Archive for the hydroponics indoor gardening category.
August 19th, 2008
Well, yes, it is soilless. But, it doesn’t look at all soilless. Consider the materials used to start an indoor hydroponics garden. Everything from pottery shards, to sand, to marbles may be used in an indoor hydroponics pot. The containers may just be the common flower pot or the ordinary vase. So from the outside it may not seem so different.
The real question is, what is soil? We think of soil as dirt, earth, that stuff underneath us. One moment we may wax poetic about the earth, the next minute we complain about the dirt or mud we are tracking into our car or our house.
More precisely, soil consists of unconsolidated materials both inorganic (minderals) and organic matter, liquid, and gases. It was created by the combined actions of weather, organisms, lay of the land, micro-organisms as well as larger plants and animals acting on rock over long periods of time.
it’s because of these actions that soil has the ability to sustain plant life. Soil contains both mineral and organic nutrients, water, carbon dioxide and oxygen.. However, not all soils are created equal. Some soils are unproductive.
Hydroponics does not require soil itself because nutrients, minerals are dissolved in water. Also the micro-organisms and animals acting upon it may also be damaging plant pests.
Looking through the materials necessary to set up an indoor hydroponics garden, there is a lot of different substances which function as support material for a plant.
Plants orient themselves with the roots and part of the stem in the earth/soil and leaves above ground to receive light. Some plants can remain “upright” in water without help. Or some may need support at the beginning before their root system develops. Many plants require some method of support replacing that of the earth. This support is called an aggregate.
Aggregates for indoor hydroponics include a broad range of materials: the most commonly used are sand, gravel, rockwool, perlite, vermiculite, shards of brick, sawdust and woodchips. Each aggregate requires a different method of water irrigation.
The fundamental principle lying behind all these methods? To successfully cultivate a plant requires:
- Necessary nutrients in water
- A way of delivering water to the roots, i.e., proper irrigation.
- Proper temperature, humidity, and light.
These principles of successful plant cultivation hold whether in a commercial setting or in an indoor hydroponics garden.
Technorati Tags: hydroponic aggregates, indoor hydroponics, indoor hydroponics cultivation, soilless gardening
August 18th, 2008
One of the more interesting ways of gardening is
hydroponics. Hydroponics, also known as soilless
gardening, uses water as the source of the nutrients a
plant needs. Indoor hydroponics techniques can help
create a garden even in the least likely of places.
For the novice home gardener, hydroponics offers easy
first steps to creating a garden.
Hydroponics isn’t new. Its development started in 1860
when Professor Julius von Sachs published a nutrient
solution in which plants successfully grew. This established
that plants could directly absorb nutrients dissolved in water.
This information was used by scientists researching
plants.
In 1936 interest was rekindled when W. F. Gericke and
J. W. Travernetti at the University of California
published their technique of cultivating tomatoes. Due
to the high skill levels required to implement this
technique, it was not broadly adopted. Their success
did inspire commercial growers and agronomists to
experiment to develop easier and more efficient
hydroponics methods.
So how does hydroponics work? A plant requires light,
heat, humidity, carbon dioxide and oxygen as well as
water and nutrients. Water carries the nutrients
which any plant absorbs through its root system. With
soilless gardening, plants get all their nutrients
dissolved in the water.
Curious as it seems, removing soil from the equation
can actually increase plant productivity. Several
reasons contribute to this fact:
- Plants have to work harder to find the water in soil. Less development of a root system means more energy for growth of other parts of the plant.
- Fertilizing plants can be made more exact. Soil may leach important nutrients making it difficult to calculate the amount of fertilizer sufficient for proper care of the plant. Less fertilizer is wasted.
- Plants have a better chance of avoiding diseases caused by insects and fungi.
Who might want to try out indoor hydroponics?
Apartment dwellers come first to mind of course.
However even people who own a home may not have enough
space for a garden. Not every home owner has a back
yard.
And for absolute novice gardeners, there may be fear
when they have too much space. The minute you plan a
garden, there is a question of scale and composition.
Looking in all those glossy magazines can be
intimidating. Even when you know, these gardens have
taken years to reach maturity. Instead of thinking
about it too, too, long – simply start with a simple
plant indoors using hydroponics.
