Stuck in China with no hydroponic nutrient

[Mathmattx]

chemistry is eAsy enough...your problem is not going to be the chemistry, but the reliAble evaluation of what you have. Unfortunatly, again you can't accuratly gauge concentrations, measure salts or solubility without some basic equipment, that I am supposing you can't get in china, otherwise you could get hydro ferts. As you already know, biggest concern should be chemical contaminNts like etheltheyne glycol, melamine, other?

[Mathmattx]

Nevertheless I will post 2 "chemical recipies" tonight when I get home, along with some needed equipment and directions.

[Mathmattx]

Ok before we get into a very long post can you get a very accurate lab grade (gram) scale, and can you accuratly measure chemical concentrations in mL or uL (preferably microliters) via AFM or ECM. You will also need a chelation chemical, and (no3)2, kno3, k2so4, kh2po4, mgso4 * 7h20, fe, mn, zn, cu, b, mo. Matt- hydroponica.blogspot.com

[hydrogrido]

Hi shado6
I also live in china and I'm going crazy about this nutrients. I'm building the aeroponic system but till now i didn't find the nutrients.
Last week I was in Hong kong and same story nobody know nothing about the hydroponic "like everything in this country".
Let me know if you find something.
If I find something I will post here too.

[hydrogrido]

Originally Posted by Mathmattx

Ok before we get into a very long post can you get a very accurate lab grade (gram) scale, and can you accuratly measure chemical concentrations in mL or uL (preferably microliters) via AFM or ECM. You will also need a chelation chemical, and (no3)2, kno3, k2so4, kh2po4, mgso4 * 7h20, fe, mn, zn, cu, b, mo. Matt- hydroponica.blogspot.com

Hi mathmattx, I have the same problem of shadoh6, Thanks for your info, I have the EC tester and PH tester, this is all the equipment I have. But what I understand even if I'm able to bring the nutrient quantity to 600 ppm that's not mean the water contain all kind of nutrients.
The macronutrients I can also easy find (even if I don't trust the quality), the problem is to produce or find the micronutrients.
If you know how to produce or find them in different market and used for different use will help a lot. thanks

[tufekoa]

Hi shadoh6 and hydrogrido,

Same problem,
There is a product out there made in china:


://www.alibaba.com/product-gs/221255676/Micromix_Biological_Fertilizer_.html

Looks like there's all the good stuff in it!

the question is where to find it in retail?

I'll be checking in Hong kong soon and will on the look out.
feedback if i find,

cheers,

tuff

[hydrogrido]

Hi tuff
Thanks for the info, I also checked in alibaba, but i didn't find it.
This product look good, I will try to ask sample to the factory .
Probably this product mixed with another product which contain macronutrient
Can be ok.
The only way is to try it.
I will let you know.

thanks
Hydro

[Luches]

The product shown at Alibaba.com is a micro nutrient, so to speak trace element mix only. It's sold in 200 Liter barrels for export only, it's kinda useless for your purpose. I wouldn't give anything about the "bio" label either.

What you brothers in China need is a complete list of required ingredients of makro and micro nutrients. (the correct and graphically displayed chemical formula) and most importantly some decent recipes. You also need an accurate scale and some kitchen tools. Best would be to have analyses of the tap water you will use, in order to know about Magnesium, Chloride and Calcium to add to your nutrients. In other words, nutrients that are either made for soft or hard water. This sounds futile but is in fact very important in case you may have high mineral content in your tap water, versus very low mineral content.

Mixing nutrients from water soluble agricultural Fertilizers, may be an alternative. But that's tricky as well as you need to realy know your chemical maths to do it accurately and not completely mess it up.

Making nutrient from scratch, using standard (and easily available) industrial raw materials isn't easy either. It needs good methodology and clear explanations from an experienced and expert person, that does this job on a regular basis. Any amateur tips and hints (even if they come from the bottom of their heart) might misguide you or give you wrong ideas.

There are no 10 different ways of making adequate nutrients from scrtch, there is only one, with slight variations and a different handling, though.

I live in Thailand and had the same problem. But I went to a small chemistry retail shop and found all the ingredients at once. Most provide from China, only some are produced here. I knew exactly what I was looking for and had the correct chemical formula of every of the about 12 ingredients that are needed, though. I messed up my first batch, but my second was fine. I am doing this for about 2 years now every 3-4 weeks, to restock my concentrates. It takes me about 1 hour to make 2 gallons (8 Liters) of concentrate, which is sufficient for 1400-1500 Liters of final nutrient solution. I run some 10 sets with tomatoes, peppers, pumpkins and gourds, herbs, etc.

Tell me what you plan to do and are up to, and I'll help you as good as I can. I can't start a complete online course here, though... you understand that, do you?

[shadoh6]

I've temporarily solved my problem by bringing back some General Hydroponics powdered nutrients from a recent visit, but I imagine this will only get me by for a growing season or two, and of course this doesn't help anybody else.

I am in the pre-liminary stages of seeking a long-term option by importing nutrients in greater quantities or finding a customized local option, and selling it, so if anybody is interested in buying, then contact me and I will keep you updated on whether or not I pursue this option.

shadoh6 at yahoo dot com