Without much hydroponic farming training in India, you can grow your own kale to ensure you have access to the cleanest and freshest greens. Also, you can enjoy fresh kale all through the year regardless of the season.

Choose the ideal hydroponic system for growing

Two fundamental hydroponics systems work best for greens like kale. The first one is DWC or Deep Water Culture, and the other is NFT or the nutrient film technique. In DWC, you transplant the seedlings into rafts. These rafts are then floated on a constructed pond that measures 6-12 inches. The pond consists of nutrient solutions in large volumes.

You add a water pump that helps in water circulation throughout the pond. However, you have to install an air pump to aerate the system. NFT is another hydroponics setup where you transplant seedlings onto shallow channels.And, in these channels, a thin film of the nutrient mix is circulated all the time.

In a hydroponics farming method like NFT, you have to slope the channels at a specific angle, 1-4 percent away from the center. This design helps the channels drain at the ends to return to the reservoir.

The DWC system offers its share of benefits. But, the most pronounced one is the large volume of water used. Do you know that quick changes in water temperature are avoided because of the large water volume used in DWC? Not only that, but this system also avoids changes in nutrient solution, electrical conductivity, and pH compositions.

The Kratky method is also gaining massive popularity due to its ease and effortless installation. You can easily manage and control it. This method will provide all the advantages of a hydroponics system without being tedious.

In this system, you place the plants in the net pots with an ideal medium of growth. The roots of the plants are partially exposed to air while the lower part stays submerged with the deep-water reservoir. Each of these systems has its own usability and benefits. Your selection will depend solely on your suitability.

 How to get started? Use cuttings or seeds

Getting started with Kale seeds

According to experienced hydroponics growers, cultivating seeds is the best choice. After all, it feels satisfying when the seeds mature into full-grown kale plants. Hydroponics has complete control over elements. Thus, it is the best system for getting started with seeds. Here are the steps to plant the seedlings.

• Germinate the seeds at 15.5 – 24 degree Celsius degrees Fahrenheit. Lower temperatures may work too. But, they may slow the process of growth.
• Keep the environment temperature at 7.2-29.4 degrees Fahrenheit after germination and humidity around 55-65%.
• Keep the pH between 5.8-6.3 and the temperature of water between 65 -70 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Use a hydroponics nutrient solution specially formulated for kale. That is because the plant has its own nutrient needs.
• Lastly, make sure your kale grows in cooler temperatures. Ideally, anything between 24-28 degrees Celsius works best for kale. Lower temperatures produce smoother flavor besides kale is a ‘cool-season plant.”

Hydroponic nutrient and fertilizer solution for kale

Maintain the pH of the nutrient solution between 5.5-6.5. Some leafy veggies like broccoli and kale are sensitive to nitrogen. However, if the nitrogen levels are too high, the leaf tips can burn. Remember that plants need nitrogen, but excess of it can be harmful.

Make sure your solution is not devoid of magnesium sulfate or calcium. But, if it is, then supplement it with the mentioned nutrients. Here are a few things that will help you to manage the nutrient solution in a better manner.

Monitor the nutrient solution’s EC.

You must monitor the nutrient solution’s EC. Frequent EC monitoring helps to adjust the EC levels before things take a terrible turn. Low or high EC affects the plant’s nutrient uptake volume.

Measure the nutrient solution’s temperature

High temperature reduces the solution’s oxygen holding capacity drastically. Plants absorb a significant percentage of oxygen from the roots, which is mandatory for root development.

Optimum Growth Environment for Kale

Temperature

To grow healthy kale, you must maintain a temperature between 16-24 degrees Celsius in your hydroponics farm.

EC and pH range

Kale possesses an extensive range of electrical conductivity. Thus it is less susceptible to EC changes. For optimum growth of the kale plants, the EC should be around 1.6-2.5. The pH of the nutrient solution should be about 5.5-6.5 for the plant’s better growth.

Lighting

You can opt for an indoor hydroponics setup for an artificial lighting condition. Infra-red light can increase the plant’s yield; however, a combination of infra-red and green can also do wonders.You must incorporate a suitable growlight for your hydroponics farm.

Spacing

Kale requires ample space to ensure that all parts of the plant get enough light. Thus, when you plant kale, try keeping them half a foot or one foot away from one another. This technique will ensure that none of the plants stop getting enough light vital for growth.

When and how to harvest hydroponic kale

You can harvest young kale crops by 20-30 days after they are transplanted. However, it will take 3-4 months to harvest fully mature kale. But, a lot depends on the growing conditions and the variety of kale.

Overall benefits of Hydroponic Kale

Right from smoothies to salads and other healthy recipes, kale has become a popular plant. It is rich in vitamins K, C, B, and A; and minerals like potassium, phosphorus, manganese, magnesium, copper, iron, and calcium.

It has more omega-3 fatty acids, protein, and antioxidants than many veggies. Kale is called a superfood because it is enriched with minerals, vitamins, and other nutrients.

Kale helps to strengthen bones, boost the immune system, improve eyesight, and helps to prevent the spread and growth of some cancers.

The significant benefit of hydroponic kale is that it can be harvested and grown all through the year in indoor microclimates. Thus, you can enjoy the freshest kale at any time of the year.

Parting thoughts

Kale has become an essential crop for most vegetable growers because it is a nutritious and versatile leafy green. But, the best news is that indoor farming of kale in a hydroponics garden results in mind-boggling production of the crop. So, what are you waiting for? Begin to grow kale by whipping out your green thumb today!

The post How to Grow Kale in Hydroponics? appeared first on Rise Hydroponics.

You may think that the hydroponics style of growing strawberries is overcomplicated, but we must tell you that it is the simplest. There are truckloads of reasons to start hydroponics, especially when you are all set to grow your berries. So let us begin, shall we?

Reasons to grow the strawberries without soil.

Have you tried growing strawberries in soil? If that worked and you think there is no other way to grow it, you are mistaken. We are here to tell you that no matter how big a novice you are when it comes to cultivating this berry, there are reasons plenty you must consider this growing style.

