contained in seaweed powder are ideal for strengthening the soil and improving the growth of your plants. However, there is one more property for which seaweed powder is renowned among growers, and that is its ability to retain moisture exceptionally well. Thanks to this, its application also ensures balance in the growing environment in terms of soil moisture. The growth hormones it contains provide additional stimulation to the root system, thanks to which plants grow faster. Ultimately, it therefore also serves as a natural growth stimulator for indoor and outdoor use.

Liquid fertilisers (liquid fertilisers)

Dry fertilising is now replaced by liquid base and supplementary fertilisers:

• Guanokalong liquid base fertilisers are characterised by the absence of phosphorus. The pair of products, bringing extra stimulation of microbial life in the soil with a prolonged effect, contains only nitrogen and potassium in a suitable ratio to ensure vigorous plant growth, or the formation of abundant blooms and large, juicy fruits. These base fertilisers for growth and flowering have a low salt index, so they do not place unnecessary strain on plant roots. You can use them when growing herbs outdoors just as well as if you have a grow tent at home.
• Kalong Grow: vegan base plant nutrition with an increased nitrogen content for the growth or vegetative phase.
• Kalong Bloom: vegan base plant nutrition with an increased potassium content for the flowering phase.

• Guanokalong liquid boosters
  • Guanokalong Extract is a liquid flavour enhancer for cultivated crops full of purely natural ingredients based on 100% bat droppings. If you do not grow plants in soil or in coconut fibre, the liquid extract is the solution for you. This product is compatible with absolutely all growing methods and systems, both outdoors and indoors! What can you expect from it after application? Better taste, overall quality and yield of your plants, together with the benefits that, as we have already explained, are associated with the entire Guanokalong range (i.e. gradual release of nutrients reducing the risk of irreversible plant damage due to over-fertilisation to an absolute minimum, additional protection against bacterial infections, support for the root zone, etc.).
  • Guanokalong BatBoost is characterised by a high potassium content. The nitrogen (N) concentration is lower than 2%. The liquid booster Batboost is also suitable for every cultivation system. What is it made of? Growers are helped to achieve a better harvest in every respect by a balanced mixture of the above-mentioned extract and palm ash. Add to that the beneficial effects of humic acids.
  • Guanokalong Seaweed Liquid is the liquid version of the natural stimulator based on cold-processed seaweed Seaweed Powder (see above).

OUR TIP: You will achieve the best results when organically growing plants in soil if you apply Guanokalong fertilisers on the basis of the clear dosing chart directly from the manufacturer.

Are you interested in products from the Dutch brand Guanokalong? We will always be happy to advise you on the selection, whether it concerns pack size or a suitable combination of specific products, based on your individual needs and plans at the well-known e-mail address info@higarden.eu.

We also recommend these products:

• Circulation fans
• HERCULES aerated plastic flower pots
• Hydroton - AGRO expanded clay 4-8 mm, 1 l

What to read next:

• Do you know what VPD is? Discover the key to perfect conditions for plant development
• How to choose a propagator and what to equip it with?
• WHISPERBLOWER: professional fans with unbeatable efficiency

The main driving force behind the Grotek brand is the Solo-Tek range of organo-mineral fertilisers, which combine efficiency and simplicity. Grotek fertilisers are suitable for a wide range of cultivation methods, including soil growing indoors and outdoors, hydroponics, soilless growing in coco and other inert substrates. There is truly something for everyone, and we will advise you on how to use them!

Grotek is an established brand that has been active on the market for more than 20 years. Their fertilisers are used by hobby home growers as well as professional growers all over the world. In their formulations, Grotek were among the first to combine mineral fertilisers and organic extracts, which allows growers to take advantage of the best of both worlds and rely on the efficiency of mineral salts and benefit from the beneficial effect of organic substances on plant nutrition.

The basic Grotek fertiliser range

Plants go through different growth stages during their life, and as they change, their nutritional needs change too, especially the ratio of the basic NPK nutrients. While plants in the growth stage need an increased supply of nitrogen (N),  flowering plants make greater use of phosphorus (P) and potassium (K). These essential nutrients are contained in basic fertilisers,  without which no gardener can do.

Grotek offers a convenient solution in this respect in the form of two products Solo-Tek Grow and Solo-Tek Bloom. These are single-component liquid fertilisers for the growth and flowering stages, which can be used for:

• soil growing indoors and outdoors
• hydroponics
• growing in soilless substrates (coco substrate, rockwool) 

Single-component fertilisers are often more effective than three-component formulations. Whenever cation exchange occurs in the nutrient solution, three-component mixes slow down the effect of the nutrient solution. The fertilisers in the Solo-Tek range are made using a patented 7-day process and, thanks to humus suspension technology, form a concentrated water-free mixture.

• Solo-Tek Grow is a basic liquid fertiliser for growth that provides plants with everything they need during the vegetative stage of the life cycle. The formulation contains the correct ratio of macro- and micronutrients needed for healthy development of leaves, stems and roots.
• Solo-Tek Bloom is a basic liquid fertiliser for flowering that is rich in phosphorus and potassium to support flower and fruit development in plants, while also containing a certain amount of nitrogen for the formation of new leaves and stems.

Solo-Tek additives and nutritional supplements

The basic single-component Solo-Tek fertilisers contain everything your plants need, but to achieve top results we recommend supplementing them with some of the Grotek additives, which will allow you to adapt plant nutrition to the conditions in your garden or grow room.

The Grotek range is truly extensive and it is by no means necessary to use all products at once. Some have very specific uses, such as Pro-Silicate for protecting plants against drought and heat, while others, such as flowering and ripening stimulators, are used by most growers. To make selection easier, we offer you an overview of the most interesting products according to the growth stage.

For the growth stage, we recommend

• Kick Start is a liquid fertiliser intended for seedlings and young plants that helps root formation while also protecting against overwatering and underwatering. This product contains organic extracts from seaweed and alfalfa, and increased amounts of zinc and iron, elements essential for the healthy development of seedlings and cuttings. We recommend Kick-Start as nutrition for plants in the first stages of life, before applying Solo-Tek Grow.
• Vitamax Pro is a liquid nutritional supplement that can be used throughout the plant life cycle. It is the organic version of commonly used growth-support products with a high content of organic substances for use in soil and hydroponic substrates. It increases plant resistance to abiotic stress, and we recommend its use in intensive cultivation.
• Vitamax Plus is a more concentrated version of Vitmax Pro, which is also suitable for use in hydroponics. Vitamax Plus contains a smaller proportion of organic substances and, thanks to low-molecular-weight humates and amino-chelate components, provides plants with the nutrients essential for rapid growth. Suitable throughout the entire cultivation period.
• Monster Grow Pro Pro is a water-soluble granular fertiliser intended as a nutritional supplement for the growth stage. This product contains highly soluble organic substances, a plant amino acid hydrolysate for rapid nitrogen supply, and soluble seaweed extract to support root development. We recommend applying Monster Grow Pro during the growth stage when growing in soil, soilless substrates and hydroponics.
• Bud Fuel Pro is a liquid nutritional supplement for the pre-flower stage when growing in soil and soilless substrates. This product supplies plants with key nutrients at the start of the flowering period, when they form the first buds. It contains bioactive ingredients, minerals and a patented seaweed extract. Bud Fuel Pro speeds up the onset of flowering and increases crop yield.

