Hydroponics systems (which use a re-circulating water system) are one of the most advanced systems for growing indoors. Nowadays, in major horticulture companies, dedicateds to flower production, vegetables or different types of floral, usually use hydroponic systems.
Upper yields per crop, better control over plants, and water savings (thanks to re-circulation), balance major dedication to all parameters of the cycle. In this chapter we will detail the best 10 tips for a grower that wants to start using hydroponic systems.
1: Cleaning
Cleaning everything in the place is a must do before any hydroponic growth. Dirty places are the perfect place for a pest and problems derived from.
2: Water
Water is the main thing. In-between the frio formed by genetics, water and light , there is no time for a fail. recommended water for hydroponics is the one properly filtered (osmoted water) by a filter system equipment. Grower needs to start using pure water, to add fertilizers until the chosen ppm (parts per million).
Nutrient solution should have a temperature not lower
3: Oxygen
In a tank, with water re-circulating, is basic to add oxygen to keep root system healthy (the water will transport it althrough the plant).
Adding a simple air pump with an air stone, we keep the water in constant moving as well as we support that water with fresh oxygen
4: pH values
Growing in soil-less, water is the only media to keep plants alive and healthy. A non-proper pH value for a long period may cause defficiencies on plants, able to cause death if it is not balanced. Due to a high amount of water used in hydroponic systems, there are many variations on the pH value so grower should correct them as fast as possible. A nice firendly ph value during grow phase is 5.8, 6.0 for the first weeks of flowering, and 6.2 for the last weeks of flowering.
5: The E.C.
Electroconductivity of a liquid shows the capacity of this liquid to transmit electricity through it. This electric transmition is a prove of how many fertilizing salts are on it. The E.C. (or electroconductivity) of water helps growers to know the quantity of salts disolved in water. Higher it is, more fertilize are dissolved, on the other way, lower it is less quantity of nutrients it has.
During the growing phase is recommended an EC not higher than 0.8.
During the the first weeks of flowering is recommended an EC not higher than 0.8 y 1.0.
During the last weeks of flowering phase is recommended an EC not higher than 1.6.
6: Temperature
Marijuana is a plant able to adapt to wide range of places, climates and substrates where other plants can subsist (worldwide). Indoors, where the maximum yiedls in less time is the solution, temperatures of grow rooms are frecuently rounding 24ºC. A slightly higher temperature (26ºC-28ºC) will help to increase the yields thanks to a de-hydratation of plants (plants need be watered oftenly). A lower temperature bit lower during the last weeks will drive to a more resin production (18ºC to 20ºC)
7: Pests
One of the best ways of saving problems is keeping the pests away with fitosanitary products. Young pants without any pest spot are not a reason for a whole cycle without them. Is recommendable to spray products against pests like insecticides, fungicides during the growing phase, or flowering phase if budding hasn't started.
8: Structure
In a soil-less medium, roots grow with no substrate to grab to. It's because of this that plants grown in these systems are smaller than the same grown in soil. Plants that grow taller need a better structure to hold itselfs, and more atention from growers to hold them as possible. As there is no substrate, growers may use Silicate's products to help plants cells. Silicate make cell's walls stronger so it results in a strongest structure plant, more resistant.
9: Fertilizers
In hydroponic systems, most growers use products with mineral origin. Is important to not waste a whole crop trying to save few bucks in a un-named fertilizer. Fertilizers are in-line with plant's proper development.
Organic fertilizers are not the best way to fertilize hydroponic plants, due to its density (once the nutrient solution is not moving it will trend to divide in two parts (the same way water and oil) causing many different issues all-arround the system. Nowadays just General Hydroponics (with its Bio Sevia Grow and Bio Sevia Bloom) offers products for hydroponic and organic use (with all CCEE labels).
10: Dedication
Anyone who thinks using hydroponic systems will turn to save time, should forget about it. The cuantity of parameters to control and correct, constantly, needs the grower to act and balance the situation. The grower should adapt more to the system than the system to him.
Our experience: We recommend hydroponic systems just to those users who want to control every single corner of the pant, who seek fast changes. Those lovers of calm will fastly understand that their best option is soil growing.
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