Tuesday, June 30, 2009


The SuperCube is for the hobby grower looking for a completely enclosed, counter top growing cabinet. It is set up to flower 12 plants up to two feet tall. Perfect for the kitchen or anywhere where space is a constraint. Perfect for four-season growing!

The SuperCube's growth potential is 1-12 plants which can mature up to 2 feet tall. Great for tomatoes. The custom powder coated cabinet 3.5ft tall x3ft wide x2ft deep. It comes equiped with full spectrum 400 Watt HPS light and automated custom Hydro-Drip System for soil or hydroponics.

Harvest and enjoy fresh vegetables, fruits and herbs right from the comfort of your own home.

Sunday, June 28, 2009

Preventing micro-nutrient deficiencies in your plants


From the vegetative to the flowering stages, your plants explode with growth. That
requires a lot of nutrients and can tax the plant's delivery system.

As a result minerals such as iron, zinc and copper may have a hard time reaching all areas, particularly in the upper portions. This can slow down growth and eventually affect the quality of your flowers.

To increase the mobility of elements throughout your entire plant, use products containing fulvic and humic acids. They will help keep your delivery system strong and enhance the quality of your flowers during the final stages of growth.

If your crop experiences a trace element deficiency and you're confident you've diagnosed the problem accurately, a foliar spray will help green-up your plants. You can also use a solution containing a full spectrum of trace elements.

Friday, June 26, 2009

Harvesting Fresh Food in your Kitchen


Whether you are preparing a fancy meal or a quick dinner, nothing enhances the flavors of food like fresh herbs. What better place to find them than right in your own kitchen!

Many herbs can be grown successfully on a bright, sunny indoor windowsill. Better still, set up a little hydroponic garden anywhere in your kitchen. The one I'm thinking of has its own built-in light. Quite self-sufficient, it only needs the water topped up now and again and a little nutrient added.

Thursday, June 25, 2009

Buying the right nutrient product for your flowers

When considering a fertilizer for your flowers, first check to see if it's been tested on the type of flower you'll be growing. Many manufacturers only do limited testing so using their products can be something of a gamble.

Of course, the fact that a product has only received limited testing won't be announced on the package. However, manufacturers who go to the expense and effort to test their products on a wide variety of crops will generally announce this on the container or in their literature.

You also want to make certain the nutrient is formulated for flowers. Otherwise, the
product may contain too much nitrogen which will end up giving you more leaves than
flowers. The rule of thumb is that using any un-balanced fertilizers for the type of plants you are growing will result in a lower yield and affect the fragrance and taste.

Wednesday, June 24, 2009

Before you begin cutting your plant for cloning


Before you begin cutting, fill a clean sterile bin with the same nutrient solution used for preconditioning your media. You can dilute it a bit and also make certain it is lukewarm so it doesn't shock your cuttings.

Select a bin with enough depth so that you can fully immerse all your cuttings. Remember, if a cut stem is exposed to air for any length of time, an air bubble could develop inside the stem. This will reduce the health and vitality of the plant. It may even cause it to die.

Using a bin to carry or wheel around the greenhouse is a good idea. This way, you didn't have to move the mother plant.

Tuesday, June 23, 2009

Precondition your Rooting Media


At least 24 hours before using your rooting media, pre-condition it with a nutrient solution that's balanced and pH adjusted. Using a reputable manufacturer's complete bloom-based nutrient at 1/4 strength will usually provide a balanced fertilizer charge for your cuttings.

Of course, the concentration and type of nutrients used are somewhat dependent on your rooting media. But one nutrient every grower considers essential is a B vitamin product. This will greatly reduce the stress plants experience during the cloning process.

Here is a brief pH guideline for media presoaking:

Rockwool: This media requires a very acid Ph solution because of its high alkaline nature. Go for a range between 4.5 to 5.0

Peat pellets: pH 6.3

Compost/polymer plugs: pH 5.8 to 6.3

Coco Coir: pH 6.3

Monday, June 22, 2009

Cloning Done Right

Get everything ready for your clonning operation

Once you start your cloning operation, you don't want to stop to go fetch a tool or materials. You want everything at hand before that first cut on the mother plant.

