All plants need basic elements in order to perform the divinely beautiful process of photosynthesis. Those can be broken down into three simple categories. Air, Water, and Nutrients.

From air, the plants absorb a critical building block to all life, Carbon. Oxygen is also necessary for nutrient uptake and transpiration, although it is later released by the plant as waste.

Water is of course essential, as most plants are about 90% water. Water is the life blood of the plants transporting nutrients into the plant and is also the source of the plant’s “breathing” process. As transpiration happens through the leaves, the exiting water (the plants exhale) is replaced by carbon dioxide (the plants inhale).

Nutrients are the food that all plants need to thrive. The elements that make up this food can be broken down into three categories: macro, secondary, and micro nutrients. Usually, nature provides all the necessary components for this category, as the earths soil is made from nutrient rich mixes of decomposing leaves and organic matter. In most indoor and greenhouse scenarios, rapidly growing plants will quickly use all available nutrients, especially in Hydroponics, where 100% of the elements will have to be added to the water. Here is a list of each Marco and Micro element and its role in photosynthesis so that you can better understand why they are all so important.

Macro Nutrients

• 
  Nitrogen is the building block for plant proteins and also the formation of amino acids. It is essential for cell division within the plant, which is of course extremely important for fast growing plants. Nitrogen is a mobile element and deficiencies are easily spotted from chlorotic or yellowing older leaves.
• 
  Phosphorus (or Phosphate) is responsible for early development of roots. It is involved in multiple activities such as cell division, energy storage and transfer, respiration, and photosynthesis. Deficiencies can be very difficult to diagnose, but can be similar in appearance to a Nitrogen deficiency.
• 
  Potassium (or Potash) is critical for the formation of fruits and flowers is vital for the quality of the finished product. It aids in immune responses such as temperature hardiness and disease and pest resistance. Deficiencies can lead to increased chances of pest invasions and/or disease and lessen the plants resistance to hot or cold conditions.

Secondary Nutrients

• 
  Calcium is used in both photosynthesis and in the plants structure. It acts as a regulator to the transport of other nutrients and aids in cell division and formation. It is critical for the activation of certain plant enzymes. Deficiencies include stunned growth and poor fruit set.
• 
  Magnesium is a key element of chlorophyll production and is a activator to several plant enzymes. It is critical for early fruit and flower onset, and regulates the uniformity of a plants maturation process. Magnesium is very mobile in plants, so deficiencies usually show in older leaves, but rapidly move into younger leaves as it progresses.
• 
  Sulfur is a structural component of some amino acids and vitamins and is essential in the manufacturing of chloroplasts. Being that Sulphur is a mobile element, deficiencies usually effect older leaves first and can include yellowing of leaves and stunted growth.

Micro Nutrients

• 
  
  Boron- Essential for cell wall formation. Promotes maturity.
• 
  Cobalt-Copper- Major role in reproductive processes and photosynthesis. Improves flavor and color.
• 
  
  Iron- Vital in formation of chlorophyll. Carries oxygen through the plant.
• 
  
  Manganese- Preforms role in enzyme systems and increases availability of P and Ca.
• 
  Molybdenum- Reduces nitrates to ammonium in plant
• 
  
  Zinc- Necessary for chlorophyll, carbohydrate and starch formation.