Growing indoor plants is a hard task but also a very satisfying experience. It involves a lot of time and work. In the end its a rewarding experience.
The first step in growing indoors is to make sure you have adequate space for your plants and to make sure your using correct lights. It’s recommended to use high pressure sodium lights.
The second step is to make sure you have plenty of air circulation. You could do this several ways; one way is with a vent type fan or a box fan. By using one of these style fans you will circulate the air that is lowest in the room which is cooler and cleaner. If you think that the air you get in the room is not clean you could always install a filter. You want to be able to control the speed of the fan however so a variable speed fan works the best. It’s also a good idea to have oscillating fans that move left and right. This will help stiffen the stems of the plants and helps your plants grow stronger. You always want air circulation because it cools your plants and doesn’t allow bugs to land on the plants for long period of times which keeps them from damaging your plants.
Another way you can get air movement is by getting a carbon dioxide generator. This generator is a pump that make spurts of air and this helps your plants feed and speeds up photosynthesis; which is what your plant produces to make natural plant sugars. Then the plants starts to produce more oxygen. You would need to find a way to exhaust the hot gasses that plants produce. Most of the time you cant physically feel the heat coming off the plants, but its there. For example if you have a 3 inch fan moving air in the room you need to exhaust 6 inches of air out of the room. The best way to exhaust air out of your room is by finding a spot on the highest point of the room to get rid of the air.
These are two efficient ways to provide adequate air circulation to your indoor garden.
Hydroponics – How effective is Co2
Co2 is indispensably one of the prime requirements for increasing the crop productivity. Many researches have successfully proved the positive role played by the Co2 in catalyzing the growth of the plants. Careful knowledge regarding the quantity of Co2 that has to be used during various phases of the plant growth will help in maximizing the benefits derived from using extra level of the Co2. A successful gardener will be aware of the significance of using extra dosage of Co2 for obtaining great quality crops. While implementing this technique, it is essential that the gardener controls the other parameters such as the heat generated, light levels and the water vapor level to get the best results.
The crop which is cultivated using the hydroponics method has to pass through various phases such as the seedling stage, transplant stage, green growth stage and the production stage. Each of the levels requires different levels of the Co2. Good understanding and the knowledge concerned with the level of Co2 requirement will greatly magnify the crop output. Various researches conducted in this field reveal that the amount of Co2 required is large in the seedling stage than the amount that is essential for the established crop or the plant.
There are two methods of applying Co2 to the crops. The first one is by the usage of the Co2 tanks and the other one is generating the Co2 by burning the mixture of propane and the natural gas. The usage of the compressed tanks is more suitable for meeting the Co2 in small scale level. For meeting the demands of Co2 in large scale gardening, the usage of Co2 that is being generated by burning the mixture of propane and the natural gas is well recommended. Careful measures should be taken while using the second method to provide accommodations for the escape of heat that is being developed. Usage of the exhaust fans will solve this problem. For a large garden usage of 2 or 3 generators will enable even distribution of the Co2 that using a single large Co2 generator.
When the crop reaches the established growth stage, the level of the Co2 required gets lower and lesser supply of Co2 will be good enough. Hence undoubtedly, increasing the level of the Co2 effectively maximizes the growth of the plant in the seedling and growth stage. The extra level of the Co2 used in the initial phases has a major impact in increasing the quality of the crops in the future stages.
Dealing with Plant Problems
If you are having growth problems with your indoor garden there are several ways you can handle them. You can do research on your own, via either the internet or the library. This may be sufficient if you already have a good knowledge of plants, and if you do not it is still an excellent way to educate yourself. However, it is still often necessary to consult a professional. If you decide to consult a professional, your best bet is probably your local hydroponics store. The people at the hydroponics stores very likely have extensive experience dealing with problems similar to yours.
Before going to the store however, it is best come prepared. You can prepare for you meeting with the hydroponics store by getting together some information about your garden. There are certain things that the hydroponics store will need to know. These things include:
• The size of the garden
• The type of garden
• A general description of your problem
• The number of and type of lights
• The type of system you are using
• The type of medium being used
• The temperature during the day and during the night
• The temperature of your nutrition solution
• The pH value of both the nutrition solution and the medium
• The type of nutrition and its strength (TDS)
Other more specific information that may be required is likely to include the following:
• A description of the problem
• The date the problem first occurred
• The stage of growth that the plants are currently in
• If the problem has spread from one plant to another
• A description of the appearance of the leaves
• The areas of the plant that have been affected by the problem
• Any information you have regarding bugs on the plants
• Any changes that have recently been made (nutritional, pH, etc.)