Hydroponics does not utilize soil. It makes use of inert media to anchor the roots of plants in position. The root system continues to grow via this medium. It is directly exposed to a nutrient mix and water, depending on what you are developing. Here are some pros and cons that will explain why the hydroponics system is the best for growing strawberries.

Pros

• Strawberries grown through a hydroponics system are not prone to any flying pests.
• Hydroponics system is water efficient because there is re-circulation of water in contrast to feeding freshwater to crops regularly.
• Hydroponically grown fruits offer more plants per square foot space as they can be grown vertically.
• Harvesting strawberries is also easier as you do not have to crouch down to carry soil harvest.
• Strawberries need only 8-12 hours of light each day. Thus, unlike other plants, you do not have to change the lighting schedule.

Cons

With all the pros we mentioned, you may feel that there may be no demerits. Well, you are right because there are only a handful of drawbacks. Here are just two minor cons you must know about.

• The hydroponics system can be a little pricier than crop cultivation on soil.

• Compared to the conventional soil gardening technique, the hydroponics technique may feel a little complicated.

But, these initial setups often pay in the long run. You must be thinking, why? Well, nothing beats the vertical system of cultivation in terms of long-term yields and efficiency. With the same setup, you can keep growing strawberries.

Also, once you get the hang of hydroponics, you can grow strawberries in larger quantities. However, make sure you have an indoor system and have consistent weather.

Things we need to get started

One of the most highly valued crops has to be the strawberry. People all across the globe recognize it for its nutrient content, color, and flavor. However, strawberry cultivation can be a significant challenge.

Here are some of the essentials you must consider when you grow strawberries through a hydroponics system.

Substrate

An essential factor in growing strawberries hydroponically has to be the substrate. The fruits require excellent root-zone aeration. Therefore, we recommend growing strawberries on a substrate that can provide 15 percent porosity. This percentage is the least amount of porosity you need in the root area.

Rise Hydroponics offers different options for substrates. There are custom-designed peat mixes you can order as well. No matter what you choose, stick to something that is readily and easily available. We swear by coco coir.

Coco coir is entirely inert and will not alter the pH or nutrition of the strawberries. It is beginner-friendly, inexpensive, and widely available. However, you can always add some perlite as that will increase water drainage and aeration.

Growing supplies

When you grow strawberries hydroponically, carefully select products that will help produce them. For starters, you need to get the best quality troughs in which your strawberries will grow. Go for troughs that have a volume of 8-15 liters. Choose the color and size of the trough depending on environmental conditions and the production area.

Planting techniques

Before you begin, decide on whether you want to grow from starts or seeds. Strawberry seeds take years before they can fruit, so it is a slower option. We recommend planting young strawberry plants into a hydroponics system using net pots and a suitable medium.

Temperature

Low temperatures at night increase strawberries’ flavor. Ensure that strawberries are getting 18.3°C– 24°C at day temperature and 10°C-13°C at night. These temperature conditions let the berries thrive.

Humidity

You have to maintain the ideal relative humidity when you grow strawberries. Low humidity affects the uptake of calcium that causes tipturn, which affects fruit quality and photosynthesis. Maintain 60-75 percent relative humidity in the air and high humidity at night to benefit the movement of nutrients.

pH and EC

Strawberries are susceptible to EC and pH. Thus, maintain the drainage water’s pH between 5.5-6.5 and the EC at 1.2 dS m^-1 (maximum). We recommend using a pH meter to maintain the pH and stay safe from nutrient issues.

Nutrient solution

It would help if you had a nutrient solution to keep your strawberries alive. Thus, it would be best to utilize liquid nutrients that supply phosphorus, potassium, nitrogen, micronutrients, and secondary nutrients in significant quantities.

How to troubleshoot problems in hydro setups that grow the strawberries?

Growing issues

pH and nutrition imbalances are common growing issues. These problems can surface because of overfeeding, underfeeding, excess pH, or low pH. Thus maintain a journal to diagnose problems sooner. Ensure that nutrient solution is maintained at accurate levels for the strawberry plants. If the nutrient mix is too potent, dilute it with some more water.

Maintain timing for feeding. That is because feeding may upset the pH’s delicate balance, water, and nutrients at the wrong time. Your strawberries may suffer gravely. Keep a pH meter with you and check the levels on a daily basis.

Propagation

Most growers propagate strawberries using plantlets or seeds. Also, you can use only those plantlets that developed at the stolons’ end. If you are buying seeds, then collect seeds from a reliable supplier.

Plant the seeds in a potting mix and wait for germination so that they can grow into a big plant. Keep it warm, moist and provide light so that the young plant can develop. With the plantlets, take cuttings and spread them across potting soil.

For both plantlets and seed-starts, wait for the plan to develop at least roots that are 2 inches long. Unpot them and rinse their roots so that there is no soil clinging to them. Plant these roots in the growing medium of yours.

Pruning

To ensure that your strawberries have a healthy growth and yield high, prune the off runners. These off runners are known as stolons and are leafless stems which draw out of the plant. Clip these stolons off closest to the plant’s base. If you find a plantlet at the tip of the runner’s, utilize it for propagation.

Pollination

If you want to cross different varieties of strawberries, then you will pollinate the strawberries. Since hydroponics systems are carried out indoors, pollinating insects like bees may not access the plants. Thus you have to hand pollinate so that there is fruiting.

Remember that strawberry plants are androgyne; thus, use cotton swabs for pollen collection from one flower. Transfer the same pollen to another flower and keep repeating the process across all your strawberry plants.

Pests

Hydroponics farming lowers the chance of diseases and pests. And, if you are growing indoors, then your plants will anyways be protected from the insects, but there is always a risk. You may encounter gnats, thrips, and spider mites out of nowhere. In that case, spray the plant surfaces with neem oil, or use a pyrethrin-based spray for addressing the problem.

Diseases

Hydroponics strawberries eliminate most root rotting concerns. Because there is no soil in this farming method, you do not experience any fungal rotting. But, some diseases may appear above your growing medium, and you can deal with them in different ways.

Mucor and Rhizopus fruit rot are the most common fruit rot forms that affect overripe or ripe strawberries. These rots develop in warmer temperatures. Thus to combat them, you must pick your berries as and when they ripen.

