All plants need the correct conditions in order to grow to their full potential. Plants grown using hydroponics systems are no exception to this basic rule. Like their soil grown cousins they need sufficient light of the correct wavelengths, a suitable temperature, an adequate water supply, enough oxygen, mineral nutrients and support for their structures.
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Sufficient light of the correct wavelengths, used by the plant at the growth stage it has reached, is essential for its survival. Plants use lots of light, at least 8 to 12 hours each day, in order to make carbohydrates from CO2 and water. Chlorophyll, the green color in plants, absorbs the sunlight and uses its energy to synthesize these carbohydrates. This process is known as photosynthesis and is the basis for sustaining life in all plants. Because animals and humans get their food by eating plants, it can also be said to be the source of our life.
Artificial lighting is generally a poor substitute for sunshine, because most indoor lights provide insufficient intensity to produce a mature crop. High intensity lamps such as high-pressure sodium lamps can provide more than 1,000 foot-candles of light. The hydroponics gardener can use these lamps very successfully in areas where sunlight is inadequate. The fixtures and lamps, however, are usually too expensive to be viable for a small commercial operation.
It is important to allow adequate spacing between plants as this will ensure that each plant receives sufficient light in the grow-room. For example, tomato plants, pruned to a single stem, should be planted so as to give 4 square feet per plant, while European seedless cucumbers should be allowed 7 to 9 square feet and seeded cucumbers about 7 square feet. Lettuce plants need to be spaced 7 to 9 inches apart within the row and 9 inches between rows. Most other vegetables and flowers should be grown at the same spacing as recommended for a conventional garden.
A suitable temperature is required for the plant to grow normally. Temperatures that are too high or too low will give rise to abnormal development and reduced production. Summer vegetables and most flowers grow best between 60degrees and 80degrees F, while winter vegetables like spinach and lettuce prefer temperatures of between 50degrees and 70degrees F.
An adequate water supply is not normally a problem when using a hydroponics system, since the basis of hydroponics is the supply of water containing nutrients in solution. Having said this however, there are some systems which can give rise to inadequate watering, with the consequent detrimental results to your plants. Ebb and flow systems which are not checked on a regular enough basis, can run short of nutrient in their supply tanks, as can continuous flow systems. Most, if not all, automated hydroponics systems can have disasters if they are not monitored closely. A blocked or burst pipe, or a pump failing can result in lack of nutrient flow, which, coupled with the intense lighting and the correct ambient temperature in the grow-room, will result in dry roots and severe damage to, or even the death of, your plants.
Oxygen is a basic requirement of most living things. Plants need oxygen for respiration, so that they can take up water and nutrient. In soil systems enough oxygen is usually available, but plant roots growing in water will quickly use up the supply of dissolved oxygen. This can damage or even kill the plant unless additional air is provided. A common method of aerating the nutrient is to bubble air through the solution. Continuous flow and aeroponic systems do not usually need supplementary oxygen.
Mineral Nutrients are needed by most green plants. They must absorb certain minerals through their roots in order to survive. In conventional horticulture these minerals are supplied by the soil and by the addition of fertilizers such as manure and compost. Nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, magnesium, and sulfur are needed in large quantities, whilst the micro-nutrients, iron, manganese, boron, zinc, copper, molybdenum, and chlorine are also needed, but only in very small amounts.
Support is normally provided by the soil that surrounds the growing plant. A plant grown using hydroponics however needs to be artificially supported. This is usually done with string or stakes. It is possible to buy inexpensive automatic string reels to support your plants as they grow. This cuts out the tedious task of having to keep re-adjusting the strings on fast growing plants.
Melih Oztalay
http://www.articlesbase.com/gardening-articles/do-your-plants-need-hydroponics-119145.html
February 4th, 2010 - 12:29 am
Why is it better to grow plants in hydroponics instead of soil?
It seems like hydroponics is all the rage these days. What makes it so great?
February 4th, 2010 - 5:31 am
Allows total control of the amount of nutrients added for optimum growth.
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February 4th, 2010 - 5:33 am
Also such delicate plants as lettuce get much less contaminated by soil bacteria some of which are pathogenic, and producers spend less money on chemicals and washing before sale, the plants rot less – longer shelf value, even several hours longer storage increases profits.
Hydroponics also can be less labor consuming because many steps can be automated, which increases energy expenditure, but then, energy is cheaper than human labor
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February 4th, 2010 - 5:35 am
It isn’t always better. I like growing seeds in a sterile soil-less mix and then transplanting them outside once they have grown and hardened off if at all possible. It’s easier, less energy-intensive and requires less space.
You can significantly increase the yield and growing time of vegetables by judicious use of coldframes or even by using overturned glass bottles or plastic jugs to protect tender plants.
I also like the idea of using heirloom varieties and saving your own seed. Seed-grown plants from locally cultivated varieties show superior adaptation to the area and are important in preserving genetic diversity.
Soil-borne pathogens should not be a problem so long as you avoid contaminated water or poorly-thought out manures or composts.
Here is an article that explains some of these ideas:
http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/2298827/grow_fruits_and_vegetables_to_shrink.html?cat=32
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February 4th, 2010 - 5:37 am
It allows us to control the nutrient uptake of the plants.
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February 4th, 2010 - 5:39 am
it is good the the sense that most conditions can be controlled. The bad par is the start up cost and running costs for the heating, cooling, and circulating.
Actual growing problems can be with large plants pulling water/nutrients faster than the wick can supply it.
Power failures can be disastrous so need back up generators.
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February 4th, 2010 - 5:41 am
Plants will grow much faster in hydroponics than they will in soil…
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February 4th, 2010 - 5:43 am
Hydroponics is much faster and cleaner than growing in soil which is more difficult and much more messy.
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February 4th, 2010 - 5:45 am
It is not better. Usage of hydroponic system is limited to small plants, especially the annuals and can’t be applied to planting of perennial crops such as mango or apple trees. It costs higher as well and have a limited space etc.
However, for annuals such as vegetables, it is a good practice if you can effort it. Even though it is expensive but the return is very promising. It worth it.
It is a controlled system, where your input such as fertilizers, lighting system etc are within your mean to control and you can applied precisely the exact amount as required by your plants.
Usually hydroponic systems are grown in enclosed building, with roofing, netting or glass wall. By doing that, your plants are free from pest and not much infected by pathogen. Also, your plants are free from weeds and pollution
With such package, (without competitors and predators such as weed, pests and disease) plus, with very exact amount of nutrient being feed to the plant, they will grow faster, healthier, cleaner, free of toxic materials etc, it is fare enough that plant produced through hydroponic will fetch a better price in the market and will be consumers first choice.
The plant can grow better
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my own experience. I did it before on chilli.