Nutritional Basics, Page 2

The family company Gold Label, with a tradition dating back to 1987, holds a leading position in the Dutch market in the production of growing media and plant nutrition. Although it has been at the forefront of the hydroponics industry for decades, it still maintains a modern approach both in terms of the production and innovation of its unique products, and in terms of external communication and customer care. We have also found in practice that it is easy to understand why, for many growers, fertilisers or growing media with the gold label are the only conceivable choice. We have summarised the advantages of the certified products of this prestigious Dutch brand for you in this article.

Gold Label Growing Media

Did you know that Gold Label is the only growing media manufacturer in the world to hold KIWA certification, guaranteeing completely unprecedented possible quality and the health of cultivated plants?

The range of Gold Label growing media includes:

• Single-component hydroponic growing media
• Mixed hydroponic growing media
• Virgin peat growing media

Single-component hydroponic growing media

• The first example is the popular hydroponic growing medium expanded clay pebbles. These are balls with a diameter of 8-16 mm, made from expanded clay. Gold Label Expanded Clay Pebbles (Hydro Round Pebble), sold in a 45-litre pack, stand out above all for their exceptional structure:
• The unusually firm ceramic layer limits water absorption. This makes it ideal even for the most intensive hydroponic irrigation styles.
• As is well known, an optimally aerated root system brings better results when growing all types of plants. That is why improved oxygenation of the root system is also important, thanks to the round shape, which creates sufficient space for the growing medium to be saturated with air.
• This hydroponic growing medium also stands out in terms of economy. Thanks to its firm ceramic structure, it only rarely “sticks” to plant roots. As a result, it is easy to clean and can be used repeatedly without any problem!

• Another single-component growing medium from the Dutch Gold Label brand that is suitable for hydroponic use is Gold Label Coco, a pure coconut growing medium of the highest quality. KIWA and RHP Horticulture certification suggest that this is thoroughly rinsed and buffered coco, which serves as an extra clean and stable growing medium in which you will have perfect control over the nutrition of your plants, whether on a mineral or purely organic basis. (You can read more about growing plants in coco in a separate article: Growing in Coco.)
• Gold Label Coco contains no residual salts.
• The buffer ensures the stability of the growing medium.
• An ideal growing medium for targeted plant nutrition, where an experienced grower supplies only the nutrients needed, and only when the plant truly needs them. The result is fantastic yields. After all, just look at the picture of the root system of a plant grown in pure coco from Gold Label. A joy to behold!

• Gold Label Perlite is quite possibly the best perlite on the market. This volcanic rock of purely natural origin is used to aerate growing media or as a rooting growing medium. It has been treated to be as light and porous as possible. This allows you to benefit from the following specific properties of this perlite:
• Its wide range of applications is made possible by its exceptional ability to absorb moisture. Gold Label Perlite creates air pockets while also helping to retain heat.
• Top-quality perlite such as this helps prevent soil compaction.
• Despite its 100% organic composition, Gold Label Perlite has a long service life and retains its stability over the long term.
• When working with perlite, you only need to take into account its increased dustiness.

Mixed hydroponic growing media

Hydro Mix 60/40 (HydroCoco 60/40) is a perfect blend of the purest clay pebbles (expanded clay) and coconut growing medium, available in 15 or 40 litre packs. This hydroponic growing medium works excellently in container irrigation, and it is especially appreciated by growers who prefer a lower irrigation frequency in hydroponics. You may already suspect that this is thanks to its ability to hold a large amount of water. The high air-to-water ratio increases oxygen levels in the root zone.

• Mixed hydroponic growing media offer growers a sensible compromise. It is a balance between control and results. The newest example in this manufacturer’s range is the nutrient-rich blend of coconut growing medium and perlite Gold Label Coco Perlite 70/30. Why try it?
• The optimal water-to-air ratio! This is a very porous and light growing medium that combines a huge air volume with high water retention and capillary action.
• Gradual release of calcium (Ca).
• RHP certification guarantees that every batch of this hydroponic blend contains clean and stable coconut fibres.
• Easy to use in cultivation practice, and thanks to the increased drainage, this mixed hydroponic growing medium is also suitable for growers who prefer regularity and a higher frequency of watering plants.
• Compared with pure coco, the Gold Label Coco Perlite 70/30 blend is less prone to overwatering, which will be welcomed, among others, by those who are just starting with hydroponics. Overwatered plants are among the most common beginner mistakes.
• We definitely also recommend this blend if you will be watering plants by hand.

Virgin peat growing media

• The first representative of peat growing media with the legendary GOLD LABEL logo is Gold Label Special Mix Light, a high-quality soil blend based on Swedish virgin peat for greater control over the nutrition process of cultivated plants. It should be added that KIWA and RHP Horticulture certification once again speak for themselves.
• The Swedish peat used is capable of retaining up to ten times greater water-holding capacity!
• This is a slightly pre-fertilised soil that contains organic nutrients, making it easier to grow herbs, fruit or vegetables even if your priority is an organic-quality harvest.
• The lower concentration of nutrients serves to ensure rapid rooting of your cuttings. Young plants therefore gain an ideal foundation for their further development when using this growing medium.
• The optimal aeration of this peat growing medium is ensured by the addition of perlite.
• Special Mixlight Gold Label is available in two volumes - 17.5 and 40 litres.

• If you want to grow your plants in premium soil, of the same quality as that offered by the Dutch leader Gold Label, but want fewer worries about nutrient dosing at the start of the growing cycle, then you will be delighted by the complete soil blend Special Mix, which already contains nutrients for the first three weeks of the growing cycle and is ready for immediate use. For this reason, Gold Label Special Mix is the best choice for beginners, as it tolerates classic plant nutrition mistakes to a certain extent. As the saying goes, no one is born learned. So if you are just planning to start growing, but want to use a premium growing medium for it, get the pre-fertilised soil substrate Special SuperMix.
• 1 g of this blend is capable of absorbing 10 ml of water.
• The coarse structure of the growing medium supports root growth and stability.

Gold Label Fertilisers 

Gold Label produces fertilisers with a high concentration, so although they are not among the cheapest on the market, they are worthwhile even for professionals because of the lower consumption. In any case, we recommend the detailed dosage tables from Gold Label, which will not only prevent you from wasting premium nutrition for your plants, but also make it easier to achieve the desired results. Gold Label fertilisers are worth it. At the very least, you will have a great start with them from the outset. There is no doubt about that.

The unique formula of the Gold Label brand is characterised by the so-called pH-stable profile, which minimises the risk of the well-known phenomenon of nutrient lockout as well as potential deficiencies (see the separate article: Signs of Deficiency of Important Nutrients). The high-quality chelated elements are easily absorbed and allow each plant maximum uptake of the nutrients needed for healthy and vigorous development.

Gold Label Base Fertilisers

• Looking for a truly luxurious base fertiliser for hydro? Gold Label Hydro/Coco A+B is a basic two-component chelated plant nutrition, ensuring that professionals and passionate hobby growers achieve the best possible results in hydroponics. A detailed analysis of both components can be found in the product description. These are the main benefits that Hydro/Coco A+B from Gold Label offers growers of varying experience:
• Universal use in hydroponics: HydroCoco A & B is a base fertiliser compatible with all hydroponic systems. It also does not matter whether, in hydroponics, you prefer inert materials such as rockwool or expanded clay pebbles (hydroton), or whether you prefer growing in coco.
• Optimal nutrient absorption across a wide pH range.
• Designed for both the growth and flowering phases.

