- Q. How Can I sterilize my
Hydroton Grow rocks so I can safely use them again?
A. To clean and sterilize
the rocks, soak them in a bath of h202 and water at a ratio of 1 liter - 100
liters of water and let them soak over night. Then rinse the rocks off with hot
water very thoroughly. If you really want to make sure there sterilized, you
can bake them at 250 F. The best recommendation is buy more clay rocks. They
are cheap and easy to
replace, so it's not worth the hassle to bake them.
- Q. Does using liquid seaweed
kelp actually help plant growth?
A. Kelp contains over 70
minerals and trace elements and is an excellent source of micronutrients. It
is excellent in an organic garden where synthetic chelates cannot be used.
It contains many different amounts of hormones, such as cytokinins. Kelp
contains high levels of sodium, so if your plants are sodium sensitive such
as lettuce, then use in moderation. Kelp is often used as a foliar spray and
is very effective.
- Q. What is the purpose of adding
dolomite lime to my medium?
A. It is used as a PH
stabilizer. It has a neutral PH of 7 and will never rise beyond 7. It is a
compound of magnesium and calcium mixed well in the medium. Before planting,
mix in to. Follow the manufacturer's suggested rate of application.
- Q. What is soiless mix? Why no
soil?
A.
Soilless mix is a popular growing
medium used by many people, and very popular amongst commercial greenhouses
and nurseries. It is usually a high porosity mixture of sphagnum moss,
prelate, wetting agent, pumice, vermiculite, coco fiber and dolomite lime.
It is very easy to work with and a favorite amongst gardeners worldwide.
- Q. What should my soil
temperature be?
A. Soil temperature should
range from 65 -75 F for optimal growth rate.
- Q. Can I put cuttings that are
started in rock wool into a soilless mix?
A. Yes, absolutely, plants
respond just fine with this style of transplant. Rock wool is nice to start
the cuttings in, and they transplant well into soilless mix. Rock wool
transplants well into most mediums.
- Q. What style of container
should I use? Long and deep or short and squat?
A. Since plants roots tend
to branch downward and penetrate deep rather than out the side, a long and
deep pot or container is best to grow in.
- Q. What size of container should
I use for my 3 foot high tomato plant?
A. I would recommend a 3
gallon container. An easy way to remember when transplanting is
approximately 1 gallon for every foot you plan on your plant growing. This is just an approximate, but you can be
the judge based on the plants size and dimensions.
- Q. Can I reuse my soilless mix
after harvesting a crop?
A. You can, but the
possibilities of fungal attack, soil born disease, pythium, and nutrient
build up are too high to risk. The soilless medium is cheap and easy to
replace, so I definitely recommend not reusing the soil less mix. Spend the
money and buy a new bale. Your plants will love you for it.
- Q. If my plants are in a soil
less, mix when should I water? Early day or later in the light
cycle?
A.
Always water early in the light cycle. This allows the plant to draw up some
of the moisture. Soaking them before the lights go out can be an open
invitation to fungal attacks and root rot. Moisture meters work great and
are great for indicating when the plant is in need of water or not. Moisture
Meters are usually inexpensive, around the $20 range and worth every penny.
- Q. Is it possible to over water
my plants?
A. Yes, this is a common
problem amongst indoor beginner gardeners. Too much water suffocates the
plants root system and deprives it of oxygen.
- Q. Does adding a wetting agent
to my nutrient solution help?
A. Yes, wetting agents
decrease surface tension, making the water more adhesive. Basically making
water wetter. This allows the water to penetrate through the soil right down
to the plant's root system. It is also extremely effective as a foliar spray
additive and works excellent with products such as neem oil.
- Q. What is the difference
between mobile and immobile nutrients?
A. Mobile nutrients are
nitrogen (N), Phosphorus (P), Potassium (K), Zinc and magnesium. These
nutrients are able to move themselves within the plant to go where they are
needed most. Immobile nutrients are boron(B), calcium(CA), chlorine(cl),
copper(cu), Cobalt(co), silicon(SI), sulfur(S) and molybdenum(mb) are not
able to move themselves within the plant. They stay in their place of origin
in the older leaves, causing the newer leaves to show signs of deficiency.
- Q. What is the difference
between Macro and Micro nutrients?
