5 Tips for Hydroponics Gardening

Hydroponic gardening can be an excellent way to grow a large amount of fruits and vegetables in a limited area. However, it's much more than just growing plants in a water-nutrient system without soil. There are many variables, all of which depend on the space available, your budget and how much time is available to spend on maintenance. There then are some tips that will help to make your hydroponic experience pleasant and productive.

Number 1: Get Your Plants Off to a Good Start

When seeds first sprout, they are said to be germinating. In hydroponic gardening, this happens within a growing medium, which can be any number of things. The best choices are composted bark, expanded clay, gravel, peat moss or sand. Rockwool, oasis and perlite are less desirable; vermiculite should be avoided at all costs, as it is often contaminated with asbestos fibers that can have grave consequences for one's respiratory health.

Keep in mind that every type of plant has its own specific needs when it comes to temperature and light. You'll need to check the seed specification in order to determine the plant's unique germination requirements.

Number 2: The Right Light

As mentioned above, different plants have different light requirements - and a single plant has different light needs at different stages. In general, a plant that is in the growth stage needs more red spectrum light, whereas a plant that is flowering or fruiting uses more of the blue spectrum. Metal halide (MH) grow lights are good for the former, while High Pressure Sodium (HPS) lights work better during the latter stage. Some of the newer LED grow lights can actually be adjusted for different kinds of plants and various stages, however LED grow lights can be more expensive than standard types of grow lights.

Number 3: Proper Nutrition

All plants require some sixteen different mineral nutrients in order to reach their full potential. These fall into the category of either micronutrients or micronutrients.