Exploring the Compatibility of Cultured’s EON Nutrient Line with Deep Water Culture
We often receive inquiries about whether our EON nutrient line is suitable for Deep Water Culture (DWC) style of growing. To address this recurring question, I decided to create a video explaining the compatibility of DWC with Cultured products.
Issues with EON and Water Culture:
First and foremost, it’s important to note that our EON nutrient line was primarily designed for substrate growing systems like coco, peat, or soil-based setups, rather than water culture systems such as Deep Water Culture and Nutrient Film Technique. The reason behind this lies in the composition of our nutrients.
Our EON line relies on a special form of rock phosphate as a source of phosphorus. While half of the phosphorus is immediately available for plants, the other half takes time to become accessible. Additionally, rock phosphate does not dissolve completely; it suspends in the solution. These characteristics give rise to two significant challenges:
- Phosphorus Deficiency: Since the phosphorus availability is not 100% constant, you may experience phosphorus deficiencies in DWC. Furthermore, without a mycorrhizal network present in the substrate, the rock phosphate won’t achieve full solubility as it would in coco or soil.
- Reservoir Maintenance: The rock phosphate tends to settle at the bottom of the reservoir, making it cumbersome to clean regularly.
Another factor to consider is that the humic acids and micronized calcium carbonate in our nutrient gradually raise the pH of the solution. This can lead to pH imbalances in water culture systems since they lack the buffering agents present in substrates, which help stabilize pH levels.
Compatible Cultured Products for Water Culture:
For those keen on incorporating Cultured products into DWC systems, there are two recommended approaches: using them in the nutrient system or applying them as foliar sprays.
In the Nutrient System: Adding pHlush to each reservoir is the primary recommendation. After filling the reservoir with water and mixing in your nutrients, add pHlush last. This will convert the inorganic salt nutrients into organic salt nutrition, enhancing the bioavailability of inorganic nutrients. Moreover, the low molecular weight carbon in pHlush facilitates nutrient absorption, transport, and metabolic processes within the plant.
As a Foliar Spray: DWC enthusiasts can benefit greatly from using Cultured products as foliar sprays. Dr. Growth serves as an excellent growth promoter, enriching the plant with amino acids and micronized calcium to accelerate cell regeneration. Calci-M, on the other hand, is a valuable foliar spray for providing calcium and magnesium to magnesium-deficient plants.
Future Developments:
Lastly, I want to share an exciting update. We are diligently working on developing a carbon-based nutrient system explicitly tailored for DWC. We firmly believe that carbon-based nutrients are not limited to substrate-based gardens, and we have something special in the pipeline for water culture enthusiasts. Stay tuned for this groundbreaking technology!
In conclusion, while our EON nutrient line may not be specifically designed for Deep Water Culture, there are still ways to integrate Cultured products effectively. By incorporating pHlush in the nutrient system or utilizing foliar sprays like Dr. Growth and Calci-M, DWC growers can enhance their cultivation practices. Additionally, keep an eye out for our upcoming carbon-based nutrient system, specially formulated for water culture gardens. Exciting times lie ahead for the DWC community!