Biological Pest Control

Pesticide Use & Environmental Impact
Thanks to the increasing awareness about environmental issues, groups and individuals have started taking various initiatives to promote more sustainable life styles. Because of the adverse impact they have on the environment, “hard” pesticides are now being gradually sought to be phased out to make way for more environmentally friendly alternatives, “soft pesticides”.

But pest control, through pesticide use, is often necessary considering the fact that without a measure of control many insects can cause huge damage to crops. Besides,
insects can also affect our quality of life in many different ways. These pests, if not effectively controlled would pose grave public health risks and also create significant negative impacts to the economy. The use of pesticides, as a measure to ensure favorable outcomes, in areas related to food production, public health etc. therefore cannot be discounted.

Pest Control in Hydroponics
In hydroponic cultivation pesticide use is discouraged and often not required. This is because hydroponic crops tend to be more healthy and pest resistant as they are grown under controlled conditions under a precisely regulated nutrient regime. Hydroponics systems mostly use natural preventative measures to control pest and parasite infestations. One of these is companion planting which uses a clever strategy to repel pests by growing plants that produce smells disagreeable to the pests. These plants are grown along with the main crop which is intended to be protected.

But not all bugs are put off by the smell, and at times, other means have to be adopted such as biological insect control. Biological insect control uses predator insects to reduce or destroy infestations. The predator insects consume the harmful, crop damaging species and die out or leave the garden. This is a safe, poison free natural method of pest control. Predator insects are bred commercially for such use and have proved extremely beneficial in pest control. These mostly carnivorous insects do not attack vegetation and being extremely voracious consume bugs on a massive scale daily.

Infestation Control

The best way to keep tabs on infestation, whether in the greenhouse or the grow-room is to carry out physical inspections to check for any pests. This should be done carefully by checking all likely places where pests may be present like leaves, around stems and even the growing medium. If any bugs are detected the next step is to determine the type of insect and the number of plants affected. The strategy to eliminate the pests will depend on the number of bugs and the extent of the infestation.

Proper identification of the type of pest is important as this will determine which predator insect will best get rid of infestation. This can be done with the help of good garden microscopes and standard gardening reference books. Once an infestation is detected and the harmful bug identified, quick release of predatory insects to control the infestation should follow.

It should be noted that the environment has to be maintained to be favorable to the predator insects. Many predatory insects are susceptible to high temperatures; also there should also be an adequate source of water or shelter. The grow room environment will therefore need to be carefully monitored.

Common Predators
The following are some of the predators most commonly used:
Ladybugs (Hippodamia convergens)
Ladybugs are most effective against aphids. Ladybugs need plenty of water, so place a small dish of water in your garden. This will help keep both the ladybugs and the insects close to your plants. Adult ladybugs are orange and black and feed on aphids, mites, scales, thrips, whiteflies and beneficial insect food.

Aphidius Colemani & A. Matricariae (Aphidius colemani & A. matricariae)
These are small black wasp (2-3 mm.) with narrow waist. They have long antennae. They prey on aphids turning them into brown, mummified shells. These predators are most active at temperatures between 18-26C (65-80F).

Praying Mantis (Tenodera aridifolia sinensis)
These are large green or brown insects having fine papery wings. They are shipped as egg cases that take 2-8 weeks to hatch. These general predators prey on aphids, beetles, caterpillars, leafhoppers, hornworms, squash bugs, white flies and several other pests.

Lacewings (Chrysoperla carnea, C. comanche & C. rufilabris)
These are general predators that feast on mealybugs, scales, spider mites, thrips, white flies and insect eggs. They are green or brown in color when adults. Lacewings are most active in temperatures 24-28C (75-80F).

Phytoseiulus Persimilis, New Zealand – (Phytoseiulus persimilis)- New Zealand Strain
These are bright orange mites (0.5 mm./1/20 in.), and are very effective against spider mites. They breed twice as fast as spider mite to make short work of any spider mite infestation. They do not form webs, but move along the plant using webbing to catch spider mite. These predatory insects are most active in temperature ranges 22-35C (72-100F) and 60-80% humidity.