Cuttings are sensitive to the environment, chemical changes, insects and disease. So the longer it takes you to treat and plant them, the more problems you may encounter.

Here is a list I have used to check off the tools and materials I want on hand before starting. This isn't offered as a complete list. You may have different needs. But it's a good place to start:

* Pre-conditioned rooting media
* Root stimulator
* Rooting accelerator
* B vitamin supplement
* Spray bottle
* Tray with a clear lid to retain humidity
* Thermometer
* Isopropyl alcohol (99.9%)
* Disposable scalpel or razor
* Sterile high density plastic cutting board
* Tray heating mat with thermostat

Some growers use a box cutter razor which is all right. But remember, they often have an oily surface that needs to be removed before using. A surgical scalpel is a better tool.

Sunday, June 21, 2009

Reflector Hood for Hydroponics


The SuperNova is a high performance, glass enclosed reflector hood perfect for hydroponic grow lights. It is air-coolable and super efficient for a mid-sized reflector.

The SuperNova comes with louvered cooling outlets for standard operation which can be replaced with 4" flanges for additional air cooling. Comes standard with tempered glass.

Friday, June 19, 2009

Germinating Seeds with Hydroponics


Hydroponically germinating seeds has several advantages over using soil to do the same job. This is the best way to avoid many common diseases because the hydroponic medium is clean. Soil may contain insects or fungus that can harm vulnerable seedlings.

Using a good hydroponic growing system is also a good way to avoid root rot. The area where hydroponic growing is better than using soil is the control of the growing environment. The gardener is not at the mercy of the soil’s nutrients or water content with hydroponics. This will help to assure that the grower alone will control every aspect of the plant’s growing conditions. This can be a major advantage for young seedlings as they will get the proper nourishment right from the start of their life and will lead to much healthier plants in the long run.

Thursday, June 18, 2009

Good results for Hydroponic Gardening


A well-balanced nutrient solution for your hydroponic garden is the key to success. The nutrient solution circulates around the roots of your plant and the formula will either make your plants happy and fruitful or kill them.

The perfect level must be found for the plants you are trying to feed. The pH level for plants determines what type of nutrient solution they need. Acid loving plants need a pH level below 7 while other plants need a level above 7 to achieve optimal growth. In addition, for optimal absorption of the nutrient solution, air must be allowed to circulate around the roots of the plants.

Wednesday, June 17, 2009

High Temperatures not good for Hydroponc Growing


High temperatures in your hydroponics system can cause many problems for the plants being grown. The temperature within your hydroponic system should be maintained at a level where plants are able to survive. A high nutrient temperature can cause your plants a lot of problems. If the temperature becomes too high, it’s advisable to use an extractor fan to reduce it but not a good idea to rapidly cool the environment.

Plants don’t like fluctuations in temperature and practices such as this could kill plants. The extractor can be linked to a thermostat to ensure that the room never reaches the high temperatures again. High temperatures can have a negative growth affect on many plants.

Tuesday, June 16, 2009

Nothing "new fangled" about Hydroponics!


A common misconception about hydroponics is that is a new fangled, fashionable trend. Actually, it has been practiced for centuries. Even the ancient Egyptians used hydroponics to grow their food. Great strides have been made in the field since the 1970s, when agriculturalists began studying it in earnest as an alternative means of food production, which perhaps is the reason behind so many people thinking it is a new invention.

Contrary to popular belief, hydroponics has absolutely nothing to do with genetically modified food. While genetically modified food has been offered as a solution to solving global hunger, as hydroponics has, it is a completely separate entity. Because genetically modified food is so controversial, hydroponics sometimes gets a bad rap. In fact, hydroponic food is 100% natural food, not modified in any way, and no chemicals are added to the plants to make them grow that they would not get in traditional fields. It’s simply a different way to grow food; no genetic manipulation involved.