For the flowering stage, we recommend

• Monster Bloom is a highly concentrated fertiliser for supporting flowering with a high content of readily available phosphorus and potassium for use in soil, soilless substrates and hydroponics. Many growers rely on Monster Bloom, and it is one of the most effective bloom boosters on the market. When applied during flowering and ripening, it significantly increases yield and harvest quality.
• Blossom Blaster is a granular flowering accelerator for growing in soil, soilless substrates and hydroponics. It contains phosphorus and potassium, elements that help plants in the first weeks of flowering and increase crop yield. Thanks to its highly concentrated formulation, it only needs to be used at a concentration of 0.1 gram per litre.
• Blossom Blaster Pro is a liquid flowering accelerator for growing in soil, soilless substrates and hydroponics. Thanks to its lower concentration compared with the powder form, this product can also be applied as a spray.
• Heavy Bud Pro is a liquid fertiliser for supporting ripening for use in soil, soilless substrates and hydroponics. Thanks to its unique composition with a large amount of free carbohydrates, plants have rapid access to a huge amount of nutrients, which increases both yield and crop quality when applied in the final weeks before harvest.

Final Flush by Grotek

Final Flush is intended to remove excess salts from the growing substrate, which ensures a cleaner harvest. By removing excess nutrients at the end of the growing period, we force plants to convert accumulated salts into secondary metabolites and thereby improve the taste and aroma of the harvested product. Final Flush is available in 6 variants:

• Final Flush Regular (odourless, does not alter the original terpene profile
• Final Flush Grapefruit
• Final Flush Green Apple
• Final Flush Pina Colada
• Final Flush Blueberry
• Final Flush Strawberry

Are you interested in the organic Grotek Green Line fertiliser range? Read our detailed article here.

Useful links

GROTEK Guide

Dosing charts for GROTEK fertilisers

Manufacturer’s website

How to Choose Fertilisers: A Complete Guide to Buying Nutrition for Your Plants

On the market, you will find dozens of brands and hundreds of different types of fertilisers – in liquid, powder and solid form, organic and mineral, for different growth stages and cultivation methods. How do you make sense of it all and avoid mistakes? We have prepared an overview of the basic types of fertilisers and practical advice to help you choose the right nutrition for your plants.

Basic Types of Fertilisers by Growing Medium

There is a difference between fertilisers for growing in soil, coco, inert substrates or hydroponics. Before you start buying fertiliser, make sure which substrate and which growing method you want to use. Only then can you choose the right type of nutrition.

• Fertilisers for soil: These are suitable for growing in open ground (in beds) or in pots.
• Fertilisers for coco substrates: Growing substrates made from coconut fibres do not contain nutrients on their own and require special fertilisation. Coco substrates are usually used for indoor growing or in greenhouses.
• Fertilisers for hydroponics: These are intended for preparing a nutrient solution for substrate-free systems or when growing in inert media such as rockwool.

You may also be interested in: Guide to Growing Substrates

Choosing Fertiliser According to the Growth Stage

From germination to harvest, plants go through several growth stages, and their nutrient requirements change accordingly. During the first weeks of life, they need little or no fertiliser; during the vegetative growth stage, it is important to provide enough nitrogen, and during flowering it is suitable to use fertilisers with a higher content of potassium and phosphorus.

• Starter fertilisers-Start: These contain a small amount of nutrients and often also substances that support root growth and beneficial microorganisms, such as mycorrhizal fungi or soil bacteria.
• Fertilisers for the growth stage-Grow: These contain an increased amount of nitrogen, which plants need for the formation of leaves and stems. Nitrogen fertilisers can be purely organic, mineral or combined, and the nitrogen in them may be present in the form of nitrates (NO₃-) or ammonium (NH₄+), which affects the absorption rate and influences pH fluctuations in the substrate.
• Fertilisers for flowering-Bloom: These contain larger amounts of phosphorus and potassium to support the formation of flowers and fruits, and like other types of fertilisers they can be organic, mineral or combined.
• Fertilisers for the pre-harvest period-Flush: Especially when growing medicinal plants, some growers stop fertilising several weeks before harvest and replace it with clean water or special flushing fertilisers or finishers. The aim is better aroma and taste of the resulting product.

You may also be interested in: What Are NPK Fertilisers and What Are They Used For

Organic vs. Mineral Fertilisers

Although it makes no difference to plants which source the nutrients absorbed by the roots come from, the difference between organic and mineral fertilisers is significant in cultivation. Organic fertilisers are effective only in the presence of soil microorganisms and are therefore suitable only for growing in soil-based (organic) substrates or in beds. Synthetic fertilisers contain mineral salts that plants can absorb directly from water and can be used for growing in coco, inert substrates and in hydroponics.

• Organic fertilisers: These are made from natural raw materials such as compost, manure, bone meal, guano, fish, seaweed or plant extracts. When using organic fertilisers, keep in mind that it takes some time before they start to work.
• Mineral fertilisers: These contain nutrients in the form of mineral salts, which are obtained from phosphates, ammonia and the synthesis of nitrogen from the air. They work immediately and carry a risk of over-fertilisation. Therefore, always follow the dosage tables and measure the pH and EC of the nutrient solution.

You may also be interested in: Organic vs. Synthetic Fertilisers: Which Is Better for Your Plants?

Fertiliser Form: Liquid, Solid or Powder?

Fertilisers can come in several forms – from fully liquid to loose to solid with slow release. Each form has its advantages; it depends on where and how you grow. Different forms can include organic, mineral or combined types of fertilisers.

• Liquid fertilisers: Concentrated fertiliser solutions for preparing nutrient solution are the most user-friendly. They work quickly, are easy to handle and have a long shelf life.
• Dry fertilisers: Water-soluble fertilisers in powder or granule form can be used to prepare a nutrient solution or applied directly to the substrate (if they are designed for that purpose).
• Solid slow-release fertilisers: Fertilisers in the form of pellets or granules with slow release are suitable for outdoor growing because they leach from the soil more slowly and supply nutrients to plants gradually. The disadvantage is that they are more difficult to dose.

You may also be interested in: Dry vs. Liquid Fertilisers: Which Are Better for Growing?

Complete Nutrition: Multi-Component vs. Single-Component Fertilisers

Especially with fertilisers for hydroponic growing, it is common to use multi-component fertilisers that are mixed in a ratio to create the ideal nutrient solution for a given occasion (for example, more nitrogen during the growth stage or more phosphorus and potassium during the flowering period). On the other hand, there are single-component fertilisers, which contain a given ratio of nutrients, usually for a specific growth stage (veg/flower).

Nutrition Additives and Stimulators

In addition to basic fertilisers, which contain the macro- and micronutrients essential for plant growth, you will also find a range of supplementary nutrition and growth stimulators on growers’ shop shelves. These additives are not usually essential for cultivation, but many growers use them to bring their plants to perfection.

• Root stimulators: These speed up root formation and are used during germination, taking cuttings or transplanting plants.
• Growth and flowering boosters: These stimulate plants to form leaves or flowers.
• Vitalisers and enzymes: Various types of additives for protecting plants from stress and supporting microbial life.

You may also be interested in: When and How to Use Root Stimulators

You should now be ready to buy the appropriate fertilisers for your plants. Before we leave you, however, we would like to add a few final tips.

Avoid mixing brands: Different manufacturers use different recipes that may not be compatible.

Use a pH and EC metre: Measuring the pH and EC of the nutrient solution or substrate will give you a clearer idea of the nutrient content in the root zone.

Fertilise regularly: Plants benefit from a constant and stable supply of nutrients. Do not wait to fertilise until signs of nutrient deficiency appear.

Not sure which fertilisers to choose, or just starting out with growing? Useful information for beginner growers and experienced growers can be found on our Higarden blog or you can contact our sales team.

Purely in theory, it makes no difference to our plants whether we supply nutrients in liquid, powder or granule form. However, this only applies if the amount and concentration of nutrients in the substrate or nutrient solution correspond to their requirements. Nevertheless, each type of fertiliser has its advantages and disadvantages. Let us look at what they are together.