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Lighting & Reflectors in Hydroponics Cultivation

Lighting technology has come a long way since the times of the incandescent lamp and with several different types of lamps now available choosing the right lamp to suit your indoor gardening needs can, at times be confusing. There are other accessories to consider too like starters, timers, wiring etc. which can further confound the uninitiated. But while considering all the paraphernalia, growers sometimes tend to neglect one extremely important aspect of the lighting systems – reflectors.

Importance of Reflectors
To get the best from their lighting system growers would do well to understand how reflectors work and how reflector design has evolved over the years with advances in lighting technology. Reflectors perform the very important function of gathering the light emitted by the lamp and then directing it as required. Therefore, even though you may use the best lamps in the market, if you don’t use the right reflector most of the light produced by the lamp might be wasted. However, “tall crop” growers need not be concerned as their crops can soak up all the light they need from just bare lamps hanging down among the plants. “Short crop” (plants under one meter tall) growers, need to carefully consider available reflector designs to choose the one best suited to their needs.

Reflectors come in different designs and not all designs have comparable efficiencies. Some reflectors are many times as efficient as others thanks to the technical improvements in reflector design and manufacturing. One of the problems in the past was rooted in the misunderstanding of how H.I.D. (High Intensity Discharge) lamps produce light. HID lamps give their strongest light from the sides of the lamps, quite unlike the typical incandescent bulb. Vertical mount reflectors, which were the first reflectors developed for HID lamps proved highly inefficient with only about 9% of the light reflected to the plants. The rest of the light output was completely wasted in illuminating the grow room walls.

Developments in Reflector Design
Lighting efficiency increased dramatically with the introduction of the horizontal reflector. The sideways orientation of the lamp also increased the direct light to the crop as also the horizontal reflector which bounced more light to the crop. This arrangement seemed fine for some time until the lamps started burning out after only a few months.
Also there was always the possibility of electrical shorts in the socket wiring associated with this design. The reflector design then underwent major modifications with more open designs, incorporating vents, ducting even small exhaust fans. With the basic design features incorporated the attention turned toward the finding the material that would reflect light most efficiently. The specifications called for a surface that would reflect the light and also distribute it evenly onto the crop without localized heating and shadowing. Several years of research led to the development of a flat white surface that – coated with Titanium Oxide –fitted the bill to a T. It reflected 20% more light than the best glossy white finish. It also did not produce the uneven glare that the most reflective of glossy surfaces produce. With a unique method of applying Titanium coating the surface reflectivity touched 95%, i.e. the surface was able to reflect 95% of the light incident on it to the crops. This reflected light in addition to the direct light from the lamp, boosted the overall lighting efficiency in the garden to near perfect levels.

Benefits of Improved Design
Growers were quick to realize that these new reflectors offered an important benefit – they were no longer constrained to locate their growing systems in inaccessible locations. With the old style reflectors that allowed most of the light to fall on the walls growers tried to redirect some of this wasted light by covering the walls with Mylar or other reflective materials. But this resulted in gardens being moved into corners to take advantage of the reflective wall coverings creating problems with poor air movement, heat build up and inaccessible plants. All that changed with the new reflectors- light was now directed onto the garden, no light wastage on the walls meant no need for reflective walls and no need to locate the grow area in cramped spaces.

Accessible locations for the gardens improved air movement eliminated the problem of heat build-ups and promoted more growth friendly conditions in the garden. A free-standing garden with easy, unhindered could now allow easy access for inspection and carrying out other chores that help plant growth. It also discourages unwanted intruders like pests and bugs.

Pest Control

Indoor enclosed spaces like grow rooms would seem to provide ideal protection to plants against pests and parasites that can cause much harm to crops grown conventionally. It would seem reasonable to believe that since plants are grown in a comparatively sanitized environment without soil, a pest attack scenario would be unlikely, even remote. But pests wouldn’t be pests if they were so easy to shake off; so whether it is a hydoponics grow room or a green house, these tiny and not so tiny marauders have to be kept away. Fortunately, there are several ways growers can go about protecting their precious plants against these invaders.

