Hydroponics Daily

CO2 Enrichment - supercharge your grow

Welcome to Hydroponics Daily! In this episode, we explore the fascinating world of CO2 enrichment for plants. Discover how increasing CO2 levels can significantly enhance photosynthesis and plant growth for maximum yields. Learn about the ideal CO2 concentration of 1000 ppm and how it can increase tolerance to heat stress, especially during hot weather conditions.We also delve into various methods of CO2 enrichment, from canisters and burners to fermenters and innovative bicarbonate systems. Understand the benefits and potential risks associated with each method, ensuring you choose the best option for your growing environment.Whether you're a large-scale greenhouse operator or a small-scale grower, this episode offers invaluable insights and practical tips to optimize your grow room and achieve phenomenal plant growth.

Guttation: What the deuce?!

In today's episode of Hydroponics Daily, we dive into the fascinating world of guttation, a phenomenon where water droplets mysteriously appear on the edges of leaves. These droplets form due to root pressure pushing xylem sap through the leaves, especially in conditions of high humidity or early in the morning.
We explore how this process is different from evaporation-driven sap movement and clarify that guttation droplets are not to be confused with honeydew, the sugary secretion from pests like aphids. The episode also touches on how guttation may hold potential for extracting active ingredients from genetically modified plants.
Join us as we explore this intriguing natural process, and feel free to share your thoughts or interesting facts about guttation in the comments below!

Defoliation: 6 Key Benefits for Hydroponic Crops

Welcome to this episode of Hydroponics Daily, where we delve into the fascinating world of defoliation in crop management. Discover when and why defoliation can be a crucial practice, particularly for high-value crops, to enhance light penetration, improve light quality, and ensure proper air circulation around your plants.
Learn about the various methods of defoliation, including both mechanical and manual techniques, and explore the reasons for employing these strategies—from boosting photosynthesis and ripening fruits to reducing humidity and pest pressures.
Uncover the sometimes-outrageous benefits of simulated wounding and how it can trigger positive wounding responses in plants, leading to improved crop quality. Whether you’re aiming for a faster harvest or more manageable pest control, this episode provides valuable insights into optimizing your defoliation practices.

Cultivating Wasabi - it's easier than you think!

Welcome to Hydroponics Daily, where we debunk the myth that wasabi is the hardest plant to cultivate. Discover expert tips on growing wasabi successfully by understanding its preferences for calcium, sulfur, and oxygenated moisture. Learn why keeping this river plant from drying out and providing shade during intense summers are keys to thriving wasabi. Explore methods like propagation by division and optimal grow media choices to ensure a productive wasabi harvest. Join us as we dive into the fascinating world of wasabi cultivation and uncover the truth behind this misunderstood plant.

Pricking Out: Mastering Seedling Transplantation

Welcome back to Hydroponics Daily! In today's episode, we delve into the intriguing process of pricking out, a crucial step in the transplantation of seedlings from seed trays to individual pots. We discuss frequent mistakes like mishandling seedlings by their delicate stems instead of their cotyledons, and the potential irreversible damage this can cause. Understanding the different root systems, whether fibrous or taproot, is vital for successful transplantation and crop yield. Learn the art of timing your pricking out to avoid overcrowded conditions, ensuring healthy growth and preventing disease. Join us to become proficient in this essential hydroponics technique!

Autoflowering vs Photoperiodic crops

Welcome to another episode of Hydroponics Daily, where we delve into the intriguing world of plant flowering, focusing on the differences between day-neutral and photoperiodic plants. Understanding how these plants respond to light can radically impact your growing strategy.Day-neutral plants, also known as auto-flowering, bloom based on time rather than light exposure. This characteristic makes them ideal for outdoor growing, particularly when aiming for a harvest before adverse weather conditions. Photoperiodic plants, on the other hand, need specific light cycles for flowering and are often preferred indoors, where environmental conditions are controlled.Learn how critical aspects like phytochrome pigment and critical day lengths influence plant flowering, and discover the intricate relationship between light exposure and plant behavior. Join us as we explore these aspects and provide insights for both amateur and seasoned hydroponic enthusiasts.

Monocarpic vs Polycarpic Plants - What are they and why are they important in Hydroponics

In this episode of Hydroponics Daily, we delve into the fascinating world of plant life cycles, focusing on monocarpic and polycarpic plants. Discover what determines whether plants like wheat, lettuce, and the Himalayan lily die off after flowering, and why some species like bamboo flower all at once then perish.We explore examples from different plant families, discussing both annual and perennial plants and their unique fruiting characteristics. Learn why it's crucial to know your plant's life cycle, especially if you're maintaining them in a hydroponic setup, and uncover some intriguing examples of polycarpic plants like wasabi, plums, and hops that thrive year after year.

Conquering Thrips Part 2: The Supervillain in Your Hydroponic Garden

Welcome back to another episode of Hydroponics Daily! Today, we delve into the world of thrips, the ultimate supervillain of hydroponics, notorious for thriving in high temperatures and causing havoc in your growing room.
In this episode, we'll explore effective strategies to prevent and manage thrip infestations. From maintaining cooler temperatures in your grainy room to using filters on inlet fans and quarantining cuttings, we cover a range of practical tips to protect your hydroponic crops. We also discuss the use of systemic and contact insecticides, including organic options like Hydro Thrips, to combat these pests.
Additionally, learn about the importance of breaking the thrip life cycle by targeting eggs, adults, nymphs, and pupa, and discover how biocontrol agents, such as beneficial mites, can aid in managing thrip populations.
Tune in to get insights on monitoring thrip forecasts, especially for crops like onions, and equip yourself with the knowledge to tackle thrip challenges with confidence. Join us next time for more hydroponic tips and tricks!

Conquering Thrips Part 1: A Major Threat in Hydroponics

Welcome to Hydroponics Daily, where we dive into the world of thrips, a major menace in the world of hydroponics. Both singular and plural, these pests are tricky to identify due to their transparent juvenile stage, which absorbs the color of their host plants.
Thrips primarily attack the upper surfaces of leaves, leaving behind a distinctive silvery mottling pattern that's often mistaken for less devastating pests. Despite rigorous disinfection efforts, thrips can persist, threatening your crop.
With thousands of species, like the western flower thrip and the onion thrip, they lay eggs in plant leaves, complicating the control process. Thrips undergo a rapid lifecycle, starting as eggs, advancing to wingless nymphs, pupating in the soil, and emerging as winged adults known as thunderflies, which fly inefficiently and thrive under specific weather conditions.
Join us tomorrow as we explore methods to combat these destructive insects and protect your hydroponic ventures from their detrimental impact.

5 Non-Essential Elements with potential use in Hydroponics

In today's episode of Hydroponics Daily, we explore five non-essential elements that, while not required for plant growth, can significantly enhance the strength and resistance of plants within hydroponic systems. Discover why silicon is the standout element, improving cell wall strength and boosting plants' resilience against environmental stresses and pests. Learn about the roles and potential hazards of selenium, cobalt, vanadium, and titanium, and why they are less recommended compared to essential nutrients like iron.Join us as we delve into the science behind these elements, providing insights into when and how silicon can be safely incorporated into your hydroponic feeds, ensuring optimal pH levels and plant health. This episode not only guides you through the benefits and risks associated with non-essential elements but also empowers you to make informed decisions for a flourishing hydroponic garden.