Of course experienced hands may want to try this out as
well. They can start plants indoors with hydroponics
methods and then move them outside when sufficiently
mature.
Especially for the beginner gardener hobbyist, you can
start your garden in a wide range of environments.
Certainly space matters, but you can scale an indoor
hydroponics garden up or down. You can start simply
with just one plant in a pot.
Technorati Tags: indoor hydroponics, soilless gardening
November 25th, 2008
Hydroponics/Indoor Hydroponics Methods are Effective
Hydroponics is an extremely effective way of growing plants. By providing the plants with dissolved nutrients, with the proper support (growth medium), pH and light, they grow faster and more abundantly in a smaller space then they would in soil. The efficacy of soil-less gardening has been amply demonstrated for commercial applications. The same effective principles apply to indoors hydroponics.
Not only do plants grow more abundantly and more quickly, without soil your plants are much less likely to be afflicted by pests. And if no light reaches the water reservoir, there is no chance of growing algae. Without pests, you don’t need pesticides.
Indoor Hydroponics – Bypassing the Learning Curve to Grow Abundant, Flavorful Harvests
However, there is a learning curve for any subject and indoor hydroponics is no exception. There’s the question of equipment once you reach a certain stage. You may be a busy person and just want to enjoy the color, aromas, and tastes of a living plant in your own home.
Indoor Hydroponics with the Aerogrow Aerogarden System
Aerogrow Aerogarden system is for you then. More complete than most indoor hydroponics kits, it comes as a beautiful all in one unit.
Anyone, with or without gardening experience, can succeed in growing lush, beautiful gardens. Simply add water, drop in the pre-seeded grow plugs, turn it on and watch it grow. The system automatically turns the grow lights on and off and reminds when to add water and nutrients. Nutrient packages are available.
Grow Flowers, Grow Herbs, Grow Salad Greens
You will easily be able to grow flower, herb or salad green gardens. There are multiple seed packets available for each type of plant.
Imagine in the middle of winter tasting a bright red ripe cherry tomato. Not like the kind you get in supermarkets. It’s hard to find a decent tomato of any kind, at any time of year in most American supermarkets.
Miss the salad days of summer and the farmer’s markets? You can grow your own salad greens during the fall and winter. You don’t have to worry about wasting. Just harvest when you need them. It’s possible though, you might grow so many you will have to give some away.
Always liked the idea of an herb garden in the kitchen? An Aerogarden will give you a push-button herb garden. You won’t have to buy whole packs of herbs that often discolor and go to waste, You won’t have to worry about storage. Snip what you need and start cooking!
Aerogrow Aerogarden Makes a Great Christmas Gift
An Aerogarden would be great for any of the following:
- The gardener in your life.
- The cook keen on preparing tasty, fresh and healthy meals.
- The salad lover, who needs a variety of fresh vegetables readily available.
- The person who is a little intimidated by gardening. And just needs a little push in that direction.
- Children nowadays seem to think food comes wrapped in plastic. Comes. Teach them how plants grow.
Aerogrow Aerogarden units come in a variety of colors, and sizes, and designs. See the Aerogrow Aerogarden unit which is right for you,
Hydroponics/Indoor Hydroponics Methods are Effective
Hydroponics is an extremely effective way of growing plants. By providing the plants with dissolved nutrients, with the proper support (growth medium), pH and light, they grow faster and more abundantly in a smaller space then they would in soil. The efficacy of soil-less gardening has been amply demonstrated for commercial applications. The same effective principles apply to indoors hydroponics.
Not only do plants grow more abundantly and more quickly, without soil your plants are much less likely to be afflicted by pests. And if no light reaches the water reservoir, there is no chance of growing algae. Without pests, you don’t need pesticides.
Indoor Hydroponics – Bypassing the Learning Curve to Grow Abundant, Flavorful Harvests
However, there is a learning curve for any subject and indoor hydroponics is no exception. There’s the question of equipment once you reach a certain stage. You may be a busy person and just want to enjoy the color, aromas, and tastes of a living plant in your own home.
