When we talk about growing plants hydroponically, the first thing that pops on our mind is the deep water culture system. Many people are opting for dwc because it is a low-maintenance and easy hydroponic technique.
If you are growing your plants in this system and are looking for a nutrient guide for dwc, then you have come to the right place. There are a lot of nutrients that help the plants to grow healthily in every stage.
Below we have come up with a DWC nutrients guide that will help you in growing the plants in this system.
Deep Water Culture is a method where the roots of the plants are sustained 24/7 in an oxygenated and high nutrient solution. The nutrient and water solution is oxygenated continuously with the help of an air pump so that the roots get enough oxygen to thrive.
Providing plants with nutrients is quite important since they grow in the water. The nutrient solution is absorbed by the roots, which help the plants in growing faster. Mineral-based nutrients are best for dwc as they help in stabilizing the pH level. Always make sure to keep the Ph level of your nutrient solution between 5.0-6.5.
There are macro and micronutrients that are quite essential for DWC. Let’s have a look at them:
Macro-nutrients:
These nutrients comprise of Nitrogen, Phosphorous, and Potassium, that is, NPK. They play quite an important role in the growth of the hydroponic plants. You will notice that there is a ratio listed on the cover of every hydroponic nutrient product. If the ratio is written as 5-4-7, it means the solution contains 5% of Nitrogen, 4% of phosphorous, and 7% of potassium.
Micro-nutrients:
The micronutrients consists of Magnesium, sulfur, and calcium. They are less important than the macronutrients, but still, they are quite beneficial for plants because these micronutrients help in making the stems and leave strong and green.
Depending on the growth stage, you need to adjust the ratio of the macronutrients. Make sure not to overfeed your plants with nutrients as they can kill them.
You will find some best pre-mixed hydroponic nutrient solutions for DWC in the market. They come in powder and liquid form. If you are a beginner, then I recommend the General Hydroponics Flora Grow Series that comes with a 3-solution set for each stage.
All nutrient solution products come with a nutrients schedule on the manufacturer’s label that you need to follow.
The DWC Nutrients Schedule
The following guide will help you to maintain a nutrients schedule for Deep Water Culture( DWC).
Vegetative stage
This is the stage where the stems, leaves, and branches grow rapidly. In this stage, the plants are fragile and require both macro and micronutrients especially nitrogen, to thrive.
If you are using the General Hydroponics Flora Grow series, then you can follow this nutrient schedule:
Week 1 (Seedling)
1/4tsp – FloraMicro
1/8 tsp–FloraGro
1/8 tsp–FloraBloom
Week 2 (Vegetative)
1/2 tsp – FloraMicro
1/2 tsp–FloraGro
1/8 tsp–FloraBloom
Week 3 (Vegetative)
1/2 tsp – FloraMicro
1/2 tsp–FloraGro
1/4tsp–FloraBloom
You can repeat the nutrient schedule of week 3 if the vegetative period is longer.
Flowering Stage
The flowering stage helps in promoting the production of oils and aroma. The plants require a high amount of phosphorus, magnesium, and calcium in this stage for boosting bud formation and to make the stem and branches stronger.
Week 4 (Transition)
1/2 tsp – FloraMicro
1/2 tsp–FloraGro
1/2tsp–FloraBloom
Week 5 (Early Bloom)
1/2 tsp – FloraMicro
1/4tsp–FloraGro
1/2 tsp–FloraBloom
Week 6 (Early Bloom)
1/2 tsp – FloraMicro
1/4 tsp– FloraGro
1/2 tsp– FloraBloom
Week 7 (Mid Bloom)
1/2 tsp – FloraMicro
1/8tsp–FloraGro
1/2 tsp– FloraBloom
Repeat the same for week 8.
Week 9 (Late Bloom)
1/2 tsp– FloraMicro
3/4tsp– FloraBloom
Repeat the same for week 10.
Week 11 (Ripen)
1/4 tsp– FloraMicro
3/4 tsp– FloraBloom
Week 12 (Flush)
Add these nutrients per 3.76 liters/1 US gallon. You can use around 1 teaspoon of CalMagic at each stage, but it is optional. Make sure not to premix the nutrients and add FloraMicro first to the water. You can also follow this nutrient guide DWC for weed.
Related Questions
Can I use regular plant fertilizers in a hydroponic setup?
No, regular plant fertilizers are not suitable for hydroponic setups. They are formulated for use in soil and may not provide the right balance of nutrients for hydroponic plants.
How often should I change the nutrient solution?
The frequency of changing the nutrient solution depends on several factors, such as the type of plant, the stage of growth, and the size of your hydroponic setup. As a general rule, you should replace the nutrient solution every 4-6 weeks, or as recommended by the manufacturer.
What happens if I don’t use the right nutrients for my hydroponic setup?
If you don’t use the right nutrients for your hydroponic setup, your plants may not receive the essential elements they need for optimal growth. This can lead to stunted growth, yellowing leaves, and poor plant health.
Can I reuse the nutrient solution?
No, you should not reuse the nutrient solution as it becomes depleted of essential elements over time and can contain harmful bacteria.
Conclusion
The best plants for deep water culture are those that are lightweight and small. They can achieve optimal growth if you provide them with an adequate amount of nutrients.
Every stage of growth is quite important for the plants, so you need to feed them according to it. I hope the above nutrients guide for DWC will help you in your hydroponic grow journey.
I am a gardening and tech enthusiast! Love for plants leads me to be a true garden devotee, and with my gardening experience of several years, I’ve decided to create GardenHashTag to put all of the best information I can find in one easy to navigate place. I’ll continue to add more content as I discover new things!