A spore-based disease called powdery mildew impacts strawberries. You can use a fungicidal spray (copper-based)or neem oil to address the problem.

Botrytis Cinerea impacts flowers and fruits. It is also called grey mold. We recommend using a copper-based fungicidal spray and neem oil for infestations of any kind.

The best hydroponics technique to grow strawberries?

According to us, the best hydroponics system for strawberry cultivation is the Ebb and Flow system. In this system, you flood the plant’s roots with nutrient solution and water before both drain back later.

You require a timer for this system to set up “flood and drain” cycles. These cycles will appear many times all through the day. And the best news is that you can grow a bunch of berries with the help of just one system. So, get your bubble flow buckets and set up your own Ebb and Flow System to grow strawberries.

Conclusion

The hydroponics system of strawberry production has a winning edge over soil farming. That is because you carry on with your production inside a greenhouse. The indoor structure excludes pests and helps in containing biological controls. You do not have to use chemical-based pesticides or a lot of water. All you need are some net pots, PVC pipes, ready-made strawberry planters, motor pump, cocopeat, and water taker to grow strawberries. Even if you have a 15×20 square feet area, you can grow as many as 600 pots.[1]  So, what are you waiting for? Go ahead and grow your berries because a hydroponics system could be the only long-term solution for us urban dwellers in the wake of the global warming situation. We hope you liked our blog, and if there is anything you would like to share, do comment below.

The post How to Grow Strawberries Hydroponically? appeared first on Rise Hydroponics.

For any growing medium to be ideal, it must be inert. It must be able to retain water and must permit the circulation of air in the root zone. Also, it must support the roots, give the plants steadiness, and not allow sunlight to permeate.

There are a myriad of such media sold in the market. Go to a store, and you can place your hands on stone pebbles, vermiculite, Sphagnum Moss, perlite, Clay Pebbles/ hydroton/ LECA, pith, or coir/coco peat. Each medium has its own advantages and disadvantages.

Always start out with the one that has fewer cons. According to us, we feel coco peat stands out from any other media. It helps with successful germination, and the best part is that you can get it from a coconut tree in your backyard.

This growing medium is multi-purpose and made from coconut husk. The fibrous husk of the coconut is sieved, machine dried, pre-washed, and is made sand-free. You will also not find any plant or animal residue in a cocopeat. The cocopeat is an excellent alternative to traditional rock wool and peat moss. In this article, we will discuss how coco peat is made and how it helps grow plants.

Why is coco peat the versatile growing media?

Between traditional Rockwool and peat moss, no other alternative comes close to coco peat. It has a high capacity to hold water and has air-filled porosity. These characteristics make it one of the best growing mediums for plant crops.

Coco Peat is 100 percent organic, eco-friendly, and free from soil-borne weeds and pathogens. It has a pH of 5.7-6.5 and is perfect for plant growth. The coco coir material is made from a coconut shell’s woven, fibrous material.

Most home gardeners prefer this organic soil replacement because of its aeration and moisture retention traits. Moisture retention is crucial as consistently wet conditions are required for plant growth. Thus, you do not end up over-watering or under-watering your garden. The aeration feature in the coco peat allows the development of roots and helps them respire better. Plants expel carbon dioxide and take up oxygen.  Both the factors we mentioned contribute to unbelievable yields and enhance plant growth.

For us Indians, the coconut tree is the “kalpavriksha” because each and every part of the tree is of great use to us, in some way or the other. Here are some coconut products that farmers use in agricultural fields.

• Coir pith/coco peat derived from coconut husk
• Coco chips are made from the coconut’s outer shell. It is then used as a medium of growth.
• The coco fiber is used as mulch.
• The coco fiber planter is the compressed fiber of coconut squashed into multiple containers like pots and hanging baskets.

Why do people prefer coco peat for home gardeners starting with hydroponics farming?

Also called the coir path, the cocopeat binds the fiber of coconut in the husk. It is very spongy and one of the finest organic media. Most home gardeners prefer cocopeat because of its remarkable soil conditioning properties.

The high moisture-retention capacity makes it the perfect growth medium in nurseries for the production of anthuriums, orchids, and seedlings. By all means, cocopeat is a versatile product as you can use it as worm bedding, sprout, and nurse seedlings.

Pro tips for identifying high-quality coco peat

There are different qualities within coco peat. The superior grades have little fiber, low moisture, and low EC to be exported in  markets. Ideally, the cocopeat must have a low EC, low fiber content, and suitable pH to suit the root section.

We recommend opting for coco peat with a pH of 5.5-6.5. It must have an excellent expansion ratio; anything upwards of 1:15 is best.

Advantages of Cocopeat

• Coco peat increases the potting mix’s porosity. That helps to keep the soil airy and loose, which helps in the better growth of roots.

• If you want to increase the water-holding capacity of your potting mix, choose coco peat. This medium also enhances the soil’s porosity. Hence, the plant does not suffer from under or over-watering.
• The high capacity of cation exchange, water retention, and porosity means that the coco peat quantity essential per plant can be significantly less.
• Coco peat possesses excellent properties, which make it a forgiving medium for hydroponics farming. The high cation exchange capacity of coco peat allows quicker absorption of nutrients.
• You can easily rewet coco peat, unlike peat. Dry coco peat absorbs water quickly and is hydrophilic.
• Unlike other organic media like Rockwool, vermiculite, or perlite, you can compress coco peat to less than one-fifth of its volume. This compressed volume of coco peat reduces handling, storage, and transportation costs.
• One of the most renewable mediums is coco peat. It is withdrawn from coconut husks. It used to be a waste product some years ago, but India’s Coir board has recognized it as a prime item for export.
• Coco peat is rich in natural Trichoderma that acts against damaging pathogens. The beneficial bacteria and fungi get an excellent environment for growth because of coco peat.

