Plant Gardens 101

Adjusting pH Levels in a Hydroponics System

Instructions for adjusting pH levels:

pH control is essential for stimulating vigorous plant growth. Nutrient solution pH that is too high (basic) or too low (acidic) cannot be properly absorbed by plants. Incorrect nutrient solution pH can slow growth, and can also lead to sickly plants and low yields. The pH scale measures acidity or alkalinity on a scale of 0 to 14. Below seven the pH is acidic. Above seven the pH is alkaline. 7.0 is neutral. The best pH for plant growth is generally in the range of 5.5 to 6.5; which is slightly acidic. There are several causes for incorrect nutrients solution pH. Tap water used to mix nutrients solution often contains minerals and impurities that can affect nutrient pH. Properly growing plants consume different nutrients at different rates, thus altering the solutions original pH. Nutrient pH within the range 5.5 to 6.5 you can you can assure you are crop maximum availability of all your nutrient minerals. This will give you higher growth rates, higher yields and healthier plants. Healthy plants have much higher tolerances for infestation and disease. Test and adjust nutrients solution every few days to maintain proper pH levels. Change your hydroponic solution once every 2 to 3 weeks

1. The optimal pH level for most plants is 5.5. (more…)

Martynia family
Martyniaceae
Mar-tin’ee-a. A single species, related to Proboscidea , occasionally grown by flower arrangers for the seed pods.

Description
Leaves large, opposite, triangular, with long petioles. Flowers large and bell-shaped in loose racemes.

How to Grow    (more…)

A majority of orchids are rewarding indoor plants. Once you have bought your first orchid or have received one as a gift, there are steps to take in order to maintain persistent flowering.

Orchids are much stronger and resilient than a majority of people believe, and are, commonly, tremendously adaptable. There is an ancient legend that orchids are intricate and complex, and not practical to grow, particularly lacking a greenhouse. There are over 20,000 species of orchids and over 100,000 hybrids that are grown today. There are particular orchid species that conform better to the lighting and conditions of the average home. This article will explain General Orchid Care tips so you too can grow and enjoy your own orchids at home. (more…)

Orchid growers come across many difficult choices when caring for their orchids. Perhaps one of the most difficult is deciding on how much to water the orchid. This is probably the most common mistake novices make.

It is very hard to judge the right time and the right amount of water to give to your orchid. Probably the biggest mistake people make is over watering the orchid. Very rarely do people under water, as with light people tend to over do it.

Different orchids require different amounts of water but what they all have in common is that they don’t like having their roots submerged in water as their roots will rot and die.

Even then, the orchid will require different amounts of water depending on the season. In the summer when it is hot your orchid will require more water than in the winter.    (more…)

A glass-enclosed bed of soil heated with fermenting manure or—more likely these days—an electric cable, used to germinate seeds or to protect seedlings or tender plants.