Base Nutrients 101 – Essential Elements for Plant Growth

For indoor growing, base nutrients are the foundation for improved plant health, growth, and optimised yields. Base nutrients play a vital role in your plants’ behaviour and processes. This blog simplifies plant nutrition and sheds light on how base nutrients help you make the best choice for your plants’ care.

What are Base Nutrients?

Base nutrients are the main food source for plants grown in both indoor and outdoor environments. Plants don’t always receive essential nutrients from their growing media and require supplementation. Base nutrients contain vital elements which plants not only need to survive but also to thrive throughout their lifecycle. These products come in either liquid or powdered form, with the most popular type being liquid.

Like humans, plants require a wide variety of elements to stay in optimal condition. However, there are only certain elements that plants can absorb and utilise to promote their health and growth. The nutrients that plants need to thrive aren’t always found in their growing environment; whether it’s soil, coco, or hydroponic systems (see ‘How are Base Nutrients Applied to my Growing Environment?’ to learn the difference). Without base nutrients to improve the condition of your growing media, you risk a variety of nutrient deficiencies, weakened plant cell development, and susceptibility to disease.

How are Base Nutrients Made?

There are various ways to produce base nutrients. However, some of the most popular products on the market use scientifically informed manufacturing methods to retain and even boost the nutrient density of the solution.

Base nutrient manufacturers start with various kinds of organic matter, such as seaweed. These materials contain complex compounds which, once broken down into simpler forms, become more bioavailable for your plants to absorb. The process of turning organic matter into a base nutrient solution begins with fermentation. There are two types of fermentation processes: cold fermentation, and hot fermentation. Each with its own benefits for preserving the solution’s active ingredients.

Cold fermentation supports microorganisms which are beneficial to plant health, such as helpful bacteria and fungi. This involves providing a sugar source such as molasses, simple sugars, or plant residues, and maintaining optimal temperatures for microbial reproduction. The microorganisms feed on the complex compounds within the organic matter. Fermentation happens as the microorganisms ingest the complex compounds and excrete the simpler elements. The simplified elements are more soluble, meaning plants can absorb them easily through their roots.

Fermentation naturally creates heat as a by-product. This can lead to temperature fluctuations as the microorganisms break down plant matter. However, some brands such as House & Garden, have harnessed gentle and consistent heating in their manufacturing process to ensure all essential compounds are blended optimally. The temperature is low enough to preserve the symbiotic microbes that benefit plants once added to the growing environment.

What Ingredients do Base Nutrients Contain?

Base nutrients contain a wide variety of ingredients in different concentrations. This variety allows to tailor your feeds to your plants’ specific needs.

Macronutrients:

Also known as primary nutrients, macronutrients are essential elements that plants need in large amounts for optimal health and development. The most important elements for plant health are Nitrogen (N), Phosphorus (P), and Potassium (K). The macronutrients support plant processes that promote greater quantities of foliage and flowering sites, resulting in higher yields.

Nitrogen: Nitrogen is a key component of chlorophyll. It plays a crucial role in photosynthesis, helping plants convert sunlight into energy. It’s also a primary building block of amino acids, the foundation of plant proteins.
Phosphorus: Phosphorus is particularly important for seedlings and young plants. It is essential for cell division and the development of new growing tips. While it’s commonly found in soil, hydroponic growers must ensure it’s present in their nutrient solutions to avoid deficiency.
Potassium: Potassium regulates water movement, nutrient transport, and enzyme activation within plants.

Calcium (Ca) and Silicon (Si) are also key macronutrients in plant health, contributing to cell formation and strength. Additionally, Ca and Si work together to transport nutrients throughout the plant, ensuring that the nutrients reach their target cells.

Calcium: Calcium is an important component of plant cell walls and membranes. It contributes to cellular structure and maintaining physical barriers against pathogens.
Silicon: Silicon helps protect plants from insect damage, disease, and environmental stress by improving the plant’s defensive response. It is especially crucial in the later stages of growth, as heavy flowers and fruits can bend and snap the plant’s stalk.

Micronutrients:

Also known as secondary nutrients, micronutrients contribute to a well-balanced nutritional profiled for heathy growth and maximum yields. Although required in small amounts, they play vital roles in essential plant processes. This includes fruit and seed development, carbohydrate production, chlorophyll development, and nutrient uptake.

The necessary micronutrients are boron (B), chloride (Cl), copper (Cu), iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), molybdenum (Mo), nickel (Ni) and zinc (Zn). Each micronutrients supports plant health and productivity in unique ways:

Boron: Supports cell wall formation, membrane stability, energy transfer, pollination, and seed production.
Chloride: Plays a key role in plant metabolism, regulating fluid intake and exchange, including water retention during drought or excess water removal during flooding.
Copper: Contributes to enzyme activity, chlorophyll formation, and seed production. It also aids in photosynthesis, respiration, and plant hormone regulation.
Iron: Although classed as a micronutrient, iron is crucial for healthy plant growth, supporting chlorophyll synthesis and chloroplast function. It also helps plants cope with environmental stress.
Manganese: Plays an essential role in photosynthesis by facilitating water molecules splitting, providing energy needed for the process.
Molybdenum: Helps plants convert nitrate into ammonia, which they use to create amino acids and proteins for cell growth.
Nickel: Essential for the enzyme urease, which metabolises urea nitrogen into usable ammonia.
Zinc: A critical component of enzymes that drive metabolic reactions, including carbohydrate, protein, and chlorophyll production.

