Plant Gardens 101

Anyone in the nursery profession knows that come spring, you have to be able to keep up with the demand of shoppers wanting to buy new plants. In order to produce the numbers of plants needed, one needs an efficient way to propagate plants quickly and cost effectively. Cloning kits are the perfect solution for this sort of propagation dilemma. When used as part of an aeroponics system, cloning kits work together and utilize much of the same equipment to both produce new plants and grow them on to maturity and presentation on your sales tables.

An aeroponics system allows you to grow plants without the expense of needing a growing medium. Plants are grown in the air using this very efficient growing system. Pumps are used to create a misting spray of nutrient solution that dampens the plant roots; this feeds the plants and, combined with the large amount of oxygen the roots are exposed to, causes the plants to reach maturity very quickly. (more…)

Now that spring is here, those in the horticultural/nursery trade have gardeners roaming their store aisles, purchasing new plants for their gardens. It is the nursery owner’s job to make sure that their tables are always well stocked with a variety of plants that appeal to home gardeners. In addition, there are always special events such as home and garden shows and plant sales that require a large inventory of young plants. This is when you will want to give serious consideration to using an aeroponic cloner to help you produce new plants quickly. Aeroponic cloning is the fast way to produce sturdy young plants easily. An aeroponics cloner is also useful when you are using hydroponic kits, which need new plants frequently.

An aeroponics cloner uses the same mechanisms for aeroponic gardening in order to get plant cuttings to take root. The cuttings are held suspended in air, and a misting system is used that sprays the bottom of the cuttings with a fine spray of rooting hormone. Because conditions are very clean and completely suited to rooting cuttings, you can expect your cuttings to show good roots in as little as five to ten days. After this, the young plants can be grown on in an aeroponics gardening system, or transferred to hydroponic kits, where the plants will grow in a growing medium, or they can be potted up in soil in individual four-inch or one-gallon sized pots for retail sales. (more…)

All plants, because of their need for photosynthesis, require appropriate light in order to ensure their proper growth and maturation. Indoor gardeners use indoor grow lights to supply the illumination necessary. There are a wide variety of indoor grow lights available, including LED grow lights, HPS grow lights, and even discount grow lights. There are some differences among indoor grow lights, so it pays to do a little research before you invest in them.

HPS Grow Lights
HPS grow lights, referencing high pressure sodium, are a type of HID, or high intensity discharge, light. Although a compact light bulb, they are capable of producing a lot of light, and thus their appeal to indoor gardeners. HPS lights give off light in the red to orange color spectrum, making it the lamp of choice for helping to coax your mature plants to bear fruit or flowers. HPS lamps need to be used in conjunction with a ballast, a piece of equipment that controls the flow of electricity to and through the lamp. The lamps are popular because they last a long time and are efficient to run.
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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…)

There are many different types of grow lights available for indoor gardening. You will see HID, high intensity discharge; MH, metal halide; and HPS, high pressure sodium, grow lamps advertised for use in greenhouses and all types of indoor plant growing situations. led grow lights are also now available, and offer a superior solution to indoor plant lighting than was previously available.

Lightweight

The LED grow light is quite a bit lighter in weight than other types of traditional grow lamps. This is because HID, MH and hps lights all require the use of a ballast in order for them to function properly. Reflectors, to cast a larger pool of light on the plants, are also used with hps light bulbs and others, adding to the bulk of the equipment. Because the lights are usually suspended in some fashion over the plants, weight is an important consideration, especially if lights must be regularly raised and lowered for plant maintenance chores, such as watering, to occur, as well as an appropriate distance from the plants to be adhered to. With certain high-end LED grow lights, they come with built-in fans, negating the need for air-cooled reflectors and ducting. (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…)

UFO led lighting is a fairly recent development in indoor gardening lighting. It takes the power of tiny LED lights and combines and configures them in such a way as to produce indoor light perfectly suited for growing plants. There are many types of indoor gardening applications where the ufo led grow light can be beneficial.

Seed Starting and the UFO LED Light
Many different types of seeds benefit from the application of appropriate light during the seed germination process. Seeds such as lettuce, mullein and evening primrose achieve germination only when light is applied. If they are outside in the garden, they rely on natural sunlight, but if indoors, it is up to the gardener to apply the light they need. The UFO LED light is suited to this purpose, because it not only offers the bright light needed for germination, but in the case of lettuce, which requires cooler soil and air temperatures for germination to occur, the LED UFO grow light produces no heat. This allows you to more easily control the air and soil temperatures so you can achieve the best germination rate for your seed. You can do this without the added expense of fans and vents, which are typically used with other types of lighting. (more…)

If you are a commercial plant grower or hydroponic gardener, you know that speed in getting your plants from seedlings to marketable size rapidly means the difference between making a profit and not. If you are a home gardening aficionado, you want to get your seedlings off to a great start in order to have your flower and vegetable starts ready to plant out when the weather warms up in spring. For all these uses, high output LED grow lights offer an indoor garden lighting solution that leads to healthy plants that grow rapidly.

