Are High Pressure Sodium (HPS) Lamps better than LEDs?
Growers who use artificial lighting usually prefer high pressure sodium (HPS) lamps to do the job. Not only do HPS lamps have a very high photon flux but compared to…
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Five dos and don’ts for automated pH control in hydroponics
The pH is one of the most important variables to control in hydroponic culture as it plays a key role in the availability of different ions and their absorption dynamics.…
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Using triacontanol to increase yields in hydroponics
Usually additives used in hydroponics need to be added in rather large quantities to obtain palpable results. Molecules like salicylic acid – which we have discussed before – need to be…
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Salicylic acid and its positive effect in hydroponics
When looking for ways to increase crop yields we usually want something that is safe for the environment, safe for us and able to give us a substantial bang for…
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Using titanium to increase crop yields
There are many additives that can be used to enhance the yield of flowering crops. Some have been covered in this blog – like silicon – while others haven’t been…
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Phosphorous toxicity and concentration in higher plants
If you search the web for symptoms of nutrient toxicities you will often find clear pictures and descriptions for most elements. Feed a plant too much nitrogen and it will…
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A simple Arduino based sensor monitoring platform for Hydroponics
Last time I posted about automation I talked about how I use an Arduino to automate the monitoring and management of my home hydroponic system. Today I want to talk…
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What is the effect of amino acids in hydroponics?
It is very common for hydroponic nutrient manufacturers to add amino acids to their products. They often mention significant benefits that range from strengthening plants to greatly increasing yields or product…
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Calibrating your digital humidity sensors
On a recent post I talked about vapor pressure deficit and its importance in hydroponic culture. To adequately control VPD it’s necessary to accurately measure relative humidity and in order to do…
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Probes for constant immersion in hydroponic nutrient solutions
If you have a hydroponic crop then you probably have to measure and monitor the pH and EC of your nutrient solutions. This means taking probes out of storage, ensuring they…
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