What is hydroponics?
Taken from the Greek word for "water-working", Hydroponics is the practice of soil-less gardening.

Is hydroponics new gardening technology?
No, hydroponics has been around for more than two thousand years. The hanging gardens of Babylon are one of the earliest examples. Now, hydroponics is perceived as a solution for gardening where overpopulation and pollution are problems.

If soil is not used, how do the plants grow?
Soil does not make plants grow. It is merely a medium that supports the plants roots. It is the nutrients within the soil and photosynthesis that make the plant grow. In hydroponics, you provide all nutrients to the plants through a nutrient and water solution. And support to the roots through the use of a medium.

How often do I need to change the nutrient solution?
Depending on the maturity of the plant, the nutrient solution should be changed every one to two weeks. Water does evaporate; nutrients do not, so you may need to add water to the system before you need to change the solution to maintain the volume of liquid flowing through the system.

What can I use the old nutrient solution for?
It can be used to water house plants or an outside gardens or plants.

What are macronutrients?
An element required in large proportion for the normal growth and development of a plant. They include: nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, magnesium, sulfur, oxygen, carbon and hydrogen.

What are the essential nutrients required for plant growth?
Other than the basic "building blocks of life" provided by water and carbon dioxide, the important nutrients are nitrogen (N), phosphorous (P) and potassium (K). Nitrogen aids in the growth of plants above ground. Phosphorous is essential for healthy growth, strong roots, flower development and a greater resistance to disease. Potassium is essential for the development of strong plants

What are micronutrients?
Also called trace elements; A substance, such as a vitamin or mineral, that is essential in small quantities for the proper growth and metabolism of a living organism, including plants.

What are the signs of deficiencies or toxicities in plants?
There are many different signs for the various nutrients. Please view the table here.

How do I detect over fertilization?
Excessive fertilizing first boosts plant growth but later damages the plant. The leaf tips on new growth begin to burn (necrosis) which is followed by a downward curling of a leaf. Older foliage begins to turn yellow (chlorosis) and fall prematurely. Reducing fertilizer applications, removing the upper crust of the growing medium and leaching excess salts help in rectifying the situation.

How do I detect under fertilization?
Under fertilization is mostly evident on the older growth of the plant. A general yellowing of the entire plants indicates under fertilization. Plants with very little fertilizer turn pale green and the top leaves will ascend. The nutrients from older leaves are transferred by the plant to newer growth, the leaves eventually dry and fall off. A complete water-soluble fertilizer can help to correct under fertilization in a plant.

What is the optimum pH?
The optimum pH for the interior plants is 6.0 to 6.5.

What are ways to adjust the pH?
If the pH level is to alkaline (higher pH) add phosphoric acid to lower pH. If the pH level is to acidic (lower pH) add potassium. With High Nutrients, you don’t need to be a chemist to adjust the pH level. We offer two pharmaceutical grade products to lower or raise acidic level.

What can be used as a medium for growth?
An inert medium must be used so that it does not react chemically with the nutrient solution. Inert mediums include rockwool, grow rocks, fired clay pellets, perlite and others.

What is the best size for Mediums?
The best media particle size is usually between 3 to 8 mm. This permits rapid drainage while allowing fresh air to be drawn into the root zone.

While planting indoors, how can I ensure that the plants are getting enough light?
Proper lighting is very important for photosynthesis as it provides the energy required by the plants. With indoor gardening, sunlight can be replaced by artificial lighting that emits the same spectrum and intensity. Choices include:

• High Intensity Discharge (HID) Lights
• Metal Halides
• High Pressure Sodium Lamps
• Fluorescent Bulbs (Used to sprout seeds)

What other information should I know about lighting?
The closer the plants are to the light source the better. To maximize the results, use different bulb types during different growing cycles. Using fluorescent lights is an economical alternative to sprout seeds. Cool white bulbs are good for plant growth as they give more blue light. Also, it is important to balance light intensity with nutrients. For example, if carbon dioxide and other nutrients are scarce, then proper photosynthesis will not be optimal because while the light is available the nutrients are not.

What is the ideal temperature and humidity level required for indoor plants?
Plants have a better growth rate response if the conditions change during different development stages. Humidity should be kept high. Temperature should not be too hot. When in the flowering stage, a cooler temperature is desired with humidity not more than 50%.

What are some of the most popular hydroponic systems?
To find out more about the favorite hydroponic systems, please click here.

How do I get rid of the algae formed in the tray?
Algae may be common in some hydroponic systems, especially in white plastic trays where the water may not drain fully. To rid the system of algae, use black plastic cut outs to cover up where water is exposed to light. You may also add a bio-fungicide like Hydro Guard. Make sure that the reservoir is sealed. Remember to clean the equipment with a disinfectant solution.

What is the appropriate way to clone a plant?
Cloning is to duplicate the DNA of the original plant. There are a variety of ways to clone. The one most common is to: With a sterile razor blade, cut off a branch 4 to 5 nodes from the top. Cut young growth tips with 2-3 leaves and a stem diameter of about 1/5-1/10 inch. Then place the branch under water. Make the first cut at a 45 degree angle so that largest amount of cut surface is exposed to the rooting hormone. A small, horizontal second cut should be made just above the first cut. Next bring the clone out of water and dip it into the rooting hormone. For at least the last 30 seconds, twirl the bottom of the branch. Place the tray in a warm area and keep humidity very high for the clones.