Posts tagged Hydroponic Equipments
Advantages of Aeroponics Systems
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If you are looking for one of the most efficient hydroponic techniques to grow plants, aeroponic systems of growing plants would be the perfect choice for you. The process is accomplished by spraying a nutrient solutions to the roots of plants without using any growing medium. The biggest benefit of using aeroponics system is the incredible use of limited space. In aeroponics systems, the plants grow with the roots suspended in a misted solution of nutrients. There are varieties of plants that you can grow in an aeroponic system. Growing (more…)
About Jean Smith
Hydroponics Grower experiencing and enjoying gardening using new technology and methods. Connect me on Google+ at Google+
DIY Hydroponics Systems
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Do It Yourself (DIY) hydroponics systems are in vogue these days. Assembling things yourself starting from scratch gives you a sense of accomplishment and, of course, the activity itself is so much fun! You are more emotionally attached towards your garden as DIY hydroponic systems support life— life of your plants.
DIY hydroponic systems can be little hard on your pockets, so you must be well prepared to spend that extra few bucks on quality products. First, you have to be familiar with the principle of hydroponics and hydroponic systems and then gather required equipment for setting up your own hydroponic garden. You can use some informative instruction booklet or some credible websites, the idea is you should be thorough and clear with the concepts on how hydroponic systems work. You can choose from a variety of hydroponic systems like Nutrient Film Technique (NFT), Ebb and Flow for homemade hydroponic system. NFT injects a thin layer of nutrient solutions over the root zone of your plants whereas Ebb and Flow temporarily (more…)
About Jean Smith
Hydroponics Grower experiencing and enjoying gardening using new technology and methods. Connect me on Google+ at Google+
Building a Greenhouse with Hydroponic Equipments
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Like any other structure, building a greenhouse or any other hydroponic equipments or system requires detailed planning and estimation in terms of space available, desired outcome and cost. Greenhouse like other hydroponic equipments is to be built in such a way that it provides proper environment for growing plants. By taking following points in to consideration, you can plan your greenhouse
Location:
Location of greenhouse should be such that it gets maximum sunlight (ideally south or southeast side). If plants get enough morning sunlight, their food production process is stimulated early. Other than availability of sunlight, you have to make sure that your greenhouse site has proper drainage system. Rainwater and irrigation water should never get accumulated in the greenhouse. Also, greenhouse should be located near the storage room and workplace for potting plants so that it is easily accessible to workers.
Structural Details:
While planning to build these hydroponic equipments, structural details like frames and roof/ coverings have chosen based on your budget, the plants you want to grow, space available, and environmental conditions.
Frames:
Depending on engineering requirements of your greenhouse, you can go for simple or complex structured frames. There are a variety of frames available like rigid frame which has vertical sidewalls and rafters, does not have to support the roof. This structure allows maximum interior space and air circulation. Another type of frame is Quonset which is made of electrical conduit or galvanized steel pipe frame. It has low height sidewall, which restricts storage space and headroom. For simple constructions, you can go for post and rafter type of frame which is designed with wood, has strong sidewalls posts and deep post embedment which withstand outward rafter forces and wind pressures.
Roof/ Coverings:
Glass roof: One of the most traditional rooftop used for greenhouses, it provides maximum sunlight, is easy on your wallet, and requires very less maintenance. Tempered glass is used to cover greenhouse as it is stronger.
Plastic coverings: Plastic coverings are used frequently by many farmers as they are inexpensive and can be replaced easily from time to time. Plastic films are made of co-polymers, polyvinyl chloride (PVC) or polyethylene (PE).
Fiberglass: It is strong, lightweight, and can last for 10-15 years. A good grade fiberglass increases light penetration and gives as good result as glass.
Air Circulation and Ventilation:
Plants require proper air supply to grow healthily. A well ventilated greenhouse should be built to exchange of inside air for outside air to control temperature, remove moisture, or replenish carbon dioxide (CO2). Using hydroponic equipments like mechanical ventilation and exhaust fans are used in greenhouses effectively. Ventilation requirements vary with the weather and season. You should decide your needs based on the time period for which the greenhouse will be used.
Along with taking in consideration, all the mentioned points, remember that you should do proper research of each and every product (eg. taps, pipelines, quality of wood or metal used in frames etc) while building this hydroponic equipments. With an eye towards precision and proper planning, you can build a greenhouse which will help you grow healthy and blossoming plants at minimal cost.
About Jean Smith
Hydroponics Grower experiencing and enjoying gardening using new technology and methods. Connect me on Google+ at Google+
Best Hydroponic Equipments for Your Plants
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There are three main types of hydroponic lights: Incandescent, fluorescent, and high-intensity discharge (HID). Incandescent lights are not usually preferred by growers. They are found to be inefficient and have poor and limited spectrum range. HID grow lights, on the other hand, provide more light and are more efficient. But the downside of HID grow lights is that they produce more heat. They are more expensive and require high end digital ballasts to operate them. Hydroponic equipments which require more investment are generally not favorites amongst growers.
