Nutrients FAQ

1. Is Hesi just another brand?

The Hesi products aren’t new.They have been an Industry leader for over 15 years and they are extremely efficient for indoor culture, hydroponic culture and aeroponic culture. Hesi nutrients are rated number #1 in Europe and have received several growing awards. 

2. Can you use the same nutrients for soil and hydro?

Nutrients that are used for hydroponics can be used for soil crops. Hydroponic nutrients are minerals which are instantly available to the plant not matter what the growing medium. On the other hand, not all soil nutrients can be used for hydroponics. Some chemical soil nutrients are slow release; this slow release is in adequate for the high performance of hydroponic systems. These types of nutrients also create sludge when mixed with water which can cause costly blockages in hydroponic systems. Organic nutrients which are also ideal for soil production are usually not ideal for hydroponic systems. These nutrients need micro-organisms and time to break down and become available to the plant. Plants don’t actually eat organic fertilizers; rather, micro-organisms present in the growing media eat the organic material and process it into something the plant can utilize.

3. How often should I feed my plants?

For soil growers, plants can be fed once every second or third watering. If plants are fed with every watering then nutrient buildup and lockup becomes a problem causing stunted growth, “crows foot” (curling downwards of the leaves), leaf burn, deficiency symptoms, burnt and damaged root system and decreased yields.
For hydroponic growers, plants can be fed with every watering. The watering cycle will depend on plant growth stage, size, room temperature, growth medium and hydroponic system. Small plants, such as seedlings and clones recently transplanted and plants in early vegetative stage, growing in rockwool, will require watering only once every 4-6 hours. As the plant grows bigger and enters flowering and fruiting then the water requirements of a plant increases. The watering cycle will then be every 2-4 hours. A grow room temperature of 80 – 90 °F will require more watering cycles per day than a grow room with a temperature of 65 – 70 °F. This is due to the higher transpiration rate of plants at higher temperatures. Hydroton Rocks and perlite require more frequent watering (20-30 mins/hour) than coco fiber and Ready-Gro, which requires more watering cycles than rockwool. 

4. How often do I need to change the nutrient solution?

Depending on the maturity of the plant, the nutrient solution should be changed every two to three weeks. Water does evaporate; nutrients do not, so you may need to add water to the system before you need to change the solution to maintain the volume of liquid flowing through the system.

5. What can I use the old nutrient solution for?

It can be used to water house plants or an outside gardens or plants.

6. What are the essential nutrients required for plant growth?

Other than the basic “building blocks of life” provided by water and carbon dioxide, the important nutrients are nitrogen (N), phosphorous (P) and potassium (K). Nitrogen aids in the growth of plants above ground. Phosphorous is essential for healthy growth, strong roots, flower development and a greater resistance to disease. Potassium is essential for the development of strong plants.

7. What is the best pH for interior plants?

The best pH for the interior plants is 6.0 to 6.5.

8. What can be used as a medium for growth?

An inert medium must be used so that it does not react chemically with the nutrient solution. Inert mediums include rockwool, grow rocks, hydroton clay pellets, perlite, and others.  Rinse off grow medium before using.

9.  What happens if my pH is way off?

The plants will not use the nutrients.  Nutrients will correct their pH a little bit.  If the pH is too high or too low, plants can’t take it nutrients

10.  What pH is ideal?

The ideal pH is: while the growth period, to get the best assimilation, maintain the pH between 5.6 and 5.8. While the bloom period, for a better assimilation of Phosphorus and Potassium, a 6.0 to 6.2 pH is ideal.

11. Why use hydroponic nutrients for your indoor garden?

High-quality hydroponic nutrients are soluble, contain all the nutrients necessary and do not leave residues. It is advised always to use best possible manure. 
Cheap nutrients containing impure components contain residues and sediments which accumulate quickly and involve a more important maintenance of the system. Managed correctly, good quality soluble hydroponic nutrients are immediately available for assimilation by the plants. A precise monitoring is much easier when the nutrients brought are of quality.

12. If I run too much water with the correct amount of your nutrients added, can I kill my plants?

If you are constantly watering all the time you can overdose for sure.  If your plants are dark green (probably the case) then you must run just plain water in the right pH with super vit with it. When the leaves turn light to normal green you can just feed normally.