Hydroponic - Part 2

There are many advantages to hydroponics, the popular soilless gardening system. It is a way to practice indoor gardening when gardening outdoors is not an options, such as in remote locales like Antarctica, outer space, or even in an apartment building high above your city. Because hydroponics uses no soil, plants are not bothered by diseases that incubate in the soil, and neither are they crowded out by weeds. Because the environment is strictly controlled in order to produce the best results with the plants being grown, hydroponics gardening usually uses less water, energy and fewer pesticides while requiring less space than conventional outdoor gardening. Hydroponic kits take all the guesswork out of growing indoors, because all of the major components are included.

What are some of the different hydroponic kits available?

1. Deep water culture. kits

One method of hydroponics is deep water culture. The crown of the plant is suspended over the nutrient solution by a net. The net is placed in a hole in the center of a plastic lid, which fits on top of a plastic bucket. The roots remain in the solution to soak up nutrients, which is the plant’s food. In order for plants to thrive with this gardening method, the solution must be aerated in some manner, because the movement of the liquid helps to bring the nutrient to the plant roots, allowing them to feed and oxygenates the liquid as well.

You can have one bucket or several buckets linked together in deep water culture gardening. When several buckets are used, the water is typically recirculated through all of them using spray nozzles, which helps to aerate the liquid.

2. Aeroponic gardening kits

Aeroponics is a subset of hydroponics where plants’ roots, rather than being suspended in the liquid nutrient, are instead suspended in air. The roots are regularly misted with nutrient, as an alternative to floating in solution typically found in hydroponics systems. Plants grow very quickly using this type of growing system.

3. Ebb and Flow kits

This method of hydroponics was inspired by large farms that use irrigation as a means for watering outdoor crops. With ebb and flow kits, there is a pan of nutrient solution and above this pan is a tray that holds plants that are planted into some type of growing medium, such as rockwool or coir. A pump is called into play to fill the tray holding the plants with nutrient solution, and after it fills the solution drains back down into the pan. Because of the movement of the solution into and out of the tray, ebb and flow provides its own means of aeration of the nutrient solution.

Susan Slobac shares her experience with indoor gardening and hydroponics. As a certified master gardener, Susan has a vast amount of experience using a variety of the most popular hydroponic kits.

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Hydroponic Gardens “Grow” Crazy With General Hydroponics Nutrients

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.

In addition to their semi-liquid products, General Hydroponics manufactures a powdered product known as Kool Bloom. This product is engineered to promote flowering in such plants, particularly tomatoes, by increasing the amount of phosphorus and potassium that is available. Again, consumers report amazing results, but like many General Hydroponics nutrients, a little goes a very long way; overuse of this substance can result in “bloom burn.” Nonetheless, these are excellent products in general; hydroponic farmers will find little to complain about when it comes to products made by General Hydroponics, provided they are used judiciously and according to instructions.

About the Author : From years of indoor and hydroponic gardening, Susan Slobac has developed an in-depth knowledge of gardening nutrients such as general hydroponics and writes frequently on the subject

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Hydroponic Nutrient Review 3

www.youtube.com Check out this site for more heartfelt endorsements of Advanced Nutrients products by growers who attended the recent THC Expo in LA Youll get hydroponic nutrients comparison as well as hydroponic nutrients facts. How cool is that?

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What nutrient product should I use for my hydroponic tomatoes.?

I just built a hydroponic setup for my tomatoes. I have a few questions. How high should my water level be? What additive should I use in my water? And how long/often/and at night? should I run my pump?
My medium is going to be Hydroton if that helps at all.

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Hydroponic Systems 400w Switchable Grow Lights

www.myfreeauction.com hydroponics hydroponic systems hydroponic top drip feed systems 400w switchable MH HPS grow lights tophydro Top Hydro Hydroponics Hydroponic Closet Systems.

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Green Air 93120 Hydroponic Garden Grow #1 Nutrient Solution, 16-Ounce

The green growth component of the Hydroponics Nutrient Solution
Grow #1 contains nitrate nitrogen which makes it especially desirable for steady, compact, dark green growth
Use for house plants, other long term plants, and for plants growing in low light conditions; This formula is often preferred for rockwool mediums, to maintain a stable nutrient pH
Grow #1 also provides high calcium, often deficient in other commercially available fertilizers
This formula is often preferred for rockwool mediums, to maintain a stable nutrient pH

Product Description
The green growth component of the Hydroponics Nutrient Solution. Grow #1 provides nitrate nitrogen, potassium, and calcium. Some plant varieties and growth conditions respond best to non-ammoniacal nitrate nitrogen formulas. This mix is specially blended to provide additional nitrogen for the foliage stage of leaf and stem growth…. More >>

Green Air 93120 Hydroponic Garden Grow #1 Nutrient Solution, 16-Ounce

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Demo of new Sure To Grow hydroponic product in development

Matt the Grower demos a new STG product currently in development. Great for flood and drain systems, aeroponic systems and almost any other hydroponic system out there. Virtually impossible to overwater, doesn’t have a pH issue, inert, sterile… But what should we call it? Let us know at www.suretogrow.com

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Latest Hydroponic Nutrient Auctions

Hey, check out these auctions:

Cool, arent they?

