Plant Gardens 101

While knowledge and experience are obviously important factors in successful hydroponic growing, a hydroponic grower is only as good as their supplies. And one of the most important kinds of hydroponic supplies that you will buy is the kind that manipulates the general environment of your grow room. The air and temperature of your grow room can have a profound impact on how your plants grow.

If you want to control your environment for maximum benefit, make sure to have these essential supplies in your garden or grow room

Fan – One of the most inexpensive, but also one of the most important hydroponic supplies that you can purchase is a small fan. Moisture and gasses don’t tend to stay evenly distributed. In fact, they actually tend to clump around in certain sections of the room. This means if the air in a grow room is fairly still, you may be depriving your plant’s leaves of carbon dioxide and your roots of oxygen, even if there are sufficient amounts in the room. But by keeping the air constantly circulating, you increase the odds that your plants are exposed to all of the gasses that they need to grow well. (more…)

Whether you want to enter the world of hydroponic gardening for fun or profit, it pays to know what you are doing before you make any investment. As with most hobbies, you will become a better gardener as you become more accustomed to the requirements and complexities of growing plants in a soil-less environment.

With the proper amount of research and planning, you can avoid several costly, common and time consuming mistakes.

Going Cheap On The Light – Many make the mistake of thinking that fluorescent lights are suitable for all plants at all stages or are simply drawn to fluorescents because of the price. The truth of the matter is that fluorescent lights emit only one kind of light: white. Sunlight, which is that standard by which all other lights are judged, emits the full spectrum of light colors. Thus fluorescent lights are only really adequate for young, seedling plants. As your plants enter the vegetative and flowering stages, they require red, blue and orange rays to grow properly. Florescent lights may actually cost you more than you expect, both because they yield a poor quality crop compared to other lights and they require frequent maintenance. (more…)

The Lettuce Raft System – Hydroponics

Each day I respond to more and more emails from people looking for the simplest, most inexpensive means of growing hydroponically. I often recommend the Hydroponic Planter from the previous chapter, however, this “simple and inexpensive” method just isn’t complicated enough. So… after giving it some careful thought, a worthwhile solution presented itself.

The raft system is simple, inexpensive ($20-$30 complete) and “complex” enough to satisfy any first timer’s appetite for a fun project that actually works quite well. In concept, the raft system does exactly as it says. Plants are grown in Styrofoam “rafts” that float in a shallow pool of nutrient. To keep the nutrient from stagnating, a small air pump is used to deliver oxygen to the solution and eagerly awaiting roots. (more…)

To learn and experience hydroponic gardening, beginners including myself usually prefer to have a beginner’s kit or a standard kit for them to try out.

When I began reviewing hydroponic components and starter’s kits on the Internet and nearby gardening suppliers. I was amazed to discover that basically you can purchase from a simple hydroponic unit costs about $20 to greenhouse with full automation costs $20,000. The vast range of product and amount of information available is both pleasing and confusing. While you have a great range of products to choose from, it is not easy to make a choice.

Therefore, before you buy anything or start looking for a starter’s kit, get a few good hydroponic gardening beginner’s guides and take your time to read up on the subject. Then develop a rough idea of the size of the hydroponic unit your want and what you want to grow in it. Much of the beginner’s kits won’t make sense unless you understand the basics of hydroponics and your needs. (more…)

If the advantages of hydroponic growing could be summed up in a single word it would be “control.” As a hydroponic grower, you have ultimate control over your plants environment, including the amount of light your plants receive, your hydroponic nutrients, and your pH levels. But without knowing how to properly measure all of these factors, this control that you enjoy is completely useless. For this reason, it is vital that you purchase the appropriate measuring equipment and know how to use it properly.

First, it is important to remember that for most minerals, the plants roots will absorb the hydroponic nutrients as they are needed. For this reason it is essential to maintain a proper balance of nutrients in your nutrient solution. Too little, or too much of any given nutrient will result in smaller yields, smaller buds, and vegetables that will not have the flavor you are probably hoping for.

