Q & A

Growing with Bioponic nutrients:

What is Bioponics?

Bioponics science recreates the complex balance of organic and inorganic compounds found in highly fertile organic soils.


Is Bioponics better than standard hydroponic fertilising?

Yes, Bioponics is a vastly superior fertilising system because it supplies specific organic compounds to your plants — compounds vital for your plants’ vigour, disease resistance, potency, and yield.


How do Bioponic plants differ?

A Bioponically grown plant is typically faster and heavier in yield, more potent, disease, frost and heat resistant, and if cloned, it’s vigour improves with each generation.


Is a Bioponic system more complicated?

Not at all, in fact growing Bioponically is, in many ways, simpler and less labour intensive.


Are Bioponic fertilisers more expensive?

No! Bioponic nutrients are cheaper than many standard formulations. A Bioponic nutrient lasts much longer than standard alternatives. Litre for litre, Bioponic nutrients always offer far better value for money than standard concentrates.


Can I switch to a Bioponic nutrient mid-crop?

Yes! The switch will benefit your plants and deliver a better result than you would have otherwise had.


Can Bioponic fertilising revive a tired strain?

Yes. Because Bioponic fertilisers supply vital stimulants and metabolites they revive a plant’s genetic vigour within one or two cultivation cycles. It’s not unusual for a strain to lose vigour in a standard (deficient) fertilising program — and Bioponics is the answer.


What EC, PPM or CF should I use?

This differs with the growth phase of the crop, but typically: Vegetative: 600-800 ppm (1.0 – 1.2 EC) Flowering: 900-1200 ppm (1.3 – 1.7 EC)


Does the pH of a Bioponic nutrient solution differ?

Yes. Bioponic nutrient solutions perform best at a slightly alkaline pH. The ideal range for a Bioponic nutrient solution is 6.0 – 6.5, although anything between 5.9 – 7.2 is acceptable. Bioponic nutrients are very forgiving with pH.


Does the pH of a Bioponic nutrient drift?

Bioponic nutrient concentrates are pH buffered, so once set, depending on water quality, there is very little pH drift, if any.


Should I maintain these values or let them diminish?

The grower can do either. For very aggressive results it’s advisable to maintain the salts concentration of the nutrient solution, if this is inconvenient, the solution can be allowed to diminish to half its original value before refreshing – with negligible impact on the crop.


How much do I use when topping up the nutrient?

Use small amounts at the prescribed ratio parts A and B until the desired concentration is attained. For example, if you are using 30ml of part A and 70ml of part B per 20 litres of water you have a ratio of 1:2.3 so use this ratio in small amounts (ie 10ml to 23ml) to achieve your desired concentration.


Why are these recommendations lower than with standard nutrients?

Bioponic nutrient concentrates are have a strong, specific, organic content. This means that even at lower concentrations, more overall nutrients and organic compounds are actually available to your plants. Remember, EC, CF and PPM meters can only read the inorganic content of your Bioponic nutrient solution, there is more organic content in there they cannot read.


Does my crop use more or less water on a Bioponic nutrient?

A Bioponic crop will use much more water (about double) because the plant’s metabolic systems are functioning more aggressively to promote fast growth and flowering.


Should I maintain the water level of the nutrient reservoir?

Yes, this is very important to the overall performance of the crop, and it helps minimise pH drift.


How often should I change my nutrient solution?

Until the grower becomes proficient with Bioponic growing, it’s advisable that the nutrient solution be discarded every fortnight. When the grower is comfortable with Bioponic methods and aggressive growing, the solution can be dumped monthly without salt build up or erratic pH drift issues.


Why can a Bioponic nutrient solution last as long as a month?

Due to the perfect balance of a Bioponic solution, nutrients are constantly chelated and always available. This means they are more thoroughly used and don’t become chemically ‘locked’ as with standard nutrient concentrates and other bio systems. In fact, a Bioponic nutrient solution can effectively diminish to near a quarter of its original values, unlike standard nutrient solutions which become spent at well above these levels. This means your plants are maximising their resources and you are dumping less nutrient – and money – down the drain. Bioponic nutrient concentrates are excellent value for money!


Can I use a Bioponic solution up to the day of harvest?

Yes, and this will not cause an unwanted ‘chemical’ taste.


Can I use stimulants and other products with a Bioponic nutrient?

Yes, all the stimulants and additives that are common in the market can also be used with Bioponic nutrient concentrates, though most are in fact redundant.


Can I use water sterilisers and conditioners with a Bioponic nutrient?

Yes, the only products to watch out for with a Bioponic nutrient solution are peroxide based sterilisers. If you want to use these, use them at a quarter their recommended strength.


Are Bioponic nutrients compatible with all aggregates?

Yes, Bioponic nutrients can be used with all currently available growing media. Due to their high Calcium content Bioponic nutrients also excel in water culture techniques such as aeroponics, NFT, and DWC.