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Homemade Hydroponics – How to grow monster cucumber plants using STG and 3.5″ net pots

Matt “The Grower” Geschke’s three little babies are all grown up. Take a good look at what good media, good nutrients and good growing practices can do for you.

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How can I operate a hydroponic vegetable garden in my garage?

It seems to me that garage-based hydroponics might be more effective than planting a victory garden. In a moderate climate, what does it take to operate a hydroponic vegetable garden at home?

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Hydroponic Basics

ISBN13: 9781878823250
Condition: NEW
Notes: Brand New from Publisher. No Remainder Mark.

Product Description
This simple, little book is packed with information on hydroponic gardening. The graphic color, layout, and design helps guide a hydroponic gardener through basic plant science and environment to purchasing a garden and appropriate supplies. Plans for making your own hydroponic garden, nutrient deficiencies, plant problems, and growing a garden, beginning to end, are all included in this invaluable guide…. More >>

Hydroponic Basics

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Hydroponic Airstone?

The one that came with the kit is small should i buy a larger one to stretch the length of the tank. (it is a 3 plant system)

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Main Types of Hydroponic Systems

A few centuries ago, the only way you could grow a plant without a soilless base was to suspend it over a pool of water mixed with nutrients, that would act as the feeding grounds replacing the earth’s diet. Nowadays, we have wick systems, ebb and flows, drips, aeroponics, the nutrient film technique and many more, which only shows how far in this field we have gone. And because the offer is often so varied, it’s confusing for the newcomer hydroponic gardener. Picking the right hydroponic systems is a tough job, so here are a little tips to help you know the difference:

Wick Hydroponic Systems

The wick system operates under very simple parameters, in that it’s passive, with no moving parts attached to it. A wick is used to draw nutrients from the reservoir and into the growth tray and it’s a fully automated procedure that takes little effort from you.

Water Culture Hydroponic Systems

Like I said in the introduction, the water culture was the first type of system invented in hydroponics. It stands on fairly straightforward principles: a reservoir filled with nutrient solution, atop of which the gardener places a floating platform that can hold several planters (or cups, or something similar). The roots of the plant that you “install” will be drowned in the nutrient solution, with the rest of the plant being held by the planters.

Drip and Ebb and Flow Hydroponic Systems

Ebb and flow hydroponic systems can be found everywhere and together with their younger brother, the drip system, they make up the majority of hydroponic gardens in the World. Both types of systems work on basically the same principles: a growth tray is attached atop a nutrient container. Nutrients are flooded into the growth tray by a pump, they are absorbed by the plants and the excess solution that couldn’t be absorbed is drained down into the nutrient container, recycling it for future use.

Nutrient Film Technique Hydroponic Systems

Another popular hydroponic system, the NFT uses a constant flow of nutrients to wash out the plants’ roots, feeding them in the process. Because this system uses no growth media for the roots, it allows for better oxygenation and it has low maintenance costs in the long run. Just like the ebb and flow or drip systems, the nutrient film technique floods the growth tray (where the plants’ roots are dangling in) then drains the excess back to the reservoir. Like with the above mentioned hydroponic systems, this kind of nutrient recycling is a great way to save nutrients, but unfortunately it also creates pH instability in the reservoir, which leads to more complicated problems later on.

Aeroponic Systems

Although not hydroponic systems per se, aeroponics use some of the basic principles in water-based soilless plant growth, but use air vapors instead. Plants are usually suspended on top of a reservoir in aeroponic systems, with the container being tightly sealed. A mechanism creates vapors out of nutrient solution and sprays the result in the reservoir, engulfing the dangling plant roots. This helps them acquire nutrients faster but also allows for some great oxygenation capabilities, which cause your plant to grow heavily.

For more information visit Hydroponics for beginners and intermediates

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Measuring and Adjusting Your Hydroponic Nutrients

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 plant’s 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 plant’s 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, measures 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.

If you want to optimize your nutrient uptake, you should also purchase a pH level reader and regularly check the pH level of both your grow media and your nutrient solution. PH is measured on a scale of 1 to 14, with 7 considered neutral and 1 being the most acid and 14 being the most alkaline. The optimal pH of your nutrient solution should be as close to 5.6 pH as possible.