A. Macro nutrients are the
elements needed by the plant the most. That is nitrogen (N), Phosphorus (P),
and Potassium (K). They are the basic building block of plant growth. The
micro nutrients are often referred to as trace elements. They are required
in trace amounts.
- Q. What do the 3 numbers stand
for in a fertilizer mix for example, 20-20-20?
A. These numbers represent
the percentage of nitrogen (N), Phosphorus (P) and Potassium (K). These are
the 3 main elements in plant fertilizer.
- Q. How does N-P-K affect plant
growth?
A. Nitrogen (N) is required
in high amounts during the vegetative stage of growth and not so much during
the bloom stage. Nitrogen flushes away easily and is always in need of
replenishing during the vegetative period. It is also very important for
leaf and stem growth. Nitrogen is very active amongst young leaves, bud
shoots and shoots. Plants show signs of nitrogen deficiency with symptoms
like slower growth and yellowing amongst young leaves between the veins, progressing to the whole leaf, eventually leading it to
completely die and fall off. Phosphorus (P) is used in high amounts in
germination, cuttings, seedlings, and bloom stage. Phosphorus is very
important for vigor and seed production. It is very active in new growth and
root tips growth. Phosphorous deficiency resembles small dark blotchy leaves with stems and veins turning a
reddish color. Seed yield is drastically affected as well. Potassium (K) is
an element used in all stages of plant growth. Potassium will increase a
plants resistance to drought, disease, and mold. Potassium is very important
to a plant. It performs many functions such as regulating the stomata
opening for the plant to intake C02. It helps in root growth and increases
chlorophyll in the leaves. It is very important in production of starch and
sugars. Potassium deficiency often appears as weak and brittle stems, old
leaves die off at the tips, and plants become weak and often burdened with
disease. Unfortunately, potassium locks up easily in soil with a high salt
content.
- Q. I've read about mixing my
own fertilizer and would like to try it. Do you recommend this or should I just
purchase the pre mixed fertilizer?
A. Unless you have an
educated background in this field, I would suggest no. There are so many high
quality fertilizers on the market that have paid a lot of money to do
research into their product and they usually have PhD's working for them so
I would say it is safe to assume the probably know what they are doing and
will probably get the recipe down a lot better than the average Joe. But if
you really want to then why not, give it a try. If it is just a hobby you
have nothing to lose. You probably can download a good recipe off of the
internet based on what type of crop you intend to grow and you might just do
fine so if you really want to give it a try! If you are on a large scale
commercial operation you can hire a consultant that will help you set up a
feeding program that you will be able to blend your self. This will be much
more economical, but for the average home hobbyist would recommend just
buying a pre mixed fertilizer. It is much simpler and they work amazing.
- Q. How much dolomite lime do I
add to my soil to stabilize PH?
A. When planting, add one
cup of dolomite lime to each cubic foot of planting medium to stabilize the
PH and provide calcium and magnesium.
- Q. What is Mushroom compost?
A. Mushroom Compost is an
inexpensive potting soil and soil amendment that is packed with organic
goodies. Mushroom Compost is sterilized to provide a clean medium for
mushroom growth. After serving its purpose as a mushroom growing medium it
is discarded. After lying fallow for 2 years, mushroom compost is very
fertile and packed with beneficial organisms. The high powered compost could
also foster anti-fungicidal and anti-bacterial properties in foliage and
below the soil line, which helps guard against disease. It is packed with
bifacial bacteria that speed up nutrient uptake.
- Q. How can I control my soil
temperature?
A. Ideally the soil
temperature should be between 65-75 degrees fro the most chemical activity.
Warm the soil with heating cables or soil heat mats. Seedling heat mats are
ideal for this and can be purchased in our online store.
- Q. What is coconut fiber and
how does it work for growing?
A. Coconut fiber is also
called palm peat, coco peat, and coir. Coir is coconut pith, the fibery part
just under the heavy husk. Pith is soaked up in water up to nine months to
remove salts, natural resins and gums in process called "retting". Next they
beat the straw brown coir to extract the husk. Coir is biodegradable and an
excellent medium for propagation through flowering and fruit growth. Coir
holds lots of water while maintaining structure. It is durable, rot
resistant and a good insulator.
- Q. When is the best time to
water my plants? Day or night?
A. Water early in the day
so excess water can evaporate from soil surface and leaves. Leaving foliage
and soil wet overnight invites fungal attack
- Q. Should I allow any runoff
when watering my plants?