Anything and everything can serve to introduce pests into the grow room, even humans are no exception. Once pests gain a foothold in the grow room, they multiply manifold, rapidly consuming plants and playing havoc with your indoor garden. The first step to regain control over your grow room is to identify the culprit. Once this is done a number of “soft” and “hard” control options are available to target the offending intruders.

Control Strategies

When only a few plants are infested growers can dip a small brush in insecticide or methylated spirits and apply directly onto plants to eradicate pests such as mealy bug or scale. This method is often very effective in protecting valuable indoor plants where spraying may not be acceptable. Moths can be dealt with using pheromone traps that help eliminate adult moths before they can lay eggs. Even hand-held vacuum cleaners have been reported to be effective against flying pests, particularly whiteflies.

Repellent Sprays, Powders and Formulations

Garlic sprays and hot pepper wax barrier are often used by growers in pest control. While these are mostly available off the shelf at any gardening supplies store, many growers prefer to make their own versions. However, the results seem to be mostly inconsistent, with some growers claiming excellent results while others reporting less than satisfactory outcomes. Some growers report that pests thrive on foliage treated with repellents.

Soaps and Oil Sprays

Soaps and oils have also proved effective in pest control. They work by blocking the pest’s breathing pores, thus smothering the pest. They also prevent some pests like mites from moving around and breeding. Soaps and oils are fairly safe. They can be easily stored and conveniently applied. Regular application over long periods, however, leads to buildup of oil/soap on hydroponic system components. This can be washed off from time to time.

Certain mineral compounds and diatomaceous earth work as natural or non-chemical insecticides. Diatomaceous earth has desiccant action on the insects. It also forms an abrasive layer slowing crawling insects like slugs and worms. It forms a dusty residue on hydroponic fruits or vegetables must be washed off.

Biological Formulations

A number of bio-pesticides are available in the market today. Perhaps, the most widely used of these is Bt spray, which is obtained from the bacterium Bacillus thuringinesis. Bt spray is applied to plants which is then absorbed by caterpillars as they feed. A bacterial toxin is formed in the digestive system of the caterpillar, which causes it to stop feeding. Dehydration sets in and the pest dies in a few days. Different strains of Bt have been developed for use against specific insects. It is important to use the right strain of Bt meant for a specific pest as the wrong strain will not work.

Some other products have been formulated from fungal pathogens of various insects. These work best under the right conditions. If the conditions, for example, humidity is not high enough, the controls are not effective.

Botanical Formulations

The two most common botanical extracts used for pest control in hydroponics are a pyrethrum, derived from a daisy (Chrysantehmum Cinaeraefolium) and neem oil derived from the seed kernels of the Indian neem tree (Azadiracta indica).

Pyrethrum is often combined with other compounds to enhance effectiveness; it can be used to control a wide range of pests. Neem oil or various extracts of neem are available as oil, solvent extract and as a ground product. Neem is an insect growth regulator, meaning, it stops the insect’s life cycle. Neem is effective on particularly difficult pests like whitefly; it is also a good general purpose spray option for small-scale growers.

Growers often erroneously assume that since they are made with plant extracts soft pesticides are safer than chemical pesticides. The truth is that these can be more toxic to humans than some synthetic pesticides. Handling these products requires the same care and application as synthetic biological controls.

Factoring In pH in Hydroponic Cultivation

Plants need to absorb nutrients to support growth whether they are grown using hydroponics techniques or they are grown in soil using conventional cultivation methods. But even with the best nutrients available to them, plants may fail to grow and whither away if a factor known as pH is too high or too low. pH is important because plants can absorb nutrients only if the pH of the nutrient solution is within a range of values that support effective absorption of the nutrients. If the pH of the solution is not what it should be, the absorption process does not proceed normally depriving the plants of nutrients vital for growth.

