Aeroponics with Organic Fertilizers

by Mack
(Florida)

Is it possible to use an aeroponic system with organic fertilizers?

Answer: Yes, it is possible to use organic fertilizers in an aeroponic system, especially one that does not use the spray heads with the very tiny holes. Organic fertilizers tend to have more particulate matter in them, and they usually end up clogging the tiny holes in the spray heads of high pressure aeroponic systems.

Using an in-line filter made just for hydroponic/aeroponic systems, you can greatly reduce the problem with clogged spray nozzles if you decide to go with a high pressure system. Alternative Garden Supply has one, I believe they call it an israeli filter. Just make sure the filter you use is appropriate for they type of system you choose to use (high pressure or low pressure). Also, you will want to clean your filter often so you do not burn out your pump, which will happen if it is fighting to get water through a filter clogged with gunk.

Most of the aeroponic systems I write about on my website are low pressure systems, which makes the whole problem of clogged spray heads a non-issue. In fact, with most of the low pressure systems you probably won't even need to have a filter! Check some of them out here: aeroponic systems.

I don't know if you have your fertilizer plans all figured out, but the commercial hydroponic industry has come up with a couple of good organic hydroponic fertilizer programs.... below are the products and the recipes....

For vegetative growth:
126 ml Cal-Mag Plus
180 ml Liquid Karma
540 ml Pure Blend Pro Vegetative Formula

For flowering:
126 ml Cal-Mag Plus
150 ml Sweet
180 ml Liquid Karma
540 ml Pure Blend Pro Bloom Formula

The guy I know who uses this formula mixes all of the ingredients together, than adds them to his nutrient reservoir a little at a time until he gets the nutrient strength where he wants it. For the record, DO NOT mix normal hydroponic nutrients together in this way....they will chemically combine to each other and lock out all of the nutrients (that's why they come in two separate bottles).

Another organic fertilizer to consider would be the Canna Bio line. There is a Veg formula and a Flower formula, and they are both one-part fertilizer systems! To make matters even more convenient, these nutrients are just the right Ph, so you won't have to check the Ph every time you check the nutrient strength (and you won't have to buy any products to adjust the Ph either). Also, the fertilizers contain NO animal products, which will make you very happy if you are a vegan, lol.

And just in case you are not very familiar with how you should be maintaining your nutrient reservoir, be sure to read my hydroponic nutrients page. Good Luck!