Below are the 20 most recent journal entries recorded in hydroponicsguru's InsaneJournal:

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Tuesday, April 13th, 2010
7:13 pm	Differences in Grow Lights In hydroponics (the growing of plants without having soil), special lights known as grow lights are usually used to simulate different elements of natural daylight. Different ranges of color spectrum are targeted by these grow lights which are valuable to plant growth as these lights don't completely replicate sunlight. Comprehending the distinctions in grow lights and how they work requires a little understanding about the spectrum of sunshine and color. Scientifically, color is calculated as "temperature" in the same way to heat, with the exception that increased color temperatures appear "much cooler", and lower temperatures appear "warmer." In degrees Kelvin (K), color temperature in usually calculated in. (Once again, real heat isn't being assessed here.) In basic terms, the higher (cooler) temperatures are inclined towards blue on the spectrum (5000K and above), that is beneficial for growing plant appearance, and lower (warmer) temperatures are towards orange-red (2700K and below), which usually promote flowering/budding and vertical growth. Natural sunshine includes a broad spectrum heavy on the blue range, but also including orange-red; thus it is advisable to possess a lighting mix giving out both cool and warm color to balance the development in crops. Grow lights usually belong to four categories: High Intensity Discharge (HID), fluorescent, incandescent and LED. The following would be the most typical forms of grow lights: METAL HALIDE (MH) This is an HID bulb which highlights the blue end of the spectrum (ranging from 2700-5500K), and is wonderful for leafy plant growth. Should you only have one sort of grow light, this is the best option, as it is closest to natural sunlight. HIGH PRESSURE SODIUM (HPS) This is an HID bulb which is good for flowering but not foliage, supplying an orange-red color temperatures around 2200K. It's ideal never to utilize this bulb by itself, but to use it together with MH bulbs or as being a supplement to natural sunshine. FLUORESCENT BULBS Fluorescents appear in many intensities and color ranges. Temperatures that are warmer or cooler are that of a common fluorescent or high-output fluorescents are available in, it can also be mixed. Regular bulbs can be placed closer to the vegetation simply because they give off low heat. Fluorescents usually are cheaper and lower, however when employed effectively, they are able to come close to HID bulbs as far as success. INCANDESCENT BULBS Incandescents are the the very least popular selection simply because they burn hot, can't be positioned close to crops, and are the least comparable to day light. However, knowing what you really are doing, these can be used as a supplement lighting for single plants as you'll find color corrected incandescents offered in the market recently. LED LIGHTS The modern grow light choice offered. These kinds of lights can be put close to the crops because these produce almost no heat but are said to cover the full color spectrum for plants, these LED lighting is lately created. Therefore, this may not be one of the most cost-effective alternative considering that they're genuinely costly which is nevertheless debatable regardless of whether LED generates better outcomes than grow lights which might be traditional. (1 Comment |Comment on this)
5:18 pm	Hydroponic Nutrients It is significant to nourish plants the nutrients they need, this is exactly why hydroponic nutrients are very important of the hydroponic grow process. With hydroponics, less waste materials and pollution are p`roduced given that in contrast to the original land farming, nutrients are distributed through water in which the plants sit. Magnesium sulfate, calcium nitrate, potassium nitrate and potassium phosphate are several chemical substances merged in order to deliver different forms of nutrients. Simply by looking through the instructions that goes along with the kit, even beginners could discover exactly what they need to do to operate hydroponic nutrients efficiently. The ins and outs of dealing with hydroponic nutrients might be learned from a seasoned farmer that can teach you one on one. Once the newbie grower has produced a genuine knowledge of how these several factors and chemical substances work together to create for the most powerful nutrients that may deliver the best plants. Different mixtures of these nutrients enable you to give food to all sorts of vegetables and fruit. There is always to this day a pervading myth within the popular awareness that hydroponic nutrients are used exclusively for the growth of marijuana. While marijuana is in fact frequently grown by means of hydroponics, it comprises a tiny portion of the overall plant life that's managed and sustained by feeding upon hydroponic nutrients. Plants that are grown hydroponically take in the nutrients directly from the water therefore requiring less nutrients as opposed to grown in soil, plants demand a great deal more in nutrients when it comes to materials. This can be merely one of the numerous ways where using hydroponic nutrients to stimulate plant growth can eliminate cost in addition to reduce waste. Resulting in tax breaks and government financial aid, farmers that work on a big scale, transitioning to hydroponics are scaling down greatly on their environmental footprint because they supply their plants with hydroponic nutrients. Regardless of whether small or a large scale, the environmental impact on farming are scaled back as farmers change to hydroponic nutrients from traditional fertilizers. Simply by going hydroponic as well as giving their plants with hydroponic nutrients, even persons growing a few plants every month can make a lot of difference towards the environment. (Comment on this)
