pH Testing in Hydroponics Explained

pH Testing invokes this image of a mad horticulturalist muttering an arcane ritual over a set of vials when nothing could be further from the truth. pH testing is simple and easy to understand.

First off – what is pH? It stands for the rather cumbersome potentiometric hydrogen ion concentration. Simply put, it is a measure of the acidity or alkalinity of a solution. The pH scale is from 0-14 and pure water has a neutral pH of 7. Anything that would be considered acidic is rated lower than 7 and anything considered alkaline is rated higher than 7. Pretty simple.

How does this affect my hydroponic system and why test for pH? Well, different plants require different pH to get optimal growth. Testing your growing solution allows you to correct any imbalances in allowing you to grow bigger and better plants. It is one of the simplest and least technical ways to increase your produce yields and plant size. Think of it as part of providing the best home for the roots of your plants – allowing them to feed at the best rate possible. Always add the nutrients to the water before checking and adjusting the pH of your solution. Should your pH level go too high or too low the nutrients in your system will settle out – leading to deficiency and death.

The simplest and least expensive way to test water pH is paper test strips. The strips, which have a pH sensitive dye on them, change colour when dipped into your nutrient solution. You compare the colour on the strip to a colour chart to determine the Ph level. Nothing complicated about that. The only down side is that the strips can be hard to read because the colour differences can be subtle.

The most popular method to check pH is liquid test kits. The liquid test kits work by adding a few drops of pH sensitive dye to a small amount of the nutrient solution your hydroponic system uses and comparing the colour with a colour chart. These kits are a bit more expensive than the paper strip tests but are much easier to read and are extremely accurate and reliable.

For the technologically gifted, the most high-tech way to check pH is to use the digital meters. They come in a huge array of sizes and prices. The digital pen style meter is the most popular. Just simply dip the electrode into the nutrient solution for a few moments and the pH value is displayed on an LCD screen. They are very handy and easy to use. Digital meters usually need to be calibrated frequently, as the meters can drift and you must check the calibration often to insure accuracy. Most pens also require the tips to be stored in a buffer or electrode storage solution and have a reputation of breaking down without warning.

The major requirement of pH testing asks you to be able to compare colours – making the pH of nutrient solution component of your hydroponic system easy for you to understand and maintain. No mad horticulturalist and certainly no arcane rituals needed.

The Importance of Ventilation in Hydroponics

Fresh air is at the centre of successful indoor gardening. Outside, air is abundant and almost always fresh. C02 levels in the air over a field of rapidly growing vegetation will vary on how still the air is. Being outdoors, and subject to the warming and cooling of the day, the wind blows in fresh air. Rain will cleanse the air of dust and pollutants.

The outdoor environment is always moving. Plants grown indoors do not have the natural balance that is present out of doors and must be achieved indoors by way of fresh air ventilation or CO2 enrichment.

So you have decided to add CO2 to your hydroponic systems. Great! Welcome to the wonderful world of bigger yields. Now having said that, there is a caveat – like all good things – there can be some events to watch out for. For our purposes we will be dealing with the increases of humidity in a CO2 enriched environment.

Now what is humidity? Simply put – humidity is the water vapor present in the air.

There are various devices used to measure and regulate humidity called psychrometers or hygrometers. You can regulate the humidity of a room with humidistat a variety of tools in your growing arsenal. These are comparable a thermometer and thermostat for temperature control. You can find from most retail outlets combination hygrometer/thermometer unit – we recommend looking for a quality wireless unit for ease of placement.

The humidity level should be in the range of 40-75% when your lights are on which can be measured with a hygrometer. Now the warmer the air, the more retained water- this means humidity levels can easily go beyond the recommended 40-75%. High humidity like this coupled with lower nighttime temperatures (a requirement to get plants like orchids to bloom) can cause condensation to form on leaves. Which means your hydroponic system would be a prime candidate for all sorts of fungus issues, like powdery mildew. Inadequate ventilation is the primary cause of most fungal diseases.

