But like humans, plants need more than just the basics. Without vitamins, minerals and enzymes, life as we know it would halt.

In plants, those critical additions are often called micronutrients, not because they're not important but because they're needed in much smaller quantities. Supplying those micronutrients in traditional soil, particularly if it's been enriched with compost, typically is important but not always critical. Hydroponic growers, however, must supply absolutely everything a plant needs to grow - and there's no room for error. Most hydroponic fertilizers include elements like sulfur, manganese, boron, copper, iron, chlorine, cobalt, molybdenum and zinc but it's wise to purchase fertilizers specifically formulated for use in hydroponic systems.

Beyond those minimum requirements, hydroponic experts are dreaming up specialized additives designed to help a plant reach its optimum potential.

Technaflora recently introduced ROOT 66, an organic-based blend designed to optimize root development in cuttings, clones or seedlings. Made with seaweed extracts, trace elements and polysaccharides, it promotes the exceptional development of a well-balanced root structure, which is a vital component of overall plant growth and performance. At transplanting, ROOT 66 stimulates adventitious root development, which helps to create compact sturdy plants, enhances the plant's immune system, increases branching and flower buds and improves microbial soil activity.

"The better the root system, the better the plant will grow," says Andrew King, operations manager for Technaflora. "You'll get lush green growth, more budding sites and better flowers."

Another option is Floralicious Plus from General Hydroponics, a concentrated blend of plant, marine and mineral extracts. Designed to be used throughout the plant's growing cycle, it enhances mineral nutrient uptake and transport, and then an active carbon technology facilitates the conversion and biosynthesis of complex secondary aromatic compounds. Floralicious Plus enhances metabolic growth, promotes flower development, encourages fruit swelling, and encourages beneficial microbial activity in the root zone.

"It's made in a unique fermentation process creates a potent blend of phytostimulants and biometabolic precursors that enables Floralicious to bring out your plants full genetic potential," notes Doug Millar, director of sales and marketing.

While ROOT 66 and Floralicious Plus are new technologies, SUPERthrive from the Vitamin Institute has been largely unchanged since it was developed by Dr. John Thompson 67 years ago. "Some people say that plants don't need vitamins because they can manufacture their own, but that's under ideal conditions," said Thompson, who is still active in the institute. "Conditions are rarely ideal and most people don't want to wait forever."

With almost any additive - be it vitamin, mineral or hormone - it's important to maintain levels of basic nutrients, all three companies stress. "You're not lowering your use of fertilizer at all," Thompson said. "You need to get NPK and micronutrients from somewhere - SUPERthrive just helps the plant grow better with them."

An award-winning journalist with more than 20 years experience as a business, environmental and garden writer, Vicki Parsons is also a fifth-generation farmer who owns Neem Tree Farms in Brandon, Fla. You can visit her website at http://www.neemtreefarms.com.

This article was originally published in Garden & Greenhouse Magazine. Garden & Greenhouse is written for small commercial growers, hobby greenhouse owners and indoor/outdoor gardeners and is free to qualified readers. For more information visit http://www.GardenAndGreenhouse.net.

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