Macronutrients and Micronutrients

Plants need two types of nutrients, namely macronutrients and micronutrients. When grown outdoors, plants are able to obtain both macronutrients and micronutrients from the soil, but when grown indoors these have to be supplied in the right amounts. There are two types of macronutrients- primary macronutrients namely nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium which are required in large amounts, and secondary macronutrients – sulfur, calcium and magnesium that are required in smaller amounts. The micronutrients iron, manganese, zinc, copper, chlorine, boron and molybdenum are required in even smaller amounts, but are still essential for growth. Each of these macro and micronutrients serves specific purposes for the plants and can be absorbed only when the pH of the solution is conducive to the absorption process. If the pH levels are too high or too low some nutrients become available only at potentially toxic levels, while others simply become completely unavailable.

Understanding pH
pH levels are basically indicative of the acidity or alkalinity of a substance and range from 0 (acid) to 14 (base). A pH of 7 is considered neutral and one that best supports absorption of macro and micronutrients. But for all practical purposes, taking into account other factors like the differences between plants, it is generally accepted that for best results the pH of nutrients solutions should be between 5.5 and 6.8.

The pH scale is structured to represent acidity and alkalinity differentials by a factor of 10. For example, a solution with a pH of 5 is 10 times more acidic than a solution with a pH of 6. Similarly a solution with a pH of 4 is a hundred times more acidic than a solution with a pH of 6. The same applies to alkalinity, though in the reverse order. A solution with a pH of 9 is 10 times more alkaline than a solution with pH of 8.

Monitoring pH
It is known that plants will grow best when the pH of the nutrient solution is between 5.5 and 6.8; obviously therefore, frequent monitoring of pH levels makes sense and several simple methods are available to keep track and make necessary adjustments. Hand held pH meters featuring glass probes offer an easy way to track the pH of nutrient solutions.
These display the pH values on a digital readout when the probes are dipped in the nutrient solution. If the pH is high or low, this can be corrected using suitable pH Up or pH Down liquids. Some of the commonly used pH lowering solutions are nitric acid, phosphoric acid, citric acid and vinegar. Potassium hydroxide is used for raising the pH.

One source of problems that should be taken care of at the outset is the water that is used in the nutrient solution. Before using the water it is good practice take its pH reading and adjust it as needed. Also it is best to avoid using hot water when mixing hydroponics nutrient, because hot water pipes are prone to scaling, and the calcium from the scales can raise pH levels which can be difficult to lower. Finally, indoor growers using rock wool as growing medium need to take measures to offset the inherent alkalinity of the medium. One solution is to use nutrient formulations specifically designed for use with rockwool.

Growth Influencing Factors

In conventional cultivation plants are grown outdoors. Though plats get all the growth inputs outdoors, they are also exposed to pests, parasites and the vagaries of the elements. That is the way Mother Nature intended it to be. But man had different ideas. He learned to grow plants under simulated conditions in indoor grow rooms. He learned that under simulated conditions in indoor grow rooms plants can grow faster and healthier provided they receive what are known as Growth Influencing Factors (GIFs), in the right amounts. The GIFs include sunshine, wind, rain, temperature variations, carbon dioxide, oxygen, pH, nutrition. Growing plants with hydroponics is basically about controlling the environment in the grow room for the GIFs to stimulate plant growth.

Light: Lights come in various types and sizes ranging from 175 watts to 1000 watts. A 1000 watt light can illuminate and area of 16 to 25 sq. ft depending on the desired light intensity. Though lights can be used by themselves, it makes more sense to use lights with reflectors. Reflectors allow more efficient use of the light given off by the lamp. The light produced by different lamp types is usually diffuse, that is it is scattered in all directions. Reflectors direct the light in the desired direction thus enabling more efficient utilization of the lamp output.

How much light a plant will need depends on several factors including the stage of the plant life cycle. Though the requirements vary from plant to plant, generally seedlings need continuous exposure to light while stem cuttings do well with 18 hours of light. At maturity plants require 18 hours of light followed by a 6 hour period of complete darkness.

Timers can be used to automate the switching on/off process to suit the plant needs. Timers help to establish day/night cycles in the grow room independent of the day/night schedules outdoors. Timers also help to schedule the cycles to suit your convenience. Additionally, light movers can be used to more evenly distribute the light output to allow greater uniformity of exposure to the plants. Light movers move the lights along a circular or linear track and thus ensure that all plants in the grow room get adequate exposure to light.