Disadvantages of coco peat

• Coco peat contains natural salts. That means only great quality coco peat can be used to make potting mixes. You have to adjust nutrient composition keeping the salts available in coco peat.
• Due to the high percentage of salts, coco peat cannot be used in recycled hydroponics systems. Thus the coco peat’s forgiving nature is offset mainly in the run-off systems.
• High porosity signifies your potting mix cannot support the plant’s weight. This is a common problem with a superior potting mix, but plant supports can rectify it.
• Have you used compressed coco peat? Did you know that you must use all of it within a few months of its production? You heard that right, but you can counter this problem by using freshly compressed coco peat.
• High demand for coco peat has caused poor quality coco peat to be sold in the market. You may even have to pay exorbitant prices for bad coco peat.
• Coco peat may contain soil contaminants. However, many growers today avoid coco peat’s sterilization. They rely on bioagents to fend off pathogenic attacks on the crops.

 How to use coco peat in hydroponic farming?

• Break the block of coco peat into a powder by mixing it. Ensure you are adding water in the right amounts. Your mix must not be too dry or wet.
• Take a large container or tub, remove the shrink wrap, and place the coco peat brick inside the tub.
• Add 25 liters of water and wait for ten minutes. Let the brick expand naturally and let it absorb water.
• Mix coco peat with your hands. Blocks must break easily, and add water if required.
• Add the coco peat to the soil or use it by mixing other inert media before incorporating it into the soil.

Pro gardening tips for using coco peat

1. Add a neem cake to your coco peat brick to avoid fungal infections.
2. To improve the soil profile, add coco peat to your soil in the ratio of 50:50.
3. Do not use coco peat as is; instead, mix it with inert media like wood shavings, clay pebble, rice husk, or coco chips.
4. Coco peat is inert and does not contain any nutrients; thus, you have to mix nutrients like manure or compost externally.

Conclusion

With the help of coco peat, you can grow any kind of plant. Right from root crops to medicinal herbs, veggies, leafy greens, succulents, and flowers, you name it. We have managed to get incredible yields for sugarcane and corn with coco peat. Thus, we recommend using coco peat as it is the most straightforward way to forget soil-related troubles aside. Please take a good try with a single plant type and watch it grow. And, if you have anything else to share with us regarding coco peat, do comment down below! Until then, happy gardening!

The post How Is Coco Peat Made And How Helpful Is It For Growing Hydroponics Crops? appeared first on Rise Hydroponics.

We may have poured out too much nostalgia, but a few facts about spinach do stand true. That is, it possesses many beauty and health benefits. It enhances blood quality, increases vitality, restores energy, and is an excellent vitamin C, B2, A, K, and iron source. With these numerous qualities, it is hard for us not to grow them in our homes.

Super fresh, highly nutritious and tasty spinach plucked straight from your garden can be the most rewarding and healthiest aspect of indoor farming in India. You can grow many plants using hydroponic farming at home, but leafy greens tend to be our favorite. One crop that grows incredibly well with hydroponics has to be spinach. This healthy and delicious plant grows beautifully year-round in a hydroponics greenhouse. Here is why spinach must be grown hydroponically.

Conserves water

The most practical advantage of using hydroponics to grow spinach is water conservation. When you compare traditional methods of cultivation with aeroponic farming, you will realize how gallons of water are saved. Conventional soil gardening causes a lot of water to be lost to the atmosphere. That is because soil gardening exposes the growing media. After all, an exposed plant demands loads of water when heated.

In hydroponics, you apply water directly to the root zone, a place where it’s most required.

Faster growth and good crop health

If you follow the basic principles of hydroponics with the appropriate type of system, you will not have to struggle hard. Without working too hard, you can get the kind of growth you desire, besides problems like mineral imbalances and drought will not affect the yield.

The chances of diseases and insects attacking the plants will diminish because hydroponic farming at home happens in a controlled aseptic system. So, you can rest assured about toxic pesticides and fungicides spoiling your crop.

With this profitable farming system in India, the spinach you grow will be healthier and grow faster.

Consistency

With soilless farming in India, you have to apply a specially-formulated solution of nutrients to the water. Apply that solution in small amounts. You will face no difficulty to search for minerals that the hungry plants may need, as is the case with soil gardening.

Water and climate have an enormous impact in soil gardening as these factors decide the number of essential nutrients they can draw for optimum growth. However, hydroponic spinach delivers consistent yields and quality as opposed to soil-grown spinach.

In a climate-controlled hydroponics setup, you can high yield repeatedly, irrespective of climatic conditions and geographic location.

Gardening ease

You will operate and program a hydroponics system as per your comfort if you lack an extended backyard. A hydroponic system can be placed easily without affecting the yield.

Forget water monitoring, digging and weeding, and other time-wasting tasks that follow when you engage in soil gardening. Also, when you keep the crops off and up the soil, you are saved from the chances of predators and other insects spoiling your crop.

Growing spinach using hydroponics makes it a profitable initiative. This method helps you save labour and frees you from frequent cropping times and season dependency on a commercial level. You have the potential of gaining a higher margin at a profit.

Optimum conditions for growing spinach hydroponically.

Before you go ahead and plant your spinach seeds, there are some things you must know, as is the case with most plants. The first thing is that Pythium contamination is a common thing in some hydroponics systems that affects spinach. This form of contamination causes the roots to rot and destroys the entire crop before the spinach matures.

You cannot keep this common contaminant out of a greenhouse. Instead, focus on routinely cleaning the surface that may come in touch with your nutrient solution and plants. Do not use sources of surface water for spinach crops and ensure proper aeration.

Temperature

Spinach grows best in areas where the temperature ranges between 45-65 degrees. It is a cool climate crop.

If the hydroponic spinach gets a temperature above 70 degrees, the leaves will start bolting. That means the crop will become bitter as it goes into the flowering phase.

Spacing

Keep a spacing of 4-5 inches when growing your hydroponics spinach. Spinach does not require a deep growing bed as it has a shallow root system. Do not allow your spinach to grow full size. That is because if they do, they will demand more space.

Light

Spinach does not need intense light besides light in long-duration to grow. Hydroponic spinach can grow with just 10-14 hours of light each day. There are several lighting choices when it comes to growing your hydroponic spinach since it desires minimal lighting requirements. Fluorescent lighting is one of the best choices as it consumes low power, produces less heat and requires you to make minimal investments.

pH

Maintain a pH level of 5.5-6 with your hydroponic spinach.

