Whether you are a commercial grower
looking to expand or a flower
and plant enthusiast who
would like to bring your summer
garden indoors – The Root
in Brookfield, Illinois can help!
Preventive Measures
Unfortunately,
even in a controlled environment there can still be a
problem with deficiencies. Fortunately, there are ways to
overcome these deficiencies with the proper use of certain
products. Below are a few things you can do to help
prevent deficiencies. For more tips and ideas, please
contact us and one of our knowledgeable staff members will
be able to help you.
Nutrients, on the other hand, can get a little tricky,
especially if you're trying to mimic the natural nutrient
intake that a plant gets in a hydroponic system.
Hydroponics vegetable gardening nutrients are amongst the
hardest parts of a system to choose, because they need to
be "optimized" for the particular plants that you're
growing.
One of the best ways to prevent problems before they
happen is to talk to knowledgeable people that understand
hydroponics. We can explain all of the do's and don'ts
before you start, thus giving your plants a better chance
to succeed and prevent any unnecessary problems.

~ Monitor pH Levels - There are lots of
things that can cause a hydroponic nutrient solution to
drift outside of the ideal range of about 5.5 - 6.5.
Usually, if a nutrient solution is left unmonitored for
too long, it can start drifting outside of this range
because of bacterial populations. Aerated water at good
temperatures (71 degrees or below) will increase in
aerobic bacteria, and pH goes up. Even though the pH needs
to be adjusted, aerobic bacteria are good for plants. If
water temperatures get too warm, anaerobic bacteria will
cause pH to drop. Anaerobic bacteria are the microbes that
cause root rot.
Since pH levels can change very rapidly, it is important
to check your pH level daily. The longer your nutrient
solution spends outside of this ideal range, the greater
the chance that your flowers or vegetables will suffer a
plant deficiency. Use a pharmaceutical grade pH adjustment
product designed specifically for hydroponics to make the
necessary adjustments.
~ Keep Temperature Levels Stables - Your
nutrient solution should be fairly cool to temperate,
somewhere in the range of sixty six to seventy one degrees
Fahrenheit. You should be particularly aware of this if
you happen to live in an unusually warm or cold part of
the world. If you feel it is necessary to prevent
plant
deficiency, take extra steps to insulate your grow room
against outside elements. You should also try placing your
reservoir directly on the floor, as the floor can be very
cool, which can keep the reservoir cool in a warm grow
room.
~ Use Supplements - The most common
deficiencies can be cured by adding a Calcium Magnesium
supplement and an organic micronutrient supplement
such as
seaweed extract. There are several additional products
that can increase the availability of nutrients for your
plants. Beneficial Bacteria are extremely important to
keep roots healthy and clean. Beneficial Fungus will
increase root growth. Enzymes clear out any dead root
cells. All three of those biological additives can assist
in breaking down nutrients for easier uptake by the roots
and ensure a large, healthy root zone. Large roots have an
easier time absorbing nutrients.
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