How to Use Urea Nitrogen Fertilizer for Hydroponics

Hydroponics is a soil-less growing system for plants. It is useful in a controlled growing system and in smaller spaces. The roots of the plants grow in a specially formulated liquid medium that requires nutrient replenishment as the plants uptake the food. Fertilizers are also used in hydroponics to boost growth or production and enhance plant health. Urea is an undiluted source of nitrogen, one of the three macronutrients required by plants. It occurs as an ammonium and decomposes in water to yield ammonia and carbon dioxide. Urea is not immediately usable by plants until it decomposes, so a more reliable source of nitrogen is in nitrate form. That said, urea in small concentrations can eventually raise the nitrogen content of the solution and aid plant growth.

Things You'll Need

• Liquid urea fertilizer
• Measuring cup
• Bucket
• Water
• Spoon

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Instructions

1. • 1

     Mix the liquid urea fertilizer completely into water. The concentration needed is only 5 to 10 percent of the total hydroponics solution. For instance if you are adding to a 20-gallon system you will need 2 gallons of liquid urea.

   • 2

     Measure the correct amount of urea into the bucket. Add an equal amount of water and agitate with a wooden spoon.

   • 3

     Pour the contents of the bucket into the hydroponics system. Make sure your pump is on to cause the solution to flow around the roots of the plant.

   • 4

     Reapply urea or another nitrogen source in 20 days. According to a study conducted at the University of Pertanian, urea breakdown was rapid from the seventh day onwards and ended by the 20th day.