3:01 pm	Hydroponics The technique of growing plants on water without the usage of soil is termed hydroponics. Its ability to provide nutrients to the plants straightaway tends to make this technique common. This method can be used for centuries already. The initial book about the subject came out in the seventeenth century, and it is often used being an actual science since 1930s, or even perhaps earlier. Decrease water charges, larger crop yields is available on a landed grow site because hydroponic farmers can give food to the plants without having soil. Many generates no pollution, and can be achieved on both an enormous and a moderate scale. Natural food small business run in home can produce a couple of dozens of vegetables and fruit monthly while huge growers can make numerous crops on a yearly basis. One of several thousand forms of plants grown via hydroponics is the pot that folks often link with hydroponics. The branch of science that utilizes vegetation for various features and duties is called agronomy where hydroponics is an integral part of it. A hydroponic reservoir constructed from plastic material pots sealed with aluminum foil or other sorts of solid cover is how vegetation are positioned in order to grow in the best and most fruitful way. Algae can slow down the plant to grow, therefore, this cover is essential to impede the light to reach the water to allow it to be extremely hard for an algae to cultivate, essential in any hydroponic operation. Hydroponic farmers can use a number of media in their hydroponic operation with regards to the growing strategy they may stick to. Diahydro, a sedimentary rock medium that can help grow plants and strengthen the walls of cells, coco peat produced from the outer shell of a coconut, perlite, a volcanic rock that's exposed to extreme heat to be able to change it into glass pebbles are the selections for a hydroponic farmer to utilize. Simply because the materials and terms in hydroponics looks difficult, you should not allow it to discourage you. With the correct guidebook to growing with hydroponics, and maybe the benefit of a few quick one-on-one coaching through an experienced hydroponic farmer, a person with even a slightly green thumb can easily grow plants of almost any shape and size in this cleaner, extremely effective, and less expensive fashion. Whether you're seeking to setup a huge grow organization or maybe a one-person or three-person operation, hydroponics can assist you switch that desire into a reality. (Comment on this)
Friday, January 29th, 2010
9:38 pm	Hydroponics Systems Hydroponics systems will provide you everything that you need to build, grow and reap the rewards of hydroponic gardening - whether you're in it for fun, food, or profit. Hydroponic gardening is the wave of the future. It has gained much attention as it is being studied in classrooms, local horticultural societies, government-funded research at major universities and even NASA. It's also becoming a well-known hobby. This practice is fun, easy and exciting. The word hydroponics comes from two Greek words, "hydro" meaning water and "ponics" meaning labor. Unbeknownst to several people, this concept of growing plants has been around for so long a time already. The hanging Gardens of Babylon and The Floating Gardens of China are two of the earliest cases of hydroponics. Scientists started experimenting with soil-less gardening sometime in 1950. From then one, many countries (like Holland, Australia and Germany) have also adopted the practice, and have gathered amazing results. Hydroponics utilizes either a bath or flow of highly oxygenated, nutrient-enriched water in growing plants. In soil, organic matter is broken down into its basic nutrient salts - and this is what plants take in order to grow. After which, water gets into the process - dissolving the sales and allowing uptake by the roots. Everything in the soil should be in perfect balance so plants will obtain a balanced diet. But because of the lack of organic matter left behind on the surface, contamination as well as other biological imbalances, this ideal condition is rarely ever present, nor achieved. In making use of hydroponics systems, on the other hand, water is enriched with the same nutrient salts. Because there is so much control imposed on these solutions, then they can't jeopardize the environment, unlike the use of fertilizers. In addition, very little water is lost to evaporation in a hydroponic system, owing to its application in drought stricken cases., little water is needed and wasted. Cannabis hydroponic systems are ideal for large plants, it can effortlessly handle a single tomato or pepper plant or a couple of smaller plants like lettuce or herbs. NOTE: With large plants, you may need to supply external support to help hold the plant upright. The use of a separate reservoir, submersible nutrient pump, a short cycle timer, an air pump and airstone as well as a little bit of drip irrigation tubing can be used in order to automate cannabis hydroponic systems. This way, the energy normally used to develop long roots can be redirected to growing more plant, which is the great advantage of hydroponics systems. (Comment on this)
2:41 pm	Hydroponic Growing Hydroponic growing is quickly becoming a trend today. From the Greek terms "hydro," which means water and "ponos," which means labor, hydroponics is a technique of growing plants without soil and using only nutrient solutions. Bear in mind, however, that terrestrial plants can only be grown hydroponically if there is an inert medium, such as perlite, gravel or mineral wool. Quickly becoming the new standard in growing environments, greenhouses can yield produce all-year long because they are totally immune to the weather outside. So how would this be beneficial to you? First, you could be out there growing and selling healthy tomatoes at high prices while others are out there waiting for the tomato season to begin. And tomatoes are just a start. Other crops like lettuce could also very well benefit from this growing method. When you grow hydroponically, you know the crop will be strong (if you started with good seeds) and hygienic. That's something you cannot always depend on when buying from someone else. This is particularly essential if you are growing for medical reasons. Using hydroponic growing to grow plants is fairly simple once you understand how it works. Therefore, you will surely succeed growing marijuana when you use hydroponics. All these being said, it is no wonder that hydroponics has quickly become an established branch in agronomy. Progress has been rapid, and results obtained in various nations have proved it to be thoroughly practical and to have very definite benefits over conventional methods of horticulture. Among its primary benefits are: (1) it allows for higher yields and (2) it makes gardening possible in places and conditions that aren't ideal for agriculture. A section of a basement makes a perfect grow room. An attic also has potential but heat problems may bombard you unless it is well-ventilated. In addition, make sure that your grow room will have fresh air - plants need this for their supply of carbon dioxide. An exhaust fan is also required so hot air will be fanned out of the room. Indeed, you need not be paying high prices for top-caliber crops if you know how to grow your own. You can use a hydroponic garden to grow just about any kind of plant. The experience you get from hydroponic growing can be applied to any other hydroponic crop you decide to grow in the long run. Therefore, anytime you want to grow a particular type of crop, think of hydroponic growing. (Comment on this)
