September 11th, 2008
Temperature is an important but not difficult issue for the indoor hydroponics gardener. If you decide to start growing many plants of different kinds, it will get more complicated. However for a single plant it will be simple.
The temperature of the water should be in the range of 60-80 degrees. Again this shouldn’t be a problem with a plant in a nutrient solution in a container.
Temperature is a critical issue for plants, as for all living things. Desirable daytime ambient temperatures should fall in the range of 70-75 degrees Fahrenheit. However, plants can adapt to a daytime low of 60-65 degrees Fahrenheit. Nighttime ambient temperatures can fall as low as 50 degrees Fahrenheit without damaging the plant.
Temperature helps regulate the cycle of photosynthesis. During the day, photosynthesis makes food for the plant. At night photosynthesis ceases, and the food is “burned”. At night , a drop of 10 degrees from the daytime temperatures signals the plant to stop photosynthesis.
The indoor hydroponics gardener must be aware of the effect air conditioning can have on a plant. In an air conditioned home, a plant can adapt if the air conditioning runs all day, or is run only at night. Having it on during the day, and warm at night will stimulate photosynthesis. A plant getting these signals confused will cease to thrive. You’ll notice irregular growth, or diminished growth; fallen leaves and blossoms. It may simply die.
So where do you put your plant? You probably know which rooms of your house or apartment are the warmest. Even if air conditioned, there will probably be changes during the day. You can decide on the basis of what you feel. To be more precise, record room temperatures at different times of the day.
Place it where there is the best fit for both daytime and nighttime temperatures. Then watch and see what happens. If you notice irregular growth, leaves falling etc., try a different location.
September 9th, 2008
After starting the first indoor hydroponics house plant with a houseplant growing in water, how do you continue to care for it?
First, set a schedule to add more nutrients and change the water. This should be about every 3 to 4 weeks. If too much water evaporates simply refill with water, do not add nutrients at this time.
Again you must make sure the pH of the water is within range, i.e., between 6.0 and 7.0. Do what worked before. Starting 2 days in advance draw the water and test it. If too alkaline, let it stand for 2 days. At this point the pH should be in range. If it is too alkaline, add a drop of vinegar at a time. You must test after each drop. Record how many drops it took to get the water to the proper pH. Similarly if too acidic, add bakins soda, a small amount at a time, retest for proper acidity. Record the result.
If you see any strange slimy green material, it’s probably algae. Don’t wait until the next scheduled water change. Change the water immediately. Vigorously clean out the container.
Algae grows well in a nutrient solution. It may mean you have used too high a concentration of nutrient. Cut down on the nutrient. Halve it and see what happens.
Record what happens. Does the algae return? Does the plant stop growing? Experience will tell you the amount of nutrient required for the plant to thrive without inviting back algae.
Next, set a schedule for dusting your houseplant. Dust can clog up the pores of a plant interfering with the process of photosynthesis. So take a quick look a couple of times a week. Gently remove any grime on the leaves with a damp cloth.
If you start regularly keeping the plant clean, it should never get so bad that you actually have to wash a plant. After removing the plant from its container, use lukewarm soap and water to wash off the leaves and stem. Remember to be gentle.
Keeping a regular schedule of changing the water/nutrients and cleaning off the plant is the first step in the care of your new indoor hydroponics house plant experiment.