Nutrients

With spinach, you have to maintain an n-pK ratio. This ratio denotes high nitrogen content and will be directed towards the growth of your crop. Use the same regimen of nutrients up until the time it harvests because we eat the spinach when it reaches the vegetative cycle.

Pro tip: Use nutrients higher in phosphorus and nitrogen when growing spinach.

Conclusion

In 30-45 days, you will have your stock of spinach ready in your hands. We recommend harvesting the hydroponic spinach before it fully matures. That is because the leaves will taste much better and will be tender. Grow this leafy vegetable as it is effortless to cultivate. You can harvest it before the summer crops dominate your farm in the hot season. We hope you liked our blog. And, if there’s anything you would like us to know, please let us know below.

The post Why grow baby spinach in a soilless way? appeared first on Rise Hydroponics.

In hydroponics, we provide light to plants so that they can grow. But, they do not need direct sunlight. What plants need is the right type of light and in correct amounts.

Without going into the Wikipedia definition of growlights, let us just say that your plants need some kind of light for growth. That light is your growlight. They do not mimic sunlight, but rather supplement it. These lights are designed for growth optimization and improving excess sunlight by presenting certain spectra during the process of growth.

This blog discusses everything about the growlights and gives you a rundown on which is the best among all kinds of growlights.

Understanding the color spectrum

When you shop for growlights, you will notice that most lights are labeled as 2700 K or 4000 K. These numbers refer to the relative coolness or warmth on that color spectrum. The growlight spectrum refers to light’s electromagnetic spectrums produced by a source of light to boost plant growth.

The higher the number you choose, the cooler the light will be. 6500K works best for foliage growth and 3000K works best to produce flowers and eventually fruits.  In hydroponics, we aim at replacing the light spectrum with the one that the sun produces.

Did you know:With higher spectrum bulbs, you can easily produce seedlings, root crops, and green leafy veggies!

Visible light falls between 390-700 nanometers. There are different wavelengths inside this wavelength range that let the human eye see different colors. The scattered colors in this range make the VIBGYOR. The light with the lowest energy and longest wavelength has to be red light. Violet and blue lights contain more energy and shorter wavelengths.

Here are figures that discuss the visible light spectrums, the functioning of chlorophyll, and the other light spectrums you need in hydroponics plants.

RED LIGHT SPECTRUM

1. The spectrum’s low energy part has to be the red light
2. It is needed for blooming of plants and flowering. Weak or delayed flowering is a result of deficiency in the red light spectrum.
3. Growers should understand this spectrum because when plant growth happens indoors, it is their call to replace sunlight.
4. Growers should understand this spectrum because when plant growth happens indoors, it is their call to replace sunlight.

BLUE LIGHT SPECTRUM

1. Leaves on the plants respond to the lights that fall between 390-700 nanometer
2. Chlorophyll present in the leaves absorb the light to create food.
3. Plants focus on just one segment of the spectrum (495-570 nanometer range)
4. Chlorophyll reflects the spectrum’s green part in the spectrum of 495-570 nm range , making the leaves green

Thing to know: It is extremely important to note the spectra of light that affect the plant growth depending on factors like crop species and environmental conditions. Typically, chlorophyll, the plant molecule that converts light energy into chemical energy, is responsible for absorbing most of the light. The light it absorbs is mostly in the red and blue light spectra so that photosynthesis can take place.

Now that you know quite a lot about light spectra, you must know that without photosynthesis, any plant cannot grow or survive. Thus, for photosynthesis, plants make use of light in the PAR region, that is, the Photosynthetically Active Radiation. The diagram below discusses that in detail.

1. The light wavelength in the blue light spectrum is 400-500 nm.
2. It is energy packed & affects leaf growth and chlorophyll production. You only need it in small amounts than red light.
3. In absence of proper blue light, leaves develop yellow streaks and grow weaker.

PAR (Photosynthetically Active Radiation) (400 nm to 700 nm)

TYPES OF GROWLIGHTS FOR INDOOR FARMING

LED GROW LIGHTS

LED growlights are more expensive than fluorescent bulbs. But, the LEDs consume half the electricity compared to any other light and also last five times longer. However, we advise not rushing to a hardware store to get an LED light. That is because those lights are not meant for plants. You need to get hold of special lights that you can buy from horticultural suppliers or RISE Hydroponics.

LEDs produce the least amount of heat compared to bulbs. You can find them in full-spectrum form and have greater intensity of light per square foot.

Pro tip:The hi-efficiency 22W Full Spectrum (400-750nm) Light from Rise Hydroponics works great wonders for vegetables and green leafy plants. These growlights have been tested well to give up to 30 percent fresh yield as it has 15% Added Far Red(IR :730nm)

Fluorescent grow lights

A decent grow light for the starting seeds and houseplants can be the fluorescent bulb. T12 denotes the fluorescent light bulbs. These supplement the natural light that comes from your windows and in situations where you desire modest lighting. These growlights have weak intensity. We suggest you to place placing them within a few inches of your foliage to have a great effect.

CFLs, on the other hand, are narrower than the standard bulbs and have higher intensity of light. You can use CFLs if you have a small space and for your sun-loving plants. CFLs screw perfectly into any ordinary fixture of incandescent light.

We suggest looking for fluorescent grow bulbs, preferably full-spectrum, that provide you with the correct light balance for blooming plants.

HID (hi-density discharge) or HPS (hi-pressure sodium) lights

Before LED growlights came into the picture, HID grow lights continued to rule the indoor planting scenario. They are expensive, extremely powerful, and require special fixtures of light. They emit loads of light and consume electricity in an inefficient manner. Despite all of that, many people still use them because they are quite effective.

If you want to grow lemon bushes or tomatoes, HIDs are the best bet. The HID light penetrates deeper into the foliage. You will find two kinds of HID bulbs- the MH or metal halide bulbs that help in vegetative growth and hi-pressure sodium (low-spectrum) bulbs that help to flower.