Monday, June 15, 2009

Grow food on your Kitchen Counter


The SUPERFLOWER is for the hobby grower looking for a completely enclosed, counter top growing cabinet. It has the functionality of a continuous vegetative/clone chamber and a separate flowering chamber.

Imagine reaching into this cupboard and snipping fresh vegetables for dinner! Need some basil for the spaghetti? Snip, snip, wash and chop. What a boon for vegetarians and vegans. Surely adds another dimension for a healthy lifestyle.

Sunday, June 14, 2009

Benefits of Parsley

Parsley is extremely easy to grow on your countertop with hydroponics. Keep a constant, fresh supply.

Parsley is one of the world''s seven most potent disease-fighting spices. Most people do not realize that this vegetable has more uses than just being a decorative garnish that accompanies restaurant meals. Parsley''s history, its 33 health benefits, nutritional value, how to pick it, process it and store it are discussed.

Parsley (Petroselinum crispum), the world''s most popular culinary herb is also known as "rock celery" and belongs to the Umbelliferae family of plants. Parsley is one of the world''s seven most potent disease-fighting spices which also include Ginger, Oregano, Cinnamon, Turmeric, Sage, and Red chili peppers. Parsley grows in most climates and is readily available throughout the year. It is a biennial plant which means that it produces seeds during its second year of production and will reseed itself if you let it.

Saturday, June 13, 2009

Hydroponic Nutrients


Properly grown hydroponic plants also are healthier and more vigorous because all of the necessary growth elements are readily available. The plants can mature faster, yielding an earlier harvest of vegetable and flower crops. Hydroponic gardens use less space since the roots do not have to spread out in search of food and water. This small space requirement makes hydroponics ideal for home gardeners, and it makes better use of greenhouse space.

The big advantage to hydroponics is the ability to automate the entire system with a timer. Automation reduces the actual time it takes to maintain plant growth requirements. Automation also provides flexibility to the gardener as one can be gone for long periods of time without having to worry about watering the plants.

Hydroponics offers many advantages for commercial agriculture. Cultivating plants without soil eliminates the need for vast farmland and allows crops to be produced in greenhouses or even in the desert sands. Hydroponic techniques also allow for precise water and nutrient application directly to the roots of each plant. Water is reused in these systems and less is lost through evaporation and run-off. Therefore, arid lands, such as deserts, can be transformed into productive lands using limited amounts of water.

Growing plants hydroponically is not difficult if one understands the basic principles. As long as plant growth requirements are met, there are numerous hydroponic systems that can be used.

Friday, June 12, 2009

Hydroponic Growing Media


Hydroponics is often defined as "the cultivation of plants in water." Research has since determined that many different aggregates or media will support plant growth; therefore, the definition of hydroponics has been broadened to read "the cultivation of plants without soil."

Growers all over the world are using hydroponic techniques due to the lack of a large water supply or fertile farmland. Home gardeners have used hydroponics on a smaller scale to grow fresh vegetables year round and to grow plants in smaller spaces, such as an apartment or balcony.

Greenhouses and nurseries grow their plants in a soilless, peat or bark-based growing mix. The nutrients then are applied to the growing mix through the water supply. Therefore, this is also a type of hydroponics. Soilless gardening offers many advantages to the home gardener. Since a sterile medium is used, there are no weeds to remove, and soil-borne pests and diseases are minimized, if not eliminated completely.

Thursday, June 11, 2009

Cloning Plants


Cloning can be a difficult and tricky procedure; however this guide should help eliminate some of your hurdles. To start take a clone from a mother plant while still in the vegetative phase. Use a sharp knife or razor blade and cut a 3inch or so branch from the base of the mother plant at a 45 degree angle. Make sure there are a few leaves on the new clone so it can absorb enough light to take root.

Now at this point, you can take the cut end of your new clone or stick it directly into 2inch neoprene plug so that the stem of the plant fits snuggly in the small hole in the middle and is deep enough that the cut portion of the stem is at least ½ ways down the length of the netpot.

