These can be derived from a single source or multiple sources and they are not meant to supply the plants with their basic nutritional needs but instead provide some other benefit.įor example, an enzyme formula designed to enhance root growth could be considered a specialty purpose fertilizer.Īdvantages of Liquid Fertilizers / Hydroponic NutrientsĬontrol is the biggest advantage. There are many liquid special purpose fertilizers or additives that can be used for specific puposes. The vegetative fertilizers are comprised of ingredients that are best suited for vegetative growth while the blooming fertilizers are comprised of ingredients that are best suited for flowering or blooming.
Base fertilizers are usually categorized as either vegetative (grow) fertilizers or blooming (flower) fertilizers. Liquid fertilizers that are designed to supply the basic nutritional needs to a crop are referred to as base fertilizers. “Liquid fertilizers can be classified as either base fertilizers or special purpose fertilizers.” Each fertilizer can have different concentrations so it is important to closely follow our suggestions.
In other words, the grower must dilute the liquid fertilizer in water before feeding it to the garden. Liquid fertilizers are fertilizers that come in a liquid form and they are very concentrated. It is always a good idea to wear a dust mask when dealing with solid fertilizers. Lastly, solid fertilizers can be dusty and messy. For example, if the plants are experiencing nutrient toxicity, it is impossible to remove nutrients after they have been mixed into the soil.Īnother disadvantage of some granular fertilizers is the amount of time it takes for the nutrients to become available to the plants One of the principal disadvantages of solid fertilizers are precisely the lack of control by the grower. If kept out of moisture and intense light, most dry fertilizers will last close to forever. Despite the fact that amending the soil with fertilizers could be a very tedious activity, time release fertilization can save a lot of time in the long run.Īnother advantage of dry fertilizers is an extended shelf life. Time release is the biggest advantage of granular fertilizer this is because it gives nutrition to plants over a period of time. There are a variety of specialty blends on the market suited for many different applications. Blends are comprised of a mix of individual ingredients which are combined for a specific purpose. For instance, to grow flowers, a grower may want to use “Bloom Blasters” or a mix of different soil amendments such as fulvic acid, humic acid, or Yuccah extracts. Some growers like to purchase individual ingredients in order to create their own custom blends.Ĭomplete Hydroponics has also manufactured fertilizers for a specific purpose by creating blends of fertilizers. Individual ingredients are labeled just like any other fertilizer with the N-P-K percentages listed on the packaging. There is a wide variety of dry fertilizers on the market, but we have the best you can find and we are proud of it.Īn individual ingredient solid fertilizer is an amendment that is derived from a single source such as, bat guano, worm castings, and seaweed. This is done by mixing the soil with the fertilizer so plants can have access to it progressively.Īlways be sure to check the manufacturer’s intended use and dosage instructions. Solid fertilizers are generally designed to be amended into the soil and released to the plants over a certain period of time. The physical consistency of these fertilizers varies from large grains like the size of an orange seed to a very fine, powdered form. The size and consistency of granular fertilizers vary depending on the brand and what the product is derived from. Solid fertilizers, also known as granular fertilizers, are the ones that come in a dried form.
A closer look at those advantages and disadvantages will help growers decide which to use and when. Solid and liquid fertilizers each have their own advantages and disadvantages. Although these two forms are quite different, the basic purpose of both is the same: to provide nutrition to a garden or particular crop. However, there is one thing that is always constant for everyone no matter the experience, and that is that fertilizers come in two forms: Solid (Granular fertilizer) and Liquid fertilizer (Hydroponic nutrients). For growers, the great number of fertilizers available and the different types of specialty additives can become overwhelming.