What's the Best Hydroponic Nutrients for Weed?

Medically reviewed by Alexander Tabibi, MD
October 8, 2021
Nutrients
Nutrients
Growing weed in a hydroponic system is an easy way to grow cannabis. This method allows the user to control all aspects of the plant’s life cycle. You can design your own growing environment, and it’s simple to use. However, there are many different types of nutrients available for this type of growing method. If you want to know which ones are best, read on.

Which Nutrients are the Best for Hydroponic?

“There are a lot of different nutrients for hydroponics, but they all help water-grown plants to grow,” Brian Beal, cannabis grower and owner of Bloom Farms, said in an interview with Benzinga. “They all have something that helps them grow better, but they also have something that makes them less effective. They all help the plant get the nutrients it needs to thrive.” According to Beal, the main factors you should take into account when choosing a nutrient for your hydroponic system are: Liquid vs. Solid ingredients. Formulations: how much and what kind of nutrients are used. Quality control, and how that affects dosage and effectiveness. Toxicity. 

Other factors to consider when choosing a nutrient.

  • Nutrient Content: In most cases, hydroponic nutrients are comprised of potassium, nitrates, and phosphates. These are the most common nutrients for hydroponics. 
  • Frequency of Use: Every plant is different and responds to nutrients in a different way. Some plants thrive on high-nitrogen nutrients, while others do not. Some plants thrive on medium-to-high-nitrogen nutrients, while others do not. Some need high-K phosphates, while others need high-K potassium.
  • Application Rates: The highest application rates for the nutrient of choice are usually achieved when using a compound fertilizer such as Miracle-Gro, Bob’s Red Mill, or Fertodial, for example. Compounds are formulated for even distribution throughout the growing medium.

An Example of the Effect of Some Nutrients on Marijuana Growth.

Generally, you want to buy the smallest possible amount of the nutrient your plants need. This can make the overall cost of the product cheaper, and also ensure that you get a good amount of it to use. But that also means you need to be careful when you are purchasing it. If your plants are really large and require lots of nutrients, it might be better to find a nutrient that’s specifically designed for growers with larger hydroponic systems. If you want to make sure your hydroponic nutrients are cheap, you can get them from the manufacturer directly. These products are usually a bit more expensive than the free range, bulk hydroponic fertilizers, but they still are very reasonable, and will be cheaper than many other nutrients on the market.