Unfortunately, for each of these HID kinds, you need individual fixtures.

The Final Verdict:

All plants have varying light requirements at different stages. Thus, each light can be more suitable or beneficial in certain circumstances.

HIDs, for instance, are best for vegetative growth and provide the majority of the light spectrum. You can use them in larger gardens that grow herbs, spices, fruit trees, peppers, and tomatoes.

Fluorescent bulbs or lights do not emit heat onto plants, are cheaper and more convenient. They are best suited for propagation, and are a boon for simple plants. You can grow leafy edibles, wheatgrass, lettuce, and herbs with these lights.

LEDs are best for vegetative growth and non-flowering plants. These lights last long and are super efficient. They produce near-zero heat and the light doesn’t lose focus when kept farther away from the plants. You can easily grow leafy edibles, wheatgrass, lettuce, and herbs with the help of LEDs.

Our pick: We prefer fluorescent lighting as the ideal indoor farming growlight. Any beginner can find this light in a store near them. They require smaller fixtures and help to conserve power. There will be no incidence of overheating with these lights and you can completely forget about any upfront investments.

Conclusion

Of course, there is still no substitute for the full light spectrum that you can acquire from the sun. But, plants in the hydroponics system require more duration of light. We recommend at least 14-18 hours of light and six hours of complete darkness for plant health.

Hence, you can easily get any of these artificial lights that best suit your interest and get best growing with your crops. We wish you a happy planting season and hope you had a great time reading our blog. For any additional information that you may have on grow lights, please feel free to share with us below!

The post What is the best growlight for indoor farming in India? appeared first on Rise Hydroponics.

Would you believe that local experiments in Gujarat have also proven that exotic crops like tomatoes, green garlic, and strawberries can be grown with this imported technology? Well yes! And, believe us when we say that South Gujarat has made the best use of this system to produce as many as 10 million stems of rose. All of these stems are now being flown overseas to Europe, Japan, and New Zealand’s flower markets. Sounds surreal, isn’t it? Of course, but another good news is that the region sets the target of producing 20 million rose stems all by the hydroponics system.

Hydroponics Farming in Gujarat

We do agree that set up costs accompanying hydroponics systems are higher per hectare, but with superior quality of crops and higher yield, there is hardly anything you can ignore about it. Here are 9 potent reasons as to why Hydroponics Farming in Gujarat Is Booming.

Do you know?Governmental support is essential to run any farming activity, and the Gujarat government is encouraging city dwellers to grow crops in their houses via hydroponics farming. It is also preparing to provide do-it-yourself videos for the same.

1. Easy availability of nutrient solutions

Shunning soil has brought about a lot of profits for the Gujarati farmers. That is because the soil-less culture or hydroponics is a technology that lets the plants grow in nutrient t solutions. This farming method requires an inert medium such as cocopeat, coir dust, sawdust, or gravel in place of soil. Either of these inert mediums is required for supplying essential elements to the plant. Your nutrient solution will reach the plant through any of these mediums and provide the much-needed mechanical support.

Do you know?In India, you can easily find cocopeat, especially in Gujarat; the easy availability of coconut fiber has led to the incredible boom of hydroponics.

2. High-density production in areas with unfavorable climate and soil conditions

What are the main attractions for a farmer, according to you? Did you think of the superior quality of crops and a higher yield percentage? Well, if you did, you are 100-percent right. Gujarati farmers in Kuched village have achieved a 30 percent rise in their production by installing the hydroponics system on just 6 hectares.

The system’s advantage of controlling the plant’s growth by regulating the nutrients and water amount fed to the plants has been the principal USP. According to experts, this technology achieves high-density production and helps grow in regions of Gujarat where ideal climate and suitable soil conditions are a distant dream.

3. Exotic crops can be grown now in the area of black cotton soil

The black soil in Gujarat is excellent for cotton cultivation as it swells and becomes sticky during the rainy season. This soil is a mature soil that is best suited for the cultivation of cotton. But, just because the soil can grow great quality cotton, is it suitable for every crop? Absolutely not! This reason was enough for farmers in Gujarat to go about with hydroponics farming.

Do you know?It is only because of Hydroponics that Gujarat farmers are successfully growing green garlic, gerbera, strawberries, and tomatoes.

4. Superior quality of flowers

Everyone aims at dominating the global market, and the farmers in Gujarat have managed to do it with ease. Suppose you are wondering how, we are here to tell you. By using hydroponics, farmers in Gujarat have managed to control the rose quality. In fact, they are now obtaining superior combinations of color in roses. The flowers have longer stems, and the pest control on them has been unbelievable.

Do you know?Almost five varieties of roses are being produced in significant quantities, and their export is churning out a whopping 40 lakhs (turnover). Out of the 11 lakh stems that are harvested, 90 percent are being exported.

5. Hydroponics Farming in Gujarat Defeated the problems of soil limitations

The soil was always the main component for plant growth. If the soil is bad, it poses serious limitations to the growth of your plants. Moreover, sometimes with unfavorable soil, other problems accompany. These include the presence of disease-causing microbes, low fertility, and others. Today, the hi-tech system of the hydroponics system has overcome these issues like a pro. In fact growing exotic crops on hydroponics systems are bringing in greater profits than cultivating conventional crops like mangoes or sugarcane brought.

6. Saves water like a dream

The hydroponics system has been a boon for Gujarat because the state is a water-deficient state. With the severe heatwave, rising levels of mercury, and being in the zone of scanty rainfall, Gujarat has very less water. And because of this reason hydroponics has been the best possible farming method for the farmers here.

7. Crops growing faster despite the constraints of rainfall and seasons

Hydroponics plants have a 50 percent faster growth rate compared to crops that grow in traditional farming. This hi-tech system is booming in Gujarat because farmers can grow without fretting about seasons and rainfall. A nutrient-rich solution is yielding high, and the plants have a growth boost.

8. Even beginners are acing it

The beginners can easily build this system. Hence, many youngsters in Gujarat are building homemade systems using PVC pipes and other cost-effective raw materials. The UPVC pipes especially need a special mention because the pipes act as the cheapest base to start hydroponics. You can use them anywhere, outdoors or indoors as they can withstand harsh weather conditions. Thus, in that additional bedroom of yours you can grow your veggies right inside your house with the inexpensive and durable UPVC pipes.  

