Fox Farm is a hydroponic fertilizer company that has been around for over 30 years. General Hydroponics, on the other hand, was founded in 1974 and is one of the most popular brands of all time.
The key question here is, which brand should you choose?
The answer to this question depends on what your needs are. Fox Farm offers more affordable products than General Hydroponics, but their products don’t have as many nutrients in them.
General Hydroponics produces more expensive fertilizers with higher nutrient content per dollar spent. So which is better? Well, there’s a whole lot to say about both, so let’s get into it.
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An in-depth look at Fox Farm Nutes
Fox Farm offer a wide range of trusted hydroponic fertilizers which are perfect for all hydro grower. They also offer supplements, additives and gardening supplies which are helpful in many ways.
Their hydroponic fertilizer line includes, Grow Big hydroponic liquid plant food and their Bush Doctor fertilizer which is specifically designed for vegetables.
The Hydro Liquid Trio pack many Fox Farm enthusiasts recommend, has many benefits for both the young and adult plants, with powerful results on root development, disease resistance and faster crop yields.
Fox Farm is considered to be the best in the business, but you must keep in mind that it does cost a little bit extra than most other brands out there.
Lastly: You might want to also check out their Tiger Bloom and Big Bloom organic nutrients products.
Is Fox Farm good for hydroponics?
Yes, Fox Farm is very good for hydroponics as long as you have the money to spend. It might seem pricey at times, but it does provide quality products that really help your plants grow.
It’s worth noting that there are several distinct types of fertilizers out there and not all of them will work in the same way.
An in-depth look at General Hydroponics Nutes
General hydroponics are regarded as the pricier fertilizer brand of the two, but are they worth the price tag?
They have some truly excellent products which many growers use regularly. For example their Flora Nova range is a bloom booster that works extremely well with any plant (although you should avoid using it during the first few weeks until your roots establish).
Furthermore, their Flora Micro is an outstanding additive for water and hydroponic solutions. It contains a complex matrix of microbes which are crucial for nutrient uptake and root development.
Worth mentioning: Other products worth mentioning include their pH Perfect hydroponics base nutrients range, along with the GEO starter kit that has absolutely everything needed for your first grow with seeds, the flowering stage, and even all the way up to harvest time.
Is General Hydroponics good for hydroponics?
Yes, General Hydroponics are amazing for hydroponic growing. It is not only the quality of their products that makes them stand out from other brands but also how well they work together as a system.
The six stages in the Nutrient Trio (pH Perfect Connoisseur Grow, pH Perfect Connoisseur Bloom and Overdrive) are all focused on providing the perfect environment for your plants to thrive.
Why use liquid fertilizers (AKA nutes)?
Liquid fertilizers are essential for the hydroponic grower. If you have ever tried growing with soil then you will know that mixing organic matter into the ground is a messy and exhausting process, especially for those who are new to gardening.
With hydroponics however, there is no need to make your own nutrient mix from scratch or mess about with soil as all of this has been done for you.
The mixture has been boiled and filtered to remove any impurities or bacteria which could damage your plants. This means, all you need to do is add the right amount of liquid fertilizer (and water) before feeding it straight into your nutrient reservoir.
Basically, forget about mixing nutrients together, just buy high-quality hydroponic nutrients and monitor your pH levels. That’s it!
The difference between good and bad liquid fertilizer
A good hydroponic nutrient solution contains the essential elements that plants need to grow.
The most significant nutrients of these are nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. (N-P-K), but calcium, sulfur, magnesium and many other nutrients contribute towards healthy plant growth as well. Hydroponic fertilizers contain different ratios of these ingredients in order to maximize yields.
The ratio of N-P-K in hydroponic fertilizers is often referred to as the “growth index” and while some plant growers may prefer more or less of certain elements, it’s generally true that plants grow faster when there are higher concentrations of these nutrients.
IMPORTANT: A good liquid fertilizer will have an NPK (Nitrogen, Phosphorous, Potassium) ratio of around 0.15-0.40-0.40. A bad liquid fertilizer will have an NPK (Nitrogen, Phosphorus, and Potassium) ratio of around 0.60-0.80-0.50.
In otherwords, don’t skimp on spending a few extra bucks for high quality hydro nutes.
Comparing Fox farm vs General Hydroponics: Which is better?
Ok, so both companies have great products. But that doesn’t help you make a decision.
In my opinion, I’d choose General Hydroponics as your first venture into growing plants hydroponically.
Why? Well, because they are well established, trusted and they work great with any hydroponic system.
They also offer advanced nutrients that give you great results with a support team that’s always there for you, should you have a question.
Final word: Fox Farm products are fantastic, so try GH first and then FF after if you have the time and money.