For this reason, a digital parts per million meter should be an major part of your hydroponic system. A parts per million meter, just as the name implies, measure the parts per million of total dissolved solids in your nutrient solution. It works by measuring how conductive the water is. Normal, completely pristine water, has no conductivity at all. But as it is diluted with salts, minerals, or hydroponic nutrients, it becomes more conductive. The more ingredients that are dissolved into it, the more electricity that the solution is able to conduct. The ideal parts per million of hydroponic nutrients in your nutrient solution will vary depending upon what plants you are growing and your grow medium, but it generally lies between 1000 and 2000. Every few months you should remember to calibrate your PPM meter to ensure accuracy of readings. This is accomplished by placing the meter in a solution that has a known parts per million and making the necessary adjustments on the measuring device. (more…)

Hydroponics was derived from the Greek word hydro, which means “water” and ponos, which means “labor or water-working”. Hydroponics gardening involves growing plants with their roots in other nutrient solutions and without soil.

Hydroponics gardening is as simple as ordinary gardening. Both of them necessitate sufficient light, water, temperature, light, and humidity. But with hydroponics, no soil is used. Instead a soil substitute holds the roots while nutrients are carried by the water. Indoor hydroponic gardening is not that hard and plants respond well to this method of growing.

This is one of the major considerations in hydroponics gardening since it sustains the plants. One has to make sure that this nutrient solution maintains a pH level of 5 to 6 after dilution. In hydroponics gardening, the plants should be watered more than three times a day. this is usually done using a pump and timer.

If your hydroponics garden is located indoors, the most suitable temperature is between 71 to 76 degrees Fahrenheit. Of course, this temperature may change depending on the different types of plant you are working on, e.g. tropical plants.

Place your plants somewhere they can receive ample amount of light. Otherwise artificial light must be used. High pressure Sodium lights or bulbs are a suitable substitute for natural light.

Humidity is good. When the room’s temperature rises, the air will be able to hold the sufficient amount of moisture your plants will need.

A hydroponics system can be fully automated. Since it is water-based, the gardener has no soil to dig or weeds to pull. Also, the water can be re-used to prevent wastage.
With hydroponics, an excellent yield of quality plants can be easily achieved. Home hydroponics systems and DIY kits are are readily available in most hardware stores.
Learn about weeping cherry tree and yoshino cherry at the Cherry Facts site.

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A common misconception of hydroponic gardening is that you never have to worry about dealing with pests and bugs. Many growers wish this was true because the fact of the matter is that even in a soil less garden you have to deal with some of the same kinds of critters that can damage traditional gardens. Fortunately, with a little knowledge and quick action, you can easily prevent or minimize the damage caused by bugs to your plants and hydroponics supplies.

Here are a few of the more common pests found on plants in hydroponics systems.

Aphids – They are numerous varieties of aphids and their coloration can vary from black, brown, very light colored, or yellow. They often leave a sticky residue on your plants which causes the plants to grow in a deformed or twisted manner. They also typically carry viruses that can affect the growth or even kill your plants. A typical sign of an aphid infestation is the presence of little white exoskeletons which the aphids have molted off. After identifying that you have an aphid problem, you should remove the damage leaves, wash the remaining leaves, and spray them with an insecticidal soap. (more…)

There are few things worse for a gardener than to step into your garden and see burnt tips, yellowing, and curled edges on your leaves. These are all signs that your plants are not getting the appropriate amount of the nutrients that they need to thrive. Plant deficiency can strike even when your nutrient solution is well balanced because some factors may be preventing sufficient uptake.

If you are a truly a passionate gardener, then you are often concerned about the welfare of your plants. You see, professional gardeners care for their plants like do their children or pets. They want to see them happy, grow to their potential and never want to see them hurt or sick. Now I’m not saying that children and plants need the same amount of attention; anyone who has raised two kids knows that. But plants do however need their own brand of nurturing. (more…)

Cloning is the process of making an identical copy of something. In plant propagation, cloning is a way to asexually reproduce a plant. Plants produced in this way are genetically identical to the parent plant. Plant cells exhibit a trait known as totipotency, meaning they all have the ability to divide and make another plant.

Many people choose to clone because it can actually create a new plant faster than seed propagation. Others choose to clone in order to make copies of genetically superior plants. It is not uncommon for an experienced hydroponic gardener to have his grow room be mostly filled with clones of a single original plant.