• If the plants have come into contact with any kind of spray
Having this information ready when you go to the hydroponics store will save you a lot of time and hassle and you will be closer to solving your indoor garden growth problems.
Easy Set Up of Hydroponics Flood and Drain Systems
People are turning to hydroponics because it saves space, takes less time to grow plants, and you get more fruits and vegetables at harvest time. One form of hydroponics that is becoming more popular is the flood and drain system. How it works is you put your plants in their own Rockwool blocks in a long shallow tray. The Rockwool blocks anchor the roots of the plants to temporarily hold water and nutrients.
The shallow tray has a small hole in it about ¾ inch in diameter that the nutrient solution drains through. The benefit of allowing the solution to drain is that the roots get the oxygen they need to prevent the growth of harmful bacteria. It also prevents you from having to chill the nutrient solution.
Underneath the shallow tray, place a 20 to 30 gallon reservoir to hold the nutrient solution. Have a hose leading from the shallow tray into the reservoir. Be sure to aerate the reservoir with an air pump at 4.2 PSI air pressure and 2” or 3 12” air stones. You use a pump to get the nutrient mix back up to the plants again. This process saves you water and nutrients. The system is efficient because you pump the water up through the same way it comes down. This means you only need one sealed fitting.
The pump is activated by means of a timer. Once it gets done pumping water to the plants, it automatically shuts off. This gives the nutrient solution a chance to drain back into the reservoir. How often the pump turns on depends on how much solution the material around the plants can hold. It does not matter how long it takes to flood the roots, so you don’t need to have a heavy duty air pump.
The plants get what they need to grow from the nutrient mixture and when the nutrient mixture drains thanks to the force of gravity, they get air for photosynthesis. The flood and drain system is quiet and require less electricity than other hydroponic systems. Therefore, they are ideal for residences and classrooms which don’t have a lot of space. The efficiency and ease of set up of this system make it popular with both amateur and experienced gardeners.
Hydroponics – How reflectors work and what they do
The field of hydroponics has experienced drastic development in the recent years. Hydroponics typically means growth of plant without using soil as a medium. The lighting of the plant becomes a significant factor that will directly influence the growth rate of the plant and will also contribute to the quality of the plant. The important element that will help in achieving proper lighting and illumination to the plant is reflector. The role of reflector is very important, without which the plant will not be able to grow. The working principle of the reflectors has experienced large amount of developments from the time they were introduced. The large enhancement in the design of the reflectors has improved the crop output to several times.
In simple terms the purpose of the reflectors is to focus the incoming light on the crops. The light intensity that is being fed into the reflector will be diverted towards the crops. The designs of the reflectors are very important since they are the most important factor that will affect the intensity of light being fed into the plants. The material that is being used to make the reflectors largely influences the efficiency of the reflecting process. Since the efficiency of reflection can vary from 5 to 95, the selection of the most appropriate material for reflector is an important process. Initially vertical type of reflector was being used, but there was a serious drawback that was associated with that of the vertical type reflectors. The drawback was a result of wrong understanding of the concept of light reflection. The light rays were actually traveling greatly on the horizontal sides rather than the vertical direction. These new concept led to the development of the horizontal type of the reflectors. The horizontal reflector that was coated with a chemical substance called as titanium oxide was capable of giving high efficiency as much as 95 percent. The other important characteristic of these horizontal reflectors was the ability of the device to spread heat uniformly on the entire crop rather than concentrating the light on a particular portion. Concentration of light on particular portion can burn out the plant and this problem is avoided using this technology.
The other advantage of using the horizontal reflectors is that they can allow growing of crops in convenient locations. The usage of exhaust fans on the side walls helps to achieve ambient temperature for the growth of plants. Hence the necessity of selecting a good reflector capable of giving high efficiency is of paramount importance.
Hydroponics – How to care for cuttings
The types of vessels and containers that can be used or must be built according to the available space, the technical and economic potential and the needs and aspirations for progress and development of the family group.
To start the HHP and gained the first skills we can use. some steps for hydroponics – to care for cuttings boxes to pack fruit, tires or old tires, baby bathtubs, plastic disused sources, or broken plastic drums, cut in half. Containers as small as plastic packaging for ice cream, the disposable plastic cups and pots of oil or margarine, are sufficient to grow spinach, onions, cilantro, lettuce, parsley and other vegetables.
