What Is Hydroponics?
Hydroponics is a way of growing plants without soil. Hydroponics, translates from hydro=water and ponos=works. Hydroponics literally means water works. Hydroponic equipment is best suited for indoor gardening or greenhouses. Soilless gardening lets plant take up nutrient faster which means a quicker growing, more compact and more nutritious plant in a smaller space.
General Gardening FAQs
Here are some general gardening tips that cross over to any style of gardening.
There are 20 Mineral Elements needed for optimal plant growth.
The Macronutrients, called such because they are required in large amounts
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Carbon
|
C
|
Component of all organic compounds |
|
Oxygen
|
O
|
supplied by air & water |
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Hydrogen
|
H
|
That's why its element #1 |
|
Nitrogen
|
N
|
Part of chlorophyll, amino acids, proteins |
|
Phosphorus
|
P
|
Used in photosynthesis and almost all aspects of growth |
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Potassium
|
K
|
Activates enzymes, used in formation of sugar and starch |
|
Calcium
|
Ca
|
Used in cell growth and division, part of cell wall |
|
Magnesium
|
Mg
|
Part of chlorophyll, activates enzymes |
|
Sulfur
|
S
|
Part of amino acids and proteins |
N.P.K. = % weight of Nitrogen, % weight of Phosphorus, % weight of Potassium the three nutrients taken up in the largest quantities by plants. Example: if you have a 15-30-15 100 pound bag of fertilitizer 15 lbs are nitrogen, 30 lbs are phosphorus, and 15 lbs of potassium. The rest being filler and inert ingredients.
The Micronutrients called such because they are required in trace amounts
| Boron | B | Affects reproduction |
| Chlorine | Cl | Aids in root growth |
| Copper | Cu | Used in chlorophyl, activates enzymes |
| Iron | Fe | Used in Photosynthesis |
| Manganese | Mn | Part of chlorophyll, activates enzymes |
| Sodium | Na | Used for water movement |
| Zinc | Zn | Part of enzymes, used in auxins |
| Molybdenum | Mo | Used in nitrogen fixation |
| Nickel | Ni | Liberates Nitrogen |
| Cobalt | Co | Fixates Nitrogen |
| Silicon | Si | Makes tougher cell walls: enhances heat and drought tolerance |
Common chemicals used in mixing your own nutrient formulas.
| CaNO3 | Calcium Nitrate |
| K2SO4 | Potassium Sulfate |
| KNO3 | Potassium Nitrate |
| KH2PO4 | Mono Potassium Phosphate |
| MgSO4 | Magnesium Sulfate |
| TE | Trace elements |
| NH4NO3 | Ammonium Nitrate |
