Q.first time hydroponics grower
I am a first time user I bought a hydroponic grow kit ladder and I was wondering do I need any chemicals or just the water? I have been seeing that people use things to get the hp levels in water do I need to do that or is that only if the water hp levels are off. I am not sure If i need any chemicals like they show on amazon for hydroponics?
Certified GKH Gardening Expert
Without anything in the water, the plants will have nothing to feed on. There are several basic things that you will need before making an attempt at hydroponics. You will need a pH meter to ensure that your water stays between 5.5 and 6.5, an E.C. meter to measure the exact nutrient content of your water, nutrients formulated for hydroponic applications, and a LOT of time to dedicate to this project.
Nutrients come in a wide range of styles, and formulas. The general rule is that the more parts the nutrients consist of , the better the quality and stability. The line I use is comprised of 15 separate parts, and if absolutely ridiculously expensive. It also requires quite a bit of chemistry knowledge to use properly, as well as a very sturdy understanding of plant biology.
Other lines can be 1 part, 2,3, and all the way up. It is best to start with a 3 part and mix as per the instructions. You will find yourself correcting the pH daily, and several times per day if you choose to plant more than one variety of plant.
That will be another issue... You will be limited to smaller plants, such as lettuces, leafy greens, and other small plants. This system will not be equipped to handle things like peppers, cucumbers, tomatoes, squash, or any larger plant. The roots will completely clog the entire system very, very fast. I would recommend doing as much reading on the subject as you can before you take on this project. Don't get discouraged... I killed many plants before I even started getting the hang of hydroponics, and this was with prior knowledge to advanced plant biology. So be patient, as it will take a long time to get this down.
This collection of articles will get you started: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/special/containers/hydroponic-gardening-indoors.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/special/containers/hydroponic-water-temperature.htm
