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Article 5-5 The Dirt on Dirt

The Dirt on Dirt By Randy Johnson Of all the factors involved in growing plants outdoors, soil is the most complex. It has its own ecology, which can be modified, enriched, or destroyed; the treatment it receives can ensure crop success or failure. There is no such thing as universal soil for outdoor gardening. Each variety of plant can grow [ read more ]

Article 5-3 Closed Environment Agriculture

CEA – Closed Environment Agriculture By Erik Biksa A closed growing environment differs from the traditional grow room set-up in that it does not “connect” to the external environment and runs on a closed loop. Typically, grow room air is vented to the outside while outside air is drawn in to replace the air being evacuated. This creates an “open [ read more ]

Article 5-3 Build an Ebb & Flo

Building a Flood and Drain System By Kent Elchuck Setting up the system: Cut the two by fours to length so that when the sawhorse legs are set up the reservoir will be slightly lower than the table. Each pair of sawhorse brackets will be joined with another two by four to give the table support. Place flood table on [ read more ]

Article 5-3 Growing for Maximum Yield

Growing for Maximum Yield By Robert Graves In every aspect of their lives, people love to tweak, tinker or tamper. If someone even suspects that whatever they are doing is not operating at peak efficiency, they will try to push that extra 5% out of their endeavors. Don’t think this is so? Well, if you are a woman, hand a [ read more ]

Article 5-3 Nutrient Solution Problems

Nutrient Solution Problems By Dr. Lynette Morgan Introduction Bad odors, furry growths, strings of jelly, slimes, algae of all colors and fungus gnat larvae are all problems that can affect the nutrient solution and media in hydroponic systems. Nutrients and media provide an ideal breeding ground for many fungi and bacteria since they contain mineral elements, usually some organic matter, [ read more ]

Article 5-3 Hydro Culture

Hydro culture: Hydroponics for House Plants By June Angus In North America, public awareness of hydroponics has grown by leaps and bounds over the last 20 years. The same can’t be said, however, for people’s knowledge of hydro culture, the technique for growing decorative plants and tropicals without soil at home or in indoor public spaces. The story is different [ read more ]

Article 5-3 Fungus Gnats

By Erik Biksa Love the web site and in particular the information on fungus gnats. I am in Australia. Was wondering what the control for fungus gnats is in newer growing mediums such as perlite. I have used scarid fly drench on continuous watering for 16 hours and two five minute waterings two hours apart. (Active constituents- Azadirachtrate 90% & [ read more ]

Article 5-3 Back To The Basics

Back to the Basics By Trevor Shields Hop off of the fence, Green Thumb, as a hydroponic gardener you have a series of choices to make when you set up your own personal Eden. The first decision to make is which basic direction to go in with your garden. When you reach this first crossroads, you will see two directional [ read more ]

Article 5-3 The Evolution of Plant Nutrition

The Evolution of Plant Nutrition By Cindy Rea Hydroponic cultivation is well recognized as a superior method of agriculture. Plants are fed their exact nutritional requirements and are provided with absolutely ideal growing conditions. Consequently, plants thrive. Having witnessed the substantial improvements in plant quality and yield delivered by hydroponic cultivation, scientists have taken a keen interest in further developing [ read more ]

Article 5-3 Yield Predictions

I am working with a family which is raising hydroponic tomatoes (loose, not clusters or cherry). We need to be able to establish a “normal/expected” yield and we do not know where to obtain that sort of information. Can you point us in the right direction? Connie Skinner Connie, Thanks for your question. If growing in a well-managed hydroponic environment, [ read more ]
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