Plant Gardens 101

Lighting is one of the essential aspects of hydroponic gardening. Indoor grow lights are commonly used in hydroponics to provide lighting to plants. This is because, for an indoor garden, indoor grow lights are a suitable alternative to sunlight.

There is a wide variety of indoor grow lights available. Here are some tips to help you choose the best lighting system for your needs:

High Intensity Discharge Lights

High intensity discharge lights or HIDs are electrical lights that are highly efficient. Depending on the spectrum of light they produce, they are classified into two types, i.e. metal halide (MH) and high pressure sodium (HPS). While MH lights provide light in the blue spectrum, which promotes leaf and shoot growth, HPS indoor grow lights are more suitable for flowering, as they emit red or orange light. Here are some tips to maximize the benefits of HID lights: (more…)

Hydroponics in Summer

Summer is synonymous with rising temperatures, which is the primary concern for most gardeners. Although most hydroponic gardens are indoors, excessive heat can still pose a problem. Summer brings with it other plant problems involving water and nutrient uptake, insect attacks, air circulation, etc. Gardening in summer requires you to check that your plants are growing properly and are not experiencing distress.

Tips for Growing Plants in Summer

Here are some tips to make your plants comfortable in summer and ensure their active growth using hydroponics:

Space: In summer, you may feel the need to bring your plants indoors especially if they are sensitive to the high temperatures. When growing plants indoors, it is better to invest in a grow room, which has been designed and tested to accommodate plants in an indoor setting without compromising on their growth. (more…)

Hydroponics is the technique of growing plants without soil. It works on the principle that plant growth can be optimized by controlling the conditions of growth. Towards this end, different hydroponic growing systems have evolved to suit different growing requirements. The choice of an appropriate hydroponic growing system depends on the type of plants, the scale of the growing unit, and the expense and time that the grower is ready to invest. Described below are some hydroponic growing systems:

Wick system. This is the most basic hydroponic growing system. It makes use of an absorbent ‘wick’ such as a nylon rope suspended between the growing medium of the plants and a reservoir of nutrient solution. The wick draws in nutrients based on how soon the plants absorb it. A suitably absorbent medium is needed for this system such as a combination of perlite with either vermiculite or coconut coir. This system can be built using simple materials at home and is ideal for hobby growers having few plants. (more…)

This amazing system can truly change the world. By setting up this system and following simple instructions you can grow your own fruits and vegetables. Hydroponics is growing plants with out soil and you can basically do it anywhere once you learn the steps of setting up your own system. Let’s talk about a few facts about hydroponics. Today, hydroponics is an established branch of agronomical science. Progress has been rapid, and results obtained in various countries have proved it to be thoroughly practical and to have very definite advantages over conventional methods of horticulture. The two chief merits of the soilless cultivation of plants are, first, much higher crop yields, and secondly, the fact that hydroponics can be used in places where ordinary agriculture or gardening is impossible. Thus not only is it a profitable undertaking, but one which has proved of great benefit to humanity. People living in crowded city streets, without gardens, can grow fresh vegetables and fruits in window boxes or on house tops. By means of hydroponics all such places can be made to yield a regular and abundant supply of clean, health-giving green stuff. Not only town dwellers, but also country residents have cause to be thankful to soilless culture. Deserts, rocky and stony land in mountainous districts or barren and sterile areas can be made productive at relatively low cost. It is difficult to exaggerate the importance of hydroponics for it has given a new lease of life to the landless worker. Other advantages include faster growth combined with relative freedom from soil diseases, and very consistent crops, the quality of produce being excellent. There is also a considerable reduction in growing area, weeds are practically non-existent, while standard methods and automatic operations mean less labor, less cost, and no hard manual work. Some plants can be raised, out of season, better control of crops naturally results in addition to no dirt and no smells. Water logging never occurs now. Chemically grown plants are not inferior to naturally reared ones in point of flavor, nor have analyses shown any deficiency in vitamin content. (more…)

Hydroponics uses several different types of lights for optimum plant growth. While using different grow lights, it is important to invest in a specialized digital ballast, which is a necessary component of any lighting circuit. Simply put, a ballast is an electronic component in a lighting system that controls the amount of current in a circuit. Without it, a grow light would fail to work.