During the next 48 hours your plant may wilt, but this is normal as the clone is being placed under a great deal of stress by being cut. If the plant is still wilted after 5 days then odds are it won't take root and grow, so it can be discarded. Also, if you notice dead leaves you should pull them off and keep any dead matter out of the way.

If all goes well you should see roots forming and your clones should stay upright and begin to grow at an increased rate.

Wednesday, June 10, 2009

Grow Lights and Bulbs


One of the biggest advantages to indoor gardening is the regulation of plant growth through the use of artificial sunlight. The most commonly used grow lights are metal halide, high pressure sodium, and fluorescents. Each has its advantages that I will briefly cover. Both metal halide and high pressure sodium lights are high intensity discharge, which mean the light they produce has a better ability to penetrate the plant leaves.

Fluorescent light can grow plants indoors, but produces much smaller plants and is generally considered to be far inferior to both metal halide and high pressure sodium lights. Fluorescent lights are most often used with seedlings or clones, as the light produced is gentler on fragile plants.

Tuesday, June 9, 2009

Perfect Indoor Growing Cabinet



Most popular full sized Grow Chamber around!

Caddy Dimensions: 72" tall x 31" wide x 23" deep

The Caddy's Ease Of Use…
The Caddy comes pre-assembled, and requires less than 15 minutes of setup time to start growing. Once your Caddy system is in place you can simply plug it in and walk away for days at a time! One of the most popular features of The Caddy line, as with the Cool Cabs, is that the light and infrared proof exterior chamber which provides an easily controlled environment. It’s simple, watch the instructional video, spend 15 minutes adding water and seeds, then walk away and watch your plants grow! Note that if we built a cabinet larger than the Cool Cab Or Caddy it wouldn't fit through a doorway pre-assembled. This is one of our largest top of the line units!
20 cu. ft. capacity
Light-proof custom Mylar interior doesn't act as an eye-sore
Our custom made interiors have a 99% reflective surface for maximum light absorption by the plants.
Includes ventilation system (450+ CFM of air cooling)
11 plant capacity
Grows 11-17lbs. of dried plant matter per year in the Caddy

Buy now

Monday, June 8, 2009

SuperFlower growing cabinet

What it is:
The SUPERFLOWER is for the hobby grower looking for a completely enclosed, counter top growing cabinet with the functionality of a continuous veg/clone chamber and a separate flowering chamber. 42”H x 46”W x 24”D

Buy it here

Sunday, June 7, 2009

AeroGarden for indoor growing

Aerogarden garden kit grows lettuce, herbs, tomatoes, petunias, and more!

Includes:

# The AeroGarden
# 2 daylight spectrum bulbs
# Pre-seeded bio-dome grow pod
# Time release nutrients
# Tending and harvesting guide with recipes.

Self-monitoring system adjusts for best growing conditions.


# Automatic alerts notify when more water or nutrients are needed.
# Organic-based, 100% natural tool requires no dirt or natural light
# Grows 5 times faster than soil!
# Grows 7 plants

Buy it here!

More information...

Saturday, June 6, 2009

600 Watt Power Plant Lighting Kit

Our All New “Power Plant Kits” are custom designed lighting systems with all of the latest horticulture technology.

Rather than try to mix and match a variety of different ballasts, bulbs, and reflector from different manufacturers, we put the best of everything into one spectacular offering.

We suggest you shop around and realize what an incredible deal this kit is!

Each kit includes:

# Digital ballast
# 6” air cooled reflector
# MH bulb
# HPS bulb
# Timer
# Two light mover pulleys
# 120 Volts
# Video grow guide, and more!

Buy now - price includes shipping!

Friday, June 5, 2009

Volksgarden grows 80 plants at a time!

This unit could feed your family fresh vegetables and fruits for a whole winter. It would also save you a lot of money.

Tuesday, June 2, 2009

AeroGarden

This is the most perfect way to grow your own vegetables on your kitchen counter-top.