Do you know? To assist hydroponics for beginners, the agricultural department of Gujarat is preparing to provide do-it-yourself videos for the same.

9. Hydroponics Farming in Gujarat Has overcome the problem of space constraint

Gujarat has very less arable space given the whole urbanization trend, and with the region in Kutch, being a wasteland. Thus, hydroponics systems are working fine in compact spaces. This farming method has helped the Gujarati farmers in curtailing their garden space and has helped to revert the space crisis.

Hydroponics Farming in Gujarat plans to double the area allotted under hydroponics

With such remarkable profits, leading agrotech projects in Gujarat aim at multiplying the area under the hydroponics system. We say why not? Because if you can get fresh, pure, and unadulterated produce without insecticides, then hydroponics is the way to go!

Also Read : BEST CROPS TO GROW THROUGH HYDROPONICS FOR MAXIMUM PROFITS

The post Hydroponics Farming in Gujarat Is Booming. #9 Reasons appeared first on Rise Hydroponics.

Multiple things play a role in a hydroponics farm’s profitability. But, some things matter the most. Let us have a closer look at each of those things.

Market analysis and selection of crops

What do you think are India’s most profitable crops? If you are also hunting for a direct answer, then analyzing the market first would be the best idea. Such an analysis will help you find the demands of the market. If a specific crop has more value in a specific region, there is no surety whether that will be equally profitable in your region.

Here are the things one must remember before you select the crop for your hydroponics farm.

• The crop must have higher demands in the market nearby
• The variety of the crop must be adaptable to change in the environment
• The crop must have a higher economic value
• The plant should be resistant to probable diseases that affect the roots

Here are the market prices of some of the Indian hydroponics crops available in India and those that fetch a high value.

• Cherry tomato (Rs 300 – Rs 350 per kg)
• Red Cabbage (Rs 150- Rs 200 per kg)
• Lettuce (Rs 200- Rs 400 per kg)
• Italian Basil (Rs 50/grams)
• Bok Choy (Rs 400-Rs 500 per kg)

Note: the minimum and maximum price of the crops can vary with region

Water quality

If you have reasonable control over things and can maintain efficiency, you are all set for a hydroponics farm. Water quality plays a significant role in hydroponics farming and helps in controlling things like electrical conductivity and pH. Here are some of the maximum permissible levels of common elements and compounds for hydroponics use in water.

For higher yields, you need optimum TDS (total dissolved salts) and EC. Here are values for TDS and EC when you use your hydroponics water.

EC should be more than 3.0ds/m and less than 0.75ds/m

TDS must be more than 1920mg/L and 480mg/L for crops

The growing media

Your hydroponics farming will remain a distant dream if your selection of the growth media is wrong. For instance, if your hydroponics system is a flood-and-drain one, then your growing media must not move when the rooting vessel is flooded with nutrient water.

Perlite, stone wool, and rockwool are some of the widely used growing media. We love perlite because this naturally occurring material has a high capacity to hold water and has pore spaces. These pore spaces make it one of the widespread growth media for hydroponics crops.

You can also opt for rockwool that is another fantastic growth media widely used in hydroponics farms worldwide.

Things to know: Do not forget to cover the growing media with plastic sheets and caps from the side.

Growing system has to be sanitized well

You have to clean the growing system frequently and properly. This regular cleaning prevents yield loss caused by pathogen attacks or root disease. It is a great idea to use disinfectants to clean the growing system before you sow new crops.

The selection of nutrient solution

Poor quality or low yield of the harvest result from poorly composed nutrient water. Of course, there is no such magic formula to get the best nutrient solution for crops. However, you can always experiment with different techniques and methods. The grower must observe and track the crop growth to derive an idea about which composition is best for crops.

The nutrient solution’s choice depends on the following factors:

• The type of hydroponics system
• Element demands and plant nutrient
• Application rate of the solution to the crops

Maintenance of the optimum levels

To get the crop’s high yield, you need to maintain an optimum pH level as well as the temperature of the water. To get all things under control, keep an eye on all these levels. You must take measurements at regular intervals using a control unit that is automated to maintain optimum levels.

Here are the optimum levels:

• pH level has to be between 5.0-6.0

• The temperature of water has to be around 18-22 degree Celsius.

Maintaining the reservoir

In a hydroponics system the final solution is stored in the reservoir. Thus, it is important to keep the reservoir light-proof. Light-proofing prevents bacterial and algae growth. Once a week, you have to engage in reservoir cleaning and solution draining thoroughly. You can also use disinfectants for rinsing it well.

Pro Tip: there is nothing like installing a UV light inside your reservoir to prevent bacterial growth inside.

Garner enough knowledge and skill

The deciding factor is knowledge and skill for the success of your hydroponics farm. As a grower you cannot lack professional skills and experience to manage your farm. Despite the best equipment, the success of your business largely depends on your skills. Thus, tackle the challenges and wait for your hard work to bear fruits (of course hydroponics ones!).

The post Ways to create a profit-making hydroponics farm appeared first on Rise Hydroponics.

One major issue with the DWC hydroponics farming is that continuous exposure of roots to the water can lead to a rotten root quickly. For this reason, the importance of aeration in DWC increases. Aeration is the process of providing enough oxygen to the plants so that they survive the extra water in their surroundings. But with techniques like the air bubble method and falling water method, it becomes pretty easy to manage the excess water.

Interesting fact about DWC: Researchers consider DWC as Hydroponics in its purest form. Infact, it is also the easiest and most effective of all the systems.

Setting up DWC farming

Setting up a DWC is easy. You require:

• A 5 Gallon Bucket 
• Air pump 
• Airstone 
• Air tubing 
• Growing medium 
• Hydroponics nutrients 
• Net 
• pH Control Kit
• PPM Meter

Steps to follow

Do you know why do we need to add pH controller to the buckets? If not well regulated, the wrong pH can spoil the whole plant. Therefore, not adding a pH controller is a big no.  The pH should be between 5.5 to 6.0. to support plant growth.

