Nutrient concentrates provide the basic food the plant needs to be healthy, but they only contain about twelve of over fifty elements found within a plant. Nutrient additives can be added to the nutrient solution to provide extra nutrients, to either promote growth and general health or perform a specific process like helping in rooting or the fruit/flowering process.

Nutrient additives can be bewildering at first, as there are so many of them available, with new products being developed all the time. A brief description of some of the different types is given below. Look at each product individually and judge it on its own merits. Some additives are expensive, so only continue to purchase a product if it is making a visible difference to your crop. When choosing nutrient additives make sure they are suitable for use with nutrient concentrates.

BLOOM BOOST

Bloom boost is by far the most commonly used type of nutrient additive and recommended as the first to try. When a plant is in full fruit/flower its main demands are for potassium and phosphorus, which physically make up the fruit/flowers. Although bloom formulations of nutrient concentrate take this into account a large plant or system with lots of fruit/flowers will consume this quickly. Bloom boost formulations usually simply contain extra quantities of potassium and phosphorus which should lead to larger and denser fruit/flower sets which will obviously increase the yields.

HYDROGEN PEROXIDE (H2O2)

Hydrogen peroxide is essentially liquid oxygen which is one of the main elements that plants need to live. Adding hydrogen peroxide has two main benefits: it will give the plants extra food and also kill off any bacteria etc within the system.

Water (H20) has two hydrogen atoms and one oxygen atom, hydrogen peroxide (H202) has two atoms of each (one extra oxygen atom than water) which makes this an unstable solution. When you add Hydrogen peroxide to water (H202 + H20 = h403) the three oxygen atoms (03) become ozone. The third oxygen atom will then break free as soon as possible and magnetically attach itself to anything organic (a process known as oxidisation) leaving the more stable 02 atom in the solution.

Note that once hydrogen peroxide is added to the water it will dissipate quickly so after a few days it has reverted back to what is essentially water.

Hydrogen peroxide also has the benefit of keeping everything clean and sterile as it kills off any bacteria, pathogens, etc. by oxidising them. For this reason hydrogen peroxide should not be used alongside any organic formulations. It is also important to not exceed the manufacturers recommendations as too much ozone in the nutrient solution can effect the nutrients ability to work and may damage the vital root hairs.

SAFETY NOTE — Hydrogen peroxide is a volatile and aggressive liquid and should be treated with extreme caution.
• Always read the label and instructions.

• Keep safe (ideally locked away) and out of the reach of children and pets.
IN THE CASE OF AN ACCIDENT
EYES = Flush with water for 10 minutes (lifting both lids). Do not rub the eyes. If problem persists get medical treatment.
SKIN = Wash the skin with soap.
INGESTION = Try not to vomit and drink at least a pint of milk or water. Get medical treatment immediately.
INHALATION = Go to an area with fresh air. If problems persist get medical aid.
When seeking medical treatment take along the bottle or details of the solution used.

ROOT STIMULATORS

Root stimulators usually contain natural mineral elements and are generally used from the propagation stage up until fruit/flowering starts (ie: the third week in an eight to ten week fruit/flowering period).

There is a direct correlation between the size of the root system and root and shoot growth. A larger root system should increase yields, as the plant will be able take up more nutrients, oxygen etc.

A plant with a large root system will also be better equipped to deal with any form of stress caused by temperature, humidity etc.

GROWTH STIMULATORS
Growth stimulators (also known as growth enhancers or promotants) are similar to root stimulators in that they usually contain natural elements not found in the nutrient concentrate, such as vitamins, enzymes, acids, bacteria or extra trace elements etc. A plant generates many types of hormones, each of which will have a specific role. Growth stimulators often contain synthetic hormones which will perform these roles, such as root production etc.

These products can usually be used throughout the plants life (ie: from propagation to harvest), and although their effect may not be great it should be noticeable.

FLUSH SOLUTIONS

Flush solutions are usually organic formulations containing hormones etc. They make it easier for the plant to draw up water and aids in the removal of unwanted nutrients. Flushing will have the following benefits:

• Remove excess nutrients from within the plant.

• Improve taste/smell of crop.

• Improve texture of crop.

• Help in the final ‘swelling up’.

• Crops that require drying out will do so more effectively.