• If you grow your plants in soil, such as Gold Label Special Mix, then you need a base fertiliser for soil, which is Gold Label Soil A+B. This two-component, highly concentrated, chelated, complete plant nutrition will not only allow you to harvest flowers and fruits of TOP quality, but will also naturally improve their final taste and aroma. A detailed analysis of both components of Soil A & B can again be found in the product description.

Gold Label Supplementary Fertilisers and Stimulants

• Gold Label Ultra Roots is, without exaggeration, a seriously powerful root stimulant based on rare plant extracts, iron and amino acids. The composition also includes phytohormones and humic acids (see the separate article: Fulvic and Humic Acids: Their Importance and Use in Plant Nutrition). The image you can see was taken just 5 days after the first application at a daily dose of only 0.5 ml! There is hardly anything more to add. Perhaps only a brief summary of the main benefits:
• Healthy and vigorous initial plant development. Gold Label Ultra Roots is used for seedlings and cuttings throughout the vegetative phase.
• Explosive growth of root mass and the formation of a dense network of roots and root hairs.
• A larger root zone means a larger absorption area through which the plant can take in a greater amount of nutrients, which will positively affect its further development.

• Gold Label Ultra Enzyme is, in terms of composition and resulting effect, quite possibly the most interesting enzymatic preparation for plant nutrition on the market. Are you asking why it is worth including enzyme-based supplementary fertilisers or enzymatic additives in your plant nutrition? And what exactly are enzymes? You can find out everything important in the separate article: Enzymes.
• Ultra Enzyme is one of the professional stimulants of the Gold Label brand.
• It increases nutrient uptake by the plant because it converts unwanted plant matter into useful plant nutrients.
• It intensively cleanses and revitalises the root zone and improves the growing medium in many ways. A clean and healthy growing medium is then better prepared to support plants in optimal development.
• The result is the highest possible quality of the final harvest.
• It is a completely universal product, compatible with all products and growing systems.

Perfect supplements to the base nutrients for versatile, intensive plant production throughout the entire growing cycle are also the stimulants Ultra MG and Ultra PK.

• Gold Label Ultra MG is characterised by its ability to perfectly balance the basic macronutrients (see the separate article: NPK - what is it?).
• It increases the production of chlorophyll, and thus the photosynthetic activity of plants (see Photosynthesis).
• An extra dose of nitrogen for fast and healthy growth.
• It supports the production of plant proteins.
• Gold Label Ultra PK acts as a powerful flowering stimulant for higher yields. Its specific feature is that it prevents the deposition of phosphorus (P) once the pH value rises above 6.2. In this way, it responds at the right moment to the current needs of the plants and increases the absorption of calcium, magnesium and other important trace elements. At the same time, it prevents build-up in water lines in hydroponic systems. When applying Ultra PK, you will enjoy steady growth and strong flowering throughout the entire generative (flowering) phase.

• Gold Label Flower Enhancer Fe (Bat Boost) is a top-class supplement that uses the unique properties of bat guano, which is a rich natural source of many important nutrients for plants of all kinds. This highly concentrated preparation, intended for application during the last 3-4 weeks of the flowering phase, also contains pure cane molasses, humic acids and seaweed extract in addition to mature, high-quality bat guano. And what results can you expect from using this product?
• Better soil quality.
• Better transport of nutrients throughout the plant.
• Better taste and overall quality characteristics of the final fruits or flowers.

Our TIP: Gold Label fertiliser sets represent the most advantageous and effective way to test the complete plant nutrition programme from Gold Label in practice. You only need to choose according to whether you grow your plants classically in soil (Gold Label Starter KIT Soil) or whether you are engaged in hydroponic cultivation (Gold Label Starter KIT Hydro). Recommended!

And a practical tip at the end? Remember that you will achieve the best results by combining fertiliser and growing medium from the same brand. Gold Label is definitely worth trying! More than one grower might say that this is truly advice worth its weight in gold. Do not hesitate to ask us anything you are interested in. We are here for you at the well-known e-mail address info@higarden.eu.

We also recommend these products:

• Gold Label Ultra pH- 1 l (growth and flowering)
• BioNova compressed coco brick 10 L
• Hand Trim set PRO - set for manual harvesting

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For beginning gardeners and growers, it can be difficult to choose the right fertiliser range from the seemingly confusing selection on shop shelves. Unsuitable plant nutrition can often jeopardise all your growing efforts. We will explain how NPK fertilisers work, what information you can find on the label, and how to choose the right product for your grow room, greenhouse or garden.

When growing plants, most gardeners use fertilisers to supply their plants with nutrients. This is because in most gardening methods, from indoor cultivation under artificial lighting to outdoor gardens, the substrate becomes depleted after a certain time and no longer contains enough nutrients for healthy plant development.

What are NPK nutrients

All plants need a total of 17 nutrient elements to live, and apart from three of them (oxygen, carbon and hydrogen), they obtain all of them from the soil, growing medium or nutrient solution. Roots absorb 14 elements in total, which we further divide according to how important they are from the point of view of plant nutrition.

• Basic (macrobiogenic) nutrients (nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, sulphur, calcium, magnesium) are consumed by plants in the largest quantities and their deficiency causes serious growth disorders or death.
• Micronutrients (chlorine, iron, boron, manganese, zinc, copper, molybdenum, cobalt) are required only in minimal amounts, but a lack of micronutrients can also cause major damage to plants.

In practice, we most often encounter the need to supply plants regularly with three basic nutrients through fertilisers – nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and potassium (K).

The importance of NPK for plant development and health

The consumption of NPK nutrients varies in plants depending on their age, species, climatic conditions and cultivation method. You should take all the above-mentioned factors into account before you start fertilising. It is important to use fertilisers that contain NPK nutrients in the appropriate amount and ratio. If you do not, your plants may either suffer from nutrient deficiencies or you may over-fertilise them and literally burn them with an excess of mineral salts in the substrate.

• Nitrogen (N): Plants need nitrogen especially when forming chlorophyll, the green pigment essential for the process of photosynthesis, but it is also part of plant amino acids and proteins. A nitrogen deficiency is shown by yellowing leaves and slowed growth. Plants absorb nitrogen best in the form of nitrates dissolved in water. Recommended fertilisers for supplying nitrogen are organic fish emulsion or fertilisers for vegetative growth.
• Phosphorus (P): Phosphorus is important for the reproductive phases of plants and the formation of cell structures. A phosphorus deficiency is shown by darkening leaves and smaller flowers. Plants absorb it best in the form of inorganic phosphates dissolved in water. Recommended fertilisers for supplying phosphorus are bat guano and fertilisers designed to support flowering.
• Potassium (K): Potassium is key to flower formation and increases plant resistance to disease. A potassium deficiency is shown by burnt leaf edges and slowed growth. Plants absorb it best in the form of potassium salts dissolved in water. Recommended fertilisers are fertilisers for supporting flowering, PK boosters and palm ash.

Choosing an NPK fertiliser

On the packaging of every fertiliser you will find several basic pieces of information that will help you determine exactly what the formula is suitable for and what it contains.

• A trio of numbers separated by hyphens (for example 2-1-2) indicates the content of the basic nutrients nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and potassium (K). The order of the elements is fixed (N-P-K) and the numbers represent the percentage share of the given element in the total volume of the fertiliser.
• A detailed chemical analysis usually specifies the product composition more closely, lists other nutrient elements in the fertiliser and states their minimum content in the product.
• A list of the salts from which the nutrients contained in the fertiliser were obtained. It contains useful information for those who want to combine fertilisers from different manufacturers. Some forms of mineral salts cannot simply be mixed without precipitating. This is also why some fertilisers have multiple components in separate bottles.
• Dosage tables tell you how often and in what quantity to apply the fertiliser. If you are just starting to grow, it is best to follow the manufacturer’s instructions as closely as possible and not mix different brands.

