Whether you’ve been considering getting into hydroponic gardening or have already started and are looking for help, you can’t go wrong with a little extra guidance. No matter what stage of the game you’re currently at, you probably already realize that this method of growing can yield more growth and take less time. It is also much more efficient.
Despite the many benefits of growing plants in the hydroponic method, it can be tricky to master. Without further ado, here are four tips that every hydroponics gardener should follow to maximize their potential for success:
Table of Contents
Gather the Right Equipment
If you don’t start with the gear you need to make your system work from start to finish, you can quickly run into problems. If you only buy enough equipment to get started or to last through the first few stages of growth, you could end up forgetting to get the items you need by the time your plants are desperate for them.
Anyone that has spent time caring for plants knows that mistakes are not easy to correct and can even be fatal. Rather than allowing your plants to suffer down the road, visit your hydroponics equipment supplier before you get started and buy everything you need to go from seed to harvest at once.
Check Your Water Supply
One of the key ingredients to successful hydroponic growing is the water supply. Since the soil that plants feed from in conventional gardening acts as a natural buffer, your plants are more susceptible to harm from things like unwanted toxins and PH balance.
Most municipal water systems contain high levels of things like
- Sulphates
- Chloride
- Magnesium Bicarbonates
- Calcium
This means that you’ll need a purer source for your water supply. You’ll also want to monitor your PH balance frequently so you know your water doesn’t become too acidic or alkaline for your plants. Most of the time, a PH balance between 5.5 and 6.5 will be fine, but it is always critical to check the right PH for the plants you are growing.
Maintain Your Fertilizer
Hydroponics work by growing plants in a soil-less environment while providing them with the exact balance of nutrients directly to the root system through the water. As with many other aspects of growing, the key to making this means of feeding your plant work is consistency.
Start by researching the type and level of nutrients that will work best for your plants in a hydroponic system, and then monitor your dissemination accurately. Another helpful tip in this regard is to add your nutrients into the water slowly so that they have a chance to mix in thoroughly before you add more.
Growing Atmosphere
Even if you’re growing plants indoors, the environment they live in should be monitored closely and adjusted as needed. Keep a careful eye on factors like
- Lighting
- Humidity
- Temperature
- Ventilation
Perhaps the most vital tip of all is to maintain consistency with all of these things.
The best place to get started with a hydroponic garden is to buy the equipment that you need. Visit a hydroponics store today to check out what’s available. While you’re there, ask the staff for more information. You might just learn a few more tips.