How do you prevent this?

Ventilation fans – both intake and outtake- help regulate temperature, CO2 levels and relative humidity. During the winter months, you're more likely to need a ventilation fan for dehumidification rather than reducing temperature. Air is not exchanged as frequently in winter, so plants naturally raise humidity without air being exhausted. Fans at too high a setting combined with high heat can lead to lower humidity levels as well – find the balance for your hydroponic system and it will take care of itself.

Blowers

These remove heat, which accumulates rapidly in indoor growing situations. Excess heat can result in excess humidity as the air retains for water. By pulling air in the side of the blower and pumping it out the front. For mounting on a wall or inside a grow box units have a flange on the front. Some feature a round inlet flange for connecting ducting so you can pull air from another room.

Keep fresh air flowing, and watch your indoor garden grow!

Hydroponics in the Home for Seniors

Imagine being retired. No daily grind of the 9 to 5. Now imagine being in a retirement home. Do you have images of a regimented, somewhat institutional environment? Now imagine being in that type setting growing strawberries or roses or fresh herbs? Seems impossible or contradictory? It is entirely possible with Hydroponic Gardening.

Thinking of Elder Care and the quality of life in those years which we common refer to as the Golden Years, you cannot overlook the importance of the value of continued self reliance. These are people, just like you, who for the vast majority of their lives have made decisions regarding day to day activities placed in an environment where this capacity is limited.

Hydroponic gardening allows for personal choice and decision making. As studies have shown, it can be a tool to assist the improvement of the quality of life as well as the immediate environment. The Eden Care program is a great example of this. For the maintaining of self reliance and mental functioning, this method of gardening cannot be dismissed. Being able to pour over seed and equipment catalogues and dreaming of the results is not just limited to the younger mind.

Imagine being able to grow fresh food for your enjoyment, flowers for your pleasure and the tinkering involved with the minimal maintenance and the planning for the improvement of hydroponic systems. Starting small with container growing – such as herbs in a window and then more complex systems as the understanding of what is possible happens. As hydroponic systems do not require bare earth, but can be set up and maintained in just about any extra space- with or without natural light, it seems a perfect match of form and function to re-involve those inhabiting institutions with the natural world.

The capabilities of the style of gardening can be tailored to any scale or environment- from something as small as a cup to as large a scale as a greenhouse making decidedly urban environments where space it at a premium a non-issue. The placement can be adjusted to the height and range of movement capabilities of anyone. Hydroponic gardening is also not limited by seasonal requirements- you can grow all year round. These hydroponic systems can be made from recycled material or purchased from reputable suppliers all depending on the complexity and scale of what hydroponic system you choose to develop. The choice is yours.

There is an almost infinite combination of styles and methodologies regarding hydroponic systems that can be used in such institutional settings. In our opinion, the benefits of such practices are beyond measure. Many universities and horticultural organizations have in depth and detailed information available for you. These sources of information are available online or from your local libraries. Explore, discover and learn – after all - retirement living is all about living first.

Hydroponic Systems - No Soil? No Problem!

What makes hydroponic systems different from traditional in-ground gardening is a soil-less growing medium. No dirt! All plants require support, to be held up. This basic requirement is dealt with by soil-less growing mediums which are inert, mostly non-organic materials. Non- organic refers to the medium not being derived from living organisms (unlike soil- which is). There is a perplexing jumble of growing mediums available. Generally speaking, these mediums are porous, light, and coarse, allowing oxygen and nutrients easy access to the plants roots. Some of the most common are:

Coconut coir

This is produced from the husk that surrounds the coconut shell. Made up of millions of tiny micro-sponges, it can absorb and hold up to eight times its weight in water. It lasting three times as long as peat moss so is fairly sturdy. It is also called palm peat, coco, or just coir. Some of the advantages are better water retention and aeration. The disadvantages of coconut coir are its breakdown after several uses and some drainage issues. It is often mixed with other media to improve drainage in hydroponic systems.

