What is the difference between one-part, two-part and three-part nutrient solutions?
The reason many nutrient solutions are separated into ‘A’ and ‘B’ formulas is because essential elements have a tendency to react with each other (thus creating insoluable, unabsorbable particles) when they are in strong concentrations. So usually the calcium containing compounds are kept separate from the phosphate and sulfate compounds. There are some great one-part solutions on the market made by different manufacturers who have found various ways of tackling this problem. The three-part solution we sell is General Hydroponics Flora Series. They have designed these nutrients this way to enable the grower to mix a huge range of different nutrient solutions to satisfy the needs of practically any type of plant, and each different stage in its life cycle by varying the combinations and overall strength of the mix. Thus with the three bottles you can provide the correct ‘flavor’ for every life stage of your plants.
The reason many nutrient solutions are separated into ‘A’ and ‘B’ formulas is because essential elements have a tendency to react with each other (thus creating insoluble, non-absorbable particles) when they are in strong concentrations. So usually the calcium containing compounds are kept separate from the phosphate and sulfate compounds. However, there are some great one-part solutions on the market made by different manufacturers who have found various ways of tackling this problem.
