Pests Commonly Encountered in Hydroponics Supplies and Systems

!±8± Pests Commonly Encountered in Hydroponics Supplies and Systems

A common misconception of hydroponic gardening is that you never have to worry about dealing with pests and bugs. Many growers wish this was true because the fact of the matter is that even in a soil less garden you have to deal with some of the same kinds of critters that can damage traditional gardens. Fortunately, with a little knowledge and quick action, you can easily prevent or minimize the damage caused by bugs to your plants and hydroponics supplies.

Here are a few of the more common pests found on plants in hydroponics systems.

Aphids - They are numerous varieties of aphids and their coloration can vary from black, brown, very light colored, or yellow. They often leave a sticky residue on your plants which causes the plants to grow in a deformed or twisted manner. They also typically carry viruses that can affect the growth or even kill your plants. A typical sign of an aphid infestation is the presence of little white exoskeletons which the aphids have molted off. After identifying that you have an aphid problem, you should remove the damage leaves, wash the remaining leaves, and spray them with an insecticidal soap.

Whitefly - Whiteflies are typically seen in larger systems that use more extensive hydroponics supplies. They often resemble very small moths but they actually more closely related to aphids. They often hide on the underside of leaves, sucking juice from them and causing serious damage. Like aphids, they are also carriers of numerous plant diseases, and can wreak havoc on your garden if unchecked. The most effective way of dealing with whiteflies is through biological control. A wasp called the Encarsia Formosa is a natural enemy of the whitefly. Introducing the encarsia to a whitefly infected garden has proven to be an effective and safe way to deal with this pest.

Fungus Gnat - The fungus gnat, also known as the sciarid fly, is a tiny black fly. The adult flies don't cause any damage to your plants directly, but can carry spores of fungi that can harm them. The real damage of the fungus gnat is in the larvae, which will feed on anything organic for a period of two weeks. The fungus gnat can be controlled with just about any general purpose insecticide. For larvae, it may be necessary to drench your medium in insecticide. When doing this it is a good idea to only start with one small section to see how it will affect your plants.

Spider Mite - Spider mites are very small, usually about 1/20th of an inch in length, so you may need a magnifying glass to identify them properly. They have eight legs, an oval shaped body, and two red dots on their backs. They can cause damage to your plants by sucking the contents of your leaves. There are several biological options for controlling spider mites. Their natural enemies include the western predatory mite, the sixspotted thrips, and the spider mite destroyer lady beetle.

If using hydroponic supplies such as an insecticidal soap to kill spider mites, make sure not to use any on water stressed plants, as this may cause further damage. You do, however, need to make sure to cover the affected areas thoroughly because spider mites need direct contact with the insecticide to die.

Pests Commonly Encountered in Hydroponics Supplies and Systems

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Hydroponically Growing Tomatoes

!±8± Hydroponically Growing Tomatoes

Nobody in their right mind can argue the fact that tomatoes for example, used to taste far better a few decades ago when compared to their taste today, and it's hardly surprising really when one considers that they are no longer commercially grown for taste. Instead, good looks and the ability to withstand extended storage periods nowadays take preference over taste. Another contributing factor is the fact that commercially grown tomatoes are picked approximately two weeks prior to ripening, and it can then take a month or more before they appear on super market shelves, have been artificially ripened and colored in Ethylene gas chambers. Fortunately for us tomato lovers, tomatoes can be grown with relative ease, either in containers or in the garden.

Contrary to what many people tend to believe, a tomato is a fruit, rather than a vegetable and what's more, providing you pay attention to a few basic rules, and you provide adequate nutrients, tomatoes are unbelievably easy to grow in hydroponics. Of course, if you're going to be growing them indoors then you'll need to ensure they receive a suitable amount of light, and while strong sunlight from a nearby window may be sufficient, most indoor systems benefit from artificial lighting.

Of course, as with all hydroponic systems, tomatoes also require a growing solution which is rich in nutrients and because this supply then needs to be monitored, growers are in a position to control growth by means of temperature, humidity, lighting and of course, pH levels. Above all, a huge benefit of growing your tomatoes hydroponically is that you'll never need to concern yourself with weeds, common garden pests or diseases often present in soil.

Hydroponic Tomato Taste
Interestingly enough, the taste of hydroponically grown tomatoes can for the most part be enhanced by making certain adjustments to the solution in which they're grown. Having said that, tomatoes grown in hydroponics often have a higher nutritional value than regular commercially grown tomatoes, in addition to being far better tasting. It simply cannot be stressed enough that gas ripened tomatoes will never come close to tomatoes ripened on the vine.

Modern Hydroponic Systems
Nowadays, hydroponic systems nearly always come with detailed instructions and equipment which is easy to use, even by those with little experience. Furthermore, most systems can be set up at home, thus making them ideal for beginners and experienced growers alike. While the most basic hydroponic systems rely on a wick system, other methods include recovery drip systems, flood and drain systems or even NFT (nutrient film technique). Additionally, tomatoes can also be grown in an aeroponic system. In this case the plants are grown while being suspended in such a way so as to allow their roots to be sprayed with a nutrient rich solution.

Admittedly, tomatoes which have been grown in hydroponics look stunning but unfortunately they are seriously lacking in the culinary department. In fact, hydroponic tomatoes also contain less vitamin C than regular tomatoes simply because they're grown in a greenhouse, which in turn means they are deprived of two vital elements - sunlight and natural soil. Remember, if you buy tomatoes which have been grown in a greenhouse, their true freshness can be determined by looking at any remaining leaves or stems. If they're dried and wilted then those tomatoes are nowhere near as fresh as they may look.

Hydroponically Growing Tomatoes

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Make Your Own Homemade Hydroponics Nutrients

!±8± Make Your Own Homemade Hydroponics Nutrients

Hydroponic gardening is becoming increasingly popular these days. By growing plants in water and nutrient solution, you can save time, money and space while enjoying year round plants. Although there are many commercially produced nutrient solutions available to ensure the growth of your plants, it's possible to create your own homemade hydroponics nutrients, even if you have no previous experience.

Making your own nutrient mixtures can be nearly as enjoyable as growing the plants themselves. You can produce various kinds of solutions, so do your homework to determine which nutrients you need and in what concentrations, to best suit your plants' needs.

Homemade hydroponics nutrients have considerable advantages. The first is that you are able to create a solution that is completely organic. This will ensure that your plants contain zero inorganic material. There's no way to know exactly what you're feeding your plants when you give them store-purchased nutrient mixtures. Manufacturers must list all ingredients in their mixtures, but they may be impure or of unknown origin. You may be totally assured that you know about all of the ingredients that go into your plants by creating your own nutrient mixes.

The second major advantage of homemade hydroponics nutrients is that they allow you to match your plants' exact needs so that they grow just as you desire. To encourage your plants' enhanced growth, you can adjust the nutrients to match the requirements of your geographical region. Because of the many uncertainties in the growth of various plants, it's impossible to say just how helpful this step can be, though. Still, having complete control over what goes into the nutrients you feed your plants allows you to continuously attempt to find the best combination.

There are usually guarantees provided for solutions that you can buy in stores, but they may have shortcomings. There is nothing better than intervention by a human in the process of growing, and by controlling the nutrients your plants will become more your own.

You can place a personal touch on your plants in many ways, but the way that will have the greatest effect is by using homemade hydroponics nutrients. You may be new at growing plants hydroponically or you may have years of experience, but almost anyone can produce the ingredients required. Make up a base formula, do your homework, and do some cautious and careful experimentation. Most of all, have fun with this important aspect of hydroponic gardening.

Make Your Own Homemade Hydroponics Nutrients

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