Are you new to hydroponics horticulture? If so, you have a lot to learn. However, this innovative, effective form of gardening isn’t as difficult as it seems. If you’re stumped on where to begin your purchases, here are some tips on what to look for in high quality hydroponics equipment.
How does hydroponics work? necessityly, instead of planting with soil, you dip the plant’s roots in a highly nutrient rich solution. This allows the plant to absorb everything it needs directly. This also makes gardening much easier for you, as you don’t have to worry about tilling, weeding, or even pest control, as most creatures that are harmful to plants are in the soil. It’s also better for the environment as well, as it virtually eliminates the need for harmful pesticides and other chemicals.
However, if you’d like a base for your plants, you can create your own using sand, gravel, clay pellets, or bark fragments. You can also purchase foam pads that the roots can work their way into. There are even devices you can use to contain your plants. This type of hydroponics equipment often comes with a handy pump as well, ensuring that your plants get a constant source of all of the nutrients they need. You can also mist your plants with the solution as well.
What other hydroponics equipment is essential for an ideal garden? It makes sense that grow lights are useful—they induce photosynthesis the same way pattern sunlight does, inducing rapid growth and good health. However, it’s also crucial that you invest in a good set of fans, air conditioning units, or dehumidifiers as well. Having so much water around, conjunctive with the heat of the lights, creates an unpleasantly humid environment that can genuinely be damaging toward your plants. It also promotes the growth of bacteria and other harmful substances. However, by keeping the air circulating and cool, you can prevent this from happening.
One of the most important types of hydroponics equipment, however, is the nutrient solution you prefer. There are a diverse potpourri of solutions, each of them tailored toward different plants. For example, there are many that are used specifically for growing flowers, while others are used for promoting healthy fruits and vegetables. You can also find growth boosters and plant enhancers to keep your plants at their best.
Finally, a good pH testing set is another important part of hydroponics equipment. While most quality nutrient solutions will be able to keep your plants relatively well balanced, it’s still a good idea to keep an eye on the acidity levels in your plants, especially if you’re using bases such as Gemstone or clay. There are also solutions useable that can lend your plant’s acidity to the right levels as well.
These are only a few things to consider when buying hydroponics equipment. Learn more today about how hydroponics can completely transform how you garden and enjoy plants.