The choice of the right type of fertiliser will always depend first and foremost on the feeding method of cultivation and the feeding programme you have chosen. In hydroponic and soilless cultivation, we use exclusively water-soluble fertilisers. These are suitable for plants placed in inert (soilless) substrates such as rockwool, perlite, expanded clay or vermiculite. The term “fertigation” has become established for this type of plant nutrition, arising from the combination of the words “fertilisation” and “irrigation”. In this cultivation method, plants obtain nutrients directly from the nutrient solution and are fertilised with every watering, while the hydroponic substrate itself contains no nutrients and serves only to anchor the plants and retain the nutrient solution around the roots. In some cases, the roots float submerged in a nutrient solution that is continuously oxygenated.

On the other hand, when cultivating plants in classic growing substrates (that is, those containing peat, tree bark, coconut fibres or compost), gardeners have far more options. Soil mixes have a greater ability to retain nutrients than hydroponic substrates, and therefore solid slow-release fertilisers, including organic variants, can be used. However, in highly intensive indoor cultivation it is better to use both types of fertiliser, because some nutrient elements such as nitrogen, phosphorus or potassium can be depleted from the soil very quickly.

Water-soluble fertilisers

Water-soluble fertilisers can be either liquid or dry (water-soluble powder), and they can be supplied to plants using hydroponic or irrigation growing systems. Water-soluble fertilisers may contain only one type of mineral salt (for example calcium nitrate or potassium phosphate), but more often they are mixtures of different mineral salts that contain several nutrient elements at once. The composition, concentration and method of preparing the nutrient solution then vary according to the specific feeding programme.

The feeding programme Green House Feeding includes a wide range of water-soluble mineral fertilisers and nutrition supplements in powder form, including specialised mixes for growing hybrids, varieties with a short flowering period and long-flowering cultivars. Nutrient solutions prepared from Green House Feeding fertilisers retain EC and pH for at least one week, and highly concentrated nutrient solutions can be stored for several months.

When using water-soluble fertilisers containing mineral salts, we must bear in mind that some mineral salts can react with one another and form precipitates, which not only reduce the effectiveness of the nutrient solution but also clog the nozzles and piping of irrigation systems. This most often happens when highly concentrated water-soluble fertilisers containing lime salts (for example calcium nitrate) are combined with those containing phosphates or sulphates. This is one of the reasons why manufacturers of these fertilisers often divide their formulations into two or three components. In general, the easiest way to avoid this problem is not to combine fertilisers from different feeding programmes and different brands.

Three-part fertilisers Terra Aquatica TriPart are among the most sought-after by professional growers, including prestigious scientific institutions and NASA. A huge advantage of this range is that all the nutrients needed throughout the plant life cycle are found in just three bottles. The TriPart formulation contains all primary and secondary nutrients and trace elements, and guarantees reliable results when growing specialised crops where taste, aroma and the production of essential oils and active compounds are important. In addition, the manufacturer offers a version for hard and soft water.

Many indoor growers prefer ready-made liquid fertilisers over powder ones because they are easy to measure and preparing the nutrient solution is simple. However, liquid fertiliser blends tend to be much more expensive than dry variants. Various factors play a role here, including transport and storage costs. In the end, this means that with dry water-soluble fertilisers you can prepare the same amount of nutrient solution at a significantly lower cost than with liquid ones.

Advantages of dry water-soluble fertilisers

• they reduce the cost of preparing nutrient solution
• they are easy to store
• longer shelf life

Solid slow-release fertilisers

Solid fertilisers can take the form of pellets, granules, tablets or powder and, unlike water-soluble ones, they cannot be used in hydroponics or for preparing nutrient solution, but are used only when growing in soil or horticultural substrates. These fertilisers are either mixed directly into the soil (when transplanting plants or with pre-fertilised growing soil mixes) or can be applied to the surface of the substrate.

Plagron Royalmix is a pre-fertilised horticultural substrate that contains fertiliser for approximately 6 weeks of plant life. Strongly pre-fertilised substrates are suitable only for older plants with a developed root system. For young cuttings or seedlings, such a substrate may be too “hot” and the plants could be burnt by fertiliser.

The main advantage of solid fertilisers is the possibility of gradual nutrient release into the soil. In the case of nutrient solution, nutrient elements are available to plants immediately after watering and only for a short time. By contrast, some solid slow-acting fertilisers can supply plants with nutrients for weeks or even months.

The basis of the feeding programme and range of organic fertilisers BioTabs are slow-release tablets that supply plants with nutrients and other beneficial substances. The basic tablets are then supplemented as needed with liquid and dry nutrition supplements, including organic PK boosters or compost teas.

Solid slow-release fertilisers allow the gardener to cover most of the plant’s nutrient needs already at planting time and save both time and money. This makes it possible to grow plants in a more ecological and sustainable way. On the other hand, when indoor growing nutrient-demanding plant species under powerful artificial lighting, it is often better to combine solid and liquid fertilisers. In some growth stages, plants may need a rapid supply of nutrients.

Fertilisers from the Dutch manufacturer Guanokalong are based on the use of fertile substrates and organic soil amendments in both liquid and solid form. This feeding programme is excellent for advanced indoor and outdoor growers, including those growing by the “living soil” method. You can learn more about Guanokalong in our article.

Advantages of solid slow-release fertilisers

• gradual and long-term nutrient release
• easy growing without the need to prepare nutrient solution
• the possibility of fully organic growing
• easy storage and shelf life

Biotabs fertilisers work brilliantly. And their practical application? Easy as anything! The Dutch manufacturer builds on natural processes in the soil and, as far as the operation of individual products is concerned, makes no secret of the fact that it essentially copies nature. So let nature do the work even when it comes to plants grown in pots. In addition to introducing the unique BIOTABS products, we will also bring you practical advice for growers directly from the founder of this now world-famous brand. We will therefore also touch on the topic of correct watering of plants and reveal a proven method for transplanting young plants.

Unlike controlled, human-managed indoor growing, in a forest there is no need to fertilise, measure EC or pH. This is due to an interconnected system of chemical reactions and the coexistence of micro-organisms, plants and animals, which we collectively call an ecosystem. But what if we transferred this system into indoor gardening as well? It is precisely on this idea that the founder of the Dutch company, Karel Schelfhout, explains the principles of organic growing with Biotabs products.

Micro-organisms and small creatures (for example earthworms) living in the soil eat one another while consuming organic material. Through their excrement, the soil in the wild then provides trees or plants with readily available nutrients. No chemistry is needed, and the results are even better. And so, after a quarter of a century of experience with chemical plant growing in rockwool, Karel Schelfhout decided to devote his career to developing purely natural products that would be environmentally friendly, easy to use, and above all create a natural, highly productive environment for plants grown in pots, ensuring a perfect harvest. It has worked, and that was already ten years ago. So let us introduce the complete Biotabs range in more detail. Afterwards, we will focus on the use of individual products in everyday growing practice.

Biotabs tablets 

Basic plant nutrition in the form of practical slow-release nutrient tablets for indoor (indoor) and outdoor (outdoor) growing is becoming increasingly popular among growers. Experienced growers appreciate the time and energy savings while achieving excellent results, and for beginners it is the perfect product that makes their first growing attempts much easier, so that they too can look forward to the harvest of their dreams, whatever the scale. BIOTABS tablets are here to make ecological growing almost child’s play, without exaggeration. To activate the tablets, simply add water; it really is that simple in practice. In addition to organic fertiliser (NPK 15-7-8), BioTabs tablets also contain beneficial bacteria and fungi, whose microbiological activity improves the substrate (soil-based or coconut) and significantly improves nutrient uptake by the plant.

We have the basics. It is also necessary to add an alternative that completely removes the need for measuring EC and pH. These are the Guerrilla tablets, which we mention at the end of this article. Below, using a practical example, you will learn how to place any fertiliser tablets into a pot. Now we move on to the other Biotabs products with which you can combine them.