L.E.C.A / Lightweight Expanded Clay Aggregate

This is clay which has been heated under high temperatures until it puffs up. It makes a very coarse medium as the clay balls are about 1/4" across. Superb drainage, holds moisture, stays put and is reusable after sterilization are just some of the advantages of this medium. On the downside it doesn’t hold moisture as well as mediums like coconut coir and can be more costly.

Perlite

Glass flakes (Silica) are heated until it expands producing what we know as perlite. These tiny nodules hold water well and provide drainage. A common medium due to its low density (have you ever picked up a large bag of Perlite – it weighs almost nothing) and somewhat low cost. Its advantages are its reusability and low cost, not to mentioning it’s lightweight. That being said it cannot be used alone for ebb & flow hydroponic systems, it will float away or move during flooding cycles.

Rockwool

Fibers spun from melted Basaltic rock. A binder is added to the fibers and they are compressed and cured into large slabs. The density of this growing medium can be adjusted by changes in the amount of pressure during production. Large slabs are cut into smaller slabs and propagation blocks for easy handling. Advantages of this medium are the ease of handling, convenience, better control over nutrition, being able to plant seeds in it and allow the plants to be very stable. The drawbacks are that all rockwool is not the same. Some are produced from slag left over from smelting operations and as such have a high proportion of metals which can be somewhat reactive with your nutrient solutions. Rockwool can also have mineral oils present and may contain wetting agents used to counteract this that will wash out over time.

Much more information regarding these mediums is available from other sources, this basic summary of common growing mediums used by hydroponic systems touches lightly on the subject. Vive la difference!

Check out more information about hydroponics systems or in home gardens at my website. It's a site dedicated to hydroponics

Plant Indoors under Grow Lights

In tough times of the past, people have looked to ways to provide for their families. One of those ways was through growing their own vegetables, fruits and herbs. The "Victory Garden" came into being during World War II and times of food rationing. Today, many people are looking for easy ways to grow delicious, wholesome food and this can be done through indoor gardening.

A very successful gardening method is hydroponics, requiring no soil at all in order to grow wonderful foods. With this type of indoor gardening systems, you will need appropriate grow lights in order for the plants to thrive.

Plants need light in order to perform photosynthesis, whereby the plant converts light to energy. This energy is what makes the plant to grow, mature and reproduce. The key to good photosynthesis in indoor gardening situations is having ample light available to all plants. Without enough lighting, the growing plants will struggle to reach the available light and will become spindly and weak.

Automated Hydroponics Systems

Quite a few gardeners are now adapting automated hydroponics systems to their indoor gardens. These automated hydroponics systems are capable of monitoring and adjusting your water levels automatically. This means your plants will never run out of water.

At the same time the pH levels are also monitored. When the pH levels are skewed, a pump is activated to automatically adjust levels up and down. This results in your plants always having the optimum amount of water and nutrients at the proper pH level. This will keep the plants growing at their peak performance. Automated hydroponics gardening is changing the way indoor growers produce their organic vegetables and fruits.

Grow your own Vegetables and Fruit

Have you ever been disgusted by the quality and the prices of the vegetables offered at the local supermarket? Has the thought of growing your own vegetables has entered your mind? Even if you have a good range of vegetables at reasonable prices at your local store,the ever increasing concern over the use of chemical pesticides and fertilizers gives can give one pause to consider opting for growing their own vegetables.

Growing your own vegetables indoors does not involve a tremendous amount of effort and in addition to enjoying a supply of fresh produce, you also discover a relaxing hobby. Even if you happen to live on an upper floor of an apartment building you can still grow a range of vegetables and fruits in hydroponics on your balcony or patio. This is a hobby everyone can enjoy.

Which type of Rock Wool to choose

There are several types of Rock Wool designed for the propagation of seeds and cuttings. The best for hydroponic hobbyists is considered to be the Single Block System known as SBS. This system consists of small individual cubes or mini blocks of Rock Wool on a small plastic tray. This makes the plants easy to handle and are ideal for selling or giving away.