Why Digital Ballasts
Earlier ballasts consisted of resistors, which is an inefficient way to control current, as it leads to loss of electricity. Modern digital ballasts limit current flow without wasting electricity. They also help to extend the lifespan of grow lights. Moreover, they help to reduce flickering, a common feature in older ballasts. Also, the performance of most conventional magnetic ballasts worsens after few years of operation, while digital ballasts provide a consistent lumen output and efficiency over its lifetime. As a bonus, digital ballasts offer noise-free operation and less startup time, or the time required to achieve full brightness. (more…)

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. (more…)

Botanicare is a line of products for hydroponic gardeners from American Agritech. Like most hydroponic formulas, Botanicare nutrients are engineered from synthetics as well as organics in order to provide maximum benefit from both. Botanicare products are one of the most comprehensive lines of nutrient supplements available for maximizing hydroponic plant health, yield and quality, and are available all over the world through the company’s international distribution network.

Among American Agritech’s product offerings are Botanicare Cocogro and Botanicare Pure Blend Pro. The former, Botanicare Cocogro, is described by the company as “the world’s most premium coir fiber” that is substantially lower in potassium and sodium. As the name suggests, Botanicare Cocogro is derived from the husks of coconuts. Coir fibers are the layer between the outer shell and the husk of the fruit (they are what give coconuts their “hairy” appearance). Because these have a relatively low cellulose content compared to say, cotton fibers, they are stronger and make for an ideal alternative to peat as a hydroponic medium and is resistant to the types of bacteria and fungi that are often a problem with sphagnum moss. Most of the coir fiber used in Botanicare Cocogro is imported from southern India, where it is allowed exposure to monsoon rains for least three years, and is available in a variety of packages. (more…)

Hydroponics systems offer a way for everyone, regardless of their location, to garden effectively. If you live on the top of a skyscraper, then hydroponics is for you, because it allows you to grow fruits, flowers and vegetables without any soil at all. If you live on the tundra, or in the desert, you are in luck as well, because hydroponics systems offer a way to grow all sorts of plants indoors, where you can control the climate. Although there are several different types of hydroponics systems available, one of the most popular ones is deep water culture, and a related method of indoor gardening called aeroponics.

Deep water culture is one of several types of hydroponics systems where the roots of the plants actually stay in the in the growing medium that is a solution, which is made up of water and plant food called nutrient. In deep water culture the plants receive needed oxygen even when the roots are submerged in water through the use of a aerator pump and air stones, which both help to oxygenate the water. Deep water culture requires equipment such as a container like a bucket, which holds the solution and plant roots. The top of the plant, called the crown, has to be held above the water or it will rot. This is accomplished usually by using a net suspended over the lid of the bucket with a hole cut out of the center of the lid. (more…)

Many gardeners are beginning to switch to Hydroponics gardening for many different reasons. These types of gardens are small and can easily be grown inside and are perfect for most vegetables, especially the red tomato. Also the equipment required for Hydroponics gardening is not expensive and they are relatively easy to manage.

Hydroponics gardening is the growing of plants without soil, in other words, “dirtless gardening”. There are many methods of Hydroponics gardening, most of which work better than regular soil gardening because it is easier to give the plant exactly what it needs when it needs it. Plants will only receive what you give them; therefore you will be able to regulate the pH, nutrients, nutrient strength, water amount, and light amount. This makes it imperative that you research the kind of plants you will be growing so you know what they need to survive.