A. when you water your
plants you should have at least 25% runoff during each watering.
- Q. What is a "Mobile Nutrient"?
A. Mobile nutrients re-translocate
within a plant. They move to the specific part of the plant where they are
needed causing older leaves to show deficiencies first.
- Q. What is an "Immobile
Nutrient"?
A. Immobile nutrients stay
deposited in their original destination causing new young leaves to show
deficiencies first.
- Q. What are "Macro Nutrients"?
A. Macro Nutrients are the
elements plants use the most. Fertilizers show the NPK percentage in big
numbers on the packaging. These nutrients must be in an available form to
supply plants with the building blocks for rapid growth.
- Q. What is the purpose of
Nitrogen?
A. Plants love nitrogen and
require high amounts of it during the vegetative stage of growth and lower
levels during the balance of life. Nitrogen is easily flushed away and must
be replaced regularly, especially during vegetative stage of growth.
Nitrogen regulates the plants ability to make proteins essential for new
protoplasm in the cells. It is essential for the production of amino acids,
enzymes, nucleic acid and chlorophyll and alkaloids. This important nutrient
is mainly responsible for leaf and stem growth as well as size and vigor.
- Q. How can I tell if my plants
have a nitrogen deficiency?
A. Nitrogen is the most
common deficiency. Symptoms include slower growth; lower leaves cannot
provide chlorophyll and become yellow between the veins while veins remain
green. Yellowing progresses through the entire leaf, eventually causing it
to die and drop off. Stems and undersides may turn reddish purple, but this
could also be a sign of a phosphorus deficiency. Nitrogen is very mobile and
dissipates into the environment quickly and must be added regularly to
sustain fast growing gardens.
- Q. What will happen if I do not
have enough light in my room for the amount of plants I have growing?
A. When Light intensity is
too low plants will stretch for it. Low intensity can come from weak bulbs,
light being too far or poor reflectors. Dim light causes sparse foliage and
spindly branches with long internodal spacing. You can increase your yield
by giving growing area uniform light distribution. Uneven light distribution
causes strong branch tips to grow toward the light. Foliage in dimly lit
areas is shaded when light distribution is uneven.
- Q. I AM NEW TO HYDROPONICS.
WHAT DO I NEED TO START?
A. Hydroponics is a fun and
satisfying hobby that you will keep adding to your list of items. To start
you will need a hydroponic system, hydroponic nutrients, an inert hydroponic
media (may be dependant on type of hydroponic system), a light source
(natural or artificial), time and plants.
- Q. HOW DO I USE RAPID ROOTER
PLUGS FOR CUTTINGS?
A. Rapid Rooters work best
when in a 50-cell tray. Place a cutting in the small hole on the top of the
Rapid Rooter plug enough where the cutting will stand upright on its own.
Place the tray under proper lighting, then once multiple roots pop out the
cutting can then be transplanted into a hydroponic system or directly into
soil.
- Q. WHAT ARE COCOTEK PRODUCTS
MADE FROM?
A. CocoTek products are
made from all organic sources. Coconut fibers are spun together with natural
tree rubber to form the popular CocoTek products.
- Q. What Is IBA or rooting
Hormone?
A. Indole Butyric Acid is
the leading plant hormone used topromote growth of root formations in plant
growth aswell as generate new root growth on cuttings and seedlings.
- Q. WHAT ARE EXPANDED CLAY
PEBBLES?
A. Expanded clay pebbles
are used in hydroponics as a medium to support the plant. They are
chemically inert, do not affect pH and provide excellent drainage. They are
made from a special type of clay, which is heated to a high temperature
causing it to pop like popcorn.
- Q. WHAT IS THE BEST WAY TO
CALIBRATE A TDS OR EC METER?
A. Standard reference
solutions are used. The bottles are marked with the conductivity (EC) value
in micro Siemens/cm and the corresponding ppm values for sodium chloride (NaCl)
and potassium chloride (KCl) solutions, and sometimes for a "442" reference
mixture. The conductivity of sodium chloride solutions is close to that of
hydroponic mineral nutrients, so a "1000-ppm NaCl" standard is most
frequently used when calibrating the meter for hydroponic solutions. You
should follow the calibration instructions in the manual, which the
manufacturer of your meter provided.
