Basics for hydroponic setup

What do I need for a basic hydroponic setup?
•Water system.

• Light source.

• Growing medium.

• Supply of nutrients.
Advantages to hydroponics gardening versus traditional soil gardening:
• less mess.

• No soil pests and disease.

• Optimum nutrient intake which results in healthier plants.

• More abundant plant per square foot of gardening space.

• Faster plant growth rate.

• Greater yield.
What type of light should I use?

Metal Halide Lights are excellent for vegetative growth or the beginning stages of growth. The "MH" puts out a blue spectrum. High-Pressure Sodium lights simulate the autumn sun. "HPS" lights put out a yellow and red spectrum. Using an HPS can increase flowering and yield up to 100% over the same size MH light. Conversion Bulbs are most commonly used to convert an MH light to HPS (although, some new types do the opposite conversion). When setting up your light, screw the bulb in quite tight and leave a light on for up to 1/2 hour for it to "fire up."

Controlling Growth

The Seasons are controlled indoors by allowing the plants to have between 14-18 hours of light for vegetative growth (like the longer day’s outdoors.) When flowering or fruiting is desired, simply reduce the hours between 12-14 hours. (A HPS light will also aid in flowering.)
Temperature:
The optimum temperature is between 70 and 76 degrees Fahrenheit. This may change for different types of plants (e.g. Tropical.)
Humidity:
The optimum range for humidity is between 40 and 60 percent. When temperature increases, the air can hold more moisture.

PH:
Measures how alkaline or acidic a nutrient solution or medium is. Having pH between 6.0 and 6.8 is the optimum range (some plants do require a more specific pH) this can be controlled easily with inexpensive testing devices and pH raising or lowering solutions.
Hydroponic Nutrients:

 Hydroponics Nutrients are easily mixed with water to form the nutrient solution (each type of nutrient has simple directions to follow.) The nutrient solution is usually kept in a reservoir that is completely emptied and refilled between 4 and 7 days. This will use more nutrients but it will ensure that the plants receive all the nutrients they need and will result in more healthy plants. After the hydroponics nutrient is added, the pH is adjusted. Depending on how alkaline or acidic the solution is pH up or down is added Generally, it is a good idea to have an extra reservoir to let the water sit uncovered allowing for the evaporation of chlorine. This normally takes 2 or 3 days.

Watering or "Feeding":

Watering or "feeding" is quite simple because it usually occurs automatically. Feeding your plants with hydroponics normally occurs more often (3-6 times a day.) Rather than hand watering plants so frequently, a pump and timer do the work for you. Feeding normally does not occur at night or when the light is off. Flood and drain systems are one of the easiest and most inexpensive types available. The nutrient solution is stored in a reservoir that is kept lower than the tray or table that has the plants on it. Using a simple pump and timer the nutrient solution is pumped up to feed the plants 3-6 times a day. Gravity allows the nutrient solution to flow back into the reservoir. Drip systems are another common way to feed plants. Small hoses deliver the nutrient solution through drippers. This allows for varying designs other than a table type design. Figure 2 shows a close-up of how the hose and dripper are commonly constructed. Figure 3 shows how the feeder hose is connected to the larger commonly 1/2" hose which goes to the pump. The pump is resting at the bottom of the nutrient solution.

How does a hydroponic "Ebb and Flow" system work?

1. The light – complete system has a reflector, bulb, and ballast.

2. The tray – holds the medium and water during flooding. Medium, which plants grow in, comes in several varieties. Making your table to support the tray is often necessary and can save money. Many people are setting their trays or planters on the old tables from their garage.
3. Reservoir to hold the water and nutrients.

4. Pump for moving water up to tray. Water drains back through the pump into the reservoir when flooding is complete.

5. Two timers are necessary to turn light and pump on and off. Feeding occurs 4-6 times a day during the light cycle of 12-14 hrs.

Support for your system

Several of the I.G. systems require that you have or that you construct support for your grow tray. If you need or want to construct a table and have questions please call. This is just some of the important information that can be learned about hydroponics. It’s enough to have success growing your flowers and vegetables in a way that is a year-round joy and superior to gardening in soil. If you would like to learn more about hydroponics, Interior Gardens carry many books that can assist.

Growing Tips

Nutrient Deficiencies: Macronutrients are the elements plants use most: Nitrogen (N), Phosphorus (P) and Potassium (K). Unhealthy plants usually, display symptoms that are due to a lack of one of the Macronutrients (N, P, or K).

Problem: Leaves turn pale yellow. Cause: Nitrogen deficiency.

Problem: Dark green, soft, weak growth. Cause: Too much Nitrogen.

Problem: Underside of leaves turn dark green.

Problem: Yellowing at the edge of the leaves. Cause: Potassium deficiency (most likely), iron deficiency, or imbalanced pH.

These deficiencies are minimized and rare if following the directions on any of the nutrients carried by Interior Gardens.een and produce dark spots and eventually slowed and stunted growth. Cause: Phosphorus deficiency.

Problem: Yellowing at the edge of the leaves. Cause: Potassium deficiency (most likely), iron deficiency, or imbalanced pH.

These deficiencies are minimized and rare if following the directions on any of the nutrients carried by Interior Gardens. subscribe to us for all-new details on hydroponics and much more.