The Grow Flow

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6 episodes

Description

Welcome to The Grow Flow, your daily watering hole for everything hydroponics. Each day, you'll get practical tips, sound advice, and insightful guidance. From beginners taking their first dip into hydroponics to seasoned growers honing their craft, The Grow Flow has something for everyone. Our goal is to help you increase yields, reduce pests and diseases, and cultivate healthier plants in your hydroponic garden. Tune in to fill your days with nutrient-rich wisdom that will flow straight into your hydroponic practice!

Episodes

How to Clone a Plant

The Grow Flow

Welcome to The Grow Flow - your daily dose of hydroponics guidance. Today, we're diving into one of our favorite gardening techniques - plant cloning. That's right, we're going to show you how to take cuttings and propagate your favorite plants. Whether you're a seasoned gardener or just getting started, this method is a game-changer!. There's something magical about turning one healthy plant into a whole family of thriving greenery. Cloning not only accelerates growth but also ensures you get exact replicas of your favorites. So, let's get started! First things first, you'll need some essential equipment for successful cloning. Here's what you'll require: A sharp razor blade or scissors. A seed tray with a clear lid. A suitable growing medium like rapid rooters, rockwool, oasis, or coco coir. A pencil or stick. Rooting hormone (I prefer gel or liquid). pH balanced or distilled water. A water spray bottle. Two small plastic cups. Rubbing alcohol for sterilization. Now, remember, the success of cloning starts with the right parent plant. Choose a healthy, vigorous one with vibrant green growth. Avoid diseased or wilting plants - they won't give you the results you're looking for. Step one in preparing your cuttings: soak your chosen growing medium in pH balanced water or distilled water. This helps create an ideal environment for those baby roots to develop. Next, look for suitable stems to cut. Opt for green, non-woody ones, and focus on newer growth; they root more easily. Find a stem with a node, that's where new roots will emerge. Time to make the cut! Sterilize your razor blade or scissors with rubbing alcohol. Make a clean cut just below the node. A 4 to 6 inch cutting with at least 2 leaves and 1 node is perfect. To enhance rooting chances, make a partial slice through the middle of the node with a sterilized razor blade. This stimulates root growth. Trim excess leaves if there are too many; they can drain energy needed for root development. Consider using rooting hormone. It's not mandatory, but it can significantly boost root development. Dip the node end of your cutting first in water, then in rooting hormone. Tap off excess hormones to avoid hindering rooting. Carefully plant the cutting in the hole you made in the growing medium. Don't push it too deep; it needs space for its roots. Ensure the cut part below the leaf internodes is below the surface. Your cuttings need a little TLC. Mist them 2 to 3 times daily to keep them humid and put the lid back on the tray to lock in moisture. Maintain a temperature of 72 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit (or 22 to 26 degrees celsius), and provide adequate light, even grow lights if indoors. After about a week, it's rooting time! If your cuttings haven't wilted, they're likely growing roots. You can stop misting at this point. Once they have roots, they're ready for the next step. Congratulations! Your cuttings are now ready to join your hydroponic family. Transplant them into your hydroponic system, and watch them thrive.

Oct 12, 2023 · 4:18

What Is a Grow Tent and How Do They Work?

