Growing Tips
Things you need to know covers all of the little things that other stores overlook -- and we put importance to.
Hydroponic gardening can be an excellent way to grow a large amount of fruits, vegetables, and herbs in a limited area. However, it's much more than just growing plants in a water-nutrient system without soil. There are many variables, all of which depend on the space available, your budget, and how much time is available to spend on maintenance. Here are some tips that will help to make your hydroponic experience pleasant and productive.
Hydroponic and Organic Growing Tips
Following these tips and having a basic understanding of them will help ensure your likelihood of a successful harvest. We are here to educate you in these areas and are more than happy to share our experiences with you.
» The Right Environment:
Having the right environment is critical for your garden. Key elements
to a successful garden room include relative humidity, temperature,
CO2 (Carbon Dioxide) and air circulation/exchange. The ideal humidity
for a garden room falls between 40 & 60 percent. Some plants like
higher humidity, but be aware that higher humidity can lead to
problems with fungus and disease.
Temperatures in your grow room should be between 68- 75 F degrees.
Temperature changes will lead to variations in humidity levels. Avoid
drastic temperature changes over a short period of time. Your plants
need CO2 to grow. Assuming you have good air circulation/ exchange,
your garden room will naturally have between 300-400 PPM (parts per
million) of CO2; higher CO2 levels should accelerate growth rates. If
you choose not to supplement CO2 in your garden room, it is important
to address the air circulation/exchange so that your plants will
receive fresh CO2.
» Good Water:
The water you use for your plants will determine how well your plants
will grow, regardless of what you add in terms of nutrients and
supplements. PPM (parts per million) or EC (electrical conductivity)
are the measurement of the salts in a solution. Neither PPM nor EC
readings will tell you what is in your solution / water, but rather
are indicators of the solutions ability to conduct electricity.
Ideally, you want to start of with a low PPM or EC then you can add
nutrients specified to your plants requirements. You can reduce the
PPM of your water using a Reverse Osmosis Unit, then build your
nutrient solution around what your plants need. pH (potential
hydrogen) measures the acidity or alkalinity of your solution on a
scale of 0 - 14. A solution is considered acidic below 7 and basic at
7 or higher. When working with hydroponics you typically want your pH
to fall between 5.8 and6.2. When growing in soil or coco you want your
pH between 6.0 and 6.8. The most important rule to remember with pH is
to avoid extremes. Nutrient lockout occurs with high and low pH
levels.
» Proper Nutrients:
Nutrients come in organic and synthetic varieties and are available in
both liquid and dry form. Nutrients can be separated into two
categories, macro and micro nutrients. The macronutrients are
nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, magnesium and sulfur. The
micronutrients or trace nutrients include iron, manganese, boron,
zinc, copper, molybdenum and chlorine. If the nutrients are deficient
or are abundant you may see burning, curling or yellowing. You do not
want to over or under fertilize. There are many different types of
nutrients/fertilizers available on the market. You can purchase
organic, synthetic (chemical) or a combination of both. Most
nutrients/fertilizers will have an N-P-K (Nitrogen, Phosphorus, and
Potassium) on the front of the bottle. In the vegetative or growth
stage the "N" will typically be higher. In the flowering or bloom
stage the "P" will typically be higher. You may also consider
implementing additives/supplements into your nutrient mix.
Additives/supplements can bolster microbial activity at the root zone,
increase size, flavor and aroma. When used together, nutrients and
supplements will help you achieve maximum results.
» Lighting: High Intensity Discharge (HID) is the preferred lighting in a garden room. The two types of HID lighting commonly used are HPS (High Pressure Sodium) and MH (Metal Halide). HPS lamps deliver more of an orange/ red spectrum, which is ideal for most plants in the flowering/bloom stage. MH lamps deliver more of a blue/green spectrum, which is ideal for most plants in the vegetative/growth stage. Another type of lighting ideal for plant growth is T5 lighting. T5 lighting is a high-output fluorescent light with low heat and minimal energy consumption. It is an ideal light for cuttings, mother plants and short growth cycles. All plants require light in order to grow and bloom. Most plants grow and bloom according to the amount of light they are given. In the growth or vegetative stage plants typically want 15-18 hours of light. In the bloom stage you reduce the amount of light your plants get to 10-12 hours. You want to make sure the light comes on and of at the same time everyday (just like mother- nature). The best way to accomplish this is by putting your light on a timer. Please consult your nearest hydroponic retail store for more information on which light is best for you.
» Test Equipment:
There are many different meters available for testing pH, PPM, EC,
temperature, humidity, CO2 and light levels. Single meters are
available as are combination meters that test and/or monitor your
environmental conditions The important thing to remember is your
garden will only be as good as the limiting factor. Water, nutrient,
light, temperature, humidity, CO2 & circulation are the elements to a
successful garden room.