Also read: Which are better for indoor growing, dry or liquid fertilisers?

How to choose the right NPK fertiliser according to the growth stage

Annual plants go through two basic phases during the growing season: vegetative (growth) and generative (flowering). As they gradually move from one to the other, their nutritional requirements change. In general, during the first part of life in vegetative growth, when plants form new roots, leaves and stems, they need the most nitrogen. During flowering, their phosphorus consumption then increases. Potassium is usually absorbed from the soil throughout the entire vegetative cycle in balanced amounts.

Fertiliser manufacturers include dosage tables with their products, which tell you exactly when and in what amount to fertilise. However, these are only recommendations, and an experienced grower should know the other factors affecting nutrient consumption, such as the growing medium used, temperature and other climatic conditions, the method and frequency of watering, or the specifics of the cultivar.

• Fertilisers for vegetative growth
• Fertilisers for the flowering phase
• Fertilisers for growth and flowering

Also read: Growth fertilisers: What are they for and how to use them

Jamaica is renowned not only for its great music, but also for its fertile soil, which local people have cultivated for centuries in a traditional way without unnecessary chemicals. Organically grown home produce is then the basis of the vegetarian I-tal diet for many Jamaicans. However, as in the rest of the world, local soil is threatened by the overuse of synthetic fertilisers and chemical pesticides. The manufacturer of organic fertilisers BioBizz joined forces with musician and activist Julian Marley to change that. The result is the unique JUJU ROYAL range of fertilisers and substrates, which you can now try at home too.

BioBizz has become well known among growers especially for its liquid organic fertilisers, which are widely used by organic farmers around the world. Their range includes a complete selection for organic and bio cultivation, including organic fertilisers, horticultural substrates, nutrition supplements and natural plant protection products. The latest fertiliser range from BioBizz – JUJU ROYAL uses a simple three-part nutrition programme for cultivating plants in all types of substrates and growing media. As with other BioBizz products, JUJU ROYAL fertilisers and substrates are suitable for indoor and outdoor growing.

Julian Marley (4 June 1975) is the son of the legendary reggae icon Bob Marley, who himself contributed to the world of music with recordings featuring a unique sound and conscious lyrics. He has released several albums, including “Lion in the Morning” and “Awake”, which refer to the roots of reggae and clearly show his father’s influence. In addition to his music career, Julian is intensely involved in charitable work and activism, especially through the Ghetto Youths foundation and now also together with BioBizz.

JUJU ROYAL fertilisers

Grow Soldier is an organic liquid fertiliser intended to support growth throughout the entire growing cycle, from seedlings to the end of flowering. It contains concentrated molasses and a balanced ratio of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium (NPK). In producing Grow Soldier, BioBizz uses by-products from beet processing. The nitrogen in Grow Soldier is released gradually and the organic composition supports microorganisms that create a healthy soil ecosystem. Grow Soldier is suitable for all types of substrates, growing media and plant cultivation methods. Start applying Grow Soldier when the plants reach a height of 10-15 cm and continue until flowering. The recommended dosage according to the feeding chart is 1-4 ml/l.

Flowa Bloom is an organic liquid fertiliser intended for flowering plants. It contains a high proportion of easily absorbed phosphorus and animal and plant proteins, amino acids and sugars that support flower development and resin production. Flowa Bloom is suitable for all types of substrates, growing media and plant cultivation methods. It can be used on its own as a flowering fertiliser, but for optimal results we recommend combining it with Grow Soldier and humic acids. The recommended dosage according to the feeding chart is 2-4 ml/l.

Green Mystic is a growth stimulator that supports hormonal balance and the absorption of micronutrients, which increases plants’ resistance to pests and environmental stress factors such as high temperature, overwatering or drought. In producing Green Mystic, BioBizz uses an enzymatic hydrolysis process, thanks to which the mixture may contain seaweed extracts, mannitol, alginic acids and manganese in a unique liquid form. Apply Green-Mystic during regular watering so that it acts directly in the substrate together with microorganisms, or as a foliar spray for fast action. This growth stimulator has a low content of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium and can be used at any stage of the vegetative cycle. We recommend using Green Mystic together with JUJU ROYAL growing substrates and fertilisers.

JUJU ROYAL growing substrates

Light Rebel is a lightly pre-fertilised organic growing substrate with a reduced peat content. This airy mix, made from premium raw materials, is ideal for indoor and outdoor growing and is designed for growing aromatic plants, vegetables and herbs. Light Rebel can be used from the beginning to the end of the growing cycle, including germination, cloning and seedling propagation. The substrate is suitable for hand watering as well as irrigation systems.

Coco Kaya is a lightly pre-fertilised coconut substrate suitable for indoor and outdoor plant cultivation. The mix of coconut, peat and perlite has an airy structure that ensures optimal moisture in the root zone. It is a pre-buffered substrate that does not need any adjustment before use. When growing in coconut substrates, it is important to fertilise plants regularly with fast-absorbing organic or mineral fertilisers. We recommend combining Coco Kaya with JUJU ROYAL fertilisers. Coco Kaya is suitable from the beginning to the end of the growing cycle, including germination, cloning and seedling propagation.

Useful links

• Manufacturer’s website: biobizz.com
• Feeding charts for JUJU ROYAL: http://www.biobizz.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Juju-Royal-Julian-Marley_Biobizz_Feeding-Plan_2024-EN.pdf

Every beginning grower faces the choice of how to fertilise their plants. While organic fertilisers are gentle on the environment and require less work, mineral fertilisers act quickly and give the grower complete control over plant nutrition. We will guide you through the basic differences between organic and synthetic fertilisers and help you choose.

While organic fertilisers are made from materials of organic origin, such as compost, manure, bone meal and the like, synthetic ones are obtained through human-controlled chemical reactions, for example from ammonia, phosphate minerals or air. Synthetic fertilisers contain an exact amount and ratio of nutrients in a form that is quickly available to plants, mainly as mineral salts. On the other hand, organic fertilisers contain nutrients that must first be broken down in the soil by microbes, and only then can plants absorb them through their roots. This process is slower, but it has the advantage of keeping the soil healthy in the long term. The use of mineral fertilisers leads to the death of important microorganisms, and in the long term the soil loses its ability to regenerate. Before we move on to choosing the right fertiliser for your garden, let us summarise the basic advantages and disadvantages of organic and synthetic fertilisers.

Organic fertilisers PROS and CONS

• Gentle on the environment: Organic fertilisers improve soil structure, support beneficial microbes and pollute water sources less.
• Sustainability: They come from renewable sources and are in line with ecological growing practices.
• They strengthen soil health: Long-term use of organic fertilisers enriches the soil, which becomes more fertile and more resistant to external influences.
• Slow action: When organic fertilisers are applied, nutrients are not available to plants immediately.
• Volume and storage: Organic fertilisers are used in larger quantities and may be bulkier than synthetic ones.
• Odour: Some organic products, such as livestock manure, guano or fish meal, can smell strongly and unpleasantly.

