6 Commandments to maximize your Yield using Hydroponics!

What is it that all hydroponic growers want in common?

Bigger yield and Faster harvest. Now this isn’t a piece of cake. Bigger yields and faster harvests not only take sheer hard work but also the right equipment and careful consideration of your specific situation. Get the right hydroponics tips; and I can bet any grower can enjoy amazing returns harvest after harvest.

First commandment: Always maintain a grower's journal – Trust me I have tried gardening hydroponically without a grower’s journal and it can be exceedingly difficult to keep track of all the variables that go in your hydroponic systems. Now when you decide to change the results to improve weaker plants or a get a bigger yields, it can be a daunting task to exactly find out what made your plants change. The Grower’s Journal comes into play here. It will allow you to track every change in nutrients, watering, pH level, lights, as well as record on how your plants are faring on a day-to-day basis. You can use this data to pin point what factors are helping your plants. Over a period of time, you can tweak all the factors major or minor that go into your grow.

Second Commandment: Avoid too much or Too Little Water – The second commandment here is one of the most valuable hydroponics tips you may ever hear. If you use too much water, your roots will rot. If you use too little, your roots will dry out. You need to very careful with adjustments here to achieve optimum hydration. Monitor the leaves of your plants before and after each watering. If your plants appear to perk up after a watering, water more often. If your plants appear to wither shortly after a watering, water less often.

Third Commandment: Make fair Use of Your Pruning Shears -Whenever you see a leaf or stem that appears futile or rotting, prune it off. Anything you see that appears to be robbing expensive energy and nutrients from the rest of the healthy plant is a waste. The "cleaner" you can make each individual plant, the bigger your yields will be.

Fourth Commandment: Bulls eye on your Nutrient Solution Temperature – Research suggests almost 72% of hydroponic growers ignore this. Try and maintain the temperature of your nutrient solution in between sixty-five and seventy five degrees Fahrenheit. Anything above or below this temperature will slay your plants gradually.

Fifth Commandment:  Make Investments in Plant Stimulant or High Quality Fertilizer – Just purchasing ordinary energy solutions from your local store isn’t going to give you vast yields. What you really need is a plant stimulant that is designed specifically for hydroponic growing. Always ensure the fertilizer you purchase comes from a reputable hydroponic retailer. 

Sixth Commandment: Choose CO2 generators with utmost care - Always use CO2 generators with your hydroponic system if you a qualified gardener that knows what he or she is doing. Yes, it is true that this method can dramatically increase yields, but it can also kill your crop if done sloppily. When using a CO2 generator, it is important to increase the amount of light and nutrients your plants are receiving as well. You should also measure your atmosphere conditions very carefully. Most plants can use up to 1500 parts per million, assuming all other conditions are optimized. If your CO2 levels reach or exceed 2000 parts per million, your plants most certainly are going to die. So whenever you hear hydroponics tips regarding carbon dioxide levels, make sure it is backed up by plenty of research.

Happy Gardening!