| Planting with Hydroponic Garden Technologies: | | | | However, if natural sunlight is not possible, you should |
| In many ways, hydroponics gardening can be very | | | | install artificial lights around the greenhouse. You can |
| challenging especially to the beginner. After all, you | | | | use incandescent bulbs, fluorescent lamps, halogen |
| are working with a different medium than the | | | | bulbs, HID lamps and plant growth lights for this |
| traditional soil so there are certain things that must | | | | purpose. Or if you want to save on lighting costs, |
| be remembered. Still, with the right supply of | | | | you can always just cultivate plants with medium to |
| information, you will be able to harvest your first | | | | low light requirements such as philodendrons or |
| successful crop. | | | | Boston ferns. |
| Water Supply | | | | Oxygen Supply |
| In hydroponics, water is the most important | | | | You also need to ensure that there is adequate |
| determinative factor in your success simply because | | | | oxygen supply flowing through your hydroponics |
| it is the carrier of nutrients and the medium upon | | | | garden especially when you are cultivating plants in an |
| which the plants will grow. Thus, you have to ensure | | | | exclusively indoor setting such as your basement or |
| that the garden has sufficient amounts of water | | | | garage. If this is the case, you can supply sufficient |
| supply pumped to it daily, so to speak. Otherwise, | | | | supply of oxygen to the plants by bubbling air |
| the roots will dry out and the plants will die a | | | | through the water solution. |
| premature death. | | | | Also, you should ensure that the temperature range |
| - However, not just any water will do as good quality | | | | in the hydroponics garden is just of the right degree. |
| must be maintained. As such, you should maintain the | | | | This is usually pegged at 75 degrees Fahrenheit |
| right balance between alkalinity, salinity and nutrient | | | | although it can be lower or higher depending on the |
| content like nitrogen, potassium, calcium, sulfur, | | | | type of plants being cultivated and the season. |
| phosphorous and magnesium. There are water | | | | Nutrient Supply |
| meters for this purpose so take advantage of them. | | | | Although you can make your own hydroponics |
| - Also, keep in mind that some plants can quickly | | | | nutrients, we recommend commercial types simply |
| alter water quality that may lead to fungal and | | | | because these have been proven to be effective |
| bacterial contamination. You have to employ practices | | | | through years of research and development. Plus, it is |
| like chlorination and activated carbon filtration to | | | | more convenient, thus, allowing you to concentrate |
| remove the risks for plant infection. | | | | on other aspects of the garden. |
| Light Supply | | | | The choice of nutrients will depend on the types of |
| Yet another important component of hydroponics | | | | plants you are cultivating as well as the stage they |
| gardening is adequate lighting. Plants need light to | | | | are in the growth cycle. You may also have to |
| grow to full fruition, thanks to chlorophyll production | | | | experiment with the proportions and feeding |
| and protection from the cold. | | | | schedules so as to maximize the results. |
| There are two basic ways with which heat can be | | | | Hydroponics gardening can be as easy as pie. It just |
| provided - natural sunlight and artificial lights. Of | | | | takes time, patience and practice to get the best |
| course, natural sunlight is preferable for obvious | | | | results, just like you would with traditional soil |
| reasons. Most plants need 8 to 10 hours of direct | | | | gardening. |
| sunlight to grow. | | | | |