Tuesday, December 29th, 2009
9:40 pm	The Different Hydroponic Systems Hydroponic gardening, or the practice of growing plants and food without the use of soil, is increasing in popularity largely because more and more people are taking an interest in it. As such, several hydroponic systems have come out - each made to help grow plants in various quantities. Sometimes, these systems are pre-designed and sold as a unit or kit (a good option for beginners); more experienced growers usually buy components and design their own systems. Here are five of the more common applications of hydroponics and how they work. Ebb and Flow (also referred to as Flood and Drain) This is the most common method in hydroponics where plants are placed in a growth tray over a nutrient container and a pump is used to "flood" these trays with the solution. Excess solution not absorbed by the roots "drains" back into the reservoir and is recycled. A variation of this is the Drip System, which utilizes a pump to create a continual drip of nutrient solution into the growth tray. Nutrient Film Technique (NFT) Here, the roots of the plants are suspended in a constant "film" of nutrient solution; a pump sends this flow into one end of the tray, and drains it out to the other end into the reservoir. This system is great at nourishing roots but this is also seen as too technical and high-maintenance since the roots are not anchored in a medium. The Water Culture System In this very old and simple hydroponic systems, a platform of planters floats in a nutrient reservoir and the roots are allowed to dangle into the solution. To oxygenate the system, sometimes, an air pump is utilized. If you're a beginner, this is an easy as well as inexpensive way to get started. The Wick System This is another very simple method, and no pump is required. A wick (like that in an oil lamp wick or candle wick) simply draws the nutrient solution from the reservoir to the growth tray, where the plant roots absorb it. Yes, this is passive and low-maintenance but the danger of this system is that sometimes, this can over-soak the roots, endangering the yield outcome. Aeroponics This is probably the most effective, and the most technical of the hydroponic systems. The plant roots are continually sprayed with a vapor-mist solution and are not anchored on any medium, exposing them to air at all times. When done properly, this method can generate large, quick-growing plants and lots of fruit. These hydroponic systems are proven methods of growing plants without soil. Some are more efficient than others; some are more complicated. Choosing the system for you largely depends on your time, budget as well as overall needs. (Comment on this)
1:00 pm	Misconceptions about Hydroponic Gardening The intriguing practice of hydroponic gardening (the act of growing plants without making use of soil) is a highly misunderstood but widely known practice. Some people think of it as suspicious since the practice is connected with illegal substances, others think of it as an overreaching science while a whole lot see it as a purely novel-but-expensive pastime. In reality, however, hydroponics is a system that many hobbyists, gardeners, farmers and even nations utilize to grow strong and healthy plants. To clear things up, let us look at the common myths. One of the largest misconceptions is that hydroponic gardens are typically used to grow certain controlled substances in secret growing rooms. Internet sources don't seem to help since they relate the concepts of hydroponics and illegal activity. But that's precisely because those dispensing that information know how to use the Internet-not because every hydroponic garden is not a legal one. In fact, illegal growing comprises a tiny percentage of hydroponic gardening in general. A large number of plants and vegetables do very well in hydroponic environments, and there are many good, honest gardeners using hydroponics to do just that. For example, in Canada and Holland, farmers are making use of hydroponics to grow food on a larger scale. Thus, saying that hydroponics is bad because of its connection to illegal substances is the same as saying that soil is bad. In other words, farming, whatever the method, is still farming - and hydroponics is simply one of the alternatives. Second, many people believe that hydroponic gardening is unnatural or artificial because it foregoes the use of soil. The truth is, there are no genetic or chemical manipulations in hydroponics, and no natural processes are interrupted. All the normal ingredients for growing things in nature are supplied to the plants just the same as if they're planted in soil: light, water, nutrients, and an anchor for the roots. In hydroponics, on the other hand, soil is replaced by other root-anchoring techniques and nutrients, light and water are provided in ways that would optimize health and growth. Interestingly enough, plants that grow in hydroponic gardens would typically turn out to be healthier - and this is done without the use of additives. The process is more complex, but the result is still the natural production of plants and food. Thirdly, others believe of hydroponics as a useless, costly pastime. While hydroponics is truly a fun pastime (and a growing business) for hobbyists, it can also be very functional. Hydroponics make growing food a possibility in almost any setting and environment-in the dead of winter, in the extended twilight of the polar regions, in places where soil is contaminated, and even in space. Hydroponics can improve the quality and yield of food-bearing plants, potentially making food more readily available to third-world countries and regions where famine has taken hold. So maybe, there's more to hydroponic gardening than meets the eye; there's certainly more to it than these common misconceptions might lead us to believe. (Comment on this)
Monday, December 28th, 2009