Since we are on the subject of combinations, let us make a brief detour, as you occasionally ask us about combining organic and mineral products. We will answer straight away that this combination certainly does not make sense. It is necessary to realise that in organic farming and growing, from a grower’s perspective, you are not so much fertilising the plants as caring for the health of the soil environment and rich microbial life, because, as we have already explained, the soil then creates nutrition for the plants itself. And when you want to use mineral fertilisers or boosters in combination with organic products, the mineral fertilisers kill the soil life, without which this process disappears. So if you use Biotabs nutrition (or any other organic nutrition), there is no point in mixing in anything that does not have 100% natural composition. In addition, Biotabs has developed products that create a truly balanced nutritional system. If you use all sorts of different products together, this balance is unnecessarily disturbed and the results will not be as good as they could be.  

Biotabs Mycotrex 

This loose soil additive with a purely natural composition contains beneficial rhizobacteria, seaweed meal and humic acids (see the separate article: Fulvic and humic acids: importance and use in plant nutrition).

Among growers around the world, it is renowned for its ability, thanks to its composition, to provide an ideal environment in the soil for healthy and rapid plant development. 9 species of beneficial Endo Mycorrhiza fungi colonise the root system, whose capacity to absorb water and various nutrients from the soil increases rapidly, by up to 700%! If you read our articles regularly, you can surely already vividly imagine what this means for the health and growth rate of your plants!

Mycotrex is useful when growing in soil and in coconut substrate. It is very useful for all types of plants, from ornamental flowers to medicinal herbs and various kinds of fruit and vegetables, as well as trees and shrubs.

Biotabs Orgatrex

This 100% VEGAN liquid fertiliser for plant growing, by its composition and effects, ranks among growth and bloom stimulators. Within the comprehensive Biotabs growing strategy, it complements the products Mycotrex and Bactrex perfectly.

Its use is again completely safe for all types of plants, trees and shrubs. The natural composition consists of ingredients such as alfalfa meal, vinasse, molasses, and we must not forget the important trace elements (iron, copper, calcium, magnesium, manganese, sulphur, silicon, zinc).

Biotabs Bactrex

Increase the fertility of the soil! The BioTabs Bactrex soil enhancer acts in the root zone of plants, where it provides them with protection against pathogens (including pythium) while also converting organic matter into nutrients. This powerful soil aid can be used to protect newly rooted cuttings or germinating seeds. In terms of consistency, it is a dry powder that dissolves easily in water. In terms of composition, expect a large amount of beneficial soil bacteria and root microbes (including 6 strains of Bacillus spp.), Trichoderma fungi and actinomycetes.

It is important to realise that Bactrex is literally a live product, and therefore you should always apply it within 6 hours of dissolving it in water.

Biotabs Silicium Flash

For growers accustomed to using soil without significant pre-fertilisation or coconut substrates, which contain no nutrients, Karel Schelfhout recommends this organic blend of basic nutrients (see separate article: N-P-K - what is it?) with readily absorbable silicon (see separate article: The effect of silicon on plant health).

Biotabs Startrex

This natural soil improver is also rich in silicon (Si). In addition to that, it also contains fulvic acids and a heap of probiotic bacteria, whose high concentration immediately after application initiates the development of mycorrhizal fungi in the root system (see the separate article Mycorrhiza or High Yields Without Chemistry).

Biotabs boosters ensure explosive flowering!

Now it is the turn of a pair of products that Karel Schelfhout likes to compare to nitroglycerine for your bloom, in the sense of truly explosive flower development to ensure maximum yields! Although “NITRO” and “GLYCERINE” are, as is well known, an inseparable pair, the founder of Biotabs also understands that two products at once may be too much for some. In such a case, he recommends prioritising his absolute favourite product, which is the organic compost mixture PK Booster Compost Tea with a truly fantastic effect on the health and yield of cultivated plants, containing bat guano, seaweed, beneficial bacteria releasing nutrients from the soil, especially phosphorus (P) and potassium (K), as well as other special ingredients, thanks to which it brings growers results that can be seen within just a few days of the first application. At the same time, however, Karel Schelfhout emphasises that the best possible solution is the combination of PK Booster Compost Tea with the booster Bio PK 5-8, while following the application schedule below:

• PK Booster Compost Tea: week 4, week 6. 
• Bio PK 5-8: week 5, week 7. 

It would therefore not be effective to use both boosters together from the 4th to the 7th week of flowering.

If you are among growers who are not satisfied with watering applied only to the roots and also like to use foliar spray, you can try the effects of the foliar fertiliser Biotabs Boom Boom Spray on your plants as a powerful biostimulant containing 100% natural amino acids, peptides, glycosides and minerals.

Biotabs SeedPlugs for successful seed germination

This practical set will provide you with a quality foundation for your future harvest in 5 easy steps!

1. Pour one sachet of Bio Startermix starter fertiliser into 0.5 litres of water and mix well.
2. Water the SeedPlugs (the propagator with propagation cubes) with a small amount of the prepared solution and pour off any excess water from the propagator.
3. It is now important to have clean hands, or to use clean gloves. You can then gently place a seed into each propagation cube, soaked with the solution, to a depth of approximately 3 mm.
4. Leave the prepared propagator at a temperature of 22-24°C and after 3-5 days the seeds will begin to germinate.
5. Then simply remove the germinated seeds gently together with the propagation cube from the propagator and transplant them into a 1-litre pot filled with substrate mixed with perlite (see above).

Care for seedlings with BIOTABS products

Whether you have a germinated seed in a propagation cube or already a nicely rooted larger seedling, you will later want to safely transplant the young plants into large pots. The following trio of Biotabs products will serve you perfectly for this:

1. ORGATREX
2. MYCOTREX
3. BIOTABS

Karel Schelfhout recommends a proven procedure consisting of the following steps:

• First, transplant the seedling into a small pot with a volume of 1 litre. (You will achieve even better results using HERCULES aerated pots.) 
• First fill it with quality soil-based substrate, without Startrex for now.
• Then create the so-called planting hole in the middle of the pot.
• Using a spoon, first apply a small amount of Mycotrex (0.5-1.0 g), because it is important that the seedling’s roots come into contact with Mycotrex as soon as possible.
• Then gently place the rooted plant into the prepared space in the substrate with a little Mycotrex.
• Next, you need to mix and use a watering solution from 1 litre of water with the following composition: 5 ml Orgatrex + 1 g Bactrex. Both of these products help maintain optimal conditions for the soil microbiome. 
• The seedling in the 1-litre pot should be watered gently with only a small amount of water.
• After 7–10 days, the small seedling or cutting will become a more mature, still-growing plant that needs to be transplanted once more, into its final pot. For a 10-litre pot, in addition to 10 litres of soil, you will need 50 grams of Startrex.
• Make a planting hole and apply 5 grams of Mycotrex into it (approximately 5 teaspoons).
• Then take 2 slow-release nutrient tablets (BIOTABS) and place them about 5 cm below the surface of the substrate.
• And now comes the prepared watering solution from 1 litre of water with the addition of 1 g Bactrex and 5 ml Orgatrex.
• You can safely water a 10-litre pot with the whole litre of watering solution. Try to pour it primarily into the places where you placed the slow-release nutrient tablets.

Further practical advice from the founder of BIOTABS

You may already have read the separate article on our blog “What water do you use to water your plants?” and perhaps also the one on reverse osmosis (RO). If not, be sure to have a look at them, because the legendary Karel Schelfhout also places great emphasis on water quality when he says: “Most people use tap water when growing plants. That may be fine, but you should keep in mind that only water that you yourself drink is good for your plants. Its EC should definitely not be higher than 0.5! When you use a reverse osmosis unit, it pays to add an extra dose of calcium and magnesium to the substrate. Classic products such as CALMAG are one option, but you can also try so-called dolomite lime, or 50 g of perlite per 10 l of substrate.

