Tag: hydroponics

Advanced Tips

Understanding EC in Hydroponic Systems
Electrical conductivity (EC) measures a solution’s ability to carry an electrical charge. In hydroponics, EC is an important indicator of nutrient concentration, as it reflects the amount of dissolved fertilizer salts in the nutrient solution. By monitoring EC at different points in the system, growers can ensure plants receive adequate nutrients and track nutrient uptake.In this blog post, we’ll break down how EC works, its impact on plant development, how to measure it and what to do if adjustments are …
Advanced Tips

Choosing a Hydroponic System
Hydroponics is a soilless growing method where plants receive a water-based nutrient solution,[1] giving growers precise control over the growing environment and inputs like water, nutrients and oxygen. Several hydroponic systems—varying in size, complexity and efficiency—are available. These setups can be: Open or closed: Open systems discharge the nutrient solution after use. Closed systems recirculate the nutrient solution for reuse. Active or passive: Active systems use pumps to deliver the nutrient solution to plants. Passive (e.g., wick) systems give roots …
Advanced Tips

Optimizing pH in Hydroponics
The acidity or alkalinity of a liquid is measured as pH. A low pH indicates high acidity, while a high pH indicates high alkalinity. More concretely, pH—short for “potential of hydrogen”—reflects the concentration of hydrogen ions. When acids dissolve in water, they release H+ ions, lowering the pH. Bases release OH- ions, raising the pH. The pH scale ranges from 0 to 14, with 7 being neutral (Figure 1). Figure 1. pH scale. Acidic solutions have a low pH. Alkaline solutions have a high pH. Neutral …
Advanced Tips

Nutrients in Hydroponics
Plants require specific nutrients to survive and develop properly. These are called essential nutrients because (1) plants cannot complete their lifecycle without them; (2) they perform specific functions that no other nutrient can replace; and (3) they are directly involved in the plant’s metabolic or structural processes.[1]In addition to the three non-mineral essential nutrients—hydrogen, oxygen and carbon—plants require 14 essential mineral nutrients. These are categorized as primary macronutrients, secondary macronutrients or micronutrients, depending on the amount needed (e.g., micronutrients are …
Advanced Tips

Monitoring Runoff in Recirculating Hydroponic Systems
When cultivating cannabis hydroponically, growers can choose between drain-to-waste and recirculating systems. In drain-to-waste systems, the nutrient solution is discarded after use; in recirculating systems, the nutrient solution is reused. When using a recirculating system, it is important to collect and test the runoff—the excess nutrient solution that passes through the root zone—because it gives an idea of whether it is suitable for reuse or adjustments need to be made. Neglecting to monitor runoff can lead to salt buildup, resulting in …
Advanced Tips

Irrigation Water Quality in Hydroponics
Water is the lifeblood of agriculture. Not only does water irrigate roots, but it also delivers oxygen and essential nutrients to plants for healthy growth, big yields and high crop quality. The quality of irrigation water is paramount. Poor water quality can lead to problems like stunted growth, nutrient toxicities or deficiencies, accumulation of harmful heavy metals in plant tissue, and bacterial contamination; in severe cases, it can even lead to plant death. Assessing water quality involves more than just its appearance, …
Advanced Tips

Biofilms in your Grow Ops
Biofilms are slimy layers of microbial colonies that form where microorganisms grow and reproduce. Because microorganisms flourish where water and nutrients are abundant, irrigation systems offer ideal environments for biofilms. When biofilms develop in grow operations, they can create clogs, harbor pathogens and cause oxygen levels in the nutrient solution to drop. Preventing or eliminating biofilms is essential to growing healthy, high-yield crops. How biofilms develop Biofilm begins when free-floating microorganisms in the water supply such as bacteria, fungi, protozoa or algae …
Advanced Tips

Clogs in your Grow Room
Clogs in emitters, feeding lines and drains One of the biggest challenges growers face with irrigation systems is clogs. Clogs can form from physical particles, chemical precipitates or biological growth, and they can occur in an irrigation system’s lines, emitters or drains. Not only do they prevent the irrigation system from functioning properly, but they can also be detrimental to crop health and yield. Figure 1 Consequences of clogs Clogging in is more than a maintenance nuisance. Because clogs reduce the uniformity of water …
top