Hydroponics is a method of growing plants using mineral nutrient solutions instead of soil. Using water with the proper lighting and nutrients you will yield fast growing, bountiful crops indoors or outdoors.

Most plants including vegetables, fruits and other plants used for medicinal purposes may be grown with their roots in the mineral nutrient solution only or in inert growing mediums like perlite or gravel. When plant roots are suspended in a liquid medium containing the nutrient solution while their crowns are supported in a thin layer of inert medium, is true hydroponics. A variation is Aeroponics, where plant roots are suspended in a dark chamber and sprayed with the nutrient solutions.

When the mineral nutrients in the soil dissolve in water, plant roots are able to absorb them. When the required mineral nutrients and additives are introduced into a plant's water supply artificially, soil is no longer required for the plant to grow quickly. Almost any terrestrial plant will grow with hydroponics, but some will grow better with the right grow systems.

Typical hydroponic crops:

• Mesclun Mixes
• Fruits and Vegetables like;
• Lettuces, Cucumbers or Tomatoes
• Flowers or flowering plants
• Herbs or plants grown for spices

Growing tips

Things to consider include:

• airflow - has to be good
• water - easy access to pure water
• lighting - the right lighting systems
• climate control - cool area with temperature that stays above 60 degrees F
• Clean - a clean and sterilized area
• PH balance for hydroponic growing

Hydroponics growing indoors starts with choosing the right room and having climate control equipment. An exhaust fan will help keep the temperature cool, and be used to remove the larger volume of hot air (created by the grow-lights).

Everything in the growing area should be cleaned then sterilized with something like lysol, bleach, or some other germ killer to prevent the plants from being harmed by germs, bacteria or molds. This along with other other pest and disease control products will keep your crop safe.

After cleaning the growing room, paint the walls and ceiling with white paint to reflect the growing lights. Commercial reflectors like mylar can used for this reflecting the light. Commercial reflectors are more efficient but they cost more, mirrors absorb light, so do not use them.

Hydroponics growing outdoors will be much the same as in a greenhouse except that the sun is substituted for grow lights,

Visit Beste's or call our retail garden and growing center at (586)776-1794 for all the hydroponic growing supplies you'll need.

Bestes Hydroponics Supply
21410 Schoenherr
Warren, MI 48089
Phone: 586.776.1794