16 Oct 2009
Fresh cut flowers add to the spirit and color for each room. When people receive the gift of fresh cut flowers, they want to keep it as long as possible. Fortunately, there are a number of ways to keep fresh cut flowers.
Here is a list of tips to help you take care of your fresh cut flowers:
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05 Oct 2009
The most widely-spread growing medium in hydroponics systems is, perhaps, rockwool. Originally used for insulation purposes and also known as mineral insulation, rockwool was first used as growing medium by Dane gardeners. Now, it is frequently used for drip-style indoor gardens around the globe.
Rockwool is produced by a process similar to making cotton candy: a particular mixture of sand and rock is melted and then turned into fibers by spinning the mixture to form products of multiple shapes and dimensions, from 1″ starter cubes and up to large slabs of 3″x12″x36″ in size. The variety of available forms and sizes turns rockwool into one of the most widely-used growing mediums.
Starter cubes, used by hydroponic growers, as well as soil gardeners, are comfortable growing media for starting seeds. Made of inert material, starter cubes provide perfect support to the plant and its rhizomes. The cubes are capable of retaining water, but they do not supply a plant with any nutrients, unless the latter are dissolved in the water. Nowadays, there are 4 types of starter cubes: Organo-Cubes, Oasis cubes, Rockwool and “peat potsâ€. The most popular among the gardeners are the first three kinds of cubes (Organo-Cubes, Oasis cubes and Rockwool), while “peat pots†lose their popularity due to their tendency to accumulate too much water, which can spoil the seeds and the seedlings. Oasis cubes, Rockwool, and Organo-Cubes, on the other hand, retain water along with enough air, which prevents the medium to be too moist.
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Improper use of fertilizers is the common cause of many plant problems. Inadequate amounts cause weak and under nourished plants while an amount above desired quantities may burn and even kill the plant. Good judgment and decisions are required when a plant grows. Below are guidelines for applying nutrient solutions.
Hydroponic nutrient solutions are normally sold in concentrated forms. They are then added to the water supply with a specific ratio. Ideally, 150-600 parts per million consists a normal concentration of hydroponic solution. Normally sold in two or three parts because direct combination is not possible. Remember to mix nutrients into water first before combining, never combine two nutrients together.
05 Oct 2009
Ultimate control of the growing environment for you plants is one of the greatest advantages of hydroponic systems. Plant health is maintained by the proper introduction of nutrients in terms of the amount and what type is assured. Soil b y nature contains numerous salt and minerals, it does not permit this much flexibility as can be seen with grow mediums. Indoor hydroponic gardens utilize grow mediums which do not contain salts or minerals. This allows the gardener the freedom to control the amount and type of nutrient specifically for their plants.