To ensure an accurate reading, measure the balance a couple of hours after you add or adjust your nutrient solution. When adjusting the pH level, you should make very small adjustments and be very cautious. Overcompensating for a pH imbalance can make your nutrient solution too acid or alkaline, which in turn can harm your plants. Acid and alkaline concentrates can be notoriously potent, and a common beginners mistake is to underestimate how these substances will affect your pH balance.

If you want to be extra cautious, you can experiment with the concentrates by using them in a tank of water before you use them on your nutrient solution. That way you can better understand just how dramatically they can affect your pH balance, and ultimately affect how your plants will receive your hydroponic nutrients.

Michael Straumietis is co-founder of Advanced Nutrients, an international marketer and manufacturer of agricultural, home & garden, hydroponics and soil less fertilizers and plant nutrients. If you would like to know more about hydroponic nutrients, discover the Advanced Epedia at http://www.advancednutrients.com.

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Latest Grow Hydroponic Auctions

Hey, check out these auctions:
450 LED Hydroponic Grow Light 2 Panels = 28w Red/Blue

US $62.99
End Date: Friday Sep-10-2010 5:08:48 PDT
Buy It Now for only: US $62.99
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Cool, arent they?

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Invaluable Safety Tips for Your Hydroponic Grow Lights

One of the biggest and most important investments you will make as a hydroponic grower will be your grow lights. The quality and type of your grow lights may very well determine how successful your hydroponic garden is. The grow lights used for hydroponics are just as safe as any standard lighting in your house, but it still pays to be cautious when setting up and using these lights. Here are a few tips you can use to make sure your grow lights don’t pose a hazard to you and your garden.

1. Make sure your grow lights don’t have damaged cords

In the interests of cost, it can sometimes be tempting to purchase lights on eBay or from a friend second hand. It is very common for these kinds of lights to have worn cords and exposed wiring, often covered with nothing more than flimsy electrical tape. Besides increasing the risk of fire, an exposed cord may also cause electrical shock if touched, which can easily result in a trip to the emergency room. For your own safety, make certain that the electoral wires are not exposed and always purchase your grow lights brand new when starting or expanding your hydroponic garden. Buying new might even save you money in the long run because you will have to replace them less often.

2. Neatly Organize Your Cords

If your cords are placed in a tangled mess on your walkway, they might pose a tripping hazard. If they are placed too close to certain high heat lights, they might expose the wires and create a fire hazard. Cords should be placed away from lights and anywhere else that might cause damage. If you have several lamps, it might be a good idea to use tape to bundle the cords together so they are not splayed all over the floor.

3. Don’t Have Your Grow Lights On Continuously

Which the exception of seedlings, which can benefit from twenty-four hour light, it is generally a bad idea to leave your lights on all the time. The purpose of grow lights is to simulate natural sunlight and leaving the light on all the time will not only cause harm to your plants, it will also unnecessarily run your electrical bills up and increase your risk of fire. For most plants, you should use a timer to expose your plants to light eighteen hours a day and darkness six hours a day. If you want to expose your seedlings to constant light, choose a low heat light source to minimize risk, such as fluorescent grow lights or LED grow lights

4. Don’t expose your indoor grow lights to water

The most common grow light related accidents happen with water. Electricity and water don’t mix, so you need to be extra cautious when using both to make your hydroponic garden function. Make certain that all your reservoirs and tanks don’t have any cracks or tears that might causes water to leak out and reach the wires. Don’t give any water that drains from your plants the opportunity to touch anything electrical in your garden. Also, make sure to place your electrical ballast on a shelf mounted high on the wall where splashing water cannot reach it.

Michael Straumietis is co-founder of Advanced Nutrients and an expert in hydroponics, plant nutrition & soil sciences. If you would like to know more about grow lights, read the feature article in the hydroponics gardening section at http://www.advancednutrients.com.

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HYDROPONIC DEEP WATER CULTURE AEROPONICS HOW TO BUILD INDOOR AERO GARDEN LIKE

This video shows the very basic concept of hydroponic deep water culture. PLease email me for plans and custom built systems.

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Cultivating Cannabis Consistently: A Hydroponic How To

Product Description
Cultivating Cannabis Consistently – A Hydroponic How To focuses on improving marijuana via Indoor Hydroponics. The techniques mentioned in this book are for the medicinal uses of cannabis and for those legally able to grow it. Indoor-Hydroponic -Marijuana gardening is a lot like building a house, you have all the necessary supplies to build the house: wood, nails, brick mortar and equipment. You have your blue prints, but this does not make a house. It makes a pile … More >>

Cultivating Cannabis Consistently: A Hydroponic How To

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