Synthetic fertilisers PROS and CONS

• Fast action: Synthetic fertilisers act immediately, which is ideal for addressing nutrient deficiencies or intensive growing methods.
• Precise fertilisation: Mineral fertilisers are easy to dose, and you can easily adapt nutrition to the specific requirements of plants.
• Use in hydroponics: Mineral salts are suitable for preparing nutrient solutions and ideal for hydroponic and soilless growing.
• Risks to the environment: Careless and excessive use of mineral fertilisers degrades the soil, and salt residues can leach into the surroundings.
• Soil degradation: Repeated application can disrupt the soil microflora and thus reduce soil health in the long term.
• Non-ecological production: The extraction of raw materials and the production of synthetic fertilisers have a harmful impact on the environment.

Organic fertilisers: The ideal helper for outdoor growing

Organic fertilisers are best used for outdoor growing, for example in beds, but also in greenhouses. Some types of organic fertilisers, especially liquid formulations, can also be used when growing in pots, but keep in mind that they act more slowly than mineral salts. For the best effect of these fertilisers, the soil should contain a high proportion of organic matter and microorganisms that speed up the breakdown of nutrients. The most commonly used organic fertilisers include compost, guano and vermicompost. You can also use compost teas and liquid fertilisers of organic origin, such as Biobizz. When choosing and applying fertilisers, always take into account the type of plants you want to grow and the season. Add compost or manure to the bed in autumn so that the organic matter has enough time to break down. If you encounter nutrient deficiencies during the growing cycle, you can quickly solve the problem by applying mineral fertilisers, but remember that in the long term you must enrich the soil with organic matter.

Synthetic fertilisers: Precise plant nutrition

Synthetic fertilisers are an excellent tool for indoor growing and everywhere plants cannot be grown in a natural way. They are ideal for growing in pots, but with careful use they can also be applied to open ground. You can use them in combination with soil mixes or various types of soilless substrates, such as coco, perlite or expanded clay. Mineral fertilisers are also used to prepare nutrient solution for hydroponics. Remember that, unlike organic fertilisers, they deplete nutrients from the soil or substrate very quickly, and you will need to fertilise with every watering. When using synthetic fertilisers, it is important to monitor the pH of the substrate and, if necessary, also the EC of the nutrient solution using a digital EC and pH metre. Choose mineral fertilisers according to the current requirements of the plants. In general, plants need more nitrogen for growth, while during flowering and ripening they use more potassium. Most manufacturers of mineral fertilisers label their products as “grow” and “bloom”. You can also find the amount of nutrients according to the mandatory NPK ratio, which you will find on the label. For hydroponic growing, use special fertilisers for use in hydroponics.

Fertilisation and plant nutrition is a complex topic that every grower should know thoroughly. If you would like to learn more, visit our Higarden blog, where we explain in detail how to fertilise plants correctly and what to do when you encounter problems during growing.

Choosing the ideal plant nutrition is especially important with this popular growing method. That is why we will help you find your way around the market for hydroponic fertilisers, including a wide range from our shop.

As with other growing methods, if you want to achieve a truly abundant harvest and do not want to wait forever for it, then in hydroponics you also have the option of using a range of interesting additives beyond basic nutrition. We mean, for example, root or flower boosters and other additives, for example in the form of top-quality enzymatic products. These products should form an integral part of comprehensive nutrition for hydroponically grown plants, where high quality and yield are expected.

• Liquid fertilisers are a safe bet. You prepare a nutrient solution from water and fertiliser in the specified ratio and apply watering in smaller amounts but at more frequent intervals. Never use the nutrient solution for longer than one month.
• Tablet fertilisers are a fully fledged alternative to liquid fertilisers. Tablets are characterised by the gradual release of nutrients.

Less is sometimes more, and that also applies to hydroponic fertilisers

We have also prepared detailed fertiliser dosage tables for you, which will make using premium nutrition, including for hydroponics from our shop, as easy as possible in practice. For each manufacturer, you only need to find the table and the instructions valid for hydroponic fertilisers. If you follow them, you will reduce the risk of overfeeding and other beginner mistakes to a minimum, and your little plants will grow like mad. However, hydroponics is an especially clean method that is not as tolerant of nutrition mistakes as, for example, growing in soil or coco. Therefore, you will do no harm if, at the beginning of the growing cycle, you prepare the nutrient solution for hydroponically grown plants at only half strength and only gradually reach the recommended dose over the following weeks.

In hydroponics, the rule applies that you should wait to fertilise until the young plants have adapted sufficiently. How can you recognise this moment? White tips on newly formed roots will tell you.

Premium quality and precise application of fertilisers pay off in hydroponics

Using hydroponic fertilisers requires responsible measurement of the key parameters of the nutrient solution. You do not need to measure twice every time, as in the well-known saying, but you should definitely measure first and only then fertilise.

• Make sure that the water with nutrients has room temperature (min. 16 °C and max. 25 °C), with 20–21 °C being ideal.
• Regularly measure pH of the nutrient solution. You will again find the optimum value in the tables and manufacturer’s instructions, as each manufacturer uses slightly different values.
• In hydroponics more than anywhere else, you must keep the electrical conductivity of the nutrient solution under control, known by the abbreviation EC. This tells you how effectively your plants absorb nutrients in the hydroponic system, which prevents both burning and wasting hydroponic fertilisers. That is why you should have an EC metre in your equipment.
• We recommend getting one device for precise EC and pH measurement, or even a practical measuring set straight away.

It is now time to recommend some leading manufacturers of hydroponic fertilisers and their main advantages. You can find a complete range of the best fertilisers for hydroponics from our shop HERE.

Hydroponic fertilisers Advanced Nutrients

• pH Perfect technology helps maintain stable pH, so you can say goodbye to adding acids to the watering solution for regulation purposes.

Hydroponic fertilisers Canna

• Canna offers two fertiliser product lines for use in hydroponics, namely Canna Aqua and Canna Hydro.
• The two-component nutrition from the AQUA range, i.e. Aqua Flores for flowering and Aqua Vega for growth, is specially adapted for use in closed recirculating self-watering systems. You will achieve the best results in combination with the substrate CANNA Aqua Clay Pebbles.
• The nutrition from the HYDRO range, i.e. Hydro Flores for flowering and Hydro Vega for growth, is a better choice for open hydroponic systems where the runoff water is not returned to the system but drained away.
• Hydroponics with the Canna brand means a perfect harvest, sealed by Canna Flush, a product developed specifically for the flushing phase, usually carried out during the last week of the growing cycle with clean water. Great taste and odour, as well as an ultra-healthy composition of the fresh harvest, freed from unwanted salts and everything harmful, will simply impress you.
• Canna also gives growers the option of products for hard and soft water.

Hydroponic fertilisers BioNova

• Hydro Supermix is a one-component bio-mineral fertiliser specially designed for cultivation using capillary irrigation. We especially recommend the handy STARTER PACK to beginners for complete nutrition of a smaller hydroponic garden.

Hydroponic fertilisers Terra Aquatica

• Finally, we have left hydroponic fertilisers from the legendary manufacturer, known until recently as General Hydroponics. The brand’s products, co-founded by the author of the bestseller Hydroponics for Everyone William Texier, have a huge tradition in the market for hydroponic plant nutrition and have now only received a new look, while the unique composition and top quality remain unchanged as the result of many years of research and development. You can learn more in a separate post on this topic so that you have an overview of hydroponic nutrition from T.A. (formerly G.H.). You will find the link at the end of the article.

