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
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