Be certain to pre-treat the rock wool for 24 hours before use. Use a product that will
reduce the alkaline nature of the media until it balances out at between 5.8 and 6.3. One advantage of Rock Wool is its ability to hold enough water to last through the average period of time required for the cuttings to root. However, you will need to use a humidity dome.

Mini Caddy Hydroponics System

Do you have a spare closet? Introducing the "Mini Caddy", the ultimate compact home hydroponics system. Terrific for confined spaces.

The Mini Caddy is small enough to fit in any closet and is ideal when space is a concern. The inline cooling system keeps the inside of the cab always under 5ºF above room temperature. With this cabinet your growing will be easy, high yielding and above all, safe. The Mini Caddy arrives pre-assembled and requires less than 15 minutes of setup time to start growing. This affordable hydroponics system is perfect for experts and beginners alike.

When to water... more or less

When to water and how much has always been something of a guess. Generally speaking, plants begin gradually using more water at the start of their flowering cycle. Peak water consumption comes just after mid-flowering. After that, water needs taper off.

During the ripening phase, water use is lessened even though the plants are at their largest mass. It's easy to over-water during this phase so be careful not to drown the
roots.

Most self-help studies stress the need to create a perfect environment to be able to live a "successful" life. From the most famous celebrities to the most celebrated politicians and all of us mere mortals in between. To be truly happy, therefore, one needs to be fulfilled and so our environment is crucial for us to be are able to share and give to our fellow humans.

Whether it's a city street, a rural farm or a Hollywood stage, finding the environment that suits your character can be a lifelong search, so the journey must be enjoyed.

Get in touch with nature and re-assure yourself that the natural world will carry on no matter what. Draw from the creativity of a flower growing, a vegetable being formed, insects oblivious to what's on TV tonight, and water flowing over naturally formed rocks.

Try an experiment... spend a full half hour or more alone in a forest or next to the sea or, failing that, a park where you won't be disturbed. Make sure you feel safe from wild animals and humans and just let your mind wander, allow your thoughts to flow freely. Call it meditation time if you need an excuse to spend some time on your own. Just enjoy and allow your thoughts to wander free and your imagination to leap into fantasies.

Benefits of a Grow Chamber

Technically, grow chambers are not classified as a hydroponics growing technique. It's actually a housing or a container for the hydroponics system, accessories and lighting fixture.

Grow chambers are perfect for the home grower because the system is enclosed, putting everything in one container and out of view. Of course, keeping your grow space nice and neat is only one of the many benefits a grow chamber offers.

Some systems are approximately the size of a refrigerator allowing you to grow your plants in one side of the chamber and mother plant with clones in the other. Grow chambers varies in size.

Most systems are built with a reflective interior to efficiently distribute light and increase the amount of lumens reaching the plants, resulting in a higher yield.

A Summertime Warning

If the roots of your container plants are sitting in warm water, they may become
susceptible to contracting pathogens that lead to root rot. How do you prevent this?
Here are several suggestions:

First make certain that your containers are well drained.

Next, add an enzyme product to your nutrient mix. Buy quality. You want plenty of live enzyme action that will quickly break down older decaying roots, turning them into valuable food sources. Too many inexpensive enzyme products contain only dead
enzymes or the shelf life is so short that by the time you buy the product the enzymes are all but useless.

Remember, root decay is a normal part of the root growth cycle. You can't avoid it. But you can make certain that the decayed materials are turned into a valuable food source through enzyme action.

Clones from Clones?

There are two things to consider when cloning plants, particularly if you want to preserve the genetic characteristics for future crops. These are genotype and phenotype.

Genotype is the genetic make-up (DNA) of the plant, which is quite stable. Only in rare instances will genes tend to mutate, thus creating a slight variation.