10:48 pm	Understanding the Concept of General Hydroponics For many people, the concept of general hydroponics is a bit baffling. It sounds like an ultra-scientific term having to do with laboratories, something that alters a natural process like the growing of plants and turns it into a complex, unnatural process. So let us take the concept of hydroponics down to its basic elements. The term "hydroponics" comes from two Greek words that mean "working water." The significance of water to plant growth cannot be overstated, since it is actually through the water not through soil itself that nutrients are fed to the plants. Hydroponics at its most basic is merely the growing of plants without soil applying the nutrients directly to the plant roots in a water-based formula. Let it be known that there's nothing artificial about this process. There are no genetic controls and no chemical enhancements in hydroponics. Rather, the idea deals with breaking down the process into the basic building blocks. Plants need four elements for growth: light, water, nutrients, as well as an anchor for the roots. With the exclusion of light, the other three elements normally occur through the soil - but then again, soil isn't the one responsible for feeding the plant roots, but water. Soil, on the other hand, is important because it provides an anchor for the roots and it is an effective medium where water feeds the plants. In general hydroponics, these four elements are taken over directly by the grower, instead of leaving it to the sun and the soil; but all the elements are still there. This is why it is not an artificial process, just a natural process broken down into parts. A different medium is utilized to anchor the roots (such as vermiculite or coconut) and water-nutrient solutions are sprayed or washed to the roots. Lighting may be natural sunlight, or artificial lighting that maximizes the parts of the light spectrum plants thrive on or both. With hydroponic growing, the grower is given more control over plant growth because he can manipulate the natural elements in order to maximize growth rate. This isn't to say that hydroponics is a simple process, because the reverse is true - but when done accurately, this alternative can actually produce healthier plants and food. General hydroponics is not to grow things in an artificial manner, but to have more control within the natural processes. Bear in mind that everything that's grown using the hydroponic process is natural. (Comment on this)
3:59 pm	Understanding Hydroponics In very simple terms, hydroponics can be described as the growing of plants without soil. There are four basic elements a plant requires in order to grow: water, nutrients, an anchor for the roots (that is, "medium"), and light. While three of these ingredients come from the soil, please not that the soil isn't where the nutrients come from, rather, from the water in the soil. So, if you provide a water-nutrient solution for the plant, and the right amount of light, all you really need is to find another medium to anchor the roots, and voila! Plants grow without soil. While hydroponics is developed as a new science, it's actually not a new concept. Historic examples of growing plants with hydroponics date back to the hanging gardens of Babylon, and there's evidence of hydroponics in the histories of Egypt, China, and the Aztecs as well. Given that there is a lot of soil around, isn't it a bit a preposterous idea to grow plants without soil? Particular situations, however, would make growing food hydroponically the better alternative. For one thing, this process can be used to grow food outside the time frame the normal growing season, because it is not reliant on the weather. Secondly, the process isn't reliant on sunlight; natural lighting works well, but artificial lighting can be used. Thirdly, in corners of the world where soil is contaminated or there is danger of disease, hydroponics can provide a clean alternate environment for food to grow. In essence, hydroponics allows us to grow food in situations where it is potentially impossible to do so: in the dead of winter, in Arctic regions and even in space! So long as you maintain to provide the four ingredients - even without soil - then you're good to go! These days, it's not only the scientists that are examining the use of hydroponics. Canada and Holland are presently using this process to grow food on a larger scale. A few individuals are also keeping hydroponic gardens at home. In fact, the increased demand has made the sale of hydroponic supplies into a sizeable enterprise in the past few years. While this won't totally replace the old-fashion ways of the soil, hydroponics will certainly provide us with a wonderful alternatives to agriculture. (Comment on this)
1:04 pm	The Hydrofarm, The Future of Agriculture Hydroponics, though not really a new concept, is transforming the growing industry. More and more hobbyists are having hydroponic gardens at home, people are maintaining hydroponic grow rooms instead of having outdoor gardens and the hydrofarm is emerging as a prevalent alternative to regular farming. Aside from "Hydrofarm" being a household brand name of hydroponic products, a hydrofarm is essentially a farm that grows its produce using hydroponics. Hydroponics is the growing of plants without soil replacing the soil with a different anchor for the roots, and directly supplying nutrients to the roots using a water-based solution. Plants can grow strong and healthy, and yield more fruit in this manner, because the elements required for plant productivity are carefully controlled to maximize the effect on the plants. Hydroponics has ceased to be a mere segment of agriculture that fought its way out of the stereotype that it's used to grow illegal plants - presently, powerful countries like Canada and Holland are starting to adopt this method in producing food in a larger scale. Today, there are many a hydrofarm across the country; some participate in local farmer's markets or sell their produce to stores, and many sell their produce directly to the customers by a variety of methods. The hydrofarm has increased in popularity since people often consider the food to be safer, plus with the use of lighting and temperature controls, produce can be grown out of season. Despite misconceptions that this is an artificial way to grow plants, there is barely anything artificial about it (no genetic or chemical manipulation); it is simply an alternative way of providing the natural elements a plant requires in order to grow, and because these elements are controlled, plants can be given the optimal amount of light, water and nutrients to yield good produce time and again. In fact, one of the reasons people buy hydroponic produce is that they realize that it is a healthier, more natural alternative to the mass-producing agricultural methods that are predominatly used now. It is believed that the hydrofarm will become a great alternative in producing food for third-world nations and other places where soil isn't that fertile. Interestingly, this alternative is also being explored as a way of growing food in space! Indeed, to the ignorant, the hydrofarm is merely a fringe concept, but to the learned, this is crucial for the future of agriculture. (Comment on this)