Indoor Hydroponics with the Aerogrow Aerogarden System
Aerogrow Aerogarden system is for you then. More complete than most indoor hydroponics kits, it comes as a beautiful all in one unit.
Anyone, with or without gardening experience, can succeed in growing lush, beautiful gardens. Simply add water, drop in the pre-seeded grow plugs, turn it on and watch it grow. The system automatically turns the grow lights on and off and reminds when to add water and nutrients. Nutrient packages are available.
Grow Flowers, Grow Herbs, Grow Salad Greens
You will easily be able to grow flower, herb or salad green gardens. There are multiple seed packets available for each type of plant.
Imagine in the middle of winter tasting a bright red ripe cherry tomato. Not like the kind you get in supermarkets. It’s hard to find a decent tomato of any kind, at any time of year in most American supermarkets.
Miss the salad days of summer and the farmer’s markets? You can grow your own salad greens during the fall and winter. You don’t have to worry about wasting. Just harvest when you need them. It’s possible though, you might grow so many you will have to give some away.
Always liked the idea of an herb garden in the kitchen? An Aerogarden will give you a push-button herb garden. You won’t have to buy whole packs of herbs that often discolor and go to waste, You won’t have to worry about storage. Snip what you need and start cooking!
Aerogrow Aerogarden Makes a Great Christmas Gift
An Aerogarden would be great for any of the following:
- The gardener in your life.
- The cook keen on preparing tasty, fresh and healthy meals.
- The salad lover, who needs a variety of fresh vegetables readily available.
- The person who is a little intimidated by gardening. And just needs a little push in that direction.
- Children nowadays seem to think food comes wrapped in plastic. Comes. Teach them how plants grow.
Aerogrow Aerogarden units come in a variety of colors, and sizes, and designs. See the Aerogrow Aerogarden Systems
which is right for you.
Technorati Tags: Aerogarden, Aerogrow Aerogarden, flowers, grow your own, herbs, hydroponics kit, hydroponics kits, hydroponics system, indoor hydroponics, indoor hydroponics kit, indoor hydroponics kits, salad greens
October 26th, 2008
Getting the right amount of light is very critical for any type of gardening, including indoor hydroponics gardening. Keep in mind each type of plant has its own requirements. For example, foliage plants do not require as much light as flowering plants, vegetables and seedlings.
In general, most homes contain plants to uplift the mood of a house, and to make it prettier and more cozy. Overall, house plants help make a house a home. Similarly, many beginning indoor hydroponics gardeners want plants for purely decorative purposes.
Beginners probably don’t want to devote a whole room as a “grow chamber” with bright lights, and reflective treatments for the wall. Or to have plants growing in closet set-ups, or even mini-greenhouses. Many don’t even have the space for those kinds of setups. You want to see your houseplant; to enjoy it while going about your daily business.
FINDING THE BEST LIT LOCATION IN YOUR HOME
The recommendations for lighting for indoor hydroponics gardening is the same as regular indoor gardening. The general recommendation is to find a south facing window, which receive the most sunlight. If you have such a window use it. That’s a perfect situation for an imperfect world.
In many cases, this window will be obscured by building, trees, or bushes. If you can get rid of the obstruction, do so.
Or during certain times of the year there might be too much sunlight in the window, making it too hot for the houseplant. At other times of year, there may not be enough light for the correct amount of time for your species of plant.
Most of us have a vague sense of the lighting in any given room of a house. We may notice that some rooms of the house are brighter than others. But we generally don’t have a detailed idea of how the lighting varies during the day. In the morning a room might be brightly lit; in the afternoon, while we are away at work or otherwise occupied we may not notice that it has dimmed.
In addition, the human eye instantly adapts to changing light conditions. This adaptation diminishes our ability to detect the amount of actual light in a room.
Evaluating your space at different times of the day and taking notes is a great way to start. At the very least you can make comparisons and take notes. Then take an educated guess and give it a try. If your plant does poorly shift location.
Another solution: buy an inexpensive garden light meter
Again with the light meter, do readings at various times of the day. Take notes. You should have enough information to decide.