The phenotype is the physical expression of a plant's DNA and may change under
different environmental influences. For example, the same genes grown in two different rooms may be similar but could appear slightly different in the finished product.

As long as you maintain a consistent environment and avoid a prolonged stress on a
mother plant or clone, a clone from a clone should remain very much like the original. However, it's often a good idea to start new mother plants from seed every few years. This helps maintain higher levels of vigor. Stuff can happen to plants after being grown for several years.

When NOT to use organic teas

If you are using a purely water based media, such as deep water culture, it's best to avoid organic teas. A salt based fertilizer is generally preferred because it is absorbed directly into the roots.

However, organic teas are an ideal companion for growing in media such as rockwool, coco coir or Sure to Grow. It will provide a harmonious and fertile environment for the roots of your crop.

Hydroponic Technology

Hydroponics is a technology for growing plants in nutrient solutions (water and fertilizers) with or without the use of artificial medium (e.g., sand, gravel, vermiculite, rockwool, peat, coir, sawdust) to provide mechanical support. Liquid hydroponic systems have no other supporting medium for the plant roots: aggregate systems have a solid medium of support.

Hydroponic systems are further categorized as open, where after the nutrient solution has been delivered to the plant roots, it is not reused; or closed where surplus solution is recovered, replenished, and recycled. The definition of hydroponics has been confined to liquid systems only, which blurs statistical data and leads to underestimation of the extent of the technology and its economic implications. All hydroponic systems in temperate regions of the world are enclosed in greenhouse-type structures to provide temperature control, reduce evaporative water loss, and to reduce disease and pest infestations.

Read more...

Growing in Hut or Tent

Some hydroponic gardeners have a preference to keep what they’re growing in a definitive enclosed environment. If you don’t have the money to buy a hydroponic tent, you can always use an empty cupboard but you will need to make it light proof, feed in a light supply and ensure circulation of air. You may have the problem that while your plants start off fitting inside the cupboard, they might out grow it, so you will have the added complication of re-housing your plants.

Hydroponic tents come in various sizes. They are totally light proof so you know that you won’t have a problem with light spillage from inside the tent and outside light will not intrude during necessary dark periods. Hydroponic tents can be quite expensive due to the light containing material they’re created from.

Grow your own Mushrooms

Growing your own edible mushrooms has never been easier. The FUNgus Factory comes complete with everything you need to grow your own edible mushrooms indoors in any dark corner of your house.

Each kit comes standard with enough mushroom food and supplies to grow over ONE POUND of your favorite fungus. When your kit runs dry simply order Spawn Sac replacement for unlimited growth potential.

Don’t waste your time fighting off molds and mildews. This kit will help you see serious results in just a few short weeks.

B-52 Nutrient Booster

Designed to boost the metabolism of the plant with vital B vitamins and crucial amino acids that are essential for optimum growth. B-52 increases plant metabolism, strengthens its immune system making it able to grow more vigorously.

B-52 also contains several naturally occurring hormones. You can use B-52 as a foliar spray and a drench to soak cuttings/seedlings for a healthy start. If stretching is not desired then it will help keep the plant shorter. B-52 also increases the lateral growth of the plant.

Brand New Lighting System

Here's some very exciting news. A manufacturer of hydroponic cabinets has just announced that they've tested over 20 brands of LED UFO's from different manufacturers and have finally found their favorite!

This model tested the best out of several growing results comparing 630nm Red's, 660nm Red's, Tri-Bands, and even a 400w HPS Hortilux bulb. This unit outperformed ALL OF THEM!

Here are some of the highlights:
1.) Virtually No Heat Production, So Cabinet Stays At Room Temp.
2.) Lower Operating Costs With 180watt consumption versus 400 watt
3.) No Noise, Which Results In A Stealthier Cabinet
4.) Lower 'Intensity' Light Results In Less Burning Of Plant Tips
5.) Longer Life (10years for LED's) versus 1-2 for HID Bulbs
6.) Higher Plant Growth Yields In Both Veg & Bloom