How to Grow Effective Hydroponics
- 1). Fill your foam or plastic container with perlite to support the roots of your plant.
- 2). Plant seeds at the depth recommended on the seed package and space them as recommended.
- 3). Mix the hydroponic fertilizer into water according to the instructions on the label. Different concentrations of the nutrient solution require different amounts of water, but often it is two parts water to one part solution. Mix a gallon of solution at a time and water your plants with it. Store excess solution out of sunlight. Do not store it longer than two weeks since the nutrients can lose effectiveness.
- 4). Test the hydroponic fertilizer solution with your pH testing kit. Dip a pH testing strip into the water; the pH should be between 5.5 and 6.5. Add more water if the pH is too high, more fertilizer if the pH is too low.
- 5). Water the plants with the solution regularly to keep the perlite moist.
- 6). Place the plants in the sunlight according to their needs. Some plants require more sunlight than others, so check the seed package for the plant or the label that comes with the seedling. Purchase growing lamps if there is not sunlight available. Ask at your garden center for the best grow lights for your specific plants, since different bulbs provide different intensities.
- 7). Transplant the seedling to another container when the roots begin to grow against the side of the original container. Slide a butter knife along the side of the container to loose and release the growing medium. Inspect the roots. Repot the plant in a container one-third larger than the old container if the roots look cramped.
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