We recommend these products:

• BioNova Starter pack Hydro Supermix (CZK 1,990) contains everything for a smaller hydroponic garden at a discounted price.
• Terra Aquatica hydroponic fertilisers (from CZK 139) - a wide selection of products developed for the needs of plant nutrition in hydroponic systems, which complement each other perfectly.
• MAXQUARIUM reverse osmosis unit (CZK 7,790) for perfect filtration of the water circulating in your hydroponic system.

What to read next?

• Reverse osmosis (RO)
• General Hydroponics - T.A. or what changes to what
• Growing under artificial lighting: HPS vs. LED

If you have any questions about hydroponics and fertilisers specifically intended for this method, or if you need advice on choosing products, do not hesitate to contact us at the well-known address info@higarden.eu.

Carbon-neutral BioNova is another manufacturer from the land of tulips that certainly deserves attention. In this article, we will take a detailed look at the range of this popular brand, not least because plant nutrition from Bionova has long been regarded in gardening and cultivation circles as quite possibly the most effective in the world in terms of the ratio between purchase costs and application results. We can therefore say that it makes quality more accessible. Discover premium products for organic agriculture, indoor cultivation in indoor or outdoor in soil, as well as hydroponic plant cultivation.

A distinctive range of products for growing plants at home and outdoors is easier to create when an ecological approach is combined with modern technologies and continuous innovation. When BioNova first introduced its products to the world, its representatives already had extensive experience and also had a wealth of feedback from leading professional large-scale growers at their disposal. Its success may therefore also be due to the fact that nothing ever reached customers unless it had already stood up to the toughest competition among products for commercial or even scientific use. This innovative manufacturer from the Netherlands continuously improves its products and production processes and maintains cooperative relationships with external laboratories, while paying great attention to the environment and the future of our planet within sustainable agriculture. BioNova’s research team also works just as intensively with feedback from customers among home growers.

When should you choose BioNova products?

• If you are looking for sufficiently high-quality fertiliser, stimulator or growing medium offering the best value for money on the market. BioNova also prides itself on always sending out fresh stock.
• Are other customers usually your greatest inspiration? Then you have one more reason to choose Bionova products! For example, the lightly pre-fertilised soil substrate with a purely natural composition has been breaking sales records in the peat substrate category for quite some time. BioNova Cocomix Plus, on the other hand, leads the rankings when it comes to coconut substrates. Do you want to grow autoflowering varieties? The bestseller in the AUTOFLOWERING category is again BioNova fertilisers, specifically AutoFlower Supermix. That would be enough for illustration.
• If you are looking for a discounted set with plant nutrition. No other brand offers growers across different categories so many refined options, so that everyone can truly choose. And as you may already know from some of our previous articles, well-tuned, intelligently assembled nutrition sets are the best way to become familiar during the growing cycle with a brand’s nutrition, in other words its real effects on the development of your plants. Below, you can also see that with BioNova it is possible outdoors in the garden (outdoor), in a greenhouse or comfortably at home in a grow tent (indoor) for any growing method and plant type. Choose everything you need for your first harvest with the BioNova brand:
• Basic sets for hobby growers (hobby pack):
• 100% BIO harvest when growing in soil - BioNova Hobby pack Veganics.
• Basic fertiliser set for growing in soil if you use mineral fertilisers – BioNova Hobby pack Soil. 
• Plant nutrition for plants grown in coco – BioNova Hobby pack Coco Forte.
• Basic fertiliser set for hydroponics – BioNova Hobby pack Nutri-Forte (Hydro).
• Basic fertiliser set for autoflowering varieties of plants (so-called autoflowering) – BioNova Hobby pack Autoflower.
• Complete fertiliser sets including selected additives for both more and less experienced growers (starter pack):
• Complete nutrition for “autoflowering” plants from the start of the growing cycle to harvest – AutoFlower Supermix.
• All the important products for the first crop in substrate using mineral fertilisers are included in the fertiliser and additive set BioNova Starter pack Soil Supermix.
• Without exaggeration, the complete set of nutrition preparations for growing in coco is also a super mix – BioNova Starter pack Coco Forte.
• You will soon find out to what extent the basic fertilisers and nutrition supplements of the BioNova brand increase your yields in hydroponics thanks to the set BioNova Starter pack Hydro Supermix. An alternative is the nutrition set Nutri forte.

TIP for luxurious flowers and fruits: BioNova Boost Pack

BIONOVA and organic plant cultivation

These words certainly go together! If your number one priority is a bio-quality harvest or if organic agriculture is your field, be sure to read the separate article we dedicated to the increasingly popular, and above all purely organic, range of fertilisers and additives: BioNova Veganics – fertilisers not only for vegans.

In this article, two purely organic products will also be featured, ideal for preparing your own soil mix within bio-quality cultivation and organic agriculture.

BIONOVA and growing plants in soil

Let us start with the soil itself, or rather a completely unique, purely natural mix of white and black peat, crushed and sieved compost, and perlite for perfect aeration. This is the above-mentioned bestseller among substrates - BioNova Soilmix, whose composition is additionally enriched with organic vegan fertiliser in an NPK 7-3-3 + 2 MgO composition (3 kg/1 m3). This naturally follows on from the organic plant cultivation mentioned above. However, this slightly pre-fertilised peat substrate with a perlite admixture can also be used without any problem with the below-mentioned range of single-component mineral fertilisers for soil BioNova Soil Supermix.

Our TIP: Do you want to make the most of a first-class soil mix? Then put it into HERCULES aerated pots!

BIONOVA and growing plants in coco

As with growing in soil, let us begin this section with a closer introduction to the growing medium. BioNova coconut substrate is sold in two forms:

• BioNova CocoBrick are compressed coconut bricks. These are blocks of compressed coconut fibre in a dehydrated state. This option is very practical in terms of shelf life, storage and handling.
• BioNova Cocomix Plus is a proven classic, made from crushed and sieved coconut fibres from Sri Lanka. Technically speaking, it is a coconut substrate in a 50-litre, recyclable bag. Just like Soilmix, it is therefore ready for immediate use. Unlike Soilmix, however, it contains no nutrients (NPK 0-0-0) or perlite admixture. You will look in vain for any animal or chemical additives in it, so it is 100% compostable. It is carefully washed and buffered to pH 6.5. Thanks to the absence of nutrients combined with above-standard absorption properties, it offers growers similar characteristics to inert media, and so you can confidently use it for hydroponics.

BIONOVA and hydroponic plant cultivation

In hydroponic plant cultivation, the plant root system develops in an inert medium, which is usually expanded clay (Hydroton), rockwool (mineral wool) or perlite. If you decide to use hydroponic systems, you will probably also achieve a more interesting harvest and higher yields. This is because you have all growing processes, led by plant nutrition from the first day of the growing cycle, fully in your own hands, and also because classic inert media, but to a large extent also high-quality coconut substrates, retain water and nutrients extremely well. Unlike growing plants in soil, however, there is not much room for error here. We mean, for example, overwatered plants, incorrect or unstable nutrient solution temperature or obvious signs of important nutrient deficiencies as typical problems that especially beginners often face. If hydroponics appeals to you, but you do not yet have enough experience, be sure to take this into account, and before choosing a specific hydroponic method, learn more at the start, for example in a separate article: Hydroponics – what does it involve and how do you start?

Hydroponic fertilisers, especially BioNova Hydro Supermix, must be dosed correctly. Manufacturer’s dosing charts make nutrient application easier not only in the case of hydroponics, but also when growing plants in soil or coco using the relevant fertiliser range (Soil, Coco,…).