And how should plants be watered correctly? It is important to make sure, and this is even more true for large plants, that water and nutrients are readily available to the plant. Karel Schelfhout advises lifting the pot and judging whether it is heavy or not. If the pot is very heavy, the plant does not need water at the moment. If it is light, then it does. A common beginner’s mistake is to focus only on the surface of the substrate, which appears dry in the pot, and so they think something like: “Hmm, my plant needs water!” But if you lift the pot and find that it is heavy, it means your plants actually still have enough water, and by adding more water you would, on the contrary, unnecessarily expose them to the risk of overwatering.

Karel Schelfhout recommends AutoPot hydroponic systems because they require no electrical energy and, using gravity alone, work automatically so that you can be sure your plants have just the right amount of water at any given time. Plants also benefit from a stable environment, and when you water them by hand, they are sometimes too wet and sometimes too dry, whereas when you use Autopot, they will always be wet. To make them just the right level of wet, or rather moist, a 30–40% perlite mix in the substrate has proven effective when irrigating with the AutoPot system. When watering by hand, a 10% perlite mix is sufficient. This ensures that even in moist soil there is still enough available oxygen.

Read the separate article: Autopot hydroponic systems for economical operation and high yields!

BIOTABS fertiliser sets

Although Biotabs products are in many respects exceptional, just like other plant nutrition brands, Biotabs has also prepared cost-effective, complete fertiliser sets for customers, or the popular STARTER PACKS, which are the best way to get to know the effects of these products.

Biotabs Discovery Pack was launched only recently and is the most complete of all the sets. So if you want to try what all Biotabs products can do together during the growing cycle, we highly recommend it!

Biotabs Starterpack contains enough material for growing 5 large plants in a 10-litre pot. All you then need is the same volume of quality substrate mixed with perlite (at least 10%) for aeration. If you choose this option for the first time, here is a guide on how to make the best possible use of it straight away:

• First, manually mix the prepared substrate with perlite and 50 grams of STARTREX. 50 g corresponds to about 4 tablespoons. We recommend preparing the soil, for example on a plastic tray, not only to avoid mess, but also so that you can then move it into the pot more easily.
• Once the soil is prepared in the pot, make a planting hole in the middle and pour 5 grams of MYCOTREX into it. In this case, 5 g is 5 teaspoons.
• You can then place the plant into the planting hole prepared in this way.
• For a 10-litre pot, use 2 slow-release nutrient tablets. Place them by hand below the surface of the substrate to a depth of 5-10 cm.
• The final step is to water the pot with a watering solution of the following composition, preferably in the places where you placed the tablets:
  • 1 litre of water
  • 5 ml Orgatrex (The practical measuring chamber integrated into the packaging is filled with the product and then emptied after application, so there is no complicated measuring.)
  • 1 g Bactrex (If there is a little more, nothing will happen; these are purely organic products, so there is nothing to worry about.)
• A frequent question is whether the BioTabs Starter Pack is also suitable for “autoflowering” varieties. The answer is a clear YES, but if it concerns autoflowering seeds, avoid transplanting. Autoflowering varieties of plants also do not particularly like receiving a large amount of nutrients right at the beginning of the growing cycle. So, for example, when growing in a 10-litre pot, use the slow-release nutrient tablets as usual, with the only difference being that you place the first tablet into the substrate right at the start of the growing cycle and the second tablet only after a few weeks. That is the only difference.

Biotabs Guerrilla Box is a simple but effective set for exceptionally easy organic growing of 5 large plants, which you can use in soil or coconut substrate. It contains a pair of products:

• Guerrilla Tabs - slow-release tablets rich in rhizobacteria, when using which there is no need to adjust pH or EC during growing. That is their great advantage. They can also be purchased separately.
• Guerrilla Juice - this liquid fertiliser creates a harmonious whole with rhizobacteria and other beneficial soil micro-organisms, including mycorrhizal fungi. It also contains a balanced amount of important trace elements.

Our TIP: Do not forget that detailed dosing tables are available for extra easy and effective dosing of Biotabs fertilisers. If you would like to ask us anything, we are here for you at the well-known e-mail address info@higarden.eu.

We also recommend these products:

• Clip fan PF 15 cm 15 W 2 speeds
• VAPR Nano Spray Gun - automatic hand mister
• CO2 Generator MOTHER NATURE

What to read next:

• Beneficial micro-organisms (microbes) are indispensable helpers
• Mycorrhiza or High Yields Without Chemistry
• Hydroponics - what does it involve and how do you start?

To use a classic phrase, growing still does not have an established tradition here. However, in the Czech Republic there are also more and more growers looking for truly professional equipment and fertilisers. Often, they have no choice but to look overseas for inspiration, where commercial indoor cultivation is moving forward by leaps and bounds. We were interested in which brand the best growers in the United States prefer, and so we asked some of the most highly regarded indoor growers in the world – Jungle Boys from sunny California!

Those of you who do not regularly follow the latest trends from the world of growing may not have heard of Jungle Boys yet. It is an ever-expanding group of professional indoor growers led by a legend in the field, Iván Vanorvwick. All members of the group are regarded as masters of their craft, and Jungle Boys therefore belong to the modern wave of indoor growers who were the first generation to get the chance to break through on the American legal market. Compared with their underground predecessors from the 1990s, today’s modern American growers can use the best equipment and draw on the knowledge of leading scientists in the field of indoor plant cultivation, which is evident in their work.

A somewhat different jungle…

At the beginning of their career, Jungle Boys became famous for their top-quality extracts made from cultivars selected by hand and from plants grown so that their terpene profile stood out. The high quality and unique “handcrafted” approach of Jungle Boys soon brought them to the attention of experts and the general public alike, and growing demand posed these enthusiastic growers with a pressing question. How can one grow on a large scale without compromising even slightly on the high quality standards their customers had become used to? According to Roach, one of the leading members of Jungle Boys, the answer was clear – to join forces with a fertiliser manufacturer and develop the perfect nutrition programme for indoor plant cultivation that Jungle Boys could use in all their growing facilities.

“Working with Athena® was an amazing experience for me. We went into detail about how to adapt nutrition programmes in such a way that they would suit all growers without distinction. The result of our work is the Athena® fertilisers and products that we use in all our facilities,” says Roach from Jungle Boys.

What does Athena® offer? First and foremost, there are top-quality mineral fertilisers Pro Line designed specifically for professional growers and fertilisers Blended Line for home growers. Under the Athena® brand you will also find the unique broad-spectrum insecticide and fungicide IPW with a natural composition, flowering stimulators, flushing agents, PK boosters, as well as a portable tissue culture laboratory and a set of foam cleaners for indoor growing facilities.

Would you like to learn more and find out how to use Athena® fertilisers in a unique nutrition programme, including a schedule for correct watering? Go to – Athena® Grower’s Guide in Czech version.

Athena® Pro Line fertilisers

Pro Line from Athena® is a two-part range of fertilisers suitable for plant cultivation in coco, hydroponics or soilless growing media, which you can use to prepare a nutrient solution or use as a concentrate in automatic dosing systems. Pro Line works best with reverse osmosis water, contains enough magnesium and calcium (there is no need to add CalMag) and the fertilisers can be used in aeroponic cloning machines. Pro Line fertilisers are not suitable for manual watering and DWC hydroponic systems.

• Pro Core – A basic fertiliser in granular form, providing plants with enough nutrients in all growth stages. Pro Core is used as a two-part fertiliser together with Bloom or Grow throughout the entire cultivation cycle.
• Pro Grow – A soluble fertiliser for vegetative growth with a balanced NPK content that does not contain nitrogen in ammoniacal form. Pro Grow is used as a two-part fertiliser together with Pro Core.
• Pro Bloom – A soluble fertiliser with a high PK content (no additional PK boosters are needed) and zero nitrogen content, which unlike the competition contains potassium sulphate instead of potassium nitrate. Pro Bloom is used as a two-part fertiliser together with Pro Core or Fade.
• Fade – A ripening booster that removes nitrogen from plants during the final weeks of flowering, speeds up maturation and improves the terpene profile. Fade replaces Pro Core in the final weeks of flowering.

