Growing with Hydroponics

Make Your Own Seed Kits for Kitchen Garden

2008-07-16T13:13:00.000-07:00

Many hobby hydroponic units require that you purchase their seeds and nutrients. This is good business for them as the “seed kits” may cost as much as $20. And the kit is only good for one more crop over a six month period.

The question is, “How can I do this for myself?” It is easy and you will save money as well as develop more interest in hydroponic growing.

I shall outline some “basics” that you need to know. You need to know specifically the following:

(1) Types of seeds to grow

(2) Number of seeds to use in a growing cube

(3) Types of growing cubes

(4) Watering cycles during germination and after

(5) Lighting

(6) Lighting Period

(7) Nutrients

(8) Harvesting & Plant Care

Where can you purchase these products? What specific seeds, cubes and nutrients will you require? What are the optimum sowing, plant training and growing procedures you should use? All of these details are explained in simple terms with easy-to-follow instructions.

I have completed a 27 page mini-book that oulines all you need to know to start saving money now!

http://betterbuyhydroponics.com/shopping/pgm-more_information.php?id=39&=SID

My Hydroponic Books

2008-06-12T16:11:00.000-07:00

I have written many books and countless articles about hydroponics. I would like to summarize them here for you today.

Hydroponic Food Production
By Dr. Howard Rush

This one is pretty much considered the 'bible of the hydroponics industry. It's tome at 567 pages and available in hard cover at here. Covers everything from growing techniques to design, set up and operations of hydroponic systems.

It talks about what the best cultures or solutions are best used for specific crops. Now in it's sixth edition, there are over 450 photographs, drawings and tables. Complete with directories, indexes and bibliography, this is the only book you need to run a successful hydroponic operation.

Hobby Hydroponics
By Dr. Howard Resh

What everyone has been waiting for! A complete overview of indoor commercially available hydroponic growing units. Covers how to use these units more effectively such as proper levels of solution, light and general environment.

With so many types of hydroponic units available on the market today this book discusses the pros and cons of various units. Also covered are recommendations for your particular budget and where to get more information such as web sites, chat rooms and magazines. This book can be purchased here.

Hydroponic Questions and Answers
By Dr. Howard Resh

A very informative question and answer book/manual displaying the experience and wisdom of the leading hydroponic grower, author and teacher. Almost three hundred questions and answers on various topics such as plant nutrition, nutritional disorders, backyard greenhouses, physiological disorders,essential elements, sterilization methods, greenhouse site, water, irrigation methods, plant diseases and cures, European cucumbers, baby salad greens, marketing, lettuce and peppers,environmental needs, herbs, harvesting and storing, trends and future needs; tomatoes, and much more. Includes an extensive glossary and index. Soft cover. 200 pages. Can be purchased here.

My Plant Leaves are Turning Yellow!

2008-06-06T10:51:00.001-07:00

Traditional school of thought associates yellowing leaves in a hydroponic system as a direct result of nutritional deficiencies. Yellowing leaves are a symptom and not a disease itself therefore the root cause must be found before the proper action can be taken. In some cases increasing the level of nutrition can actually do more harm to the plant!

Although nutritional deficiencies are the most common cause of plant leaves turning yellow, this yellowing of the leaves are a reaction to a distress. Other root causes of leaves turning yellow are excessive heat, nutrient toxicity, insects, and other diseases.

In the case of nutrient deficiencies, we must determine if we are underfeeding the plant or if the plant is not able to absorb the nutrients that we are providing. If the plant is not absorbing the nutrient solution, no amount of additional fertilization will help.

Common causes for plants being unable to uptake nutrients properly include lack of oxygen for the roots, pH imbalance, salinity, temperature and light imbalances.First start by removing the affected plants from the light source until the problem has been treated. Since light forces the plants to burn energy, it could aggravate the problem and cause even more yellow leaves.

Next is to check the ph level of the growing medium. One of the biggest factors affecting nutrient absorption is a ph imbalance. It is a classic case of catch 22 because the imbalance causes limited absorption which in turn causes excess nutrients to build up in the medium. What does an excess build up of nutrients cause? Nutrient Toxicity !

So remember to check the medium pH first and not the solution pH. This is the most important tip I can give you today. Please check in regularly as I will cover more on this topic at a later date.

Please visit www.betterbuyhydroponics.com for a complete line of my books on hydroponic growing techniques and hydroponic supplies.

LED Grow Lights

2008-06-02T16:56:00.000-07:00

With the recent proliferation of LED lighting comes the newest application: LED Grow Lights.

