What are the best hydroponic nutrients?

[NebulaHaze]

What nutrients are you using for your hydroponic setup?

I've been using General Hydroponics Flora trio for almost 6 years now, and have been thrilled with the results. But after all this time I figured it might be fun to try something different. Since I'm so familiar with the trio I think I'll really be able to tell if new nutrients make a difference, or if the results end up being mostly the same.

So I'm just curious, what are you all using for base nutrients?

[SiriusFourside]

I've used GH exclusively for quite a long time as well, but I'll be trying House and Garden for my next grow. Same as you, I wanted to try something different and the guys at the hydro store won't stop talking about the stuff! I'm guessing it'll work about the same as General Hydroponics but I'm still keeping my fingers crossed!

[TraderGreen16]

Have you guys heard of Kelp4less.com? They have a wide range of (dry powder) nutrients. Possibly a good source of nutrients for an experienced grower that knows/understands NPK and micronutrients? I'm intrigued by these, however they're expensive. Veg, Early/Mid/Late Bloom, and CalMag costs all together about $115 min. The more you buy the cheaper it is though.

[NebulaHaze]

Have you guys heard of Kelp4less.com? They have a wide range of (dry powder) nutrients. Possibly a good source of nutrients for an experienced grower that knows/understands NPK and micronutrients? I'm intrigued by these, however they're expensive. Veg, Early/Mid/Late Bloom, and CalMag costs all together about $115 min. The more you buy the cheaper it is though.

I'd never heard of them before, but I just went and checked them out. They seem like a regular online store and as far as I can tell, they don't seem particularly scammy. Their prices for their individual amendments are actually pretty reasonable for what they're selling. It seems like that website could be a good choice if you have a soil recipe you're following (like this one for super soil) and need to get the amendments in bulk.

As far as their Grow & Bloom starter packs, it doesn't seem like bad stuff and a little bit will go a long way, but it does seem like a whole lot of money to get started in soil when you still have to buy the soil, too. I feel like it's meant for someone growing a whole lot at once. You could get a complete soil nutrient kit that will last you for a few grows (if you're just growing a few plants at a time) for less than $50, and you'll be able to change it up after your first grow if you realize you want something different, just something to think about!

[TraderGreen16]

Thanks for the quick response! Do you think their nutrients will work well in hydroponic set-ups? They (Kelp4less) seem to be fully equipped with dry powders that (they say) works great in hydro too, this is where my interest lays (for now). I am actually on my 2nd grow, modeled after the Manifold Tutorial. x2 Northern Lights Fem, x2 5gal DWC 3.5in net pots w/clay, x2 S180 LED lights. Going well!

[NebulaHaze]

Thanks for the quick response! Do you think their nutrients will work well in hydroponic set-ups? They (Kelp4less) seem to be fully equipped with dry powders that (they say) works great in hydro too, this is where my interest lays (for now). I am actually on my 2nd grow, modeled after the Manifold Tutorial. x2 Northern Lights Fem, x2 5gal DWC 3.5in net pots w/clay, x2 S180 LED lights. Going well!

If they say it's good for hydro, I have no reason not to believe them, and this company appears to have been in business since 2011 so they seem legit. However, the only dry powder nutrients for hydro I'm actually familiar with for cannabis is the Maxi series by General Hydroponics. They have a Grow & Bloom formula that work in basically the same way as the one you linked to, with everything you need to grow from seed to harvest with just the two packages. I know for sure they work for growing cannabis in DWC and get great results (and they're a quarter of the price).

Whichever one you end up going with, just make sure you mix any powder nutrients with a small amount of hot/warm water first, and get it dissolved before you add it to the rest of your water so it doesn't clog anything up! And whether it's liquid or dry nutrients, always start with half the recommended dose and see how your plants react before going up to full strength. They always seem to tell you to use more than you need Also, if this is your first grow in DWC, I highly recommend getting a supplement with bacteria that will fight root rot, like Hydroguard. It's one of the best things you can do for DWC root health, in my opinion, and it's so concentrated even a small bottle like that one will last your whole grow.

[Mañ'O'Green]

What are the best hydroponic nutrients? The ones you use properly.

