Scientific methods for determining plant nutrient uptake in hydroponic systems?

ThePundertaker said:

Thanks ruwtz, very informative!

Have you looked at the cost effectiveness of these formulas vs popular commercial ones? I'm wondering if the low price of the bulk salts would compensate for the variety of ingredients and work that needs to be done (once all the research is complete and the formula is dialed in that is). For example, I just spent about $80 with tax for 1 gal containers of the GH's Flora trio.

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I haven't analyzed the cost benefit but its definitely cheaper by order of magnitudes over anything you can buy in a bottle. In the fall I dropped $300 on these bulk salts - including shipping - and I would guess it to be everything I need for several years.

Ignoring this work on nutrient profiles, if I can fix a deficiency with a specific salt then that is already an improvement over 2 or 3 part formulas, wouldn't you say? That's just another good reason to go your own way with nutes. Total control.

ThePundertaker said:

Thanks for posting your formula... would you be willing to share your veg formula as well?

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I have them only 5-15 days in veg so i go with Haifa Poly-Feed GG @ around 1.5 EC
http://www.haifa-group.com/products/plant_nutrition/water_soluble_fertilizers/poly_feed_gg/
It's enough (in my opinion) for such a short period. I have few formulas - tried switching - same results.

@ruwtz
I like you scientific approach, I hope to see some well documented results one day from you.

On side note - as I said before - after switching from Liquid to Dry (salt) nutrients my reservation change price fell from 10-13€/change to 1€/change and the ratios are great vs bad.