Nutrition: Nutrition ranks second in the order of importance of the growth influencing factors. In hydroponics cultivation plants get their nutrition from the nutrients that are fed to them in solution with water. Depending on the type of hydroponics system the solution is available for nutrient uptake continually. In the hand watering system the nutrient solution is fed at regular intervals, while flood and drain systems achieve the same effect by regularly flooding and draining the solution around the root area. The constant supply of food results in enhanced growth.

Electrical conductivity (EC) is a measure of the amounts of total dissolved solutes in the solution. It is measured in milliMhos and its optimum value varies for different plant varieties. As EC does not identify the amounts of specific nutrients present, it is best to use pre-mixed 2-part hydroponics nutrient formulations, as it is easier to achieve the ideal EC with them rather than attempting different formulations with individual components.

pH: pH is a measure of the acidity of alkalinity of the nutrient solution. pH is important as plants can absorb the nutrients only if the pH of the solution is between 5.5 to 6.5. If pH is out of this range plants cannot absorb the nutrients efficiently and growth will suffer. pH measurements need to be taken on a daily basis. Even small variations in pH may have an adverse impact on plant growth. The pH can be easily adjusted using pH Up or pH Down solutions to obtain the desired level.

Carbon dioxide: Plants manufacture sugars from two simple raw materials –carbon dioxide and water. The process of manufacture is called photosynthesis and requires the presence of chlorophyll and sunlight. Carbon dioxide is vital to plant survival. In the atmosphere carbon dioxide is present to the extent of 340 parts per million (ppm). According to research plants can use more carbon dioxide to the extent of 1500 parts per million (ppm). Carbon dioxide enhancement stimulates enhanced plant growth. Carbon dioxide enrichment of the grow room dramatically boosts the yield at marginally extra cost. A carbon dioxide injector installed above the lights allows for maximum intake by plants in the grow room. The injector should be used in conjunction with an exhaust fan to ensure all carbon dioxide is vented between cylces.

Oxygen: It is absolutely essential to provide good ventilation in the grow room which will ensure a constant supply of oxygen. Plants need oxygen for respiration and utilization of the food produced by photosynthesis. With an oscillating fan installed in the grow room ambient leaf temperatures will be reduced which will restore carbon dioxide to the leaf zone and strengthen the stem. This will also ensure good distribution of fresh air throughout the room and control of humidity levels.

Atmospheric temperature: It is important to monitor and control temperature in the grow room in accordance with the plant’s perceived day and night cycles. When the light is ON the plant perceives it as daytime; daytime temperature of the air should be controlled around 18 to 25 deg. C. “Nighttime” temperatures should be regulated between 12 to 18 deg. C. Reliable temperature regulation can be obtained using a thermostat located among the plants.

Hydroponics gardening is not difficult provided you get the basics about the Growth Influencing Factors right. This is important because in the final analysis success in hydroponics depends upon how well you can get the Growth Influencing Factors work for you.

For Hydroponics Growers

The development of better health consciousness among consumers has led to a phenomenal growth in the demand for hydroponically grown produce. A combination of hydroponic technology and a controlled environment greenhouse or indoor grow rooms can tackle this demand. Such a blend is known as Soil-less/Controlled Environment Agriculture (S/CEA).

A majority of the numerous hydroponic farms in the United States are family or small business operations. These farms generally have 1/8 -1 acre in hydroponic production while the larger facilities average 20 – 40 acres. The smaller operations hold the advantage of proximity to the marketplace. Tomatoes are the most popular hydroponic crop in the U.S. followed by cucumbers, leaf crops, herbs, peppers, and flowers. There is a requirement for more hydroponic farms as much of the produce is presently imported.

Testing and monitoring are part of the daily operation of a commercial hydroponic grower. It is essential to test the pH and nutrient concentrations of the feed solution and the reservoir. The temperature and humidity levels are also monitored. Recording such information proves useful in assessment of overall health of the crop, diagnosing problems and ascertaining the positive and negative influence of various factors. Good observation, diligence, and order are the qualities demanded of a grower. The best way to prevent diseases and other problems is to perform daily checks.

