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- CF - How to give your plants a balanced diet
Electrontic CF Meters are the most accurate and convenient method of measuring your nutrient solution.

The Americans refer to PPM (parts per million) Europe uses the term EC (electrical conductivity) here in New Zealand the term preferred is CF, I am referring to conductivity factor (CF), the measure in change of an electrical current passed from one point to another in an aqueous (water based) solution.

CF refers to the level of nutrient salts available in the solution, plant food is made available to your plant in the form of Nutrient salts, these salts dissolve in water readily so are able to be easily absorbed by the plant, the level of salts in the solution effects how it conducts electricity.

Precise control of nutrient salt levels is the first step to understanding plant nutrition and maximizing plant growth.
Plants have differing nutrient requirements during the phases of growth. Plants in a vegetative phase of growth require large amount of Nitrogen and less Phosphorus and Potassium. While plants in a fruiting of flowering stage will require less nitrogen as more growth is directed towards reproductive facilities.
Using water in the last week of fruiting or flowering plants triggers a starvation mechanism, the plant will then sacrifice stem and leaf tissue to concentrate on reproductive growth (fruit and/or flower).
Electrontic CF Meters are the most accurate and convenient method of measuring your nutrient solution.
There are about 16 known elements necessary for plant life to succeed, Carbon, Hydrogen and Oxygen are Absorbed from the air and water, while all the rest must be supplied via your plant food.
The primary elements Nitrogen (N), Phosphorus (P), and Potassium (K) are the elements a plant will most use. All good fertilizers will display the N-P-K percentages clearly on the front of the label.
Calcium (Ca) and Magnesium (Mg) are secondary nutrients or elements,. Iron (Fe), Sulphur (S), Manganese (Mn), Boron (B), Molybdenum (Mb), Zinc (Zn) and Copper (Cu) are micro-nutrients or trace elements. Elements and trace elements applied through additives of additional feeding beyond general fertilizers allow more control over plant nutrition.
1st 3-7 Days
12 CF
Vegetative Phase
18 CF
First 2 weeks Bloom
22 CF
Bloom Phase
24-28 CF
Last Week
Water
Above is an example of the relative CF Levels recommended for differant growth phases.

“The worst potential competition for any organism can come from its own kind. The species consumes necessities. Growth is limited by that necessity which is present in the least amount. The least favourable condition controls the rate of growth. (Law of the minimum).”