Athena® Pro Line dosing charts

Athena® Blended Line fertilisers

Blended Line from Athena® is a complete fertiliser set ideal for home and craft growers using simple irrigation systems or manual watering. For maximum simplicity, these are complete and pre-prepared liquid concentrates.

• Grow A&B – A complete two-part base fertiliser for the vegetative growth phase with a high nitrogen content.
• Bloom A&B – A complete two-part base fertiliser for flowering with chelated micronutrients that stimulates flower formation.
• CaMg – A supplement containing calcium, magnesium and iron designed as an addition to the Grow and Bloom components. It is used throughout the vegetative period in all growth stages.
• PK – A flowering stimulator in spray form with a high content of potassium, phosphorus, magnesium and sulphur, with no nitrogen content. It is used during the flowering phase together with Bloom A&B.

Athena® Blended Line dosing charts

Athena® supplements and additives

• Balance – A pH-increasing agent in both powder and liquid form made from fully soluble potassium silicate. It is used to stabilise the pH of the nutrient solution.
• Cleanse – A non-toxic cleaner for irrigation systems containing hypochlorous acid, which effectively removes mineral deposits and organic contamination.
• IPW – A broad-spectrum insecticide and fungicide without harmful chemicals, based on citric acid and plant oils. Safe to use throughout the entire cultivation cycle and effective against a wide range of pests and diseases, including powdery mildew. Can be combined with Stack in a single spray.
• Stack – A flowering stimulator in spray form containing amino acids and seaweed hormones that support lateral growth. The product speeds up the transition to the flowering phase.

Useful links

Manufacturer’s website: https://www.athenaag.com/

Directly from the green heart of Austria, not far from Graz, we bring you an exceptional range of fertilisers and supplements from the CRAZY HILLS brand. And why exceptional? Because this range of exclusive products is completely natural, intended both for professional growers and for those who are just starting out and are looking for sustainable alternatives without chemicals that would give their plants a major natural boost. Suitable for all types of plants, flowers, fruit, herbs, ornamental plants or vegetables.

More than 15 years of experience in horticulture, completed by research and the production of top-quality natural ingredients and fertilisers. The environmental impact has been reduced to a minimum. The use of environmentally friendly recycled materials for CRAZY HILLS packaging ensures that they do not just talk about sustainability, but also act on it.

The ingredients and beneficial microbes in CRAZY HILLS help stimulate the plant life cycle from germination to maturity. They improve microbial life, metabolic efficiency, root development and nutrient supply, resulting in better-quality flowers, fruit and buds. 

They help increase yields and the overall health of plants and are excellent for garden soils, potting soils, no-till media and hydroponic and aeroponic systems.

ÉLAN

ÉLAN is an amazing all-round booster, a blend of humic and fulvic acids, amino acids and cold-pressed Arctic seaweed. It provides your plant with everything it needs throughout the entire vegetative cycle. 

Amino acids play a key role in protein synthesis, which, as you surely know, is very important for the growth of your plants. Amino acids are the building blocks of proteins and the basis of plant life! If you really want to push your plants to the maximum in terms of flower growth and resin/terpene production, try ÉLAN! By supplying your plants with amino acids, they can use important energy for growth and flowering instead of focusing on amino acid synthesis.

On the other hand, thanks to humic and fulvic acids, which are excellent natural growth stimulators that help your plants in many ways, ÉLAN increases nutrient uptake, helps grow healthier roots and ensures overall healthier plant development at all stages of growth. 

Cold-pressed seaweed is full of trace elements and rich in various bioactive compounds such as enzymes, proteins, carbohydrates, phytohormones, minerals, antimicrobial compounds and beneficial vitamins such as A, C, B12, K and E, which are very important for the growth of your plants!

ÉLAN is also rich in iron, which helps the plant transport oxygen through the roots, leaves and other parts of the plant and gives it the green colour by which you can tell that your plant is healthy. 

ÉLAN is an organic terpene booster, root stimulator, growth and flowering accelerator, vitality enhancer and soil conditioner in a single bottle! In addition, it can be used in any type of cultivation, whether you grow in soil or hydroponically, and it is also compatible with any existing nutrient line, making it a fantastic addition to your feeding schedule. A crazy thing!

SPARK

SPARK - an organic flowering stimulator derived from Ascophyllum nodosum (Arctic seaweed in liquid form), rich in trace elements, proteins and vitamins. Its special formula is packed with potassium and full of growth hormones and micronutrients designed to give your plants a boost in budding, flowering and fruit formation - a crazy impulse! Its amazing blend increases the number of buds and flowers on your plants, leading to higher yields, and its use during the flowering phase will also support your plant's metabolism. In other words, it will help SPARK flowering in your indoor or outdoor garden before you can say "Ascophyllum nodosum"! 

• Significantly increases bud formation and size.
• Increases the durability and storage freshness of buds.
• Contains phytohormones, resulting in heavier and denser buds
• Supports plant resistance to stress factors such as frost, pests, diseases and drought.
• Stimulates the plant immune system throughout the entire growth period

 KICKOFF

• Stimulates intensive root growth and regenerates damaged roots
• Breaks down complex organic molecules
• Increases plant uptake of phosphates, nitrogen and micronutrients and improves soil structure
• Strengthens resistance to pests and pathogens
• Stimulates microbial life and healthy soil
• Increases seed germination and improves radicle development

UPTHRIVE AND PROSPER

UPTHRIVE and PROSPER, both of these fertilisers have a unique balance of NPK (nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium) that works in a unique way, better in two different parts of the plant's growth phase. Our fertilisers are most effective as a soil drench and for manual top dressing, and are designed to work in harmony with beneficial microorganisms, fungi and organic matter in the soil, which naturally stimulate plant growth, ensure healthy growth and a crazy good yield.

The range of fertilisers is truly extensive. We will be happy to help you find your way through it and choose the fertiliser that suits you perfectly. Just get in touch at info@higarden.eu.

We recommend these products:

• Crazy Hills Explorer Pack
• Crazy Hills KICKOFF

Further articles:

• How do you start growing at home?
• How do you choose a fertiliser?
• Mycorrhiza, or high yields without chemicals

Choosing the right fertiliser for indoor growing is a stumbling block for many growers. It is easy to get lost in the huge range of fertiliser types and brands intended for different substrate types and growth stages. In this complete guide to fertilisers for indoor growing, we will show you how to choose the ideal nutrition for soil, coco and hydroponics, and how to find your way through the range of growth and flowering fertilisers.

If you have visited the shop or the Higarden website for the first time, our range of fertilisers may seem excessive. Do you really need so many different types and brands? The truth is that a wide selection of fertilisers is not just for show. Indoor growing can take many forms, and each substrate, species or growth stage requires a specific type of plant nutrition. In the following lines, we will guide you through buying fertiliser for indoor plants step by step.

Types of fertilisers for indoor growing

When it comes to plant nutrition, indoor growing offers two main approaches. You can either rely on nature and use organic fertilisers to create an environment for your plants similar to a fertile bed. Or you can choose immediately acting mineral fertilisers, which supply plants with nutrients in the form of mineral salts.

You may also be interested in: Organic or mineral fertilisers: which should you choose?

What is the difference between organic and mineral fertilisers? The main difference is that for organic fertilisers to work, plants must grow in a substrate inhabited by soil microorganisms, which first “pre-digest” the organic nutrients for the plants. That is why they are usually used only when growing in soil substrates.

On the other hand, nutrients in the form of mineral salts can be absorbed by plants immediately, without first being broken down by microorganisms. Mineral fertilisers can therefore be used not only in soil, but also in hydroponics and when growing in coco and inert substrates such as rockwool, expanded clay or perlite.

