The Biggest Mistakes Growers Make While Using Root Boosters

Modern root boosters allow hydroponic gardeners to improve the health of their plants in ways that gardeners of the past only dreamed of. When used correctly, they can result in faster harvests, bigger yields, and fewer problems growing season after growing season. But like any tool, root boosters can be used improperly, or at least not used to their fullest potential. If you make this mistake, instead of seeing your plants grow dramatically, you will probably just waste your money. Here are the most common errors that hydroponic growers make while using root boosters.

Using Hydrogen Peroxide - In the interest of doing everything that they can to help the roots of their plants, many growers will use multiple products designed to help their plants. Usually, this is beneficial, but occasionally this can create unfortunate product interactions. Hydrogen peroxide is usually used in reservoirs to oxygenate the nutrient solution, thus ensuring that the roots of their plants receive all the oxygen that they need to thrive. But this compound also sterilizes your nutrient solution, which means that it will probably render any bacteria or enzyme-based root boosters completely ineffective. Hydrogen peroxide can be extremely effective for increasing oxygen uptake or killing off any harmful bacteria that might invade your reservoir, but it should be used separately from root boosters.

Not Taking Advantage of Complementary Boosters - At the same time, it can be a mistake to think it is advantageous to simply stick to a single root booster. Many of these products have bacteria and fungi that actually work very well together. For example, some might have super strains of bacteria designed to speed and help the development of certain kinds of fungi that can help your nutrient solution and your root zone. But if you use these products on their own, they only help your plants if these fungi are already present in your system. Otherwise, they can only help if you introduce them into your system by using another root booster that contains these kinds of beneficial fungi. If you are considering purchasing a rooting enhancer, make sure to ask your hydroponics retailer about which hydroponic supplements work well together.

Ignoring Nutrient Balance – Sometimes growers become so enamored with how these high tech products can help their garden that they forget to stick to the basics. Root boosters can significantly improve nutrient uptake, but only if these nutrients are well balanced in your nutrient solution to begin with.

Not Adapting Quickly Enough – A quality root booster might help your plants progress much faster through each stage of development than what you may be accustomed. That means you need to be extra observant and keep up with your plants progress to make the necessary adjustments. For example, if you use one of these products and it causes your plants to flower sooner than you expected, you need to make sure to switch from the eighteen-hour light cycle for the vegetative stage to the twelve-hour light cycle for the flowering stage. Otherwise, you might be wasting money on electricity and hindering the development of your plants.