Are you interested in learning about aquaponics? Are you still not very aware of what is required to start? Here is some information which will help you understand the requirements better.
Read MoreNutrition is essential for good health. Unfortunately, less and less healthy food is available on the market. The fatty, semi-prepared food has taken over the supermarkets and local store. It is becoming increasingly difficult to find organic food that is not only tastier, but it is also healthier than the crops grown with chemical fertilizers. Fortunately, it’s possible to save money with aquaponics.
Read MoreHydroponic kits provide materials and accessories for growing and cloning seeds or cuttings. Types of kits include outdoor and indoor hydroponic kits, hydroponic starter kits, hydroponic tent kits, and others for supporting your plants in a nutrient solution indoors and outdoors.
However, the more you substitute for nature, the more complicated these kits are and the more expensive they become. When you remove plants from their natural environment, as in indoor gardening, then you have to duplicate all aspects of that environment by artificial or technical means.
The right hydroponic kit will depend on the stage of development, the conditions the plants are grown in and your available budget. Here are some hydroponic kits you may find indispensable:
Hydroponic cloning kits can cost between $30.00 to $100.00 depending on the level of sophistication. A hydroponic cloning kit enables you to have faster growth cycles and harvest more often.
The best hydroponic cloning kits will support dozens of trimmings and deliver a high success rate of clones. The cloning kit should consist of a reservoir that holds the water and nutrient solution mix.
The growing chamber section usually consists of trays or pots containing a growing medium for root support. For example, it may contain compressed peat or a perlite Vermiculite mix to support the seeds or clippings.
An automated hydroponic cloning unit will contain an air pump and watering system. This system can include a water pump, water spray or mister. You should avoid humidity domes as these can lead to mold and wilting of the plant.
You should see tiny root bumps appearing after 3 days and in about a week these roots should be formed and expanding. After about 2 weeks the plants should be ready to be transported into whatever medium you wish – this could be soil or a hydroponic unit.
When your plants grow to a size that the cloning kit cannot support, you can transport them to a hydroponic grow kit. Many of the required components are similar to that of the cloning kit. However, the unit will be on a larger scale and may be housed within a tent.
A hydroponic grow kit will require light either from the sun or a powerful LED grow light. It will usually also provide various nutrients depending on the stage of development.
The cost of a hydroponic grow kit can vary significantly in price from hundreds to thousands of dollars. The price depends on the size and type of hydroponic unit. However, you can find inexpensive hydroponic kits for sale from various sources. There are a number of different hydroponic units available to growers and hobbyists. Each of these typically uses a different method of water transfer and plant support. Options can include drip systems, ebb and flow systems, wick systems and aeroponic systems.
You can make your own homemade nutrients using fertilizer salts. However, to obtain higher yields and faster plant growth a number of hydroponic manufacturers provide nutrients that contain more than just the major and minor trace elements. These hydroponic nutrient kits contain crop enhancers such as root boosters, amino acids, microbes, enzymes, vitamins, fulvates, humates, and a non-ionic surfactant.
A good hydroponic nutrient kit contains all or most of the above enhancers. They should be easy to use and provide a more than one part formulation containing a different formula. The formula you use depends on whether your plant is in the growth or bloom stage of development.
To learn more about other aspects of hydroponic gardening, see the following sections of our guide.
Hydroponic or hydroponic/aeroponic hybrid systems use hydroponic foggers to feed nutrients to plant roots via a nutrient fog. A hydroponic fogger differs from an aeroponic mister since the fogger produces fog ultrasonically and it doesn’t atomize the solution.
A hydroponic fogger sits below the water level producing fog, thereby raising the humidity in the rooting zone. If the water particles produced by this fog are small enough – usually between 5-15 micrometers this allows for increased nutrient uptake. The oxygen-rich mist combined with high humidity and small water particles results in accelerated growth.
To learn more about other aspects of hydroponic gardening, see the following sections of our guide.
With a hydroponic grow tent or box, it is easier to control growing environments conditions such as the temperature, humidity, and CO2 levels. This makes it easier to create the optimum conditions required for a specific plant.
If you purchase a grow tent with a reflective silver coating, the light and heat reflects off the interior sides onto the plant leaves. The confined area and reflective surface save energy and money.
Grow tents are easy to set up — such as lighting, ventilation, etc. Lights may be hung from the steel-enforced ceiling, and most grow tents also come equipped with ventilation holes so setting up ventilation is an easy process.
With a grow tent there are fewer problems with pests because there is a barrier between the plants and the outside environment.
Hydroponic grow boxes have similar advantages to a grow tent. The boxes tend to be better sealed from the elements and you can use them for smaller numbers of plants. Another advantage is that they often include integrated features, like a reservoir, tubing and trays and lighting.
It’s possible to control and fine-tune the environment within a grow tent. Therefore, you can obtain larger crop sizes and healthier plants than most other environments. A hydroponic grow tent enables you to grow exotic and expensive herbs, fruit or vegetables out of season or under conditions that would normally require a different climate.
You can sell these plants or you could always sell them to restaurants, hotels, farm shops, food halls or private buyers at premium prices.
When buying a grow tent the 3 most important factors will be the cost, dimensions, and materials. The materials and size of the grow tent are the biggest factors in determining the price. Other Important factors include light and heat leakage, the strength of the frame, user-friendliness, and accessories.
Indoor grow tents are available in a variety of sizes. Grow tent sizes include the smaller 3×3 and 2×4 foot tents, medium-sized 4×4, 4×6, or 4×8 foot, as well as the larger 5×5 and 10×10 foot grow tents.
The cost of a grow tent can vary significantly but you can buy a grow tent suitable for a hobbyist for between $100 to $200. For this price, you can expect a decent sized grow tent (at least 4ft x 4ft width x 6ft height) with reflective inner lining.
You want a grow tent that is easy to set up with clear easy to follow instructions. Most grow tents are easy to set up.
If buying a grow tent you should also purchase a grow light. A high intensity discharge lamp should be used for this purchase as these are powerful enough to mimic natural sunlight while efficient enough to be cost-effective. Other accessories could include the following:
You can also buy grow tent kits that include all necessary accessories as a single package.
When buying a grow tent you should ensure your tend meets the following standards:
If you are interested in creating a DIY grow tent, you’ll be interested in the following video:
To learn more about other aspects of hydroponic gardening, see the following sections of our guide.