Learn How - Hydroponics and Greenhouse Gardening
By Charlotte
Why worry about pH levels?
In order to ensure the success of your hydroponics project, it is essential to maintain the pH and nutrient concentrations. Unlike soil based gardening where nutrients are supplied in varying concentrations depending upon the locale (soil type, fertilizer, etc), in hydroponics gardening the nutrients are supplied in a much more controlled way by the gardener.
[Read more…] about Help Ensure Your Plants Absorb the Required Nutrients – Monitor pH Levels
By Charlotte
By: Charlene Rennick
Micro nutrients are present in the soil in very traces amounts. If a plant shows signs of ill-growth, they may need to be added to the hydroponic growing media. Because micro nutrients are not as high profile as macro nutrients are to hydroponic gardening, they are not usually included as part of the nutrient package.
Why would a Hydroponic Garden Require Micro Nutrients?
Sometimes, climatic abnormalities such as a sudden and intense heat wave can cause the plant to transpire too quickly. When this happens, vegetation can become calcium deficient. At other times, the pH level is the cause of improper nutrient concentrations. A pH level that is too high alkaline will reduce the probability that iron, manganese, boron, copper, zinc and phosphorus will be absorbed by the plant. A pH that is too low acidic will decrease the opportunities for potassium, sulphur, calcium, magnesium and phosphorous to be used.
Trouble-shooting micro nutrients for Hydroponic Systems
Let’s pinpoint some problem areas so you will know how to solve micro nutrient related growth problems:
Calcium is necessary for good cell wall strength. If the plant is calcium deficient, the leaves, flowers, or budding shoots might fall off the plant. Tomatoes may have brown and rotting spots on the bottom.
Sulphur aids in osmosis, protein production, seed formation and fruit development. A lack of sulphur can result in yellow leaves that have a purple colour on the base.
Iron helps in the manufacture of chlorophyll, to respirate the sugar and to extract energy for growth. Not enough iron is a common deficiency and will cause yellowing; it can be seen in the veins of leaves, and in new growth. Often, new leaves will fall before they complete their growth.
Magnesium is used during the production of chlorophyll and plant enzymes. When the plant does not have the right amount of magnesium, the area between the veins of the older leaves turns yellow, and will curl. The newer leaves stay green longer because the plant uses the chlorophyll from the old leaves, in the new growth.
Boron works with calcium to strengthen cell walls. Without boron, the stems can become brittle and split.
Manganese is vital for plant growth and oxygen production. A deficit in the manganese level will cause yellowing of the area between the veins and failure to bloom.
Zinc is used during the process of respiration, the manufacture of chlorophyll and the metabolising of nitrogen. If the zinc level is low, the leaves will be abnormally small with crinkling on the edges.
Molybdenum stabilizes the nitrogen levels. If there is not enough molybdenum, the leaves will be yellow and tiny.
Copper energizes the process of photosynthesis and respiration. Plants with a deficit of copper have yellow-coloured spots on paler than is normal, leaves.
Cobalt is one of the B-12 components necessary to all living forms. The exact effect of cobalt in its excess or deficit is not known, but alfalfa and some legumes show trace amounts of cobalt in their nitrogen stabilizing organisms.
If you are having plant growth issues in your hydroponic system, bring a small sample of your nutrient solution and a spare leaf with you to a Hydroponics supply store. The staff there should be able to help you.
By Charlotte
by: Charlene Rennick
Once you start a hydroponic system, regardless of the type you choose, you will need to check the nutrient and pH level of the solution. Even with a passive, non-recovery type of hydroponics, you will need a basic knowledge of how to create a healthy, nutrient-rich liquid.
The roots of the plants absorb their value from the solution as they need it, so the nutrients will have to be topped up to maintain an optimal concentration for growth. Remember, the plant absorbs water according to the principle of osmosis, so as the nutrient concentration changes, so does the plant’s natural tendency to absorb them. If your nutrient concentration is weak, the plant won’t be inclined to soak up what they need.