Bags or plastic sleeves in black, like those used for nursery plants, containers are inexpensive, easy to use and very productive in small spaces. The bags are suitable for species such as tomato, cucumber, pepper, paprika and onion.
Some steps for Hydroponics – to care for cuttings are :
Placement of plastic (waterproof)
To seal the container requires a 0.10 caliber of black plastic, its function is to prevent wetting and rotting of wood and prevent the rapid loss of nutrients. The color is black to prevent algae formation and enhancing dark at the root zone. Plastic should never be placed on the floor, unless he sweeps all the rough that could perforate or is lined with old newspapers. Should always be measured and cut sustained in the air.
5. The calculation of the dimensions to cut the plastic is as follows: the total length of the container must be more than three (3) times its height. Along the dimensions that we have already, we have two (2) over 12 meters x 3 = 36 cm, which gives a total of two meters and thirty-six inches. This is what we must cut to length. To measure the width dimension that is, which is 1.20 meters over three times the height (12 cm) which gives a total of one meter and fifty-six centimeters.
6. Now we proceed to put it in the container very carefully, not to break or drill with wood splinters, nails or nail outgoing. In corners, the plastic must be either in contact with the frame and base. The plastic should engramparse (brackets) to the outsides of the container.
Placement of drainage
7. Any container that is being spent on HHP on solid substrate (this point will be explained below) should have a drain hole, which may drain the excess water or nutritive salts. In containers, the drain must be located in the middle of one end.This manguerita be 10 cm long and has to be connected in a sealed plastic on the inside of a length not greater than 1.5 cm.
8. For the sealing between the plastic and manguerita is airtight, using a hot nail or a lit cigarette applied at the center of the – 31 – where the manguerita makes contact with the plastic hose is pushed from outside to inside of so that in a single move is welded to it . After the introduction of the plastic manguerita cool to have a better seal.
9. Then it begins to move the substrate just at the point of drainage and from that point to the rest of the container, which prevents any movement of the plastic and the hose is off .The container is placed on the ground, leaving a small gap to the point of drainage, which may be 0.5 to 1 per cent (equivalent to 0.5 – 1 cm height difference for each meter that has the container) . If the container will be used to grow lettuce in the floating root system (explained below) should not be punctured drainage, as needed to keep it in water with nutrients for several weeks. In cases where space permits placing several production units (containers) must take into account the location of them, leaving a passage of fifty (50) inches to be able to move around with ease. A container of this type, well built and waterproofed properly, can last more than four years in constant use, without having to make repairs or replacements of any of its parts.
Important features needed for a perfect hydroponic grow box system
Being an expert of hydroponics, I will discuss what you want to look out for
when buying your perfect hydroponic system. If you are looking to buy a grow
box, you should get one that will fit your needs.
First, you should be aware that hydroponic growing is much faster than
traditional gardening. Also, growing plants in hydroponic systems takes much
less space than if you were to grow plants in soil. (In case you don’t know,
hydroponics only uses water, light, and nutrients; no soil is used.) Basically,
your grow box will provide fast growth and use a little amount of space. The
plants will grow tall, but they would affect each other horizontally.
Here is a list of important aspects when buying a hydroponic system.
Height
Although you could grow plants in less space, it would be ideal to grow your
plants in a vertical hydroponic system. Vertical hydroponic systems allow for
about 4.5 feet of growing space. This is ideal for growing. You can grow some
types of plants in grow boxes that allow for only 2 feet of growing space, but
4.5 feet is ideal.
Width
Most grow boxes are about 3 feet wide. There is really no need to worry about
the width when buying a grow box. Most manufacturers allow for 3 feet of growing
space.
Depth
Most grow boxes are 1.5 feet deep. Only a few grow boxes allow for 2 feet of
depth. Although 1.5 feet of depth is ok, 2 feet is ideal.
Type of hydroponic system
This really doesn’t matter. There are 5 different types of hydroponics.
Either of the 5 types will be ok.
Co2
Most hydroponic providers offer a Co2 upgrade. This is very important. It
will speed up your growth process by 30% – 50%. Unless you are on a tight
budget, always opt in for the Co2 system.
Stealth
The stealth value is usually important to customers. They want a hydroponic
system to look like a piece of furniture. Most grow box systems already look
like a piece of furniture, so there is no need to worry about this when buying
from most companies.
