Hydroponic Gardening Beats Food Crisis
Avoid Vegetables Tainted with E. Coli and Salmonella
Aug 12, 2008
Choose a room in your home that has sufficient space for your chosen system and, if possible, a water source. A common starting system would include a tray and water reservoir with a water pump, timers, and a proper lighting system. A 4’x4’ tray is a good size if you have a room large enough. This tray will be propped up on sawhorses or something similar. Under the plant tray, you will place a reservoir full of at least 15 gallons of water and nutrients. Specifics and sources for components can be found at How to Hydroponics..
Lighting
The most convenient and smaller systems will use a 400w lamp with a reflector. The higher the wattage, the faster your plants will grow, but the more heat will be generated and the more energy will be required. The idea is to create ideal outdoor conditions, indoors. Stage 1 is the sprouting stage of growth. Seeds may be planted in indoor garden soil or another growing medium like rock wool or clay pellets. You will need to research the plants you intend to grow (see link above) to find out which medium is optimal for your choices.
Vegetative Growth
Once the seeds are growing nicely, they will require repotting for their vegetative growth cycle. The sprouting process can take anywhere from two weeks to 10 weeks depending on the variety of seeds you choose to gestate. A metal halide lamp can be found at most home building stores or at hydroponic grow shops. This is the vegetative grow cycle lighting that will bring your plants to full size. If your soil already contains nutrients, you may not need to add nutrients through this cycle, but you should fill the reservoir with cool water and set a timer for at least one watering per day. Your plants will tell you within a few days if they need more or less watering time. If the leaves appear dry, they probably need more water. If you check your plants just prior to a timed watering and they are saturated, they are probably getting too much. One of the keys to successful growing is getting to know your specific plants’ needs and preferences.
Bloom Cycle
After 10 weeks (more or less depending on the seeds chosen), you will be ready to change the “season” for your new plants. It is getting to harvest time and you will now change the bulb to a high pressure sodium lamp. This is a full spectrum lamp that will communicate to your plants that it is time to produce flowers and/or fruit. At this stage, it will be important to do a little research as to which nutrients to use to optimally bring your plants to fruition. Nutrients can be found at home improvement stores, at a hydroponic store, which should have several brands and types of nutrients for your plants, or online at Scotts website.
Harvest
Once your tomatoes or green beans or peppers are mature, they may be harvested and enjoyed. Keep the area very clean and free of any sources of bacteria or mold. Hydroponic plants are frequently a little more “tempermental” than outdoor plants because they are raised to be completely dependent on the grower’s ability to provide a perfect simulated outdoor environment.
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