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.

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.

The Nassau Guardian recently published an online article claiming among our nation’s chief develop-mental goals are food security and drastically cutting our annual food import bill of roughly $1.1 billion. In the words of one former prime minister, “It is time we grow what we can, and only buy what we must.” Godfrey Eneas, immediate former president of the Bahamas Agriculture and Marine Science Institute (BAMSI) argues that our food import bill is chiefly fueled by tourism, an industry which invites and hosts about seven million visitors to The Bahamas annually and generates about $2.58 billion in annual tourism revenues. Now, in March 2019, prime minister Hubert Minnis met with US president Donald Trump and reported, “For every American tourist that enter our shores, eighty cents of every dollar received goes back to the United States…therefore as our tourist market grows, the Florida market likewise grows.” Since our annual food import bill is roughly $1.1 billion, at 80 cents of every tourist dollar goes back to the United States and 50% of that is used for food import. Instead, what if we invested those funds into local farmers and make them primarily responsible for feeding the nation and the millions of guests to our shores? Thus making Agriculture the true "Bread and Butter" industry for the Bahamas.

AutoPots are self watering systems that can be used hydroponically or with soil to grow a variety of plants whether they be leafy greens, herbs, vine crops, flowers or cannabis. Efficiency: All AutoPot watering systems require NO POWER, PUMPS, MAINS WATER PRESSURE OR TIMERS to operate, GRAVITY PRESSURE IS ALL THAT’S NEEDED from a reservoir. The systems are undoubtedly some of the simplest to use and can be left unattended for weeks due to the capability of the AQUAvalve to deliver all that is required by the plant. AutoPot is now an international market leader in irrigation and hydroponic systems, with an established global reputation for providing durable, environmentally friendly and innovative watering solutions to a range of growing scenarios. Cost: AutoPot systems have been proven to reduce consumption of water and feed by an impressive 50%, whilst increasing yields. With increasing concerns about the environment, water conservation & the rising cost of electricity becoming prominent in our lives, at GrowLife Supplies we are sure that more and more people will realize the advantages of using self-watering systems. This concept in irrigation is one that the horticultural and hydroponic world has been waiting for. Moving Steadfastly toward Bahamian Food Security.......grOwLife Supplies

It’s good to have you here! Feel free to share anything - stories, ideas, pictures or whatever is on your mind concerning horticulture. Here you can start discussions, connect with members, reply to comments, and more. Have something to say? Leave a comment or share a post!