Hydroponics gardening is only as difficult as you make it. It can be complicated if computers with sensors are used to control water cycles, nutrients, and light for the plants. However, it can also be as simple as a hand watered bucket with a single plant. The normal home Hydroponics system is usually made up of a few basic things: a growing tray, light (natural or artificial), a reservoir, a water controlled pump for watering (or some type of watering equipment), and some form of air pump to give oxygen to the nutrients. (more…)

One of the most recent developments in LED lighting in indoor gardening applications is the advent of the Led Supernova Grow Light. These grow light systems offer the most efficiency that will help your plants grow rapidly to maturity.

LED Grow Light Systems
LED stands for light-emitting diode. They have been around since the 1920s, but have come into their own in more recent years. When the diode is switched on, it releases energy in the form of light. Diodes can produce different colors of light based on the semiconductor’s energy gap. The diode is used with other optics to shape the light and cause it to reflect.

LED grow light systems take advantage of all that the power from these amazing diodes has to offer. LED lights use less energy and last longer than traditional light bulbs. They offer a brighter light coming from smaller-sized equipment. (more…)

THE BASICS OF HYDROPONICS.

What Do Your Plants Need?

All plants need the correct conditions in order to grow to their full potential. Plants grown using hydroponics systems are no exception to this basic rule. Like their soil grown cousins they need sufficient light of the correct wavelengths, a suitable temperature, an adequate water supply, enough oxygen, mineral nutrients and support for their structures.

• Sufficient light of the correct wavelengths, used by the plant at the growth stage it has reached, is essential for its survival. Plants use lots of light, at least 8 to 12 hours each day, in order to make carbohydrates from CO2 and water. Chlorophyll, the green colour in plants, absorbs the sunlight and uses its energy to synthesise these carbohydrates. This process is known as photosynthesis and is the basis for sustaining life in all plants. Because animals and humans get their food by eating plants, it can also be said to be the source of our life. Artificial lighting is generally a poor substitute for sunshine, because most indoor lights provide insufficient intensity to produce a mature crop. High intensity lamps such as high-pressure sodium lamps can provide more than 1,000 foot-candles of light. The hydroponic gardener can use these lamps very successfully in areas where sunlight is inadequate. The fixtures and lamps, however, are usually too expensive to be viable for a small commercial operation. It is important to allow adequate spacing between plants as this will ensure that each plant receives sufficient light in the grow-room. For example, tomato plants, pruned to a single stem, should be planted so as to give 4 square feet per plant, while European seedless cucumbers should be allowed 7 to 9 square feet and seeded cucumbers about 7 square feet. Lettuce plants need to be spaced 7 to 9 inches apart within the row and 9 inches between rows. Most other vegetables and flowers should be grown at the same spacing as recommended for a conventional garden.

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The Basics of Hydroponics Gardening.

What is hydroponics gardening?

Derived from the Latin Hydro, meaning water and Geoponics, meaning the study of agriculture, hydroponics is the science of growing plants using a solution of suitable nutrients instead of soil. Most types of plant can be grown very successfully using hydroponics.

In conventional gardening the plants are grown in soil and take their nourishment from the chemical compounds contained within that soil. The hydroponic gardener replaces the soil with a balanced, nutrient rich, solution that the plant can absorb with ease. Because the plant does not have to work so hard to absorb the available nutrients it saves energy which can then be utilised for stronger growth.

Because of this energy saving, plants grown using hydroponic methods outperform conventionally produced plants in both growth and fruit production. Due to the consistent results and good profit margins, more and more commercial growers are turning to hydroponic production. Totally organic production is possible using specially designed organic nutrients, giving excellent, inexpensive, vegetables and herbs. (more…)

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…)

As most expert gardeners know, there is a huge variety of pests and diseases ready to dine on your plants. There are also a few specific problems that are particular to effecting indoor growing.

Though hydroponics has many advantages over traditional soil growing, plants grown hydroponically are still subject to the same kind of diseases of soil-based plants. One of the biggest factors that determine your success in general hydroponics growing may very well be what steps you take to make sure your plants stay uninfected. If you take the following measures, your odds of having to deal with an epidemic in your grow room will decrease dramatically. (more…)