Liquid Diet

Liquid Diet

Just the Right Amount
Lesson: 4.2
Level:
Intermediate
Station: Hydroponics
Format: Class Project
Rating:
Intermediate Lesson 4.2 Liquid Diet

Lesson Overview

Each nutrient serves a specific function in terms of plant development. In this lesson, students will explore each macronutrient and the impact it has on a plant's development.

Goals

  • Students will be able to describe the benefit each macronutrient has on plant production.

Outcomes

Students will research the impact of macronutrient deficiencies in order to identify the early warning signs.

Teach the Teacher

Tools & Materials

  • BlueLab Combo Meter

Activity

Hydroponics makes nutrient management much easier than soil based systems. Testing the solution on a daily basis takes just a few seconds whereas the test for a soil based system is often more involved.

It’s imperative to ensure that nutrient levels remain consistent and at optimal levels. Plant production will increase when nutrients and pH are in harmony. When the system is not balanced the plants will show it. Browning leaves, spots, loss of color, wilting, and other early warning signs will indicate that something is off.

Discuss the effects that each macronutrient has on plant production. How will a deficiency in each manifest? What are the early signs?

Create a reference guide in the form of a poster or visual that can be placed prominently in the Lab for easy reference.

Related Lessons

Give the Advanced lesson a try now that you’ve completed the Intermediate Lesson! Or revisit the Beginner Lesson as needed.

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