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When
growing plants in a hydroponic garden, we must consider these
factors:
the
amount of water the plants need; proper drainage of growing
medium
the optimum temperature and light for the plant
fresh air
shelter and support
pest and disease control
the water-soluble minerals the plant needs
the proper pH of the nutrient solution
Water:
As
with all plant needs, the amount of water required depends on
the species and the needs of that particular plant. A plant
that suffers from lack of water will extend a huge, but not
very effective root system, and will develop a very small plant
above the ground. Many roots are sent out in search of water
and when an inadequate amount is found, the plant will not grow
to its potential.
In the other extreme, if a plant is over watered the roots can
drown because they are not receiving the proper amount of fresh
oxygen. This makes proper drainage of a hydroponic growing medium
crucial to your plant's health.
The last consideration concerning the water you feed your plants
is purity. In a hydroponic garden, you should use as pure of
water as possible. Water that has possible toxic contaminants
or salt build ups may stunt or kill your plants.
Temperature
and Light:
The ideal temperature depends on the crops you choose to grow.
Most of
the common garden crops, such as tomatoes, cucumbers, lettuce,
beans and
peas will do well with an average daytime temperature of78 F
and an aver-
age nighttime temperature of 64 F. Winter vegetables, such as
cabbage,
brussel sprouts and broccoli should be grown in slightly cooler
temperatures.
A minimum/maximum thermometer will allow you to track the low
and high temperatures in your growing environment. This is important
for monitoring overall progress of your hydroponic garden and
diagnosing plant growth problems.
For
optimum production, heating the root zone is important. For
most garden crops 72 F is the ideal root zone temperature. Some
growers achieve a heated root area by using heated grow mats
placed under the growing medium. Another option is to heat your
nutrient solution to the desired temperature and then when your
system feeds the plants, the roots are bathed in warm water.
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