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Frequently asked questions - HydroSol

HydroSol is much less expensive than the big brands, is it as good?

Unlike the big brands, we spend little on marketing and we only sell directly to the end user. It is also far more economical to offer nutrients in their dry form because pre-mixed liquid feeds are heavy and costly to transport. We pass all these savings on to the customer. HydroSol is purposely supplied in simple and practical packaging, but the professional grade nutrients inside are of the highest quality and the best available.

Masterblend seems popular on the Internet, is HydroSol similar?

Masterblend 4-18-38 is a tomato fertiliser manufactured in the USA. It is relatively low cost but should only be used for hydroponics if mixed with calcium nitrate and Epsom salts. HydroSol is specifically developed for soil-less cultivation, which requires very high grade nutrients, and is produced in the UK. HydroSol is similar in profile and cost to Masterblend + calcium nitrate + Epsom salts, however, being only 2 part, it is easier to use.

How does HydroSol compare to Jack’s 321?

Jack’s 321 feed system, which is highly regarded in the USA, consists of Jack’s 5-12-26 soluble fertiliser (unavailable in the UK), plus calcium nitrate and Epsom salts, used in a 51%, 34%, 15% combination. The maco nutrient ratios in HydroSol are very similar to those in Jack’s 321, however HydroSol is approx. 30% more concentrated. The performance of plants fed with HydroSol should equal that of plants fed with Jack’s 321.

Is HydroSol really 'complete' or will I need other supplements/additives?

HydroSol is a complete and balanced feed and, when used in combination, parts A and B provide effective nutrition for the entire crop lifecycle. So while supplements can be used if desired, they are certainly not necessary for plants to grow successfully. Even popular Cal-Mag and PK additives are rarely required, since HydroSol-A contains large amounts of calcium and magnesium and HydroSol-B phosphorus and potassium.

Why is HydroSol in 2 parts rather than just a single product?

HydroSol is in 2 parts for good reason... Firstly, parts A and B are only compatible when fully diluted and will form insoluble particles if mixed together in concentrated solution. Secondly, being 2 part provides flexibility to adjust the nutrient profile of the feed solution for different growth stages; nitrogen (in HydroSol-A) can be increased for vegetative growth and potassium (in HydroSol-B) increased for flowering and fruiting.

Does HydroSol require purified water, or can I use it with tap water?

Any type of water can be used to create the HydroSol feed solution and the majority of hobby growers use regular tap water. When using filtered/RO (return osmosis) or soft water, it can be beneficial to increase the amount of HydroSol-A in the solution, which proportionally increases the calcium content. And conversely, when using hard water, the amount of HydroSol-A can be reduced to reduce the calcium in the solution.

Do I need to maintain the pH of the feed solution when using HydroSol?

All hydroponic feed solutions should be maintained between pH 5.6 and 6.4 and HydroSol is no different. Nutrient deficiencies and lock out can occur outside of this range. HydroSol is pH buffered so feed solutions made with tap water typically require little pH maintenance once the desired level is achieved. Return osmosis water usually needs no adjustment. It is recommended to use a 'pH down' product based on phosphoric acid.

What is the shelf life of HydroSol - how long will it keep?

HydroSol is produced using high purity mineral nutrients that will remain stable for several years. The dry mixes are, however, hygroscopic (i.e. they will absorb moisture from the air, similar to household sugar) so should be kept sealed and dry. The concentrated stock solutions, once prepared, will keep for many months stored in opaque plastic containers away from extremes of temperature and direct sunlight.

Why is HydroSol not available in separate veg and flower versions?

Brands produce ‘veg’ and ‘flower’ (or ‘grow’ and ‘bloom’)’ variants of their feeds because the nutrient requirements of flowering plants change as they develop. More nitrogen is used during vegetative growth and more phosphorus and potassium are used during flowering and fruiting. With HydroSol, the ideal nutrient balance can be achieved by simply altering the part A and part B ratios in the feed, which reduces cost and complexity.

Is HydroSol an organic or a mineral fertiliser?

HydroSol is entirely mineral based; it does not contain any organic material. Plants can only uptake nutrients as soluble minerals. In soil, they rely on microorganisms to convert organic fertilisers into usable simple mineral molecules over time. Since this process does not occur when growing plants hydroponically or in inert media, it is necessary to supply nutrients in an immediately available mineral form.

Can the HydroSol dry powders be added directly to the plant feed tank?

Yes they can but it is not best practice. Preparing stock solutions from the dry powders creates a homogeneous nutrient mix and makes it easier to use lukewarm water to speed their dissolution. Adding stock solutions to the feed tank also makes it easier to accurately adjust nutrient concentrations in the plant feed, while preventing any possible interactions between partially dissolved A and B components.

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