The three numbers on fertilizer represents the value of the three macro-nutrients used by plants. These macro-nutrients are nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) or NPK for short. The higher the number, the more concentrated the nutrient is in the fertilizer Nutrients Plants require nutrients in various amounts throughout their life-cycle. "Macronutrients" are what plants require more of throughout their life-cycle while "micro-nutrients" are needed in lesser amounts. As previously stated N.P.K. stands for Nitrogen, Phosphurus and Potassium. These 3 make up half of the macro-nutrients plants require in order to live with the other half being hydrogen, carbon and oxygen. Hydroponic nutrients do include micro-nutrients but the main focus is on macro nutrients. NPK Numbers Hydroponic nutrients bags or bottles will have 3 numbers printed on them usually in Bold. These numbers represent the percentage of each Macro-nutrient in the product. The same can be found on bags of soil fertilizer. For example, if the NPK ratio is 8-7-5, then the product contains 8% nitrogen, 7% phosphurus and 5% potassium and the rest is made up of micro-nutrients.

The AquaValve is the secret sauce of the AutoPot system and is what allows plants to create their own feeding schedule. AutoPot Watering Systems - Understanding the AQUAvalve

Hydroponics, by definition, is a method of growing plants in a water based, nutrient rich solution. Hydroponics does not use soil, instead the root system is supported using an inert medium such as perlite, coco-coir, rockwool, clay pellets, peat moss, or vermiculite. The basic premise behind hydroponics is to allow the plants roots to come in direct contact with the nutrient solution, while also having access to oxygen, which is essential for proper growth. Why Hydroponics? Growing with hydroponics comes with many advantages, the biggest of which is a greatly increased rate of growth in your plants. With the proper setup, your plants will mature up to 25% faster and produce up to 30% more than the same plants grown in soil. Your plants will grow bigger and faster because they will not have to work as hard to obtain nutrients. Even a small root system will provide the plant exactly what it needs, so the plant will focus more on growing upstairs instead of expanding the root system downstairs. All of this is possible through careful control of your nutrient solution and pH levels. A hydroponic system will also use significantly less water than traditional soil based methods.