You may also be interested in: How to choose a growing medium for indoor growing

It is not possible to say simply whether mineral or organic fertilisers are better. Mineral salts act very quickly and are effective. On the other hand, if handled carelessly, it is easy to overfeed plants. Organic fertilisers act more slowly and their effectiveness depends more on environmental factors. However, under the right conditions they require much less work and plants are practically not at risk of nutrient deficiencies.

Both approaches can be combined under certain circumstances, but it is always necessary to balance the amount of mineral salts in the soil so that microorganisms can survive in it. Combined organo-mineral fertilisers are used for this purpose.

How does growing with organic or mineral fertilisers differ?

Both types are available in different forms. Most indoor growers use liquid fertilisers for convenience, but there are also powder forms or fertilisers in tablet or granule form.

You may also be interested in: Are liquid, powder or solid tablet fertilisers better?

Mineral fertilisers are first mixed with water, and plants are watered with the resulting nutrient solution, or they grow immersed directly in it in the case of hydroponics. With a nutrient solution, it is always necessary to measure the amount of nutrients and acidity using an EC metre and pH metre.

You may also be interested in: How to measure EC in hydroponics and growing in soilless substrates

Organic fertilisers are applied directly to the water or mixed into the substrate in the case of tablets or granules. With organic fertilisers, it is usually not necessary to measure EC because they do not contain mineral salts; however, it is advisable to slightly lower the pH of the irrigation water when watering.

When to choose mineral fertilisers

If you grow hydroponically or in inert substrates (rockwool, perlite, expanded clay): In purely soilless systems, nutrient solutions made from mineral fertilisers are significantly more effective than any organic alternatives.

You are aiming for maximum yield and rapid growth: When growing indoors under intense light, mineral nutrients usually deliver higher and more stable results than purely organic nutrition.

You are growing species with a short vegetative cycle or seedlings: When growing plants with a short vegetative cycle (pepper seedlings, leafy vegetables), organic fertilisers may release nitrogen too slowly. When growing with mineral fertilisers, seedlings are usually larger and grow faster.

When to choose organic fertilisers

You grow in soil or a substrate rich in organic matter: When growing in soil, it is often easier to take advantage of beneficial microorganisms and grow organically. This is especially advantageous for beginner growers, who are relieved of most of the worries associated with measuring irrigation and plant nutrition.

You care about the quality and terpene profile of flowers and fruits: In tomatoes and medicinal plants, studies have repeatedly shown that organically grown crops have better taste and aroma.

You want to use one substrate for a long time: Living soil and other ecological growing methods depend on the long-term sustainability of substrate quality, which can only be achieved with organic fertilisers.

Fertilisers for indoor growing by growing medium

When choosing a fertiliser, one of the most important factors is the type of substrate. Each growing medium has its specifics. A fertiliser for hydroponics will not work in soil or coco.

• Fertilisers for soil
• Fertilisers for coco
• Fertilisers for hydroponics

Fertilisers according to the plant growth stage

At different stages of its life, a plant has different requirements for nutrient composition, especially the main NPK nutrients, which it consumes in the largest quantities. During the growth stage, plants need increased amounts of nitrogen for leaf and root development. Flower fertilisers contain a higher proportion of phosphorus and potassium, which support flower formation.

• Fertilisers for seedlings and cuttings
• Fertilisers for the growth stage
• Fertilisers for the flowering stage

You may also be interested in: How to use growth fertilisers

Choosing the right fertiliser does not have to be complicated if you know what to base your decision on. The key is to take into account the growing medium, the chosen growing style and the current growth stage of the plant. Once you align these three factors, most fertilising mistakes will disappear on their own and the plants will reward you with healthy growth and a quality harvest.

If you want to learn more about indoor growing, you will find practical tips, guides and detailed articles on the Higarden blog, where we cover everything from choosing a substrate to optimising light and the environment in the growing space.

Sources:

Massuela, D., Munz, S., Hartung, J., Nkebiwe, P., & Graeff‐Hönninger, S. (2023). Cannabis Hunger Games: nutrient stress induction in flowering stage – impact of organic and mineral fertiliser levels on biomass, cannabidiol (CBD) yield and nutrient use efficiency. Frontiers in Plant Science, 14. doi.org/10.3389/fpls.2023.1233232.

Liu, J., Masabni, J., & Niu, G. (2025). Organic Fertiliser Optimization for Enhanced Growth and Nutrient Uptake in Bell Pepper Transplants (Capsicum annuum L.). Horticulturae. doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae11091066.

Yang, J., Mattoo, A., Liu, Y., Zvomuya, F., & He, H. (2023). Trade-offs of organic and organic-inorganic fertiliser combinations in tomato quality and yield: A global meta-analysis (1992–2021). European Journal of Agronomy. doi.org/10.1016/j.eja.2023.126985.

The Dutch manufacturer Advanced Hydroponics has been helping the most demanding growers achieve their cultivation goals for more than a quarter of a century. Throughout that time, even within advanced hydroponics, it has managed with a significantly narrower range than other world-famous brands with a long tradition. The simple use that distinguishes these liquid fertilisers and nutritional supplements for plant cultivation is appreciated by growers of all categories. It is not for nothing that they say a winning line-up does not change. And organo-mineral fertilisers Advanced Hydroponics simply have a timeless composition. You can find out more details in this article!

The brand’s story and philosophy

In 1993, founder Jay Jackson committed himself to finding an alternative to the commercial fertilisers available on the market at the time, which he and many other growers used. He wanted to find a formula, or rather a combination of these qualities:

• EASY TO USE
• HIGH EFFICIENCY
• COMPETITIVE PRICE

Today it is clear that he found the solution, even if it did not happen immediately. But those who search, find. First, he sought out plant nutrition experts at a research centre in the Dutch town of Aalsmeer. Then the now world-famous “Dutch Formula” was created, which you can read about a few lines further on. Jay and his colleagues first tested the resulting products on his own crop, and given where the brand stands today, it is also clear that the results were astonishing. Then things moved quickly. In 1996, he presented the “Dutch formula” to the world at a trade fair in Germany, and the unique composition of his products triggered a boom among professional growers from across Europe. Soon after, Jay Jackson also introduced the “Natural Power” range of nutritional supplements. Today, Advanced Hydroponics products are widely sold in 22 countries around the world, not only in Europe but also, for example, in Japan.

Hydroponics and growing in soil

Liquid fertilisers from Advanced Hydroponics are suitable for all types of growing media. This immediately allows us to refute a fairly common assumption, which the brand name itself somewhat encourages, that this organo-mineral plant nutrition can be used only as hydroponic fertilisers. The opposite is true, and for use when growing plants in soil there is nothing easier than preparing a nutrient solution using only half the dose of fertilisers. For safe and effective application, a detailed Advanced Hydroponics dosing chart is available to you: Advanced Hydroponics dosing chart.

Advanced Hydroponics even produces dehydrated substrate for growing in coco, which is extremely popular among growers who prefer coco as their growing medium. This is the AH Coco Advanced XL 70 L product - coconut bricks containing Trichoderma, measuring 30 x 31 x 11 cm and weighing just under 5 kg, which expand to the declared volume of 70 litres after adding 30 litres of water, making the Advanced Hydroponics coco substrate ready for immediate use. It allows easy oxygen flow, retains water better than ordinary soil, and supports better root growth. It contains no salts, odour sources, stones, roots or other impurities.

Dutch Formula

Yes, this is exactly the formula Jay Jackson was searching for a quarter of a century ago and found! Do you still remember the first of the three points? To make use as simple as possible, it was necessary to present the components in a way that allows easy mixing, so that every grower could easily adjust the amounts of the most essential nutrients according to their needs. This is how the special three-component plant nutrition was created, whose original composition carries the well-known “Dutch Formula” designation and provides plants in different stages of the growing cycle with exactly what they need most at that moment. This applies to all types of plants, from herb cultivation to agricultural crops.