- Q. WHAT DOES A TDS OR EC METER
MEASURE?
A. The electrical
conductivity (EC) of your nutrient results from motion of mineral ions when
the meter applies an electrical voltage. The ppM value of a sodium chloride
solution happens to be very close to half of its conductivity value (in
microSiemens/cm), so many meters display the conductivity as an equivalent
NaCl amount
- Q. HOW DO I CONVERT BETWEEN TDS
AND EC READINGS?
A. To obtain an approximate
sodium chloride TDS value, multiply the EC reading (in micro Siemens/cm) by
1000 and divide by 2. To get an EC value, multiply the ppm reading by 2 and
divide by 1000. Thus, if your EC is 1: 1*1000/2= 500 ppm. And if your ppm is
500: 500*2/1000= 1 EC
- Q. HOW DOES THE TASTE OF
HYDRPONIC PRODUCE COMPARE WITH SOIL GROWN PRODUCE?
A. Hydroponic produce
frequently exceeds soil grown produce in terms of flavor and nutrition. This
is because all of the nutrients required by the plant are immediately
available when the plant needs them.
- Q. WHY IS GROWING HYDROPONICLY
BETTER THAN GROWING IN SOIL?
A. Hydroponic produce is
cleaner than its soil grown counterpart, and the grower has the ability to
adjust the nutrient feed for maximal growth and yield in the shortest time.
- Q. IS FLORANOVA SERIES ORGANIC?
A. FloraNova Grow and Bloom
contain 3-5% organic substances creating the marriage between mineral and
organic gardening.
- Q. CAN I FOLIAR FEED WITH GH
NUTRIENTS?
A. Of course. Make sure you
use a weaker nutrient solution than you would for root feeding. Avoid foliar
feeding in the heat of the day and under excessive sunlight. Generally, the
best times to foliar feed are in the early morning and late afternoon. Make
sure you spray the undersides of the leaves. This is where the stomata or
"lungs of the plant" are located, and where maximum absorption occurs.
- Q. CAN GH NUTRIENTS BE USED IN
SOIL?
A. Absolutely! All of our
nutrient blends contain the necessary elements for plant growth. Start with
the formula ratios identified on the label for the specific plant or crop
you are growing, and then adjust and experiment until you find the right
formula for your specific need.
- Q. DO I USE FLORANOVA GROW AND
FLORANOVA BLOOM AT THE SAME TIME?
A. Yes and no. The
FloraNova series is designed to use one part at a time, but in a time of
transition it may be beneficial to mix the two at half strength each (makes
a full strength nutrient solution). Use FloraNova Grow in the vegetative
stage and FloraNova Bloom in the fruiting/flowering stage. Note: If your
plant is not fruiting or flowering plant, FloraNova Grow is all that you
will need to use.
- Q. DO I USE MAXIGROW AND
MAXIBLOOM AT THE SAME TIME?
A. Yes and no. The Maxi
series is designed to use one part at a time, but in a time of transition it
may be beneficial to mix the two at half strength each (makes a full
strength nutrient solution). Use MaxiGro in the vegetative stage and
MaxiBloom in the fruiting/flowering stage. Note: If your plant is not
fruiting or flowering plant, MaxiGro is all that you will need to use.
- Q. What is better for a carbon
filter? A Can Filter or ODORSOK ?
A. With Carbon filters you
are getting what you pay for. Can Filters will last alot longer then an
ODORSOK but cost alot more. ODORSOK's work excellent but will not last
aslong as CanFilter. Both work excellent but CanFilter will last longer so
in the long run will be your best bet, if your on a tight budget and need a
quick reliable fix to odor problems then the ODORSOK is an excellent choice.
- Q. CAN-FILTERS- Do I need to
replace the pre-filter?
A. It is a good idea to
replace the pre-filter when they become dirty because the pre filter is
blocking larger dirt and dust particles from getting into the pore structure
of the carbon, a dirty pre filter increases the pressure, which will
decrease the flow through the filter.
- Q. CAN-FILTERS - What is the
Maximum Temperature/Humidity I can run my filter at?
A. The maximum recommended
temperature that you can run your filter at is 80 Degrees Centigrade, and as
soon as your start rising above 70% humidity, the water molecules in the air
start to get stuck in the carbon pore structure and slowly diminish the life
of the filter.