IF YOU DECIDE YOU NEED TO SUPPLEMENT THE LIGHT AVAILABLE
If you can’t find the right kind of space, you can supplement the light with a special type of light bulb for growing indoors. It should neither be too expensive or too technical if you just have a few plants. There are special plant lights
which offer full spectrum daylight (both incandescent and compact fluorescent) bulbs.
There are lot of different kinds of lights available for indoor gardening and indoor hydroponics gardening. After you advanced you will probably research the best kind for your particular needs. However if you are just starting out all you might need or one or two of these full spectrum lights.
Technorati Tags: fluorescent lights, full spectrum lights, garden lights, grow lights, hydroponics lighting, incandescent lights, lighting indoor hydroponics, plant lights
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.
August 31st, 2008
You’ve probably already selected the container for your first indoor hydroponics houseplant.
If you haven’t, take a look around your house. It’s best to have something pretty, to complement the beauty of your plant. Yet it really isn’t necessary.
You may have an old vase or a beautifully shaped wine bottle. For the design impaired, the first container could be a dented, blackened old saucepan which lost its handle. It could even be styrofoam. Even an old flowerpot. Just make sure the hole on the bottom is covered or it rests in a larger pan. It’s all up to you.
It is of the utmost importance that whatever container used is scrubbed vigorously in hot sudsy water. Cleanliness is paramount in diminishing the risk of pests.
You’ve also made sure the water’s pH is in the correct range. All plants will benefit from the addition of some nutrient to the water. Wait a week before adding any. Remove the water and replace with water and nutrient. A general nutrient will do. Just remember to use 1/4 -1/3 the amount indicated for a given volume of water. Then carefully raise if need be.
Now’s the time to remove the house plant from its pot. Lay out paper over your work surface. This can get messy.
At the soil line, hold the stem gently between 2 fingers. Make sure you don’t pinch the stem. Upend the pot and see if the soil and root ball of the plant comes out. If not,gently tap the pot to encourage release of the soil and root ball. If necessary run a knive along the sides of the pot.
When done, place the plant in your container. If it can’t suspend itself in water right side up, , just place some marbles at the bottom of the container. Or the gravel found in pet stores for aquariums. This will help the support the plant before it develops its root system.
Leaning against the side of the jar should not be injurious to the plant. If you find the look displeasing, find a container with a cork stopper. Put a hole in the center big enough for the stem. Pack the opening with absorbent cotton to keep the stem in place.
You are now doing indoor hydroponics!
Simple isn’t it!
Technorati Tags: house plant container, houseplant, indoor gardening, indoor hydroponics, plant container
August 28th, 2008
Sometimes the simplest way to start is to start simple Don’t worry too much about the outcome. Just get some momentum going. We all have to start somewhere. It’s easiest to work with a single houseplant.
First of all we start with the water. We must make sure that:
- The water hasn’t gone through a water softener system.
- The pH is not too high (alkaline), i.e., greater than 7.
- We have a method of testing the pH. For that we buy the pH testing strips at a pharmacy or garden supply store.
- We have a method of bringing the pH in the proper range for a house plant - between 6.0 and 7.0.
Chlorine can alkalinize (i.e., make more basic) water. If one lets the water stand for 2 days, the water should become more acidic. Or one can simply adjust the pH immediately. Use common household vinegar to acidify the water. Add a drop of vinegar then retest with a pH strip. When in range stop. Keep a record of how many drops of vinegar it took to bring the pH in range for a given volume of water.
Most houseplants thrive at a pH between 6 and 7.
On the other hand, if the water is too acidic, we use common household baking soda to move the pH to the desired level. Add a small amount at a time and test after each addition. Again record the amount of bicarbonate of soda required for a given amount of water.
You do have to do a little thinking ahead just for the water.
Next, the plant, container and nutrients.
August 25th, 2008
The primary nutrients of a plant are nitrogen (N), Phosphorus (P) and Potassium. Plants require these in larger amounts than the secondary nutrients: sulfur (S), magnesium (Mg), and calcium (Ca). Both primary and secondary nutrients are called macronutrients. Micronutrients aid plant chemistry at much lower concentrations than the macronutrients. For basic information on macronutrients, see this post.