Odor Control
Odor control is very important for indoor gardeners. Make sure the hydroponic
system you are buying has a charcoal filter. Charcoal filters are used in the
military to block nerve gas. They will surely block the odor of your plants.
A Strong Outer Shell
Make sure the hydroponic supplier provides a strong outer shell. Some
hydroponic retailers buy their outer shells from Home Depot. This is not good
enough. The outer shell should be made of quality steel.
If you are buying a hydroponic system, it is important to buy from a quality
retailer. I personally have bought from a company called Dealzer.com.
Dealzer.com
Hydroponics Grow Box System Megastore
Legal Marijuana – How to Grow Medical Organic Marijuana Quickly With Hydroponics Systems
Growing medical marijuana efficiently is an issue in the medical marijuana industry. What most people don’t realize is that in order to run a successful medical marijuana shop, one should use a hydroponics system. A hydroponic system is basically a grow box that uses nothing more than water and nutrients to grow your plants. The grow box uses absolutely no dirt. Hydroponics help grow your plants and herbs much faster than traditional indoor gardening. In fact, your plants will grow up to 10x the speed of traditional gadening and all of your herbs will be organic.
The average price for a hydroponic system is about $1800. The average size is about 3.5 ft. tall, 3. ft. wide, and 1.5 ft. deep. The flowering chamber for example, is a perfect system for growing 32 plants and producing 1.5 – 2 pounds of dried marijuana plant matter per month.
Another great system is the 3 in 1 grow chamber. The difference between the flowering and 3 in 1 chamber is that the 3 in 1 will guide you through all 3 phases of growth. This includes the mother/clone phase, the vegetation stage, and the flowering stage. If you use the flowering chamber itself, you would have to grow your seeds in dirt under the flowering chamber light source until the baby plants grow enough to have roots. Then you would simply transfer them over to the hydroponic system. In a 3 in 1, you would grow 3 full size plants that would act as mother plants to all future medical marijuana plants you grow. This means that you would not have to buy seeds anymore once your mother plants are established. Of course, most companies will guide you right through this process upon recieving the item.
The medical marijuana field is currently a gold mine business in California. Due to it’s humble beginning, many are unaware of the benefits in owning a hydroponic system to grow their legal marijuana. Hydroponics, in essense, will produce more, faster, and all your medical marijuana plants will be organic. Buying a hydroponic system would put any medical marijuana company ahead of the curve and result in more sales – more money.
A great place to start when shopping for your hydroponic system is Dealzer.com. Dealzer has the widest variety of grow chambers at the most affordable prices on the net.
Many hydroponic growers have shopped for their hydroponic systems at Dealzer.com. All buyers were shocked at the incredibly fast, organic results their grow boxes have produced. If you want to be ahead of the curve, it is a must to buy a hydroponic system for your medical marijuana business.
The new Cultivator Pro is a high tech hydroponic answer to any indoor gardener. Hydroponic gardening is a fun and rewarding hobby as well as an excellent way for a person to create a more self sustaining home. Hydroponics is the method of growing plants in a nutrient rich aqueous solution without soil. As can be expected indoor gardening would require some source of light as well.
The Cultivator Pro hydroponic growing box is an excellent tool for the hydroponic gardener. Complete with low water alarms, automated pH balancing and temperature meters, the Cultivator Pro is more than just a grow box. It takes much of the guess work and labor out of indoor hydroponic gardening. The twin lighting system provides 800 watts and is also supplemented with four fluorescent lights.
Hydroponics is not a new concept. The idea of growing plants without water dates back to the mid 1600’s. Research and study in hydroponics over the years has resulted in the development of greater hydroponic gardening techniques. The Cultivator Pro is an amazing culmination of technological development and gives the hydroponic gardener a reliable, durable and good looking way to grow.
There are many benefits to growing hydroponic plants. Regions of the world that have little to no growing soil can easily grow plants that aren’t native to their area. Hydroponic methods have also been proven scientifically to achieve greater crop yields. Research has also shown that plants grown hydroponically have an increased growth rate. That means a person can reliably grow their own food, faster, with more yield and in areas where a traditional garden is impossible. In addition, indoor gardening eliminates the risks of soil disease. Traditional gardening can be unreliable and not all areas can support a garden.
Hydroponic gardening is an excellent way to become a more self sustaining household. The ability to grow one’s own food translates into savings of hundreds, even thousands of dollars a year. The Cultivator Pro is a great way to grow hydroponically and will begin to pay for itself immediately.
dealzer