Greenhouses and solar rooms make use of natural sunlight to provide light to the plants. Having an open window in the grow room can help with this. However, some of the aeroponic plants require no contact with outer atmosphere and in such cases using artificial light source is a better idea.
Remember that generally 1000W will adequately penetrate about 16-25 square feet of plant area. Using hydroponic equipments like a reflector/ light mover can work wonders for indoor lighting. If you are looking for a smaller garden and a cheaper option for lighting, you can go for compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFL bulbs). Although they don’t produce much stronger light, they are useful for hobbyists and small scale growers.
All the hydroponics systems require maintenance and care. See to it that your glowing light bulb doesn’t come in contact with water or it will blast. Also, take care that your ballast regulates electric current properly or else if the bulb is ‘slammed’ with too much power at once, it will lead to short- circuit. Remember that light is one of the most important factor in plant growth and choosing the right light source for your indoor garden will work wonders!
About Jean Smith
Hydroponics Grower experiencing and enjoying gardening using new technology and methods. Connect me on Google+ at Google+
What Hydroponic Equipments is Best for Your Plants?
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Indoor gardening cannot depend on sun as a source of light. Plants depend upon artificial light source. Light bulbs, like any other hydroponic equipments require certain research and study before purchase.
There are three main types of hydroponic lights: Incandescent, fluorescent, and high-intensity discharge (HID). Incandescent lights are not usually preferred by growers. They are found to be inefficient and have poor and limited spectrum range. HID grow lights, on the other hand, provide more light and are more efficient. But the downside of HID grow lights is that they produce more heat. They are more expensive and require high end digital ballasts to operate them. Hydroponic equipments which require more investment are generally not favorites amongst growers.
Greenhouses and solar rooms make use of natural sunlight to provide light to the plants. Having an open window in the grow room can help with this. However, some of the aeroponic plants require no contact with outer atmosphere and in such cases using artificial light source is a better idea.
Remember that generally 1000W will adequately penetrate about 16-25 square feet of plant area. Using hydroponic equipments like a reflector/ light mover can work wonders for indoor lighting. If you are looking for a smaller garden and a cheaper option for lighting, you can go for compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFL bulbs). Although they don’t produce much stronger light, they are useful for hobbyists and small scale growers.
All the hydroponic systems require maintenance and care. See to it that your glowing light bulb doesn’t come in contact with water or it will blast. Also, take care that your ballast regulates electric current properly or else if the bulb is ‘slammed’ with too much power at once, it will lead to short- circuit. Remember that light is one of the most important factor in plant growth and choosing the right light source for your indoor garden will work wonders!
About Jean Smith
Hydroponics Grower experiencing and enjoying gardening using new technology and methods. Connect me on Google+ at Google+
Grow Your Small Garden With Square Foot Gardening
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Square Foot Gardening
In today’s world where space is an equivalent of luxury, farmers and growers are adopting to alternative methods of farming like vertical farming or hydroponics which require less space. Another such successful method is square foot gardening. This method makes practicing general hydroponics easy. It is the practice of planning small but intensively planted gardens. It is a combination of principles of organic farming and stresses on the use products which are biological in origin.
Basic method involves using hydroponic equipment: open-bottomed box to contain a finite amount of soil and divide it with a grid into sections. Each section is to be planted with different variety of crops. Benefit of using smaller beds is that they can be easily adapted and it is easy for the gardener to reach entire area. Use of ‘weed barrier’ beneath the box is also advisable. In a more advanced method, garden space is divided into beds that can be accessed from all the sides. Each bed is again sub-divided into grids that are approximately one square foot units. Each unit is to be marked with sturdy slates so that they can visible even when the plants grow. Different seeds are planted in each square. Plants like radish, spinach, lettuce, carrots and onions grow very well in this kind of method.
To weed and water the beds, side pathways are used so to avoid stepping on garden soil or crushing any plants. Bio-fertilizers and composts are used to promote healthy and full-fledged growth of the plants. This gardening method has been implied successfully in many places including deserts and mountains. It is a perfect method for the cramped urbanized areas.
There are many benefits of square foot gardening:
Less labor work: Traditional gardening methods requires heavy tools are required to loosen up the soil, hard physical work is done to dig planting spaces etc. In square foot gardening however, much less work is involved. Soil is never compacted, it remains lose and loamy. There is no need of using any expensive hydroponic equipments. Weeding doesn’t take much effort or time because soil is light, beds are raised and plants can be easily accessed.
Saving water: In square foot gardening method soil mixtures which are used have high water-holding capacity. Because of the porous nature of soil, capillary action increases and water can reach the roots of plants very fast. So even small quantity of water can work wonders and this will help you save a lot of water.
No need of pesticides/herbicides: This method allows efficient use of natural insect repellant methods. You can do companion planting of marigolds with your plants and this will eradicate insects and pests. Having a densely varied population of different plants in small area is proven to be very effective in curbing plant diseases.
So now you no more have to worry about lack of space or intense labor work to grow blooming plants in your garden. Your own small and flourished garden can be grown using with the help of square foot gardening.
About Jean Smith
Hydroponics Grower experiencing and enjoying gardening using new technology and methods. Connect me on Google+ at Google+