I just went to a trade show where many nutrient brands were being displayed and pitched by a knowledgeable company representative. Each and every one of them had a Magic bullet, a PHd formulating secret mumbo jumbo, a six month fermentation of some worm sh@# and on and on. The thing they all had in common was a complete system of products built on their own base nutrients. It is my humble opinion that all of them will grow excellent crops if you apply their recommended system along with the needed environment. It was evident that all of the nutrient companies represented at the show work hard to provide our plants with everything they need to be all that their genetics encompass.

I am a cheapskate, my mother called me a tightwad. I want the best quality that little or no money can buy. I did my research on results not claims and for my money I am buying Dyna-gro - the entire system including the little known Dyna-Flush. The only negative comment that appeared in more than one Dyna-gro study was that the flavor and odor of the finished product was not as pronounced as growing in soil. This actually seemed to be a fairly constant observation for DWC hydro grows vs soil. So at the trade show I made it a point to ask each rep if they could add one thing to a commercial Dyna- gro hydro grow to improve flavor and odor (terpenes) what would it be and I gladly accepted samples.

The moral of the story is this: Choose a system that suits your life force (Organic, soil, hydro, cheapskate) then invest in your nutrients and use their entire system. FOLLOW the instructions to the letter. You will be a successful farmer.

PS. I use Hydroguard.

[Royal Nugs]

Well said MOG... I agree with you 100%.

These nutrient companies wouldn't be in business if their product didn't work. At least, not for very long.

I currently run in GH power growers which is a top drip system with an air stone added. I get fantastic growth and potency but smell and taste just seem to be lacking. I run advanced nutrients because my uncle, who helped me get started growing, gave me the AN 3 part along with rapid start and hydroguard. He said, "this is all you need to grow good weed. Anything more is bells and whistles, but since it's your new hobby, go nuts." I've since added a silica, enzyme, b vitamins, bloom boosters, etc. It all seems to work well and I have seen improvements. Whether or not the improvements justify the added expense is surely debatable, but I digress.

i haven't tried AN's terp booster (bud factor x) because it's so expensive. I was going to try terpinator, which is much more affordable, but I've already decided to try coco with organic amendments on my next run, which consists of 6 seedlings about 2 weeks old now. I will gladly tradeoff quantity for quality, we will see how much of a difference.

Bottom line, I think all the nutrient companies that have been around for a while now produce good quality end product. It's now a matter of where you want your money to go. Since GH is now owned by the Hawthorne group (Scott's) as well as botanicare and gavita, I decided I won't give the international conglomerate any more of my money. Sadly, I think before long, all of your grow shops will consist of several products all owned by 1 or 2 corporations. At least I can vote with my dollars for the time being....

[ezwider]

I use TechnaFlora, as recommended from the guys that provided my setup. Many more companies will enter this fast growing segment offering different qualities, and as you say customer experience will tell which prevail.

[Pankace]

CANNA Aqua line.

[420n808]

Used Botanicare CNS17. Worked as expected, but always had pH fluctuations when using the ProBloom. Currently I use Advanced Nutrients Grand Master... Yes, the entire line is very expensive and there will be lots of people out there who will criticize it, but I have never had a problem, I have had excellent yields, and although I still use ppm pens and pH pens - they're optional. I have had excellent results without fail.

[Wrench&Weld]

I have always used DG with great results. I have been tempted to try something else like the Flora Trio, but have been hesitant to stop using something that works so well.
I honestly believe that people get wayy too caught up in the aggressive marketing done by nutrient companies. I really think that growing has mostly to do with providing the best ENVIRONMENT and CONDITIONS to allow the plants to thrive. Just like soil conditions can very so widely in different areas and plants still thrive if conditions are right, I believe the same grower with completely different brands could grow great buds with either given the plants signs are read and it's taken care of correctly.
I know some Super healthy people that don't spend a bunch of money on special vitamins and supplements for themselves, and instead live Healthy lifestyles and keep themselves in great environments!
Cheers!

[NebulaHaze]

Couldn't have said it better myself! I've seen so many successful growers over the years, using dozens if not hundreds of different types of nutrients. In fact, that's what everyone at our hydro store will tell you when you ask them about which nutrients are the best. Nutrients may make somewhat of a difference, but ultimately all real nutrient systems will work, and it's mostly the environment/skills of the grower that make the biggest difference in results!

[N00Bi3]

Trying a run of Veg bloom. It's a powder nutrient. heard great things about It and seen it in action. Waiting to see results for myself.

[OzG]

I use GH and am an avid fan of Hygrohybrid.