Dutch Pro Original Grow Hydro/Coco A&B SW — Two-Part Vegetative Nutrient for Soft Water Systems
Best for: Growers running hydroponic or coco systems in soft water areas who want a reliable, straightforward veg base nutrient
Our thoughts
Dutch Pro's been doing this since 1985, and it shows. This is a proper two-part formula that doesn't overcomplicate things — it's optimised for soft water, mixes cleanly, and just gets on with the job. Growers who've switched from the premium names report better results at a fraction of the cost. Spend the money on what's in the bottle, not the packaging.
Dutch Pro Original Grow Hydro/Coco A&B SW is a two-part mineral base nutrient engineered specifically for soft water growing across hydroponic systems and coco media during the vegetative stage. The soft water formulation is the key — it compensates for the low background minerals in soft water areas, preventing early-stage deficiencies and giving plants the calcium, nitrogen, and trace elements they need to build strong structure and healthy foliage before bloom.
This isn't a fancy nutrient. It's a working nutrient. Dutch Pro stripped away the premium packaging and spent the money on what actually matters — a balanced, micronutrient-rich formula that delivers steady growth without forcing plants or chasing problems.
How it compares
Dutch Pro Original Grow sits in the professional value tier of two-part vegetative nutrients.
- Roughly half the cost of Canna Coco or Advanced Nutrients equivalents
- Water-type specific formulation (soft water vs hard water variants available) — competitors don't usually bother
- Designed for both hydro and coco, so one product covers more setups
- Higher micronutrient load than many one-part systems, which can't hold all nutrients in suspension
- Proven track record — 40 years of Dutch heritage in hydroponic nutrition
In plain terms: you're getting the same functional performance as premium brands but without paying for the branding overhead.
Usage guidance
Soft water basics
If your water hardness is below 100ppm (or you're in a naturally soft water region like Scotland or parts of Wales), this is the right choice. Hard water users should switch to the standard Original Grow formula instead.
Mixing and dosing
Fill your reservoir or watering container with water first. Add equal parts A and B — Dutch Pro recommend 2.5 to 3.5 ml per litre of each part. Always mix part A thoroughly before adding part B. Never mix the concentrates directly together. Use a syringe or measuring beaker for accuracy, and check your EC/PPM with a decent meter like the Bluelab Truncheon.
EC targeting
Design your feeds for EC values up to 2.0. For younger plants or early veg, sit around 1.2–1.5 EC. As plants mature, gradually increase to 1.8–2.0 EC. Soft water systems respond best to consistent, predictable feeding — don't spike it.
Water changes
In recirculating hydro, change your reservoir every 2–3 weeks. In run-to-waste coco, consistency matters more than perfection, so dial in your EC and let it run.
pH management
Dutch Pro recommend their own pH Down (based on nitric acid rather than phosphoric) for better results in the veg stage. Target pH 5.5–6.2 depending on your system type. In soft water, pH swings can happen faster, so monitor more often than you'd expect.
Partner products worth considering
Dutch Pro also make Multi Total (extra micronutrients), Take Root (rooting booster), and Keep It Clean (beneficial bacteria). You don't need them, but growers often combine them for extra insurance.
Technical specifications
- Type: Two-part mineral base nutrient (A and B)
- Stage: Vegetative growth cycle
- Application: Hydroponic systems and coco coir media
- Water type: Soft water optimised (under 100ppm hardness)
- Recommended dosage: 2.5–3.5 ml/litre of each part A and B
- Target EC range: Up to 2.0 mS/cm
- pH range: 5.5–6.2 (depending on system)
- Measurement: Use CF/EC/PPM meter for accuracy
- Part A composition: Nitrogen, calcium, and supporting macronutrients
- Part B composition: Phosphorus, potassium, magnesium, iron, and trace elements
- Available sizes: 1L, 5L, 10L
Who this is for
- Growers in soft water areas who want a nutrient built for their water type
- Hydroponic system runners — NFT, flood and drain, DWC, or drip irrigation
- Coco growers who want a dedicated two-part formula instead of paying premium prices for branded equivalents
- Budget-conscious growers who don't want to compromise on quality for the sake of saving money
- Anyone familiar with A&B nutrients who values consistency and straightforward mixing
- Growers stepping up from one-part nutrients to two-part systems for better micronutrient control
- Experienced growers who've run premium brands and want to cut input costs without cutting plant quality
Our take
This is a proper two-part nutrient built for soft water growing without the premium markup. It mixes cleanly, feeds predictably, and supports healthy veg growth across hydro and coco systems without overcomplicating things.
Real growers have switched from Canna and reported better results — faster growth, healthier plants — at half the cost. That's not a sales claim, that's forum feedback. The soft water formulation actually matters too; most nutrient brands ignore water hardness entirely, which is why you end up chasing deficiencies.
If you're running soft water hydro or coco and want a sensible veg base that behaves itself, worth picking up while clearance stock lasts. Does exactly what it should, day in, day out.