LED’s are a semiconductor that produces light with a very small electrical current. LED’s typically run on 5 volts or less. The advantages of LED technology are greatly reduced heat and power consumption.

The first LEDs were commercially available in late sixties and were only available in red. You would see them in displays in electronic instruments and watches. Then came the yellow and green LED. As the technology progressed, they started to become more popular and you could see them in practically any electronic device.

The real breakthrough in LED technology was in the late 1980’s in Japan when the first blue LED was delivered. This now meant that we could produce the entire light spectum via LED technology and thus ushered in the era of white LED’s.
The technology grew and white LED’s were proliferating in such devices as flashlights and even Christmas lights. The technology was ideal for lighting in remote locations since the power demand was so low. Batteries and solar panels could be used as a power source.

What does this mean for hydroponics? By drastically reducing heat and power consumption, this new technology could make hydroponic growing economically viable and a preferred choice in this world of energy challenges.

We expect to have a full line of hydroponic LED grow lights available soon. Heat exchangers (have you ever touched an LED?) and huge electricity bills could be a problem of the past and usher a new age of growing hydroponically.

Contact us via our web site
www.betterbuyhydroponics.com and we will keep you posted on the availability of this exciting new technology.

Types of Hydroponics Systems

2008-05-01T13:47:00.000-07:00

In today's post I want to briefly introduce the various hydroponic growing techniques that you may want to consider.

Nutrient Film Technique

A method of growing plants that provides a stream of nutrients to the roots of the plants in a gently sloped channel. The plants are started in small cubs and planted in small holes in the channel (or Gully).

This method uses both a submersible pump as well as gravity itself. The fertilizer circulates through the gullies and back to the reservoir in an endless loop.

Ebb and Flow

This hydroponic growing system has become one of the world's most popular. A nutrient solution is stored in a resevoir below the growing trays.

The plants are placed in the tray but each plant is in a separate container containing a growing medium such as Rockwool or similar. By setting a timer, the tray is flooded periodically with the nutrient solution. The tray is then able to drain back into the reservoir.

The reason this system has become so popular is because it is very easy to set up and does not require a lot of maintenance. an excellent hydroponic system for beginners.

Drip Feed Systems

This method consists of setting up a growing table with tray and a gutter such as plastic tubing with holes cut in the top. Generally a Perlite Vermiculite mix is used in ordinary gardening pots .

The tray allows for the unused nutrients to trickle back to the reservoir. A pump sends the nutrients through the tube onto the top of each individual pot. The tray allows for excess nutrients to flow back to the reservoir.

Aeroponics

Aeroponic growing involves spraying the plant's roots with a nutrient rich solution.In this setup the roots are separated from the tops of the plants and misted with the water/nutrient solution.

The main advantage of this system is that it help to aerate the roots of the plant thereby stimulating growth. It also uses less growing medium so a cost saver for larger operations.

Air Pump Systems

This is just a very basic technique that is excellent to learn about basic hydroponics. The plants are basically grown in a static water/nutrient solution. The roots have to be aerated using a pump.

Not recommended for the serious grower.

Welcome

2008-04-25T10:13:00.000-07:00

Hello and Welcome to my New Blog!

I originally became involved with hydroponics early in the 1970’s. I was a graduate student at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver, Canada.

During my studies I started teaching courses in hydroponics and and eventually started consulting for commercial greenhouse growers.

Shortly thereafter I started Resh Greenhouses Ltd. which constructed the first hydroponic hobby greenhouses. We sold greenhouses, greenhouse and hydroponic equipment, plant nutrients, small indoor hobby units, accessories, and books.

After achieving my PhD at the University of British Columbia I expanded on my courses in horticulture, greenhouse management, and hydroponics by intrducing evening courses on hydroponics for the general public.

As my reputation grew and the industry exploded I started doing numerous radio and TV shows. At that time hydroponics was used mainly used in the commercial greenhouse production of flowers and vegetables.

Today hydroponics techniques are used anywhere from large commercial greenhouses right to our kitchen counters!

Over the years my reputation has grown in hydroponics and I released what is considered the "bible" of the industry, the 567 page hydroponic Food Production.

This book is available from either of my web sites: www.masterhydroponics.com or www.betterbuyhydroponics.com

Please tune in regularly as I will be sharing my knowledge and providing tips in growing techniques and nutrition so you can enjoy the wonderful world of hydroponics!

Dr. Howrd Resh