Sunday, December 27th, 2009
8:00 pm	Advanced Nutrients In Hydroponics Hydroponics is the growing of plants without soil-which means the nutrients that are normally supplied through the soil to the plants should come from an alternative source, usually through the water solution. Obviously, the advanced nutrients solution given to hydroponic plants has a direct impact on their growth, health, and their yield. There are approximately seventeen different elements found naturally in soil that plants require for healthy growth, and most basic solutions formulated for hydroponics will provide these elements (you can also mix your own, if you know what you're doing). The need to use formula made specifically for hydroponics shouldn't be underestimated as regular fertilizers typically lack some of the elements needed by the plants. There are also advanced nutrients available-special formulations and/or additives that elicit specific behaviors or growth in the plants. Making the best nutrient mixture is indeed complicated - what with all the factors that need to be considered like the type of plant, nutrient blend that's most suitable to a particular plant, the desired result. True enough, there is an endless list of combination of elements and quantities. Essentially, this is chemistry; and if you took chemistry in high school, you probably recognize that the correct blend of chemicals can be beneficial, while the wrong blend can be disastrous. Thankfully, there are a lot of products available where the homework has been done for you; but you still need to be aware of your plants and their needs, and read labels to ensure you are giving them the right thing-especially when it comes to advanced nutrients and additives. It is safe to conclude then that while basic nutrient blends promote the needed health of plants, it's the advanced nutrients that provide the extra push on particular areas. Several blends deal with keeping the right pH balance in the water, which is essential in hydroponics. Some nutrients promote accelerated growth; some affect the blooming phase; some encourage thicker foliage; some boost the yield of harvest. Remember, however, that while looking at them makes this idea so simple, it is not - it is certaintly not like putting an additive in your gas tank. Plants adopt the adage, "you are what you eat" too; so what you feed them will ultimately affect their well-being. Just as taking a certain medicine, it may treat some symptoms but the fact that side effects could be felt is also there. In the same way, plants would feel some unintended effects in some areas by the mere "taking" of a booster. Thus, it's truly essential for you to know about the different nutrients that affect plant growth, this way, you have a better idea of their results. Good thing that developers of many hydroponic blends are putting important information on advanced nutrients on the label. It is therefore very important to read the label before purchasing a certain product. The label will typically tell you what the formulation is for, and what plants it benefits. If the product does not have enough information on the label, don't trust it. (Comment on this)
Thursday, December 24th, 2009
8:47 pm	Grow Marijuana Using Hydroponics In several states, the Medical Marijuana patient is permitted to grow marijuana. Depending on rate of consumption, growing your own marijuana makes sound financial sense. Additionally, it can also guarantee you an unlimited supply of your favorite strain of weed. Growing marijuana is best done indoors using a hydroponics system - unless you own vast acreage. Prices for hydroponics systems range from $300 to many thousands of dollars. Different hydroponic systems greatly vary according to (a) amount of automation (b) one stage only versus all-inclusive mother plant area, vegetation and flowering area. The latter is more preferred since you will have a permanent mother plant that gives you access to unlimited clones whenever you need them. Stealth Hydroponics has some very effective low end systems. Their grow tents are very useful if you do not have a closet. If you like the Rolls Royce of hydroponic gardening, take a look at BC Northern Lights. Your natural tendency is to grow as big of plants as you can. This can backfire on you. Each plant, let it be known, needs at least 3x3 feet footprint. Going below this limit would affect the amount of illumination that gets to your plant. On the other side, trying to grow really big marijuana plants may also result to them growing right past your lights. To check if you're on the right track, remember these: (1) during the flowering stage, your plant will grow 1 1/2feet and (2) you should start the flowering process when the plants reach to within 24" of the lights in their highest position. Depending on the strain, this can be somewhere from three weeks to eight weeks from starting with a clone. The real secret to success in trying to grow marijuana is to look for a source for clones. This ensures 2 things: 1) your plant shall be a female; and 2) your plant will survive (the most delicate stage in a plants life is the first week or two when sprouting from a seed). Once you have a clone, then you're automatically assured of a crop growing all-year-round. Just like any other crop, marijuana requires advanced nutrients. Depending on Miracle Gro and other normal fertilizers will not do the job. Both Stealth Hydroponics and BC Northern Lights provide great advanced nutrient products. If you're careful enough, following the process to the dot, then there'll be no room for failure. Using tap water that is let set for approximately 10 minutes is perfect. Much is made about handling your plants gently and carefully: controlling PH, CO2, humidity, as well as temperature. Remember that in reality, Marijuana is a weed, so it would take quite a bit to kill it. Just one suggestion though, do not add the first round until 2 weeks after the vegetation stage. Lastly, about lighting... Lighting is critical. You can use silver halide and other high tech lights, or you can use CFL fluorescent lights. They could do the job perfectly. Vegetation spectrum is in the 6000 Kelvin range while the Flower Spectrum is in the 2700 Kelvin range. Therefore, it is important to take note of both spectrums; but of course, focus more on the one that matches the phase where your marijuana growth is at. Total time from clone to harvest when you grow marijuana is somewhere around twelve weeks. The typical yield is between 4 and 6 oz per plant. (Comment on this)