A grower performs culturing depending upon the nature of the plant. Long-term crops like tomatoes or cucumbers require daily culturing. With short-term crops like lettuce, continuous seeding and harvesting is more important. Most commercial tomato growers replant their growing chamber once a year. Very little space is required to propagate the seeds. The seedlings are shifted to the greenhouse when they are several weeks old. Harvesting is done in about hundred days and continues for eight to nine months. The five main culturing jobs for fruiting crops are (done weekly):
1. Clipping—the plant is clipped to the string hung down from the main support wires.

2. Sucker Pruning—suckers are the side branches that grow at every leaf axial. A sucker is removed by grasping it firmly and then bending it back in one direction.

3. Cluster Pruning—this involves discarding the misshapen, smallest, and weakest fruit to allow the larger ones to develop.

4. Leaf Pruning—the lower leaves are removed to encourage new growth at the top of the plant. To remove it, pressure is applied at the base of the leaf.

5. Leaning and Lowering—this is done to keep the producing part of the plant within reach. The top six feet are left vertical while the remaining stem is laid horizontally.

Other grow-room jobs that growers must perform include pollination, harvesting, and packing. Pollination may be done by touching a vibrating pollinating wand to every open flower cluster. Another way is to bring a specialized bumblebee hive into the greenhouse and let the bees do the pollinating. If this method is employed, pesticides should not be used for insect control. Growers of hydroponic cucumbers need not pollinate them artificially as they are self-pollinating. Crops may be harvested every two or three days. Commercial growers label their product with the brand name and a brief description or the benefits of how it was grown.

The cost of growing hydroponic plants in a controlled environment often exceeds the cost of growing crops in a field. These extra expenses are incurred in providing the ideal temperatures, humidity, light and feed to the plants. In order to compensate for these, the produce must be marketed well. Highlighting the advantages of hydroponically grown crops in grow tents is of utmost importance. Growers may cite that they are free of herbicides and pesticides, available for nearly the whole of the year, have better nutritional value, have aesthetic appeal, are vine ripened and packed and harvested by hand. Following are the methods of selling:

• Grocery stores—Selling directly to grocery stores requires expertise to determine markets and the time to deliver regularly. But it offers control over transportation and handling.

• Produce brokers—A produce broker or distributor markets the produce for the grower. While it is convenient, earnings and control are diminished.
• Co-op or grower network—as the name suggests, growers may form a network to market and distribute collectively.

• Roadside or market stand—this allows growers to sell directly to consumers. But some growers may not prefer to take the time to transport and sell by themselves.

Hydroponics has come a long way from the floating gardens of the Chinese, described by Marco Polo in his journals. Commercial growing can be lucrative and satisfying, provided the produce is grown with the right procedures.

HYDROPONIC TECHNIQUES- HOME HYDROPONICS

Hydroponics was originally defined as “the cultivation of plants in water”, however, with the successful use of the technique for cultivating plants in air and other media besides water, the definition was changed to the more inclusive – “the cultivation of plants without soil.” Hydroponic techniques have proved effective for commercial cultivation and also in home gardening. Hydroponic techniques and systems have greatly benefited agriculture especially where, conventional soil cultivation is not possible due to unavailability of agricultural land, resources or other factors.

Hydroponic Systems & Techniques

The science of hydroponics has evolved since its inception with the development of two main systems – the water based hydroponic systems and aggregate based hydroponic systems. Water based hydroponic systems use water around the plant roots for delivery of nutrients. In aggregate based systems, plant roots are supported in some kind of inert material such as rockwool, pebbles etc. Both Water Culture Hydroponic Systems and Aggregate based Hydroponic Systems may use one of several different techniques of nutrient delivery to plant roots depending on requirements particular to the system.

Water Culture Systems

Water culture systems use water for delivery of nutrients which can be delivered to plant roots in different ways. Several techniques can be used; some of the more common of these are –

Nutrient Film Technique

In nutrient film technique a plastic trough or tube is used as the container through which a thin film of nutrient solution is made to flow continuously. Plants are grown out of holes on the top of the tube with their roots in the trough. The thin film of nutrient flows constantly past the roots. The trough is positioned to slope gently in order to maintain the circulation of the nutrient solution through the nutrient reservoir, to the plant roots and back. This is a popular technique with the home gardener and comes in many variations.

