Hydroponics is very easy and you get amazing results - just as long as you follow the rules.
You must:
- Change your water every week if possible. Why? You avoid the salt build up mainly, but your plants would appreciate fresh nutrients.
- Try to purchase a combo meter. pH is important. Try to keep your pH around 6.0-6.5. Any lower or higher could lock up your nutrients. If you have a problem with pH, you can always adjust your pH until you change your water next by using pH up or pH down. EC is another measurement that not a lot of people use. You do not want to much salt build up. EC should not be over 3. If so, change your water immediately. PPM is really how much nutrient is present in your water. This will vary depending what you are growing and what stage of growth you are in.
- Water Temperature - during the cold months I use a Sunleaves Stainless Steel Reservoir Heater. I keep the temp. around 70-75 degrees. You do not want to water your plants with cold water.
- Fans -have fans blowing on your plants. Being in a greenhouse you can have algae issues and pests. The constant movement of the plants discourage these types of things and they make your plants stronger in the long run as well.
- Lighting - Try sodium halides or T5 lights. I have a 1000 watt sodium in the greenhouse. The aroids, bananas, and various other plants love it! In the store, we have a T5 light that has produced amazing results on Cuprea and other tropicals.
It is nice to have your main plant stock growing on your tables and each year you just take your cuttings for all of the plants you would like in your yard. Coleus is among the easiest to propagate. Trying to collect all the different kinds is a challenge! There are so many different varieties out there that are amazing.
We do still welcome field trips to the greenhouse. Contact us if you are interested.