Basic 13 (Minimum Nutrients)
Super 25 (Complete Nutrients)
Plant Nutrients – What They Do
The Three Primary MacroNutrients (High Demand):
Nitrogen (N)
for leafy growth. Essential for chlorophyll production, promoting leaf growth & photosynthesis.
Phosphorus (P)
for roots/flowers. Crucial for root development, flowering, fruiting & energy storage.
Potassium (K)
for overall health. Regulates water uptake, enzyme activation & disease resistance.
Secondary Nutrients (Medium Demand):
Calcium (Ca)
Supports cell wall stability and root/shoot growth.
Magnesium (Mg)
The Central Component of Chlorophyll.
Sulfur (S)
Necessary for amino acid and protein formation.
MicroNutrients (Small Demand/Trace Elements)
Iron (Fe)
Chlorophyll catalyst & Energy Transfer, helping move oxygen and electrons through the plant during respiration and photosynthesis
Manganese (Mn)
Water splitting, photolysis, splitting water molecules during photosynthesis to release oxygen. Enzyme Support, activates enzymes responsible for nitrogen metabolism and root cell elongation
Zinc (Zn)
Growth Hormone Trigger, vital for the production of Auxins. Without it a plants stems wont stretch leading to stunted or rosette growth. Protein synthesis, it supports the plant read its DNA to create the proteins needed for leaves and flowers
Copper (Cu)
Flavour & Scent Making, integral to producing lignin (structural strength) and the enzymes that create terpenes and flavonoids. Respiration, plays a key role in the plants breathing process.
Boron (B)
Cell wall formation and stability. Sugar Transport, acting like a shuttles moving sugars and starches from the leaves (where they are made) to the roots and growing tips. Reproduction, essential for pollen tube growth and seed production.
Molybdenum (Mo)
Processes nitrogen, helps the plant convert nitrates in to ammonia so it can build proteins
Chlorine (Cl)
Pressure gauge, as a chloride ion it helps regulate osmotic pressure, allowing the plant the open and close its stomata to breathe and stay hydrated. Disease resistance, supporting the plant resist fungal infections.
Nickel (Ni)
Cleanup, central for the enzyme urease which breaks down toxic urea (nitrogen byproduct) in to usable forms. Prevents urea poisoning which shows up as dead lea tips.
Beneficial Nutrients
Silicon (Si)
Strengthens cells walls making plants more resistant to pests, diseases and environmental stresses like drought or heat.
Cobalt (Co)
supports bacteria in root nodules fix nitrogen
Sodium (Na)
in some cases can partially substitute for potassium
Selenium (Na)
Stimulates growth & improve plants defence against oxidative stress
Vanadium (v)
trace amounts support specific chemical reactions
Iodine (I)
Energy metabolism & flowering
Non-Mineral Nutrients
(usually taken from air & water)
Hydrogen (H), Oxygen (O) & Carbon (C)
create carbohydrates during photosynthesis.