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. There then are some tips that will help to make your
hydroponic experience pleasant and productive.
Get Your Plants Off to a Good Start
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. There then are some tips that will help to make your hydroponic experience pleasant and productive.
Ideal temperatures and humidity levels can vary with different plant species. Most growers aim for temperatures in the upper 70’s and humidity around 50%. Higher humidity is used for cuttings and seedlings.
The Right Light
As mentioned above, different plants have different requirements - and a single plant has different light needs at different stages. In general, a plant that is in the growth stage needs more blue spectrum light, whereas a plant that is flowering or fruiting uses more of the red spectrum.
Metal halide (MH) lights are good for the former, while High Pressure Sodium (HPS) lights work better during the latter stage. T5 fluorescent lights can be used for vegetative growth. LED technology has proven effective for growing, but only the most high-end units actually perform. Most LED systems on the market will give you weak results, if you even make it to harvest.
Proper Nutrients
All plants require some sixteen different mineral nutrients in order to reach their full potential. These fall into the category of either micronutrients or micronutrients. Important macronutrients include nitrogen (N), which aids in the growth of new leaves; phosphorus (P), needed for root growth and bloom; potassium (K) for biomass and disease resistance; calcium (Ca), which promotes plant strength; and magnesium (Mg), the ions of which are an important component of chlorophyll, the substance that aids in photosynthesis. Minerals such as boron (B), copper (cu), cobalt (Co), iron (Fe) and zinc (Zn) are micronutrients that are necessary in trace amounts.
Get Your Plants Off to a Good Start
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. There then are some tips that will help to make your hydroponic experience pleasant and productive.
Ideal temperatures and humidity levels can vary with different plant species. Most growers aim for temperatures in the upper 70’s and humidity around 50%. Higher humidity is used for cuttings and seedlings.
The Right Light
As mentioned above, different plants have different requirements - and a single plant has different light needs at different stages. In general, a plant that is in the growth stage needs more blue spectrum light, whereas a plant that is flowering or fruiting uses more of the red spectrum.
Metal halide (MH) lights are good for the former, while High Pressure Sodium (HPS) lights work better during the latter stage. T5 fluorescent lights can be used for vegetative growth. LED technology has proven effective for growing, but only the most high-end units actually perform. Most LED systems on the market will give you weak results, if you even make it to harvest.
Proper Nutrients
All plants require some sixteen different mineral nutrients in order to reach their full potential. These fall into the category of either micronutrients or micronutrients. Important macronutrients include nitrogen (N), which aids in the growth of new leaves; phosphorus (P), needed for root growth and bloom; potassium (K) for biomass and disease resistance; calcium (Ca), which promotes plant strength; and magnesium (Mg), the ions of which are an important component of chlorophyll, the substance that aids in photosynthesis. Minerals such as boron (B), copper (cu), cobalt (Co), iron (Fe) and zinc (Zn) are micronutrients that are necessary in trace amounts.