• Hydro Supermix has long been the best-selling and most user-friendly plant nutrition in the category of fertilisers for hydroponics. The nutrients contained in this single-component bio-mineral fertiliser are characterised by excellent absorbability. At the same time, they are present in such a ratio that the resulting all-in-one composition supports plants both during the growth phase and later during the flower or fruit formation phase. In addition to the basic hydroponic fertiliser Bionova Hydro Supermix, do not forget to add phosphorus and potassium in the form of the product Bionova PK 13-14.
• Nutri Forte A+B is a two-component organo-mineral plant nutrition containing directly absorbable minerals in “food-grade” quality. Trace elements in chelated form mean better usability of Nutri Forte A+B fertiliser across a wider pH range. If you use hydroponic systems, this nutrition will again take care of you both during the vegetative phase and during the flowering phase. Although Nutri Forte is among two-component fertilisers, it is very easy to apply. Simply measure the same amount each time and mix first one component, then the second, into the water. If your plants show a deficiency of important nutrients, specifically nitrogen (N), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), iron (Fe) or some other micronutrients, apply only component A to the roots and leaves. Rapid absorption of nutrients will soon compensate for these deficiencies. If crops show a deficiency of phosphorus (P), potassium (K) or sulphur (S), apply component B as a foliar spray.

BioNova hydroponic fertilisers are compatible not only with hydroponic systems, but also with aeroponic systems, in which growers have the opportunity to make even greater use of their potential. However, for these purposes we will introduce below the specialised fertiliser range Aero Superimix, which in practice is also suitable for the hydroponic method NFT (Nutrient Film Technique), about which you can read more in a separate article from the series Hydroponics made easy.

Our TIP: Discover vertical hydroponic systems NFT!

BIONOVA and aeroponic plant cultivation

The aeroponic fertiliser BioNova Aero Supermix is pH stable and also has several characteristic features identical to the Hydro version:

• All-in-one composition for the entire growing cycle
• Food-grade nutrients
• The need to apply Bionova PK 13-14 as a flowering booster throughout the flowering phase except for the last week of the growing cycle, when the plants must be flushed.

Let us pause for a moment on flushing in the last week before harvest. Flushing or flushing is very important, whether you are drawn to aeroponics or hydroponics. When the growing cycle is nearing its end, certainly do not underestimate its importance for the final quality of plants or agricultural crops. On this topic, we recommend a separate article: How do you flush?

This premium plant nutrition was developed so that growers of different experience levels can more easily deal with the most common pitfalls (so-called plant burn or, for example, dehydration) associated in practice with cultivation in an aeroponic system. 

Aero Supermix is also very suitable for vertical cultivation, for example in green walls.

This fertiliser is fully compatible with all stimulators and additives from the Bionova brand.

BIONOVA and effective support for plant development

Enjoy record yields thanks to stimulators and other additives from the BioNova brand for effective support of healthy development and the resulting higher yields. However, all additives from this brand are so exceptional that we have decided to dedicate adequate space to them in another separate article.

Universal products for cultivation with the BIONOVA brand (Bionova Universals)

Plant protection

• Bionova Novafoliar - natural pesticide for clean and healthy plants
• A strong and highly effective biological preparation (biopesticide) based on garlic, which protects plants against pests while also cleaning the leaf surface.
• The composition of the product prevents the pores (stomata) from becoming clogged by organic dirt from beetles and pests, so your plants can breathe freely.
• Perfectly clean leaves also stop being attractive to further pests, whether they are various types of insects or fungi.
• You will achieve the best results in combination with Bionova Freeflow wetting agent.
• When growing in an environment with a high risk of contamination by insects and fungi, use Novafoliar as a preventive treatment every 10-15 days from the start of cultivation until the first week of the flowering phase.
• If you have pre-grown seedlings in a propagator and are about to transplant them into a larger growing space, treat the young plants by completely immersing them for a few seconds in a solution prepared from 2 litres of water and 1 litre of Novafoliar.
• Novafoliar is used exclusively as a foliar spray. During flowering and fruit formation, do not spray it directly on flowers or fruits.

Non-liquid fertilisation of plants grown in soil:

• Bionova Profimix is a 100% organic grain fertiliser, developed primarily for creating your own nutrient-rich soil mix, which you will use especially for outdoor plant cultivation and for the purposes of organic agriculture. (You can also read a separate article: How to grow outdoor?) Simply mix 100-150 grams of Profimix into a 15-20-litre pot and then just add water. You do not need to measure the at all, because the microorganisms inside the product naturally balance it in the substrate. The organic matter containing beneficial microorganisms that makes up Profimix contains not a trace of animal waste, so it is a 100% VEGAN product with the following effects:
  • Supports intensive growth and flowering.
  • Stimulates microbial activity - the soil ecosystem.
  • Improves and speeds up the rooting process.
  • Stimulates the natural resistance of plants to pests and epidemics.

• Bionova Microlife is a comprehensive non-liquid fertiliser full of beneficial soil microorganisms, used from the first week of the growing cycle until harvest. All the nutrients contained are very readily available to plants, and the results certainly will not take long to appear. After all, it is enough to examine the composition in more detail.

pH adjustment:

• Bionova pH + is a potassium hydroxide solution with a concentration of 24.5%. It is used to increase the pH level.
• Bionova pH - is a phosphoric acid solution (24.5%) for lowering the pH value of the nutrient solution.

When it comes to adjusting the pH of the nutrient solution, you may also find the following separate articles useful:

• What pH of nutrient solution should you choose?
• Torus Hydro perfectpH: revolutionary pH stabiliser

In conclusion, we can only refer to the all-explanatory slogan of our favourite Dutch manufacturer: “YOUR PATH TO GROWTH”. If you have any questions about the BioNova range, you can ask us via the well-known e-mail address info@higarden.eu. We look forward to your questions!

We also recommend these products:

• BioNova PK 13-14 (phosphorus + potassium)
• BioNova BN Roots
• BioNova Longflower Supermix 

What to read next:

• Fulvic and humic acids: importance and use in plant nutrition
• Discover modern grow tents Garden Highpro
• UGro produces ecological coconut substrates and protects peat ecosystems

When you use organic fertilisers, you avoid over-fertilisation and the soil properties soon improve naturally, in line with the laws of nature. This results in faster plant growth, a higher nutrient content, higher yields of cultivated crops and, ultimately, a significantly better quality of the food consumed. That is why you should not miss a wonderful Slovenian new product in our range!

How was this complex organic plant nutrition created? Behind the products of the Organics Nutrients brand stands a young team of persistent individuals with a tendency towards constant innovation and a clear intention to improve the current possibilities of organic cultivation of herbs, ornamental flowers and crops, and to achieve healthier soil. Their intention also gives rise to the added value of Organics Nutrients products, whose popularity in the gardening world is growing at a rapid pace, which we can briefly summarise in two points:

• As healthy and as profitable a harvest as possible
• The smallest possible impact on the environment

Our TIP: Get to know the benefits of this brand’s products in full through their synergistic combination thanks to the promotional pack Organics Nutrients Starter Kit!