2:43 pm	Which Hydroponic Lights are Best? Hydroponic lights, also referred to as grow lights, are used, sometimes together with one of its other varieties, to attain the best lighting results. If you're using natural sunlight in any way, the grow lights shall be used to supplement natural light; if you're using strictly artificial lighting, your setup would naturally be a bit more elaborate. When setting up hydroponic lighting, it is important to understand the principle of color temperature and its effects on plant life. For starters, color temperature is measured in degrees Kelvin and would refer to the color spectrum of light - not heat or cold. Blue light - at about 6000K - is perceived as the coolest while red-orange light - at the 2000K range - is regarded as the warmest. The darker blue spectrum - which resembles normal sunlight the most - is ideal for full-vegetation plants, while the slightly warmer color temperatures are most appropriate for fruit and flowering plants. In the reproductive/flowering stage, plants draw from the red-orange part of the spectrum. In an ideal setup, though, your hydroponic lights should be a combination of different colors to best suit the needs of your plants. The Metal Halide (MH) bulb is by far the most common kind of artificial lighting used in hydroponics. Since this High-Intensity Discharge (HID) light resembles direct sunlight closest - leaning more towards the blues - this is most preferred in any growing situation. As such, this bulb works best with leafy, full-vegetation plants. The High Pressure Sodium (HPS) bulb is yet another HID bulb. Unlike the MH bulb, the HPS bulb is more veered towards the orange-red part of the spectrum - best suited for flowering plants. Remember that to get the best benefits of this bulb, you should use this together with other artificial bulbs. A third alternative is fluorescent lighting. These bulbs are less expensive and they emit less heat, as such, they can be placed so close to the plants. Other kinds of grow lights include incandescent lighting, which can be tricky because they are not as intense and get too warm to be placed close to the plants; and more recently, LED lights, which claim to cover the spectrum just as fine and emit almost no heat, but are a bit expensive and not as cost-effective as the other options. As you can see, there are a wide range of combinations that can be made from these hydroponic lights. Ask your retailer about the best combination for your specific requirements. (Comment on this)
Wednesday, December 23rd, 2009
11:52 pm	The Importance of Having the Right Grow Light Hydroponic gardens usually supplement or replace natural sunlight with specialized "grow lights" designed according to the parts of the light spectrum plants require the most. What kind of grow light (or combination of grow lights) you need will depend largely on what plants you're growing, and what plant behavior you are trying to encourage. To understand the concept of grow lights, it helps to know a little bit about color temperature and how it affects plants. In the subject of plant lighting, "temperature" refers to color, and not heat. Similar to other applications of heat and cold, the color spectrum is measured in degrees Kelvin - but the distinction is, higher temperatures are considered "cooler," and lower ones, "warmer." The temperatures that highly resemble that of natural sunlight are those ranging over 5000K, and is seen as blue on the color spectrum. Interestingly, the reds, oranges and yellows are lower temperature, within the range 2700K and below. Note that leafy vegetation does better in the 6000K range (in essence, full sunlight) while flowering as well as fruiting plants need the temperature to be approximately 4800K - those considered in the cooler blue zone. Moreover, when plants are flowering and reproducing, they are drawing more from the orange-red color temperatures, around 2700K. With this, it is understandable that the right grow light is critical to a plant's well-being. In hydroponic gardening, the three most common kinds of grow light are veered towards the cooler temperatures - as this is most needed by the plants. The Metal Halide bulb is among the most popular. A High-Intensity Discharge (HID) bulb, Metal Halide bulbs range from 2700-5500K and are the closest to true sunlight that money can buy. As mentioned earlier, this type of grow light is great for leafy plants. The High Pressure Sodium bulb (also another HID bulb) is your next option. Producing the orange-red part of the light spectrum (about 2200K), these bulbs are good for flowering plants but do not encourage full foliage. Usually, these bulbs are utilized in combination of other bulbs or natural light - and aren't used as a standalone. Of course, do not take your focus away from the 3rd most common bulb - the fluorescent, both high- and low-output. Although they're not as intense as the HID bulbs, they remain a wise choice especially due to the fact that since they emit so little heat, they can be placed close to the plants. At present, there are already available LED bulbs that claim to cover the full range o the color spectrum, without the issue on heat. The only major fallback is, they are usually very expensive - and many less costly alternatives are available that can do the job just fine. To conclude, most hydroponic growing rooms today use a combination of different bulbs for the various phases of plant growth. Your retailer will be able to advise you on what grow light combination will be best for you. (Comment on this)