How do you measure this? Fortunately, you can purchase a simple device that will perform this service for you. An instrument called a Digital ppm meter can be used to measure the nutrient concentration. A ppm meter measures parts per million (ppm) of the total dissolved solids (TDS). This process is also known as measuring the electrical conductivity of the nutrient-rich water. The digital meters have to be calibrated every so often in order to keep them accurate. This is done by placing the meter in a solution that has an established parts per million of total dissolved solids.
Another important reading to take is the pH level. Experts in hydroponic gardening recommend taking the ppm measure first, followed by adding the nutrients and waiting a couple of hours. Then when the pH level is measured, the nutrients will be dissolved properly which will give you the most accurate reading of the pH level. Pure water has a pH level of 7 which is considered the mid-point of the ph scale. A reading of 1 is the most acidic and a reading of 14 is the most alkaline.
Adjustments to the pH level should be made with caution! Acid and alkaline concentrates are very powerful so it is recommended to mix up these ahead of time in an empty gallon container to let settle. Practise adding a few drops at a time to water to determine how many drops will cause an effect on the pH reading. Better to experiment in a cup of water than to ruin your more expensive nutrient-rich solution.
If you are just beginning your hydroponic journey and want to keep your equipment at a minimum, changing the nutrient solution every two weeks is a good way of intuitively tending your hydroponic garden.
By Charlotte
by: Charlene Rennick
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The scientific criteria for organic is: elements called carbon, oxygen, hydrogen and nitrogen must be present. This means that anything that grows is ‘organic’ by definition.
The Earth’s atmosphere is about seventy-eight percent nitrogen, twenty percent oxygen and two percent carbon dioxide, a compound mixture of carbon and oxygen. Water is a compound mixture of hydrogen and oxygen. The plant needs all four of these elements to survive. Even if only one element is missing, the plant will die.
Because these elements are present naturally in the atmosphere, most people don’t think about adding nitrogen or checking to make sure the plant is manufacturing enough carbon. These four necessities must be present in the air, water, nutrients and soil that sustain the plant. It is important to be aware of this when moving your garden from an outdoor atmosphere where they occur naturally, to a hydroponic atmosphere where they are created. Always purchase nutrients that say they are for hydroponic gardens as these are quite different from a basic, all-purpose vitamin designed for outdoor use.
The growing media has its own ideal elemental composition. There should be a balance of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium. Beware of any hydroponic mixture that claims to have everything your plants needs in one single container; compound mixtures are by nature, a staple for optimal plant nutrition. Let’s look at a trouble-shooting guide to help diagnose deficiencies of each element in plants.
Nitrogen is the agent that is responsible for proper absorption of plant nutrients and manufacturing chlorophyll. Too much nitrogen causes an excess of growth, a deeper green than is normal and may delay the fruit from becoming mature. Sometimes, too much nitrogen attracts extra insects. Too little nitrogen causes skinny stems that can’t support flowers or fruit. The leaves will be yellow, small and might have some odd purple colour.
Phosphorous gives the plant energy to grow. Too little causes stunted growth in the stems and root system. The leaves often curl, droop or become yellow. Too much phosphorous causes a deficiency of copper characterized by pale leaves with yellow spots and a lack of zinc which causes small leaves with crinkled edges.
Potassium balances the sugar and starch ratio for the plant. Too little potassium slows down growth, makes the plant vulnerable to fungus and causes leaf moulting. Too much potassium depletes the plant of magnesium resulting in yellowing of the leaves between the veins and failure to bloom.
Nitrogen (N), phosphorous (P) and potassium (K) are known as macro nutrients. Most plant nutrients are sold in 3-part solutions of N-P-K which allow customizing and adapting the mixture according to the type of plant, its stage of growth, and the condition of the soil. This is especially important for hydroponic gardeners who are responsible for building a healthy environment for their plants.