THE SECONDARY NUTRIENTS
Soil generally contains sufficient quantity of these secondary nutrients. However for the hydroponics gardener, indoor or out, you must supply these as well.
Among other actions, sulfur is required to produce chlorophyll. It is also the cause of the distinctive taste of many vegetables, including onions and garlic.
Another necessary mineral for the production of the chlorophyll molecule, correct magnesium levels are also critical for reactions producing fats and carbohydrates.
Calcium aids in cell growth and division. It is also required to take up nitrogen and other minerals. It plays an important role in the movement of water in cells.
All the secondary nutrients are important for the funciton of enzymes. Enzymes are proteins that catalyze biochemical reactions, i..e, help them occur in the internal environment of the plant.
THE MICRONUTRIENTS
A partial list follows of the micronutrients: iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), zinc (Zn), boron (B), and copper (Cu).
Iron is another critical component in the production of chlorophyll in a plant.
Manganese supports the absorption of the macronutrient nitrogen.
Zinc, again is a nutrient which is involved in enzymatic processes in the cell. Zinc is also involved in the formation of auxins, plant hormones stimulating grownth, as well as carbohydrate metabolism and protein synthesis.
Boron is involved in a broad range of biochemical activities, including but not limited to cell wall formation, membrane integrity and calcium uptake.
Found primarily in plant root, copper is involved in nitrogen metabolism.
FORM OF MACRONUTRIENTS AND MICRONUTRIENTS
Plants require these minerals to be dissolved in water. Therefore fertilizers are in the form of salts. A salt is a which when dissolved in water breaks up into ions.
WARNING REGARDING THESE NUTRIENTS
This is not a case of the “more the better”. Excess amounts can kill your plants. Err on the side of caution. Unless you get recommendations specific to hydroponics methods, reduce the amount given to 1/4 to 1/3 of the amount recommended. Doing this your first indoor hydroponics exeriences should be good ones.
Technorati Tags: hydroponics, indoor hydroponics, mineral salts, plant fertilizers, plant micronutrients, secondary plant nutrients
August 23rd, 2008
The surprising fact about soilless gardening is that plants actually do better in water than in soil. Nutrients aren’t as readily available in soil. Plants must work harder to find water and nutrients as well as fending off pests. As a gardener using soilless methods, it is easier to determine which nutrients and the amounts necessary for plants to thrive - just simply dissolve the mineral salts in water.
It is important for any type of garderner, not just those who are using hydroponics to be knowledgeable about this fundamental subject. What nutrients are fundamental to a plants health? Individual plant species have different requirements. The main nutrients are Nitrogen (nitrates), Phosphorus (phosphates) and Potassium. The acidity of the water solution is a factor in plant health.
The Primary Nutrients
Each plant species requires different proportions of the following primary nutrients: nitrogen (chemical symbol N), phosphorus (chemical symbol P) and potassium (chemical symbol K). These nutrients are required in relatively large quantities compared to other nutrients.
In general, they play the following roles in plant development.:
- Proteins contain nitrogen. Enzymes, catalysts for biochemical actions, are proteins.
- Phosphorus is important for the overall vigor of a plant. It’s capacity for growth and reproduction.
- Potassium is involved in the movement of water within the plant. For instance, changes in water pressure, causes movement in leaf postions to face the sun. It also activates important enzymes for photosynthesis. The process of photosynthesis makes food.
Containers of fertilizer indicate the percentages of these important minerals in the following order:
Nitrogen, Phosphorus, Potassium. For example 10-10-10 means 10% each of Nitrogen, Phosphorus and Potassium.
pH: Acidity and Alkalinity
pH refers to the concentration of Hydrogen ions: neutral is ph7; acid pH’s are less than 7; alkaline or basic pHs are greater than 7. pH affects a plant’s ability to absorb nutrients.
Each type of plant has a different range in which they grow. Generally for house plants it is a pH between 6-7. The wrong levels interfere
As an example here are the pHs of 2 common kitchen products. Vinegar, an acid has pH 2.9 and bleach, a base has pH 12.5
Water, with the proper pH, provides the mineral salts needed for house plants to thrive.
Technorati Tags: plant nutrients, plant primary nutrients, primary nutrients