The Grow Flow

Welcome to The Grow Flow - your daily dose of hydroponics guidance. Today, we're diving into the world of indoor growing. If you're thinking about setting up your very own hydroponic system indoors, you might want to consider using a grow tent. In this episode, we'll explore what a grow tent is, its benefits, and the key factors to consider when choosing the right one for your needs. So, let's get started.... A grow tent is a fantastic solution for indoor gardening. It provides a small, fully-contained space where you can cultivate your plants. Think of it as a personalized habitat where you have complete control over temperature, lighting, and humidity. By confining your growing area to a tent, you can focus your efforts on creating the perfect environment for your plants without having to heat or cool an entire room. Now, let's talk about the factors to consider when choosing the right grow tent for your hydroponic system. First up, size matters! Are you planning to grow a plethora of plants or just a select few? Grow tents come in various sizes to accommodate different needs. Having a walk-in tent can be convenient, but if you're growing small plants or seedlings, a cute corner tent can be both fun and economical. Consider the space you have available and the number of plants you intend to cultivate. This will help you determine the ideal size for your grow tent. When it comes to the material of your grow tent, durability and functionality are key. Look for tents that are black on the outside and reflective or white on the inside. A strong fabric is crucial to prevent sagging, and ensure that it's easy to clean and waterproof. Remember, your grow tent will house your plants for an extended period, so investing in quality material will pay off in the long run. Now, let's discuss the structure of your grow tent. Opt for a tent with a plastic or rust-resistant metal frame. Most grow tents have a snap or screw-together design for easy assembly. It's essential to ensure that the structure is strong enough to support not only your plants but also the pots, hanging lights, water systems, and fans. Keep in mind that certain plants, like fruiting varieties, can become quite heavy. So, plan accordingly to avoid any mishaps. Moving on to the necessities for your grow tent. Proper ventilation is crucial to maintain a healthy growing environment. Plants consume carbon dioxide and produce oxygen, so having an air exchange system is vital. Make sure your tent has an intake hole with a fan for fresh air and an outtake hole with an exhaust fan to ensure proper circulation. Additionally, a fan inside the tent will help keep the air circulating and prevent stagnant conditions. Don't forget to choose a tent with a large entry or access door for easy maneuvering. It's no fun trying to squeeze yourself into a cramped grow tent when you need to tend to your plants or access the reservoirs. Let's address odor control. If you want to keep unwanted smells at bay, consider using filters on your exhaust hole. This will help maintain a pleasant environment for both you and your plants. Lastly, let's talk about some exciting extras you can consider for your indoor grow tent. Windows can be a fantastic addition. They allow you to peek inside without disturbing the interior conditions. You can easily monitor your plants through the windows to ensure they're adequately watered and receiving proper lighting. And don't forget about customization! Think about how you want to organize your grow tent. Shelves can be incredibly handy for arranging your plants, especially if you're growing a variety of crops. Just make sure the tent's structure is strong enough to support the weight of the shelves.

Oct 11, 2023 · 5:04

Setting Up a Grow Room - A Step-by-step Guide

The Grow Flow

Welcome to The Grow Flow - your daily dose of hydroponics guidance. Today we're going to be guiding you on how to set up your own grow room. If you've already tried growing plants hydroponically, setting up a grow room might be the next step for you. But the process might seem complicated and overwhelming, especially if you don't know where to start. That's why we're here to help. The good news is that setting up a grow room can be simple and affordable, or you can choose to invest in a more efficient and convenient setup. The best part is that every decision is yours to make, from choosing the actual room to use, to selecting the grow lights you want to use. In this episode, we'll guide you through every step of setting up your own grow room, from the basics to more advanced options. . There are essentially 5 steps to setting up a grow room: 1: Find a suitable setup space. 2: Choose how to configure your space. 3: Make your space light-tight. 4: Get good light coverage with grow lights. And 5: Set up a ventilation system.

Oct 10, 2023 · 16:09

Hydroponics Nutrients for Beginners

The Grow Flow

Welcome to The Grow Flow - your daily dose of hydroponics guidance. Today, we're taking a look at our hydroponics nutrient guide, where we'll help simplify the process of feeding your plants. Hydroponic plant food, also known as nutrients, is a complete food source for plants growing in water. There are two main types of hydroponic nutrients - dry nutrients and liquid nutrients. Dry nutrients come as a powder that you need to dissolve in water before adding to your plants, whereas liquid nutrients are already in solution and can be added directly to your plants. When shopping for hydroponic nutrients, it's important to pay attention to the macronutrients and micronutrients in the mix. The three primary macronutrients that plants need the most of are nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, also known as N-P-K. During the vegetative state, plants need a lot of nitrogen to grow vigorously, while they require more phosphorus during their later development stages to produce bigger fruits and flowers. Secondary nutrients such as calcium, magnesium, and sulphur are also essential for plant growth. Calcium precipitates out of solution when it comes in contact with liquid phosphates or sulphates, so it is usually sold separately as a bottle of calcium or magnesium, but can be included together in dry nutrient mix. Micronutrients, including boron, chlorine, copper, iron, manganese, molybdenum, and zinc, are only needed in small amounts, but if they are missing, your plants may start to show signs of deficiencies, such as stunted or twisted growth, leaf tip burn, and yellow leaves with green veins. When choosing a nutrient mix, ensure that it contains all three macronutrients and the micronutrients that your plants need. It's also important to check whether calcium and magnesium are included in the mix or if you need to buy them separately. In addition to nutrient mixes, there are also many additives available, such as root enhancers, uptake enhancers, supplements, kickstarters, amino acids, and seaweed extract. While these can be fun to experiment with, they are not necessary for plant growth. Dry nutrients are generally less expensive but require careful mixing to ensure the proper concentration. Liquid nutrient concentrate is a great option for beginner growers as it's ready to add directly to your water. Finally, some nutrient mixes are labelled as "grow" or "bloom," indicating when they should be used during the plant's growth cycle. "Grow" nutrients are typically used during the vegetative stage, while "bloom" nutrients are used when plants are fruiting and flowering. Hydroponic nutrients are not as complicated as they may seem. By paying attention to the macronutrients, micronutrients, and other essential additives, you can provide your plants with the proper food they need to thrive in a hydroponic environment. . If you enjoyed today's episode, you can find the full accompanying article on the Proponics website - don't forget to subscribe for more hydroponics guidance, and until tomorrow, happy growing!