In hydroponics, the most common method of plant cloning is making a cutting. This simply involves cutting off a part of the “parent plant” and planting it in the medium. Since each cell in a plant has the ability to grow every part necessary for the plant’s survival, this will create an entirely new plant if done properly. (more…)

Hydroponic greenhouses provide an inorganic method of raising plants. Most plants that are hydroponically raised must be treated with proper care in controlled conditions. The use of gravel is common on this kind of greenhouses where the gravel supports the roots of the plants because no soil is used in raising the plants. It also balances the assorted nutrients that feed the plants in the form of liquid.

Those large commercially oriented greenhouse have automated ways to refine and propagate seeds. All the things needed to grow the seeds are all set with automated care and maintenance. There are sensitive sensors on the gravel that automatically turns on the pumps that contains water or other chemical solutions that are applied on the seeds.

Using hydroponic greenhouses gives a gardener the advantage of increasing the crop amount yielded in a single harvest. In normal agriculture, he may only produce the regular crop harvest. He may double or triple the crop production by applying the methods in hydroponic gardening. It should create big success in his greenhouse by using chemical fertilizers rather than the usual potting soil or organic fertilizers. (more…)

Indoor gardening is one of the most relaxing hobbies you can pick up. No indoor garden is complete without its good and efficient grow light systems . Often times, the quality of the light bulb and light movers is the different between an average garden and one which is thriving.

There are a number of different grow light systems you can choose from. Incandescent, fluorescent and high-intensity discharge bulbs each have their very own benefits. Your choice of light systems and grow light movers is ultimately determined by the type of plants you are growing and where your indoor garden is located.

Incandescent Bulbs – You’ll quickly recognize incandescent bulbs since most household bulbs are this type. They are a decent source of red light, but a poor source for blue. When combined with the use of good grow light movers, they are capable of producing some heat in relation to the amount of light they give off. However, the plants can be burned if they are placed to close to the bulb even with a grow light mover. (more…)

When shopping around for nutrients for your hydroponic system, you have probably noticed that there are two general options: organic and non organic. Assuming that these nutrient blends are well balanced and come from a reputable hydroponics supply company, they can provide your plants with what they need to grow and thrive well. So why do so many opt for the organic solutions over the synthetic solutions? And why does it seem that organic growing increases in popularity with each passing year? There are several reasons really why people go organic.

Higher Nutrient Levels – Some evidence exists that organic plants grown organically are healthier for you than those grown through more modern conventional methods. Using only organic plant nutrients makes each piece of food denser in dry matter, meaning that there is more food and less water. When you do not use chemical pesticides, it also forces the plant to rely more on its own natural defenses. This means that they naturally produce more of the antioxidants that make fruits and vegetables so healthy for people. (more…)

Hydroponics has been a breakthrough in agricultural science such that the such of the system has significantly increased food production. However, hydroponics is not only used for commercial production, hydroponics can aslo be used in ordinary gardening. Here are some of the frequently asked questions about hydroponics in home gardening.

Q. What is hydroponics?
A. Hydroponics is the science of growing plants without soil. The plants thrive on the nutrient solution. The medium merely acts as support for the plants and their root systems, and perhaps to hold moisture around the roots.

Q. Isn’t hydroponics gardening complicated?
A. At first you might get confused of the pre-requisites in doing hydroponics indoors. But once you get used to the routine, it will be as easy as a snap of your finger. (more…)

Hydroponics is the perfect solution for the gardener in all of us and the best solution for indoor gardening. Hydroponics means soil-less gardening and it allows growing healthy plants and vegetables without getting your hands dirty from soil. I’ve recently begun to grow all of my herbs and vegetables using hydroponics nutrients and organic gardening supplies. We’ve noticed a change in our health for the better already, too.

Hydroponics is not new 21st century way of organic gardening nor is it new technology. Actually, the use of hydroponics nutrients has been used for years on commercial farms. It’s only over the past few years that hydroponics has taken off as a form of indoor gardening. There is nothing stopping you from buying an indoor hydroponic kits and getting started today. (more…)

Americans are constantly searching for new ways to illuminate their environment, and commercial HID lighting fixtures are leading the way in the business sector. This innovative development in the illumination industry is gaining high status among business owners. A commercial HID lighting fixture, better known as high intensity discharge, offers many benefits. Residential Landscape Lighting and Design has a large selection of commercial HID lighting fixtures for your business, and a professional staff, who can assist you in your selection.