Once you have set up your DWC plants, they’ll start growing rapidly. This system is best for short-term, non-fruiting plants. But what if you want to scale up your plants? 

The traditional way of DWC farming is not the best way to do it. To ensure the growth of plants at a higher rate and to prevent them from rotting, use Recirculating DWC or rDWC.

Recirculating DWC

In DWC, you have to utilize one bucket for every plant you grow. Then you have to manage and calibrate the oxygen, nutrients, and water in each of the buckets. It can be a tedious task to manage consistently. To set you f

ree from all these hassles, rDWC was invented.

rDWC is a system of multiple baskets that can help you manage all the plants simultaneously. The system has a group of buckets that are connected through pipes and a central bucket.

Interesting Fact: In rDWC, each of the buckets can hold 2-3 more plants than in the DWC system. 

The central bucket is used to transfer all the nutrients to every plant present in the system. You can also pump air through the central bucket. This system is efficient as it saves a lot of resources from getting wasted and supplies the nutrients to the plants as per their need. rDWC is a great boon for nature lovers who want to grow more plants with hydroponics farming.

Which plants to grow?

Every system works best on certain types of plants. It has been found that for DWC, the best plants are those which do not have flowers in them. All kinds of grass, herbs, and lettuce can grow fresh and healthy in this system. You can also grow tomatoes and pepper but you might have to be extra careful in case of fruiting plants.

Why choose Deep Water Culture hydroponics farming?

1. There are not too many parts to take care of. This reduces the maintenance cost and time. As the set-up has a pipe and a bucket as major components, you can always fix minor issues by yourself.
2. The growth of plants is exponential and healthier than conventional growth. Due to no competition and direct transfer of nutrients, plants grow better. 
3. As the plants are deep inside the water, and no fertilizer is needed because the nutrients are already dissolved in the water. This is why DWC saves you both money and time.

Conclusion

You can now fearlessly opt for DWC farming and see your plants grow like magic. Once you get the hang of DWC in the conventional method, switching to rDWC is going to help you get better yields. So contact a hydroponics farm set-up expert today to get started on your journey to futuristic farming!

Also Read : What are the different hydroponic system?

The post What Are DWC (Deep water culture) And RDWC In Hydroponics Farming? appeared first on Rise Hydroponics.

Fun Fact:This approach includes suspending the plants in a system of nutrients and waiting for magic to take shape. Quite similar to the Kratky method, as the seedling roots and sprouts, the plant sucks up the nutrients. What happens next? There is an extensive growth spurt. 

DWS is best because it sustains the plants’ roots. If you want to experience hydroponics in its truest form, then you have to try DWC. Direct water culture is a growing method in hydroponics that sustains the roots of the plants in a well-oxygenated solution. This solution has nutrients in the water 24/7. 

Things to know: This hydroponics technique is different from the other techniques because here, plants are not watered constantly. In fact, here, you submerge the roots deep within the water. 

Your reservoir that will contain the plants must have water in good amounts. The more the water, the more will be the stability in the nutrient water. Thus, it’s good news for you because you do not have to monitor or maintain a lot.

The exception: In all the other systems, you will find the roots of the plants hanging or exposed in the air while being watered continuously. However, with DWC the plants’ roots are sunk in oxygenated water 24/7.

Encouraging results with DWC

The DWC trails continue to provide encouraging and exciting results. Everything – from snack peppers to strawberries and cherry to standard tomatoes – grows great. Against the conventional agricultural systems, DWC has fared really well for cherry and round tomatoes. 

Minimal tools needed with DWC

What really appeals to us about DWC is the fact that you can design it all by yourself. All you need is:

• pH kits
• pH meter
• Some expanding clay/rockwool or any growth media of your choice
• Airstone
• Airline
• Air pump
• A 10-inch pot
• A reservoir to hold water

All the above tools are easily available and can be bought from your online garden supply store or a hydroponics store. 

Pro Tip: Just keep in mind that you are not getting a lighter color reservoir in plastic. That is because light-colored surfaces permit light to pass through and encourage the growth of algae. You must, thus, prevent such a disaster because we do not want our plants’ roots to suffer. 

An easier process to follow

The DWC process is known for its ease. 

1st step

The very first step involves filling the reservoir with a hydroponics solution just above the net pot’s base.

2nd Step 

Check the system’s pH level. Try to keep it within the range of 5.5-5.6. If the pH level drifts from 5.6, you must adjust it using the pH kits.

3rd step

Connect the air pump to the airline. Connect the airline to the airstone within the reservoir. Place those plants that have roots showing and growing out of the rockwool. 

Pro Tip: You can choose to surround the plants with the growing media (expanding clay) or any growth media you find worthy. 

4th step 

You will turn the air pump on as the rockwool needs to mingle with the nutrient water. The mingling will result in the absorption of nutrients from the water. Your plants derive the vital nutrients, and the root system develops like a dream, absorbing more nutrients.

5th step

Every 1-2 weeks, you must remove the plants from the reservoir. You will do this step to refresh and replace the nutrient solution. 

The multiple PROS

• DWC ensures superior oxygen and nutrients uptake from the nutrient water. This uptake results in accelerated growth. 
• The system guarantees maximum aeration from the air bubbles that form from the airstone and air pump. This aeration of roots enhances the plants’ cell growth and absorption rate. 
• No need to invest in any fertilizer because you submerge your plants in DWC nutrients.
• Once the DWC setup is done, you can do it without a lot of maintenance. That is because this hydroponicS system has no water pumps, feeder lines, or nozzles to clog. 
• DWC is not complicated at all because it has minimal assembly and moving parts. 

Things to know: The DWC system has negligible disadvantages. The benefits outweigh the cons by a large margin. 

A boon for beginners

The DWC system is an ideal practice to grow plants in aerated water. If you are a newbie to hydroponics then this is one of the cheapest methods that both established growers and beginners appreciate. With the right temperature and enough aeration, the roots of the plants thrive, and you achieve phenomenal yields. So, grow those peppers, squashes, and tomatoes super fast!

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