Oct 9, 2023 · 3:36

Hydroponic Tomatoes: A Complete Guide

The Grow Flow

Welcome to The Grow Flow - your daily dose of hydroponics guidance. Today, we will cover everything you need to know to grow hydroponic tomatoes, from selecting a hydroponic system to harvesting fresh, delicious tomatoes that you’ve grown yourself at home. Tomatoes are a versatile and savoury fruit that can be grown all year round. Many people believe that growing hydroponic tomatoes is difficult, but we are here to tell you that it is not as hard as it might seem. Tomatoes can be grown in virtually any type of hydroponic system. However, they thrive in ebb and flow, NFT, aeroponic, and drip systems. Dutch bucket systems, which are a type of drip system, are also ideal for growing tomatoes. Additionally, deep water culture systems can work for tomatoes, but require some extra effort. Your choice of growing medium will depend on the type of hydroponic system you select. Expanded clay pellets work well with tomatoes, as do coconut coir, which can be mixed with perlite or vermiculite to improve moisture retention. There are specific nutrient mixes for tomatoes that are recommended. If you can find one, we suggest using it. If not, a low-nitrogen mix will work. We recommend selecting an organic nutrient mix, as you will be consuming the tomatoes, and you don’t want your food grown with chemicals. If you are growing tomatoes indoors, you will need grow-lights. LED grow lights are a great choice because they are versatile and energy-efficient. Although they are more expensive than other options like metal halide or high pressure sodium grow lights, they will save you money on electricity bills, as they don't lose their effectiveness over time. Full-spectrum or RGB LED grow lights can also be used during all stages of plant growth, unlike metal halide or high pressure sodium grow lights. Tomato plants need support to grow, so a trellis is essential. Many hydroponic growing kits come with an incorporated trellis or a frame that can be used to tie the tomato plants to. If your kit doesn't include plant support or if you build a DIY hydroponic system, you can attach a trellis or even poles and sticks that you can tie your tomato plants to. Alternatively, you can keep the tomato plants low by choosing a short variety or pruning the plants. You can start your hydroponic tomato plants from seed. Although it takes a bit more effort than buying seedlings, it is much cheaper and provides a greater variety of tomato options. The acidity and electrical conductivity of the nutrient solution are the two essential parameters in hydroponics. The best pH level for tomatoes is between 6.0 and 6.5, while the electrical conductivity level should be between 2.0 and 5.0. Finally, it's essential to ensure that the air and nutrient solution temperature is optimal for your tomato plants to thrive. If the temperature is too hot or too cold, your tomatoes won't grow well. The ideal air temperature for tomatoes during the day is between 21 and 27ºC or 70 to 80º Fahrenheit, while during the night, it should be between 17 and 18ºC or 63 to 65º Fahrenheit. To maintain optimal temperatures for your tomatoes, you will need to have a proper ventilation system in your grow room. Regarding the nutrient solution, the ideal hydroponic water temperature for tomatoes is between 20 and 22ºC or 68 to 72º Fahrenheit. However, you don't have to keep it within this range all the time. Just make sure it doesn't go below 15ºC or 60º Fahrenheit, and not above 27ºC or 80º Fahrenheit. By maintaining the optimal temperature range, you will help your tomato plants to grow strong and healthy, producing delicious and nutritious fruit.. So there you have it, everything you need to know to grow hydroponic tomartoes successfully. Remember to choose a suitable hydroponic system, provide the right nutrient mix, use grow-lights, provide support for your plants, and maintain optimal temperatures. With a bit of effort and attention to detail, you will soon be harvesting fresh, juicy tomatoes that you've grown yourself at home. If you enjoyed today's episode, you can find the full accompanying article on the Proponics website - don't forget to subscribe for more hydroponics guidance, and until tomorrow, happy growing!