Amino Acids:

Amino acids play many roles in plant growth, development, and stress defence. These molecules deliver signals between various plant cells, and regulate the formation of roots, shoots, and flowers, and stress defence. Most plants transport nitrogen in the form of amino acids. Therefore, nitrogen deficient plants will struggle to grow big, strong, and healthy. Amino acids contribute to wholesale plant health in the following ways:

Proteins: The main function of amino acids is the production and accumulation of proteins. Amino acids are building blocks for proteins, essential for cell structure and all the different chemical processes in the plant. This includes photosynthesis, transporting nutrients, and regulating flowering. High-protein base nutrients boost overall plant health and structure, resulting in greater quantities of foliage, flowering sites, and larger yields.
Sugars: Amino acids contribute to building strong cell walls, making plants harder for pests to penetrate. Higher sugar levels are a good indication of overall plant health, optimal nutrient uptake, and cell wall strength. Amino acid chelated base nutrient solutions grow plants rich in sugars, resulting in a premium product at harvest.
Balanced pH & Immunity: Amino acids help to maintain a balanced pH in plant cells, protecting against ammonia toxicity in the growing environment. Optimal levels of amino acids in the growing environment also increases the plants’ nutrient uptake. Additionally, amino acids improve microbial activities that increase plant immunity. The improved growing environment, nutrient uptake, and microbial life result in stronger, more resilient plants.
Carbon & Energy Source: Amino acids have a carbon ‘skeleton’ which is used in seedling development. This stage involves the breakage of seed dormancy, germination, root elongation and shoot formation. The carbon in amino acids is utilised as an energy source to achieve these growth behaviours in young plants.

Plant Hormones:

Also known as plant growth regulators, plant hormones are produced within plants to transmit signals between various areas of the plant. These molecules contribute to plant development in the following ways:

Growth & Development: Plant hormones tell the plant exactly how to behave at each stage of its lifecycle. Examples include telling seeds when to germinate, when a plant should grow leaves, how many flowering sites to develop, and how to turn flowers into fruits or vegetables. Without plant hormones, plants wouldn’t know when it’s the right time to move into the next phase of their lifecycle.
Photosynthesis: Plant hormones use environmental triggers such as water and nutrient levels, temperature, and light tell the plant how to behave. When light and heat levels are optimal, the plants’ hormones signal for the plant to begin photosynthetic processes. Examples include growing more leaves to increase the plants’ surface area and growing towards a light source. Without plant hormones, plants fail to generate the energy needed to photosynthesise, grow, or develop, and therefore survive.

How do I Apply Base Nutrients to my Growing Environment?

The type of base nutrients, how and when you apply them depends on your growing system.

Hydroponic Systems:

In hydroponic systems, base nutrients are added to the water and fed directly to the plants’ root network, ensuring maximum absorption.

Brands such as House & Garden and Hy-Gen have developed specially formulated base nutrients for hydroponic systems. These formulas prioritise soluble versions of vital plant elements and reduce salt build-up throughout the system.

The duration of exposure to the nutrient solution varies depending on the type of hydroponic system you are using. For example, flood and drain systems provide fluctuating nutrient access, while NFT systems ensure constant availability.

Coco-based Media Systems:

Inert coco-based media needs all the nutrients and microbial life that soil naturally contains. Coco naturally contains sodium, potassium, and phosphorus, and is low in calcium, iron, magnesium, chlorine, copper, zinc, boron, and manganese. Due to being low in most vital plant nutrients, coco’s inert nature results in a cleaner growing environment compared to soil-based substrates, which can contain natural contaminants. This includes heavy metals and pathogens, which why soil is a less controlled growing environment than inert substrates.

Once infused with the necessary elements, coco substrate provides a perfect environment for beneficial bacteria and fungi to thrive, but these need to be added. Examples of suitable base nutrient solutions include two-part A&B solutions by Plant Magic, Hy-Gen, and House & Garden. These solutions are specially designed to infuse coco media with all the microbial life and elemental nutrients needed for plants to thrive.

Soil-based Media Systems:

In soil-based media, base nutrients work alongside microorganisms in the soil which have a beneficial, symbiotic relationship with your plants. The microorganisms break down elements in the base nutrient solution into simpler compounds, making them easier for plants to absorb. Beneficial fungal species also protect plants from contaminants and pathogens. They outcompete harmful fungal species for nutrients and space in the soil-based media. Suitable base nutrient solutions include Plant Magic Soil Grow, a single-part solution, and Gold Label Soil A&B, a two-part solution. These solutions boost plant health and yields by infusing the media with an ultimate blend of vital nutrition.

Applying Base Nutrients:

The application method and duration vary depending on the brand. Follow these essential guidelines when applying base nutrients for the first time:

Base Nutrient First: Always add base nutrients to the nutrient tank before additives to prevent chemical reactions that could reduce effectiveness.
Less is More: You only need a small amount of base nutrients per feed. Overuse is wasteful, as excess nutrients won’t be absorbed.
Consistent Feeding: Apply base nutrients in small, regular doses according to the brand’s feeding chart.
Follow Manufacturer Instructions: Each brand provides specific guidelines to ensure the perfect balance of nutrition at every stage of growth.

Now you know the basics of base nutrients! Our carefully curated range of tried-and-tested solutions to prevent deficiencies and maximise plant health. Explore our full range on the Global Air Supplies website.