Aeroponics makes use of a nutrient mist delivered to the roots by a vaporizer or some other means. An A shaped frame constructed out of Styrofoam boards forms the support-base for plants. The plants are placed in holes on the inclined sides of the frame with the roots reaching out through the holes. The nutrient mist sprayed inside the A frame which then settles on the roots from where it is absorbed by the plant. Excess nutrient runs down the frame, is collected and recycled.

The aeration method was one of the first hydroponic techniques to be developed. In this method plants are suspended 1 inch above a nutrient solution collected in a container. An aquarium air pump is used to bubble oxygen through the nutrient solution. The plants are carried in a 2-inch deep mesh tray that fits inside the container when the lip of the tray is placed over the container’s edge. Gravel, clay pebbles or vermiculite filled in the tray serves to hold the plants and at the same time allow the roots to grow down into the nutrient solution.

Aggregate Systems

Aggregate systems use inert materials such as rockwool, clay pebbles, gravel, etc. to support plant roots. The inert media serves to support the plant and also allows good oxygen penetration to the roots in addition to retaining a thin film of nutrients and water.

The flood and drain method is the most commonly used aggregate system. In this system a container is filled with aggregate and plants which is then flooded with a nutrient solution. The solution is then drained back into the nutrient reservoir by opening a valve at the bottom of the container. The roots should be submerged for not more than 20 -30 min. during each cycle.

Another widely used aggregate system is the trickle feed method. The nutrient solution is continuously pumped from a reservoir through a 1/2-inch irrigation tube. This tube branches into several 1/8-inch tubes that feed the solution to containers carrying the aggregate and plants. Solution that may be in excess gets collected at the base of each container and is then returned to the nutrient reservoir.

Hydroponic systems offer several advantages over conventional soil based systems of growing plants. They afford better manage over plant growth eliminating weeds and soil borne diseases. Many hydroponic systems also optimize plant nutrition helping grow better crops more economically.

Indoor grow room- Hydrohut

HydroHuts are a range of instant indoor grow rooms that offer integrated solutions for a wide range of hydroponic systems. The HydroHut Indoor grow room design features easy to assemble components that afford flexibility in setting up the basic unit with a number of optional accessories like your choice of lighting, blowers, metal duct flanges, charcoal carbon filters etc. to address specific customer needs. The Hydrohut grow-room comes in various sizes ranging from the HydroHut Kindergarten measuring 28 inches width x 54.4 inches length x 78 inches tall to the HydroHut Deluxe which measures 52 inches x 104 inches x 84 inches. These units can be assembled in 20-40 minutes flat irrespective of their size and can be used to grow, bloom or clone or as a plant nursery or full on grow room.   

The Hydro Hut range is suitable for fitting fluorescent or high intensity discharge lights. With two 1000 or 600 watt sodium lights mounted inside, the HydroHut Deluxe affords the ideal light input for plant growth. The HydroHut Original is suitable for most 4’x 4’ hydroponic systems, while the HydroHut Mini will hold all 3’x 3’ systems, the HydroHut 2×4 will hold all 2×4 ebb & flow tables, and the HydroHut Deluxe will house most of the 4’x 8’ hydroponic systems.

Temperature and humidity regulation are important considerations in indoor hydroponics that contribute to optimize conditions for plant growth inside the green house. This indoor green house range offers easy regulation of temperature and humidity with the use of exhaust and intake blowers. Additionally CO2 can also be added and fan controls can be incorporated using third party atmospheric controls. Other optional features that can be integrated include a dual flange to duct to and from the HydroHut, a mounting board for mounting atmospheric controls and specially designed carbon filters, made from the best quality pelletized charcoal. These come in two designs the Elf and the Goblin.

The HydroHut indoor green house family allows the grower flexibility in choosing his system according to his requirements. All units ship in 1 box.

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