Commercial HID lighting fixtures provide some of the most intense illumination to the naked eye. Take for example a 35 watt HID lamp, and compare it to the standard incandescent bulb. The HID fixture can produce up to 6 times the amount of light as its forerunner. Many commercial HID devices are similar to that produced by natural sunlight. Although not natural in its purest form, the white light produced from these fixtures can improve overall peripheral vision, as well as, enhance visibility. In aviation, a commercial HID lighting fixture plays a critical role in bad weather situations. The combination of a more natural light and the snow white coloring of this illumination results in greater lumens output, which allows planes to land safely. (more…)

Hydroponic gardening might seem very scientific and difficult but, in fact, it is as simple – and maybe even easier – as regular gardening. They both have many elements in common that being the need for light, humidity, water and nutrients.

Hydroponic gardening, however, uses no soil. A soil substitute is used to hold the roots and the nutrients are carried by the water. You can do hydroponic gardening indoors and plants do respond well and thrive with this type of system.

One vital consideration in hydroponic gardening is the nutrient solution. The solution must maintain a pH level of 5 to 6 after it is diluted. In hydroponics gardening, the plants need to be watered more than three times a day which is typically done automatically using a pump and timer. (more…)

Indoor gardening is very popular, and especially so for growing food in inhospitable climates or where soil is poor or not available. If you are trying to grow food indoors using hydroponics, many growers favor growing organically. Organically grown food requires that all fertilizers be of organic quality, and this is the case for hydroponic gardening as well. Organic hydroponic nutrients can help you to grow wonderful organic vegetables and fruits in indoor gardening environments.

If you are growing plants in containers using soil as a medium, by the time you water the plant ten times, all of the nutrients from the soil have washed out of the container. This is why it is vital to fertilize container-grown plants.

It is even more crucial with hydroponically grown plants, because they are grown in a soilless medium and receive no nutrition at all from the medium. The plants rely on the gardener to supply them with plant food, which in hydroponics is called nutrient. (more…)

B’Cuzz Company offers a full line of exceptional hydroponic nutrients for you to use with your indoor gardening plants. This includes the popular Bloombastic plant nutrient and stimulant for exceptional growth. b’ cuzz also offers a host of other hydroponic nutrient solutions for you to try.

Bloombastic was formulated to provide the time-released nutrients your plants need for every stage of growth, from seedling through to maturity. If you wish to achieve the quickest growth that produces the nicest flowers and best-tasting fruit, then Bloombastic is a great choice in hydroponic nutrient for your indoor plants.

The company also offers Bloom Stimulant. This is a type of nutrient that will enhance your plants’ flower cell production and also allows for more efficient transport of sugar molecules to the flower itself, leading to beautiful flowers and superb-tasting, sweet fruit produced by the flowers on your plants. (more…)

Soil-less

You see fish nibbling on plants in an aquarium, and seaweeds in the ocean, and you observe—these plants can grow without soil. You call this technology, hydroponics. Hydroponics is also called soil-less gardening, soil-less culture, chemiculture, and water gardening.

Taken from two Greek words—“water” and “work”, hydroponics simply means growing plants without soil. Hydroponics system is used to grow plants without soil in water to which nutrients have been added. Thanks to the people who conducted experiments on the feasibility for growing commercial crops using the hydroponic system in the early 1900s—a century before that, hydroponics was just used as a research technique. (more…)

Hydroponic gardening is not just for professional cultivators anymore, although these professionals depend on hydroponic kits for indoor setups it is also a great way for beginners in indoor gardening. The hydroponic kits these days are build with plug and play features which makes them also suited for the beginners. Most manufacturers build there systems with specific features and we will take a closer look at them in this article.

Oxygen and Nutrients

Without Oxygen and the proper nutrients plants will not grow healthy, and that is why most manufacturers have accommodated their hydroponic kits with highly oxygenated nutrient solutions. They even use, in some cases, large sized aerator stones. These highly oxygenated solutions helps the roots and the plants to grow healthily and vigorously. The healthy growth is specifically influenced by the high content of oxygen in the nutrients. (more…)