12:50 pm	The Different Grow Lights In Hydroponics While natural light is essential for plant growth in hydroponic gardening, it may well be substituted by artificial lighting. Grow lights, as they're called, are effective in substituting daylight for plant growth. Regular incandescent lights do not work well for this purpose since plants need a certain intensity of light for various stages of growth. (Consider that you need to emulate sunlight as much as possible.) Typically, hydroponic plants do well with High Intensity Discharge (HID) bulbs, two of which are discussed below. Aside from those two, there are still several kinds of bulbs that are ideal for hydroponics: Metal Halide Bulbs (MH) This is the most widely-used HID-type bulb primarily because it closely resembles summer sunlight; it produces the blues, which are ideal for vegetation plants. MH bulbs are likely to die out gradually and need to be replaced before they actually burn out, because they eventually do not yield enough lumens to help the plants anymore. However, MH bulbs are long-lasting, and can usually be useful for a year or more (typically 10,000 hours) before having to be replaced. High Pressure Sodium Bulbs (HPS) The other HID-type bulb, the high pressure sodium bulb, is most appropriate for supplementary lighting, used in combination with natural sunlight. HPS bulbs are more on the orange-red band of the spectrum, which is great for flowering plants. These grow lights are less costly than metal halide, and longer-lasting (normally 18,000 hours). HPS bulbs, however, aren't recommended to substitute natural light, since they are deficient in blue light. Rather, they would do well in a greenhouse environment. Fluorescent Bulbs The fluorescent bulbs at present, as compared to the earlier days, are intense enough to produce enough lumens required by hydroponic plants. This can be done either with high-output tubes or with a large number of lower-output tubes. Fluorescents emit much smaller amounts of heat than HID bulbs, which means they can be placed much closer to the plants and when they're placed closer (but not too close), they emit enough of the spectral colors to encourage growth. LED Grow Lights The newest version of grow light, the biggest benefit of LED bulbs is that they are comparable to the output of a high pressure sodium bulb while being extremely energy efficient, and emitting almost no heat. The only downside is that they are costly and promote slower growth. In fact, fluorescent grow lights can achieve the same results as LED bulbs, without the issue on money. Therefore, people are still doubtful if LED bulbs are the future of grow lights, even if they're definitely the newest thing to artificial lighting. (Comment on this)
Thursday, November 26th, 2009
6:02 pm	What do Los Angeles Hydroponics Have in Common with a Martian's Omelet? If you were stuck on the space station for quite some time and started craving a Denver omelet, let me tell you, whether you're in Beijing or Los Angeles, hydroponics would be your hero. But let's back up. First, what is this Hydrowhatchamacallit? Plants do not really need soil to grow despite the fact that we are used to finding them grown in soil. A growing process which makes use of water and melted nutrients is called Hydroponics. "Hydro" = water and "ponos" = labor. Basically, hydroponics thus means "working water". There is a whole grocery aisle of positive results to hydroponics farming. First, the absorption of nutrients is hastened by cultivating in water. The growth speed on a hydroponics plant is 30-50 percent faster than in a soil plant cultivated under similar circumstances. By utilizing less time and needing less space, this makes for greater yields (more!). The necessary nutrients are delivered direct to the plant by the hydroponics systems. So not like in soil, roots don't spread as much and widely as they do. Scientists believe that the growth pace of hydroponically grown plants is more because the plants don't have to search in the soil for the nutrients it needs and this collected energy allows them to grow quicker and make more. Pretty cool. Martian omelet, anyone? You got that correct. Means for space station astronauts and finally planetary colonizers to generate their own food is being developed by NASA for many years. It's a must as there is no economical or viable way for them to take 3 years of food stuff with them. Hydroponics establishes to be the most efficient way to create one's own fresh foods specially in space where longer term life will have to be sustained as we venture out further and further. It will aid minimize the weight of the supplies that have to be taken off the Earth. Colonists will need to use more efficient agricultural strategies than those on Earth since space is at a premium in outer space settlements. Even though hydroponics does not need soil and takes up less space than usual means, plants grown hydroponically are oftentimes larger and healthier than plants grown conventionally. Also a cleaner technique of growing plants than soil-based systems is hydroponics. Via a plant system, it was also an idea that the filthy water produced by the astronauts could be cleaned by cycling. Done the nerdy stuff? What would they probably eat? For as long as they have the seeds and the space to do so, astronauts can definitely cultivate anything their tummies desire. Basil. Tomato. Spinach. Oranges. Bananas. Mushrooms. Anything. So what we will have are satisfied, fit astronauts with many green, yellow and red food from Earth to keep their stomachs cheerful. All brought about by Los Angeles hydroponics. (Comment on this)
1:35 pm	What do hydroponics Have in Common with a Martian's Omelet? Lemme tell you, if you were stuck on the space station for six months and had craving a Denver omelet, hydroponics would save the day. But wait, let's rewind a bit there. First, what is this Hydrowhatchamacallit? Although we are used to finding plants grown in soil, they do not necessarily require soil to grow. A growing process which makes use of water and dissolved nutrients is known as Hydroponics. "Hydro" = water and "ponos" = labor. Fundamentally, hydroponics thus implies "working water". The advantages of hydroponics farming is as huge as a whole grocery aisle. First, the absorption of nutrients is accelerated by growing in water. The growth rate on a hydroponics plant is 30-50 percent faster than in a soil plant grown under the same circumstances. By employing minimal time and needing lesser space, this makes for greater harvests (more!). The needed nutrients are pumped right to the plant by the hydroponics systems. Therefore unlike in soil, roots do not spread as much as they do. Scientists think that the growth pace of hydroponically grown plants is greater because the plants do not have to hunt in the soil for the nutrients it needs and this saved energy allows them to grow quicker and make more. Pretty brilliant. Martian omelet, anyone? That's correct. For many years NASA has been developing means for space station astronauts and finally planetary colonizers to grow their own food. It's a must as there is no