EC strength for hydroponics?

An EC meter is required to measure the strength of nutrient.  You need one, plain and simple.  Mixing it up as it says on the side of the container may end in waste and you need to monitor pH throughout the growth cycle also.

It’s important to calibrate your ec meter (if it requires calibration).  Once that’s done you’re ready to rumble.

I use a weak nutrient such as Formulex.  It’s gentle on baby plants.

 For seedlings or cuttings, EC 6.

Once they reach 10″ I usually step it up to EC10.

Now you’re ready to move to a hydro system. 

I usually use EC10 also gradually increasing it to EC15 as the plant grows.  I also change to a grow formula for the first 2 weeks as the plant establishes into the hydroponic system.  Once established and the flowering cycle starts, I change the solution to Bloom formula and slowly increase to EC15.

Some people do EC20.  It’s up to you, it gives better growth but it can be hard to remove the nutrient afterwards during flush process.  It’s also running the gauntlet with overfertilising.

Finally I run flush for 3-4 weeks.  Some people do 7-10 days but for best taste 3-4 weeks works better.