Color Temperature and led grow lights for plants (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…)

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…)

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…)

B’Cuzz is the plant nutrient company that brings you useful plant nutrients and biological stimulants like Bloombastic, a variety of hydroponic nutrients that cause plants to grow quickly to achieve maximum bloom and fruit production. Now you do not have to wait as long to enjoy your flowers or fruits, because your indoor plants can achieve maturity much more quickly with help from bloombastic. (more…)

If you are looking for a versatile nutrient booster that will help your plants achieve more flowers and ripened fruit with a speed not normally seen, Bloombastic could be the nutrient for you. Produced by the B’Cuzz Company, Bloombastic, also known as Atami Bloombastic, is a wonderful nutrient additive that can be used in hydroponics, aeroponics or in traditional soil gardening.

If you are a commercial grower, you know that the sooner you can get a plant from seed to fully mature plant, the quicker you will realize a profit. Even if you are a home gardener, you look forward with fervent hope to the day your plants are mature and in full fig. (more…)

An indoor herb garden grown by an aeroponic system is a rewarding experience for those looking to not only begin a wonderful new hobby but also craving fresh herbs to serve friends and family. You may not realize it but growing plants and herbs through aeroponic hydroponics offer a great deal of benefits. Aeroponic kits produce great tasting herbs that bring out mouth watering flavors of your cooking and also produce herbs with medicinal value, as well.

Aeroponic gardening is still relatively new and not many people are aware of it and its many benefits. One thing people do agree on is that once they learn more about it, they all agree it is an interesting process for growing plants without soil. An aeroponic system uses the environment to grow its plants. (more…)

Light weight, cost efficiency for many years of use, and bright clean light is what the UFO LED grow light will bring to your indoor gardening setup. The UFO LED utilizes special light emitting diode technology to bring you the ultimate grow light on the market today.

The first benefit you will get when you make the switch to a UFO LED light is the quality of light this small unit can produce. A UFO LED uses the power of LED to produce more light than would be given by a four-hundred watt high high pressure sodium, or HPS, grow light. It does this while using only eighty watts of energy, making it very cost efficient in terms of the lumens of light produced compared to the watts of energy needed to produce the light.

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LED refers to light emitting diodes, and they are the latest type of light bulb to make an impact on all types of lighting today. With regard to using LED lamps and LED grow lights with plants, there are many reasons why they are beneficial. They are small and lightweight, yet produce an amazing amount of light that is specifically usable by plants for photosynthesis. They run cool, eliminating the need for expensive cooling equipment, and they run on much less electricity than traditional HID, HPS or MH grow lights. This is why many gardeners are selecting LED grow lights, but knowing a bit about how the lights work will help you in selecting the correct LED bulbs for your indoor garden.

Plants need light from different parts of the light spectrum in terms of color temperature in order to grow well and thrive. Young seedlings need light that will help them to grow into sturdy, mature plants, and that type of light is blue spectrum. Once mature, plants can be induced to produce flowers and fruits by growing them under red and orange spectrum lights.

Knowing this, you can be quite selective in terms of the LED lamps that you choose. Many traditional bulbs offer only one part of the light spectrum, and if it is the wrong part of the spectrum for what your plants require, the plants will not thrive in an indoor setting. This can be alleviated with the use of LED bulbs.

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People who enjoy indoor gardening are looking for good, bright light for their plants. In addition, they want light fixtures that are light in weight, yet offer excellent light coverage. All of these great features are available in the UFO LED. Although it looks small and round, rather like an unidentified flying object, nevertheless the UFO LED grow light provides amazing light at a cost-effective price.

Roughly the same size as a bread plate, the UFO LED light runs on only eighty watts of electricity yet puts out more bright light than a four-hundred watt high pressure sodium or metal halide lamp. HID, or high intensity discharge, lights, on the other hand, require seventy to eighty percent more electricity to run them at the same light capacity as the UFO LED.

Not only does it use a fraction of the energy that other grow lamps use, but it also runs very cool. This is because the LED grow lights comes with three fans built in, so you will not need to purchase air-cooled ducting or reflectors and will dramatically reduce your air conditioning costs as well. A cooler running UFO LED light also ensures that you will not burn your tender plant foliage, a common problem with other types of grow lights.

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