economic or achievable way for them to take 3 years of food stuff with them. In space, where longer term life will have to be sustained as we go out further and further, hydroponics demonstrates to be the most effective means to generate fresh foods. It will aid minimize the weight of the provisions that have to be taken off the Earth. And, because space is at a premium in outer space settlements, colonists will need to use more effective agricultural techniques than those employed on Earth. Although hydroponics does not require soil and requires less space than usual methods, plants grown hydroponically are oftentimes larger and healthier than plants grown normally. Also a cleaner technique of cultivating plants than soil-based systems is hydroponics. With a plant system, it was also an idea that the dirty water produced by the astronauts could be sterilized by recycling. Had enough with the techie matters? What would they eat? Astronauts can definitely grow anything their stomachs desire, as long as they have the seeds and the space to do so. Fruits. Herbs. Vegetables. Anything. So what we will have are happy, fit astronauts with numerous green, yellow and red food from Earth to keep their tummies smiling. All because of hydroponics. (Comment on this)
2:57 am	About LED Grow Lights This is sort of cool but also sort of dorky... What is an LED? A light-emitting diode (LED) is an electronic light source presented as a practical electronic component in 1962. Earlier, the usage of the foremost LEDs were by and large on pricey equipment such as laboratory and electronics test equipment, then later on in audio visual media such as TVs and radios, telephones, calculators, and even watches. Now, indoor gardening is one of the numerous forms of workable applications for LEDs. In hydroponics, the most well-known form of indoor gardening, LED grow lights are applied. They demand the nutrient providing sun to provide them with a full light spectrum range, that is when plants are grown outdoors. But, sunshine isn't sufficient enough indoors so it has to be increased so hydroponic lights are applied to mimic what the sun's light spectrum can offer plants. If you go back to your cognition of physics and chemistry, you'd recognize that sun is producedwhen photons, contained by the atoms, move around or change electron positions. This endless procedure generates sun. With the aid of electricity, reproducing this process is the way how LED grow lights work. Now, while the sun itself generates light in all spectrums, here are particular spectrums that a plant cannot use, such as the green light spectrum, so artificial indoor light with that spectrum are lost on plants. With hydroponic lighting, though, this isn't always the case. Numerous indoor grow lights are designed with having a certain spectrum, normally either red or blue, while others are full-spectrum grow lamps right for all levels of plant growth. You may have to have varied hydroponic lights available in order to give your growing seedlings the appropriate light spectrum they need when they demand it. Before you begin purchasing LED grow lights, be aware of what you are cultivating and what light spectrum your plant needs. (Comment on this)
12:03 am	Grow Hydro Weed In the cultivation of cannabis, hydro weed means meaning hydroponically cultured, or indoor, and "weed", meaning...umm, err...marijuana. Growing plants in a soil-like medium and adding fertilizer when the plants are provided water is how growing cannabis indoors often done. Growing hydro weed inside allows the farmer complete control over the growing surroundings but is more complex and expensive than growing outside. To be able to grow plants indoors, a growing medium (soil or growing substrate), water, nutrients, light and air have to be provided to the plant. Practicing hydroponics, the plants are cultivated not in dirt, but ordinarily in what's called rock wool or perlite and the cultivator should maintain as near to an ideal atmosphere inside the grow-room as viable. Usually with differences no bigger than 10 Celsius with a cooler night and hotter day, the air temperature should be kept within a specific range. In order for the plants to grow most expeditiously, enough levels of CO2 should be kept. Energetic air circulation within the grow room is normally done by mounting an extraction fan and several oscillating fans are also essential. The benefits of growing hydro weed are many. It's a totally controllable, safe surrounding where the farmer, you, calls the shots. You determine the potency, the yield levels and the stress. Aside from the obvious advantages after you've harvested, the activity itself can be quite educational and enjoyable. If this sounds complex, or it's different to you, that's okay. What you need to know about the better way to grow hydro weed, you can inquire from any reputable hydroponics dealer. (Comment on this)
Wednesday, November 25th, 2009
11:34 pm	Can You Grow Weed at Home? Hydro weed connotes marijuana hydroponically grown indoors. Growing Cannabis inside traditionally has to do with growing the plants in a soil-like medium and supplying fertilizer when the plants are given water. Growing hydro weed indoors is more complicated and expensive than growing outside, but it lets the cultivator complete control over the growing surroundings. A growing medium (soil or growing substrate), water, nutrients, light and air have to be furnished to the plant so that it would grow plants indoors. The planter must maintain as close to an ideal atmosphere inside the grow-room as viable and using hydroponics, the plants are grown not in dirt but normally in what's called rock wool or perlite. Normally with digressions no bigger than 10 Celsius with a cooler night and warmer day, the air temperature must be maintained within a specific range. The right amounts of CO2 must be saved in order for the plants to grow most expeditiously. Energetic air circulation within the grow room is normally done by mounting an extraction fan and several oscillating fans are also important. There are numerous advantages to growing hydro weed. The cultivator, you, controls the shots, making it entirely a controllable, sound surroundings. You decide the potency, the yield levels and the stress. The labor itself - apart from the obvious benefits after you've harvested - can be rather informative and enjoyable. If this seems complicated, or it's new to you, that's fine. What you have to know about the foremost way to grow hydro weed, you can inquire from any reputable hydroponics dealer. (Comment on this)