We will now introduce in detail the composition, effects and main principles of use of the individual products from this wonderful organic fertiliser range:

MYKORIZA premium

• The literally packed composition of this natural, highly concentrated powder consists of mycorrhizal fungi (ENDO and EKTO see below), beneficial bacteria, microorganisms and, last but not least, Trichoderma, about which you can read more in a separate article HERE.
• And the general list of benefits of using mycorrhizal fungi for the plant must not be missing either. What can mycorrhizal fungi do?
• They enlarge the surface area of the root zone
• They support the absorption of water and nutrients
• They release phosphorus from the soil
• They speed up the rate of plant growth
• They improve plant adaptation after transplanting
• They improve results when taking cuttings
• They enable successful plant growth even in poor soils
• They increase plant resistance to stress (Read a separate article: Stress also harms plants, or the abiotic stresses of plants)
• Are you interested in these beneficial fungi in detail? Here is their detailed list as regards the composition of the product MYKORIZA premium:
• 9 types of endo mycorrhizal fungi (Glomus claraum, G. intraradices, G. mosseae, G. deserticola, G. monosporum, G. aggregatum, Paraglomus brasilianum, Gigaspora margarita and G. etunicatum)
• 9 types of ecto mycorrhizal fungi (Rhizopogon villosullus, R. luteolus, R. amylopogan, R. fulvigeba, Pisolithus tinctorius, Laccaria bicolor, L. laccata, Scleroderma cepa and S. citrinum)
• It is no surprise that when using this product, a 400% faster development of the root system was recorded. The effects are all the more admirable because they were achieved purely naturally. That is what we call the power of nature in powder form!
• If you read our articles, you already know that a healthy and richly branched root system means better supply of nutrients to the plant, and therefore healthier development and better defence. In the final analysis, this equation leads to a fantastic harvest, as we have already mentioned in more detail above.
• When using this “magical” natural powder in cultivation practice, the aim is to achieve an even coating of mycorrhizal spores on the young root system (the outer side of the root ball).

BIG PLANT

• The composition of the fertiliser BIG PLANT, suitable for both the growth and flowering phases, consists mainly of the droppings of mealworm larvae (insect manure), which in the wild feed exclusively on bran, fruit and vegetables.
• Big plant contains, among other things, chitin, which contributes to a significant improvement in plant immunity. In addition, this plant nutrition product is rich in natural silicon, magnesium, manganese, boron, copper and zinc.
• In the case of this product, it is a 100% natural soil improver for the soil in which you grow your plants, bringing a whole range of biological benefits:
  • Robust plant growth
  • Healthy root system
  • Higher yields and nutritional value
  • Unbreakable resistance of plants to pests or diseases

POWER PLANT

• A universal fertiliser with a high concentration of purely organic nutrients is ideal for all types of vegetables, fruit, house flowers and medicinal herbs. You can also use it on meadows and pastures.
• The balanced ratio of nitrogen and potassium (4.0:6.5) makes this product suitable for trouble-free application throughout the entire cultivation cycle from early growth to harvest.
• The vegan composition is also rich in valuable plant extracts, humic acids, amino acids and, last but not least, seaweed extract.
• This fertiliser contains sugar, which is also perfect food for beneficial soil microbes.
• In terms of use, you can recommend POWER plant not only for conventional watering, but also for application as a spray directly onto the leaves.

BIG START

• The organic additive BIG start, supplementing the basic nutrition, contains everything needed thanks to seaweed extract and humic acids for:
• improving soil structure
• improving the soil’s water retention properties
• supporting and expanding beneficial soil microorganisms
• increasing the uptake of macronutrients
• strengthening roots and rootlets
• natural regulation of pH in the soil
• supporting the formation of chlorophyll, sugars and amino acids 
• Among other things, it also contains the beneficial symbiotic fungus Trichoderma (see above) and Bacillus subtilis for better plant defence.

PK JUICE

• A supplementary liquid fertiliser, or an extra-effective supplementation of potassium and phosphorus in plants on a purely natural basis.
• PK juice initiates faster plant growth and the formation of abundant flowers.
• The phosphorus and potassium content is in the ideal ratio (5:8).
• PK juice also contains other important micronutrients, such as copper, magnesium, manganese, sulphur, iron, boron, copper or zinc.
• The unique composition of this additive of the PK type contains a total of more than 70 minerals, vitamins and enzymes!

The products of Organics Nutrients, with their quality and above all their proven effects, directly encourage us as growers to cultivate plants and their crops in a more natural and sustainable way. If you would like to ask us anything, we will be happy to advise you at the well-known e-mail address info@higarden.eu. 

We also recommend these products: 

• HERCULES aerated pots (from CZK 49)
• Atami WILMA Small - 4x11L, 60x60x20cm (CZK 2,599)
• Vertical NFT systems (from CZK 9,990)

What to read next? 

• How can you tell quality seeds?
• How to grow microgreens
• Stylish HOMEbox Ambient grow tents combine the pleasant with the useful

Very simple and quick to apply, high nutrient concentration and excellent results. That is a brief summary of the reasons why an increasing number of growers prefer to use fertilisers and powdered supplements. Among other things, they praise the high quality of flowers with an intense aroma and higher yields.

Do you grow strictly organic, or do you prefer mineral plant nutrition? The answer to this question will determine which products from this innovative Dutch manufacturer will pleasantly surprise you in practice and what the specifics are for their correct use. Let us begin!

What are the advantages of powdered fertiliser?

Many growers and gardeners have used liquid fertilisers for years, and powdered plant nutrition represents an experiment and a step into the unknown for them. The following summary of their benefits answers the common question our customers therefore ask us:

• Solubility and absorbability
• Lower costs for complete nutrition
• Easier transport and storage
• Simpler use (ideal for beginners!)
• Longer shelf life

It should be added that, in the case of plant nutrition in powder form from Green House Feeding, you can also rely on consistent quality as well as the quality of the raw materials originating from Switzerland and Germany.

We will now focus on the differences between the mineral and 100% natural range of these unique fertilisers and additives. In both cases, dosage tables will also help you with their application.

Green House Bio Feeding (organic plant nutrition in powder form)

We support ecology, so let us begin with the purely organic range.

• BioGrow
• BioGrow needs to be mixed into the substrate.
• You can use the basic biological powdered fertiliser for plant growth in soil, coco and other growing media by mixing it into the substrate.
• It can be used immediately after transplanting a young plant, or you can add it later as a “top dressing”, which you mix into the top layer of the substrate.
• Nutrients are released in the growing medium for 8 weeks, but the more pre-fertilised your soil mix is, the less of this nutritionally rich powder you will need in the first few weeks. The dosage tables will help you again.
• Seedlings and young plants up to a maximum age of 3 weeks always need only half the dose.
• If the growth period is longer, we recommend a second application.
• BioGrow can form mycelium of a beneficial fungus on the surface of the substrate, improving microbial life inside the substrate. It dissolves minerals that are not initially available to plants. This fungus disappears on its own after a few days, and it would be a mistake to remove it from the substrate.
• BioBloom
• As far as use is concerned, the same rules apply to the basic biological powdered fertiliser for flowering as in the case of Bio Grow.
• Thanks to the high concentration and excellent availability of nutrients contained in Bio Bloom powder, only a single application is enough for 8 weeks of flowering.
• Bio Enhancer
  • Mix Bio Enhancer with water and apply it regularly to your plants with every watering throughout the entire growing cycle in combination with Green House Feeding bio nutrition for growth or flowering.
  • Thanks to humic acids and seaweed extract, you support the root system, the plant’s overall defence, and the quality and volume of the resulting harvest. That is what we call a universal organic powder supplement.

