March 2019 - 21

PRODUCTION
to conquer for someone who
doesn't have a background in it,
but here are four tips on how to
maintain a successful hydroponic
growing operation.
ENSURING WATER QUALITY
It is essential for growers to
test the quality of their water
supply before introducing it into
a hydroponic system. The pH
measures the acid or alkali levels
in the water and are important to
keep track of with a pH meter or pH
strips. The pH scale runs from 0.0
to 14.0; 7.0 is neutral, less than 7.0
is looked at as acidic, and above 7.0
is alkaline. The pH levels growers
want their water to be within
is between 5.5 and 6.5 in most
hydroponic systems, but where
pH levels stay is determined by a
grower's preference and the type of
plants being grown in the system.
Multiple nutrients are absorbed at
different rates, so required pH levels
can fluctuate depending on the type
plant or where the plants are in their
life cycle.
No matter what kind of plant
is being grown in a hydroponic
system, sufficient EC levels are
required in a grower's water supply
to sustain healthy plants. EC
measures the amount of dissolved
salts in the water, which are the
nutrients and background minerals
plants need to remain healthy. EC
directly correlates to the nutrients
available to crops, and is why it is
so important to test EC. The good
thing is growers can test their EC
levels with EC meters that when
placed in the water pass an AC
voltage between them indicating the
conductivity of the water.
The water temperature in any
hydroponic system should be
between 68 and 72° F. Growers can
maintain their water temperatures
with a water heater and water
chiller. This ensures that the water
being distributed to the plants isn't
too warm or too cold.
Will Kacheris, who designs custom
hydroponic systems for GrowSpan
Greenhouse Structures and Hydro
Cycle Growing Systems, adds, " The
use of aeration and a UV sterilizer
can help growers with water that is
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not feasible to chill. It keeps down
disease and it keeps dissolved
oxygen levels higher, so the plants
can grow quicker. Aeration of
the root zone with a bubbling
mechanism, such as airstones, also
helps to keep roots clean so they
can absorb nutrients freely. "
INTRODUCE A
FERTIGATION SYSTEM
Fertigation is the process
of injecting fertilizers into an
irrigation system. In hydroponic
growing the right distribution of
fertilizer into the water supply is
critical, because the plants are
being grown without soil, relying
on the right amount of water and
nutrients to survive.
Kacheris further emphasizes why
precise fertilizer distribution is so
important in hydroponic growing,
" The soil usually provides a buffer
for salts, acids and bases added to

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March 2019

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of March 2019