Hydroponic Gardening

Nutrient solutions can be made by the home gardener or purchased pre-mixed from a variety of sources. If you are a beginning hydroponic gardener you may want to use the pre-mixed nutrient solutions and observe their effects before you begin to make your own solutions. The basic nutrients needed in any hydroponic solution are potassium phosphate, potassium nitrate, calcium nitrate and magnesium sulfate. All of these salts must be thoroughly dissolved before being allowed to circulate around your root systems. Micronutrients are also needed for proper growth of your plants. Boric acid, manganese chloride, zinc sulfate, copper sulfate and iron sulfate can be used in minute amounts in the nutrient solution. The nutrient solution can be used for up to two weeks before being replaced when plants are small. Once plants mature the nutrient solution should be replaced once a week.

Many people who grow their hydroponic plants in a greenhouse will also find that they need the correct amount of carbon dioxide in the air in order for their plants to flourish. The addition of carbon dioxide in these small spaces can be accomplished in several ways. Burning hydrocarbon fuels, the use of dry ice, fermentation, decomposition of organic matter and the use of compressed bottled carbon dioxide can create the correct atmosphere for your plants to grow in.

The temperature that you grow your plants in is also very important for their survival. If it is too humid for your plants the increase in respiration of the plant will decrease fruit life. A very dry climate is not good for most plants either. The ideal temperature for your plants will be between 40 to 97 degrees Fahrenheit. The actual temperature for the particular plant you are growing will vary.

For optimal growth, the amount of light your plants receive can be the difference between life and death. Too many lights can dry out your plants while too few can have your plants stretching desperately towards the lights. All plants respond differently to light depending on the intensity, wavelength and duration it receives. Many hydroponic gardeners have to experiment with different lighting to achieve the best environment for the plants that they are growing.

Air pollution can affect the growth of your greenhouse plants and must be monitored if you live in a large city. Signs of air pollution include spotting or twisting of the plant’s leaves, flower and bud fall off, and unusual discolorations as well as poor growth can signal a problem. Several ways to combat air pollution are to avoid mercury thermometers in your greenhouse, move your greenhouse away from a city or grow species that are not bothered by air pollution.

Remember, plants are affected by the following elements: air, temperature, light, water and pollution. If you take all of these things into consideration when planning your hydroponic garden your plants are sure to thrive under your care.


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Paul Lavakis has been an avid gardener
and since discoverring Hydroponics
has been a experimenting and evaluating

Tips on Making your Own Hydroponics System

- by Paul Lavakis

© Paul Lavakis - All Rights reserved

http://xxxxx.expertdigi.hop.clickbank.net
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If you’re going to build a hydroponics system, it’s best to begin with a container to use as a reservoir. For homemade systems, it’s best to use a fish tank

or a similar object. Once you find a suitable reservoir, you must paint it black. The black pain will make your reservoir light proof, because if light

enters the reservoir it will promote the growth of algae. It is also a good idea to score a line on your reservoir once it is painted( use a knife, and

scratch off paint in a straight line from top to bottom), which allows you to monitor the amount of water in your reservoir. Some people may not have to

score their reservoir if they use a floater (Styrofoam), which indicates the amount of water in the reservoir by sinking. However, the line will give a view

of the nutrient solution level.

Styrofoam should be used in your homemade reservoir. Before installing the Styrofoam into your reservoir, you should use a tape measure to measure the

reservoir, from inside of the reservoir from one end to the other. Once your reservoir is measured, cut the Styrofoam 1/4" smaller than the size of the

reservoir. The Styrofoam should fit nicely into your reservoir, and have enough room to adjust to changing water levels. Making your own hydroponics system

also requires you use net pots, and you should cut holes in the Styrofoam for the placing of the net pots. A hole should also be cut into one end of the

Styrofoam to allow for the airline to run into the reservoir.



When creating your own hydroponics system, it is also important to consider how many plants you want to grow. The amount of plants grown should depend on the

size of the garden you build and the types of crops grown. Plants should also be space appropriately so each plant receives a generous amount of light. It’s

also important to choose a strong pump for your hydroponics system. A strong pump should be able to provide enough oxygen to sustain plants. It’s best to

employ the help of a professional when choosing a pump from a hydroponics supply store. Giving the professionals information about the size of your reservoir

should make it easier for them to make a recommendation.



After installing a pump attach an airline to the pump and attaching an air stone to the other end of the line. It’s important to make sure your airline is

long enough to travel from the pump into the bottom of the reservoir. If the airline is not this long, then it should float in the middle so oxygen bubbles

can get to the roots. The line should also be the right size of the pump you choose, and most pumps come with the right size airline. It’s advisable to use a

one-gallon bottle to fill your reservoir, which allows you to figure the capacity of your reservoir.

Lighting is very important if you’re building a hydroponics system indoors. If the system is inside, you’ll have to provide artificial lighting for your

plants to thrive. The size of the garden will determine how many light fixtures and how many watts will be needed to provide proper light. It’s a good idea

to visit a lighting store, where you will be able to receive more information on lights to use for your system. When plants are in growth phase, they will

need high intensity discharge lamps. When plants are in bloom, high-pressure sodium lights increase yields and will grow denser and heavier flowers. Using

fluorescent lighting is also an option, but fluorescent lights don’t offer the same amount of lumens as the others. Fluorescent lights are better suited for

starters and seedlings and for growers with ventilation problems. Fluorescent also burns cooler than other lights, which allows you to place your plant

closer to the light source without damaging them


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