Green House Powder Feeding (mineral base fertilisers and additives in powder form)

• All products from the mineral range of Green House Powder Feeding can be used for any growing medium.
• They are all worth it, whether we are talking about basic nutrition for growth or flowering, or for example the bestseller Green House Powder Feeding Booster, which is much more effective than most liquid boosters.
• The application of mineral nutrition is quite different from the organic range above, and therefore before using mineral powdered fertiliser we again recommend looking at the dosage tables.
• If you use hydroponic or aeroponic systems and use a growing medium other than soil, we also recommend precise pH and EC metres. Reliable measuring equipment allows you full control over the concentration of the nutrient solution, so you can enjoy the results that are so easy to achieve with these fertilisers.
• Because using the mineral range of GHS Powder Feeding is not as intuitive as the Bio feeding range, here is a guide on how to easily mix a nutrient solution based on minerals:
• Check the pH and EC value of the water and make sure its temperature is between 18-22 degrees Celsius.
• You should also check whether your water contains enough calcium.
• If the EC is 0.0 (when using water from reverse osmosis, or rainwater), you must add calcium before adding the powdered fertiliser to the water. Then make sure the EC level has risen to 0.3-0.4 EC.
• Add Powder Feeding. Mix the solution well for 2-3 minutes, then measure the EC value again. Repeat if necessary until you reach the desired value.
• Once you reach the desired EC value, wait 15-30 minutes.
• Then measure the pH and, if necessary, adjust it further using pH up or pH down – mix well for 2-3 minutes and wait another 15-30 minutes before measuring.
• Once you reach the desired values, treat your plants to luxurious nutrition!
• A major advantage of the mineral range of Green House Powder Feeding is the fact that if you mix a larger amount of highly concentrated nutrient solution at once, you can safely store it for several months.

If you are interested in powdered fertilisers from a proven Dutch brand, we are not surprised. Habit, however, is a strong thing, so if you have so far used only liquid fertilisers and additives, do not hesitate to ask us about anything that interests you at the familiar address info@higarden.eu. We look forward to your questions!

To get acquainted with Green House Feeding plant nutrition, we recommend complete discounted sets for the entire growing cycle. Powder fertilisers are very economical, but why not save even more by buying a fine-tuned package, right?

• Green House Powder Feeding StarterKit BIO (1890 Kč)
• Green House Powder Feeding StarterKit MINERAL (1290 Kč)

What to read next? 

• Modern trimmers make work with fresh harvest easier
• How to flush?
• How to grow mother plants and how to care for them?

There are dozens of brands and hundreds of different types of fertilisers on the market – in liquid, powder and solid form, organic and mineral, for different growth stages and cultivation methods. How can 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 according to the 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 feeding. Coco substrates are usually used for indoor growing or in greenhouses.
• Fertilisers for hydroponics: These are intended for preparing a nutrient solution for soilless 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 feeding; during the vegetative growth stage, it is important to provide enough nitrogen, and during flowering it is advisable to use fertilisers with a higher content of potassium and phosphorus.

• Starter fertilisers-Start: They 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: They 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 fluctuations in substrate pH.
• Fertilisers for flowering-Bloom: They contain a higher amount 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 using fertilisers several weeks before harvest and replace them with clean water or special flushing products or finishers. The aim is better odour 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 does not matter 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, bear in mind that it takes some time before they start to work.
• Mineral fertilisers: They contain nutrients in the form of mineral salts obtained from phosphates, ammonia and the synthesis of nitrogen from air. They work immediately and carry a risk of overfeeding. 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 completely 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).
• Solid fertilisers with slow release: Fertilisers in the form of pellets or slow-release granules 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 supplements and stimulators

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

• Root stimulators: They speed up root formation and are used during germination, cuttings or transplanting of plants.
• Growth and flowering boosters: They 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, which 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.

Feed regularly: Plants benefit from a constant and stable supply of nutrients. Do not delay feeding 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 get in touch with our sales staff.

Beginning growers often ask how these two-part fertilisers work and why they must be kept separate. Today’s article summarises the answers, focusing on basic plant nutrition, which is always produced in two bottles.

Quality two-part fertilisers represent a truly nutritious cocktail of essential nutrients, minerals and other substances that help plants develop quickly and healthily. They are available for use in soil, coco and also for hydroponics.

The high concentration of beneficial substances is reflected not only in the matter of dosing, where it is necessary to follow certain limits and procedures, but also in the fact that some substances would create undesirable reactions together in a concentrated bottle, after which some essential substances for the plant, present in smaller proportions, would literally be absorbed by other dominant substances.

Another reason why two-part fertilisers are most often sold in two bottles is soil life. A healthy and beautifully branched root system of the plant, as a basic prerequisite for a rich harvest, represents a complex ecosystem in which various microorganisms play a key role. Their representation should also be as balanced as possible. Small predators have their irreplaceable place here, just as peaceful strains do. In the micro-world, that is, in soil or a similar growing medium (soil mixes), where your plants grow, exactly the same rules apply in this respect as in nature as a whole.

If we were to place these elements, which the plant needs for its development, into one bottle, the results of even the best fertilising would not be worth mentioning, because after some time a significant part of the beneficial substances in one bottle would simply disappear in favour of some dominant substance. Such is the law of nature, and fertiliser manufacturers must respect it. An ideal example from “big nature” is the African savannah, where giraffes, elephants, lions, goats, zebras and monkeys live side by side. Such an ecosystem has been stable and functional since time immemorial. We can map a certain food chain, but it is part of the ecosystem, and the individual species exist in it naturally and permanently side by side. But what happens if you leave a pride of lions together in one large cage with other species? The answer is obvious to everyone. Soon only the lions will remain. And that is, of course, an undesirable reaction.

That is why it is necessary already during production to sufficiently separate dominant substances and microorganisms in plant nutrition products from the others, and that is therefore also the reason why we have basic fertilisers for growth, referred to as GROW, available in one bottle, and fertilisers for flowering, referred to as BLOOM, in the second bottle, even though they are applied at the same time and many growers therefore quite logically ask, especially at the beginning: “Why not just put it all into one?”.

If the different elements are supplied to the growing medium separately in the form of A + B bottles, they can live side by side and support the plant in its growth through their action.

The same applies to various additives, whether they are flower boosters, growth and root stimulators, enzymatic preparations or, for example, soil improvers:

• They are not always dosed in the same way.
• They cannot always be mixed with the base fertiliser.
• The content of certain substances contained in quality additives would disproportionately increase the price of the base product.
• The proportions of individual bottles differ with regard to the plant’s developmental stage, so they can be adjusted accordingly.

A safe bet when applying individual plant nutrition products are the procedures and dosing tables recommended directly by the manufacturer.

Our TIP: Get a practical Starter Kit / Starter pack - complete fertiliser sets contain everything you need during the growing cycle, from seed to a rich harvest! For example, try the bestseller in the fertiliser set range from the brand Advanced Hydroponics, the Dutch fertiliser set BioNova AutoFlower Supermix for autoflowering varieties, and very popular among our customers is also the basic set of Czech-made fertilisers.

We also recommend these products: 

• Atami B´cuzz Soil A+B (from CZK 239) professional mineral fertiliser for growing in soil.
• Plagron Cocos A+B (from CZK 329) biomineral fertiliser for growing in coco.
• BioNova Coco Forte A+B (from CZK 549) top-quality Dutch organic nutrition for growing in coco.
• Plagron hydro A+B (from CZK 339) biomineral fertiliser for hydroponics.

What to read next? 

• How can soil properties be improved? 
• What are the best fertilisers for hydroponics and how should they be used correctly?
• Growing under artificial lighting: HPS vs. LED 

If you have any questions about A+B two-part fertilisers, whether about their application or if you need advice on choosing a specific product, please do not hesitate to contact us at the well-known address info@higarden.eu.