Oct 8, 2023 · 5:08

What Does Hydroponically Grown Mean?

The Grow Flow

Welcome to The Grow Flow - your daily dose of hydroponics guidance. Have you ever wondered what hydroponics is all about? Traditionally, plants have been grown in soil, which provides nutrients to the plants through its natural composition. But with hydroponics, we're taking a new approach to plant growth, one that's efficient, reliable and just as rewarding. With hydroponics, we're able to provide nutrients directly to the roots of the plant, without relying on soil. This is a game-changer for plant growth, and it means we can grow more with less. In hydroponic systems, the roots of the plant grow in a nutrient-rich solution, providing everything the plant needs to grow and thrive. With traditional gardening, weeds, pests and other unwanted elements can get in the way of plant growth. But with hydroponics, we eliminate these challenges and focus on growing healthy plants. That's the beauty of hydroponics – we can grow more with less, all while producing healthier plants that look and taste amazing. When we grow plants hydroponically, we bypass the traditional soil-based method and add fresh, balanced nutrients directly to the water. This means we can control the amount and types of nutrients our plants receive, ensuring they get everything they need to grow and thrive. In a hydroponic system, the plant can sit in any substrate that is not soil. This includes materials such as perlite, sand, or even specialty grow mediums like rockwool or hydroton that are specifically designed for hydroponics. You can even bypass the substrate altogether and just stand the plant up in a plastic PVC pipe full of nutrient water. The possibilities are endless! There are all kinds of fancy hydroponic systems and grow mediums available in the market, but you can easily set up an inexpensive hydroponic system at home using everyday materials. If you're new to hydroponics, buying a complete kit might be a good way to get started. There are many different types of hydroponic kits available that are designed for beginners and make it easy to start growing hydroponically. So whether you're a beginner or a seasoned gardener, hydroponics is an exciting and innovative way to grow plants. With a little bit of know-how, you can set up your own hydroponic system and grow plants all year round. There are a lot of pros to hydroponics. One of the biggest is that plants grow much faster and bigger than soil plants. With nutrients delivered directly to their roots, plants don't have to search for nutrients, and they can use all their energy to grow. It's truly amazing to watch how fast they grow. And despite what you may have heard, hydroponic vegetables are not tasteless. With the right balance of nutrients, the produce is actually delicious. Another advantage of hydroponics is that there are no weeds, soil pests, or dirt, making it a more hygienic and less messy way of gardening. You also don't need a huge garden space, or a garden at all, to grow a lot of produce. Hydroponic plants can be grown indoors or outdoors, with natural sunlight or under grow lights. And if for some reason the plants start to look sickly, instead of puzzling out what's wrong with the soil, you can simply mix up a fresh batch of nutrients and water, and the plants will perk up within days, or even hours. Despite all these advantages, there are also some cons to hydroponics that you should be aware of. There are a few cons of hydroponics. Getting set up costs more than just putting some plants in the ground would. Generally, you need some electricity to power your watering system, although solar power is definitely an option. You have to buy the nutrients, but that's actually part of the fun! There are so many choices and cool additives to make your plants grow bigger and better. Despite the cons, hydroponics offers a lot of benefits over traditional gardening methods. Whether you want to grow flowers, herbs or vegetables, hydroponics is a great way to go. If you enjoyed today's episode, you can find the full accompanying article on the Proponics website - don't forget to subscribe for more hydroponics guidance, and until tomorrow, happy growing!

Oct 7, 2023 · 4:39