Basic nutrition

The basic liquid fertiliser consists of 3 components: Grow, Bloom and Micro, which are mixed in the following ratio depending on the plant’s current developmental stage:

• 2:1:1 during the growth period
• 1:2:1 in the pre-flowering period
• 0:3:1 during full flowering

GROW

• The first of the three components ensures rapid growth and perfect plant condition during the vegetative phase.
• In newly planted plants, we may notice a healthy root zone and deep green leaves.
• An important effect is the creation of optimal conditions for later bud production during the upcoming flowering phase.

BLOOM

•  The second component follows on beautifully from the first, while stimulating the production of large, heavy buds in the flowering stage.

MICRO

• The third component is the key to success because it contains all the essential microelements for healthy plant development.
• The contained microelements are in chelated form for maximum bioavailability.
• The Micro component ensures during both the growth phase and the flowering phase that plants always absorb enough important micronutrients.

Advanced Hydroponics developed the “Dutch Formula” nutrition on the basis of more than 25 years of experience in plant cultivation and close cooperation with leading research institutions. All you need to do is follow the dosing charts and you are set for excellent results, whether in soil or if you use a hydroponic system for plant cultivation, not to mention the huge potential of aeroponics.

Our TIP: Are you interested in hydroponics, but not yet even at the starting line? Then be sure to read the separate article: Hydroponics – what does it involve and how do you start?

You will see that as your experience grows, you will soon work out for yourself how best to fine-tune your own specific combination, and in practice you will discover the strengths of the three-component Dutch Formula nutrition, especially when it comes to the growth (Grow) and flowering (Bloom) components. These three highly concentrated nutrients provide effective and balanced, complete “food” for regularly achieving above-standard yields.

Nutritional supplements Natural Power

The Dutch manufacturer does not overdo its range of nutritional supplements unnecessarily, so it includes only those additives that you will genuinely need in practice and that will help you achieve better results when growing plants in any growing medium.

While the above-mentioned basic Advanced Hydroponics fertilisers are characterised by an organo-mineral composition, all the additives listed below are 100% biological, which is also reflected in the name of the product range NATURAL POWER. What can you expect from it?

• It ensures a natural connection between nutrition and healthy plants.
• Natural Power is a very nutritious cocktail of essential natural ingredients that gives your plants an exceptionally resilient immune system.
• Increased resistance that helps protect the plant against diseases and fight damage caused by aphids, thrips or other insects.
• When using products from the Natural Power range by Advanced Hydroponics, your plants will be healthier and stronger, rich in flowers, and will provide higher yields with excellent natural flavour.
• Another advantage of the Natural Power range is undoubtedly its universal use. All products are designed for growing both indoors and outdoors. At the same time, they deliver excellent results when growing in soil, coco, rockwool and hydroponic systems.

Root Stimulator

• Countless experienced growers use this original root booster!
• In short, we can say that it speeds up root development and strengthens roots. If you are interested in what root boosters like this can do, we recommend the separate article: Root stimulator - what is it for?
• The product is applied directly to the roots or to the place where roots begin to form.
• It is intended for young plants and cuttings (clones) without roots.
• The result of application from day 1 until a strong root system is formed is also a highly resilient plant immune system and increased resistance to diseases.
• For the best possible results when growing plants outdoor and indoor, we recommend the combination: Root Stimulator + Enzymes+.

Enzymes+

• A special enzymatic additive, enriched with a blend of herbs, activates beneficial microorganisms in the growing substrate. It thus helps remove residual salts and break down dead plant roots.
• It improves the plants’ ability to absorb various nutrients, thereby allowing healthy development.
• It makes the plant root system stronger, which is why a synergistic combination with the root stimulator Root Stimulator, or also with Growth/Bloom Excellarator, is recommended.
• The Enzymes+ product improves oxygen flow. 
• Enzymes+ is added to the watering almost throughout the entire growth phase.
• For more information, we also recommend the separate article: Enzymes.

Growth/Bloom Excellarator

• This nutritious cocktail, very suitable for the ongoing enrichment of the watering, primarily strengthens the formation of green mass and flowers.
• The product is ideal especially for plants with a well-developed root system that are moving into the flowering cycle.
• In cultivation practice, it often helps growers solve problems with plant diseases or harmful insects, because among other things it significantly strengthens the plant immune system.
• Depending on the variety, the product can be added to the watering throughout the entire growth phase, except for the last 1 or 2 weeks.

Final Solution

• A product proven over the years and by tens of thousands of growers for flushing plants just before harvest in order to achieve the cleanest possible harvest with wonderful aroma and flavour, which washes away excess nutrients and dead plant residues.
• We also discuss the practical importance of flushing in more detail in a separate article: How to flush?
• Final solution helps break down and remove the last residues of fertilisers in the growing substrate and also acts as a prevention against mould formation.
• The product can be used with any type of growing substrate as the only substance added to the water.
• Warning: do not use Final Solution in combination with Enzymes+.

Additives

Advanced Amino

• By its composition and effects, this additive belongs among the so-called biostimulants, which increase the supply of energy to plants and their overall vitality.
• It has the highest content of free and absorbable amino acids.
• It is suitable for all plants and can be combined with solid and liquid fertilisers.
• Through enzymatic (natural) hydrolysis and microfiltration, active, biological amino acids are directly available to the plant.
• Improved growth and flowering occur under all circumstances.
• Plants become naturally more resilient. More effective photosynthesis and better absorption of carbon dioxide (CO2) can be observed. At the same time, they are much less susceptible to various stress factors, their roots grow better and they have fuller flowers and fruits.
• Experienced growers use this additive, among other things, shortly after pruning (more about pruning, or defoliation, in a separate article: Does removing leaves make for a better harvest?)

Advanced Silica

• More than one scientific study has already shown that plants generally thrive better in soil with a high silicon content. Silicon simultaneously stimulates the absorption of other essential nutrients (for example phosphorus), thanks to which plants have more energy, are more active and have healthier and more vital roots, which is reflected in higher yields.
• That is why the composition of this product is dominated by a very high-quality silicon dioxide solution (SiO2 - hydrolysed silicon), which is a well-absorbable and important nutrient that strengthens the cell wall and skin of plants. It thus provides more natural protection for plants against fungi and protection against infections.
• We also recommend the separate article: The effect of silicon on plant health.
• The high silicon concentration in Advanced Silica is easily absorbed by the plant both through the leaves and through the roots.

Advanced PK

• A supplementary fertiliser with a balanced ratio of phosphorus (P) and potassium (K), which is an essential helper during the flowering phase and fruit development.
• Phosphorus provides plants with more energy (sugars) for the development of an active and healthy root system, and potassium improves water distribution so that the buds can fully develop.

pH regulators 

The Advanced Hydroponics range of additives also includes pH regulators, or concentrated substances for increasing or, conversely, reducing the acidity of the watering:

• pH minus for flowering
• pH minus for growth
• pH plus for growth and flowering

If you are just starting out with growing, an article will also help you with pH regulation, in addition to the regulators themselves: What pH of nutrient solution should you choose?

Final TIP: We often recommend getting to know a brand that interests you through discounted sets containing the manufacturer’s fertilisers and additives for the entire growing cycle. Advanced Hydroponics Starter Kit for all types of growing substrates rightly belongs among the best-selling ones. Judge for yourself and let us know!

If you would like to ask us anything, we are here for you at the familiar e-mail address info@higarden.eu. We look forward to your questions!

We also recommend these products:

• LightRail 4.0 AdjustaDrive Kit, lighting rail
• T.A. GrowStream 20
• Aqua Master Tools P700 PRO2, pH and EC/CF/PPM metre and thermometer

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