General Hydroponics Inc. is one of the more venerable players in the field, having been around since the 1970s. General Hydroponics nutrients have the distinction of being the first such fertilizers to be used off-planet; General Hydroponics products have been used by NASA for the hydroponic gardens aboard the International Space Station.
Unlike FoxFarm, which caters primarily to traditional outdoor gardeners, General Hydroponics specializes in and markets to hydroponic gardeners, and the company's products are engineered specifically for hydroponic applications. Located just north of San Francisco in one of the premier agricultural regions of California, General Hydroponics maintains a 45,000 square foot facility where new systems and fertilizers are constantly being tested and improved. In addition, this company offers a full line of equipment and other accessories for the hydroponic gardener, including controllers, pumps and replacement parts for various elements of the hydroponic system. The company website itself is an excellent resource for anyone interested in this type of production, including an online "nutrient calculator" to assist in determining the needs of specific plants.
Consumer response to General Hydroponics nutrients has been positive. One of the features of General Hydroponics products is that unlike many such nutrients, they are simple and easy to use. Whereas many such products are two and three-part solutions that require careful mixing, this company's products are one-part nutrients, making the overall process much less complicated in general. Hydroponic gardeners who have reviewed General Hydroponic's products note that they are extremely concentrated; at least one reviewer described the product as "heavy" and "like chocolate tar" - you won't need to use much, but you will require a blender or a good solid whisk in order to emulsify General Hydroponics nutrients properly.
In addition to their semi-liquid products, General Hydroponics manufactures a powdered product known as Kool Bloom. This product is engineered to promote flowering in such plants, particularly tomatoes, by increasing the amount of phosphorus and potassium that is available. Again, consumers report amazing results, but like many General Hydroponics nutrients, a little goes a very long way; overuse of this substance can result in "bloom burn." Nonetheless, these are excellent products in general; hydroponic farmers will find little to complain about when it comes to products made by General Hydroponics, provided they are used judiciously and according to instructions.
