The Indoor Grower

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Our magazines are available for you FREE every two months, and can be accessed and read online at your convenience, with page-turning and browse features just like a "real" magazine, but without the paper, so we're kind to the environment too! In addition to the look and feel of a "real" magazine, you can instantly click on any of the highlighted items (follow link) to open up a new window, whether to an interesting website or an advertisers product, then, when finished, just close this new window and return back to the magazine at the page you were browsing. If you are interested in contributing to our magazine or would like any further information, then please contact us at info@theindoorgrower.co.uk

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Whilst every effort is made to ensure accuracy and legality, the Publisher accepts no liability or responsibility for the material published herein, the views of our contributors are not necessarily the views of the Editor. The Publisher further accepts no liability or responsibility for errors in content or quality that occur beyond all reasonable control of the Editor. Furthermore the publisher accepts no liability or responsibility for the publicity content which in all cases remains under the ownership of the advertiser, and can not be held responsible for the content or actions resulting from accessing webpages outside the control of this publication. The contents of this publication are the property of the publisher and nothing may be reproduced, stored in a retrival system or transmitted in any form without express permission in writing from the editor.

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Hydroponic Systems and Kits

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You don't need to have your own backyard or even a bag of potting soil to begin growing your own vegetables, herbs or fruits when you invest in a Hydroponic system. No experience is necessary. Hydroponics is an amazing method of growing plants in water using plant nutrients and grow medium, with no need for soil.

This system of growing plants without soil traces its history back thousands of years to ancient times in such cultures as the Aztecs, the Chinese and the Babylonians. The first Hydroponic crops grown in the US in the early 20th century were tomatoes at the University of California Berkeley. Today, Hydroponic kits make it easy and convenient for would-be gardeners of all ages to enjoy growing their own fruits and vegetables in the comfort of your home or apartment. Space saving Hydroponic kits can be set up on rooftops, in basements, closets, spare rooms or kitchens where space may be at a premium. Modular Hydroponic systems, such as the WaterFarm, can be configured in a circle or line, close together or spread out, to fit your specific space. And best of all, no experience is needed because step by step instructions allow a Hydroponic gardener to successfully set up and run their system in a short amount of time. 7


Hydroponic Systems and Kits

Because Hydroponic systems allow plant nutrients to reach the roots faster, the quality of Hydroponically produced fresh produce is much better and plant development is much quicker than crops grown in soil. You can grow nutrient rich, healthy vegetables, superior in size and colour, favourite fresh produce items found at any local farmers market stand can be easily grown using a Hydroponic kit.

Among the many benefits of growing plants using Hydroponics is the lack of any mess from soil, the ability to grow items indoors even out of season, savings from water recycling, lower costs for providing plant nutrients, high yields and the system's mobility as well as efficiency of space. The use of water rather than soil as a growing medium also makes odour and pest control much easier. Most Hydroponic gardens can be set up using less than 20 square feet of space. For your first Hydroponics experience with Hydroponic kits, focus on one or two favourite plant categories that you will enjoy, such as herbs and lettuce, tomatoes, strawberries, cucumbers, peppers, chilles or beautiful flowers. It is best to not go overboard with too many varieties until you have gained knowledge through a growing season. Because Hydroponic systems can be used indoors using artificial lighting, there is no need to wait until spring or summer to begin using a Hydroponic kit.

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Many fans of Hydroponic gardening got their start in the dead of winter and were able to enjoy a taste of summer in their cooking with fruits and vegetables grown in a limited amount of space, indoors, with no reliance on the weather or sunshine. Hydroponic kits generally include the pump and fittings, grow medium, plant nutrients, pH kit, reservoir, growing tray and net pots to hold your Hydroponic plants, everything you need to start growing your favourite vegetables or flowers immediately. If you do choose to place your Hydroponic system indoors, a grow light will need to be added to your Hydroponic system to take the place of sunlight. Beginning Hydroponics gardeners find that using an ebb and flow (flood and drain) or drip irrigation system for watering is the easiest to understand and use. Aeroponic systems, which use a suspended root system and a spray mist for watering, take a little more time to get used to, and need to be watched closer. Don't be afraid to get started growing vegetables and flowers in a Hydroponic system because of the unknown. Hydroponic kits do come with instructions, and any question can be answered, information offered, and other products and meters discussed that will add to your success in Hydroponic systems. Investing in your first Hydroponic kit can be an enjoyable hobby with delicious benefits. Who knows, you may become so fascinated with this easy method of gardening that you will expand your Hydroponic systems to grow larger crops simultaneously and enjoy fresh fruits, vegetables and herbs year-round, regardless of the season. Marcia Price is a specialist in Hydroponics indoor gardening and Hydroponic Systems. Growing plants in water is an ecologically sound decision, with no water or space waste, ground or water contamination, or top soil erosion. Hydroponics is the future for gardening and crops.

To learn more about Hydroponics and purchase your own ecofriendly Hydroponic system to start gardening today, visit http://www.NaturesHydroponics.com. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Marcia_Price

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Open to the Public - Sunday 23rd September 2012 - 12.00 noon till 5.00pm

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Grow Expos unite the hydroponics industry worldwide... GROW EXPOs is an exciting UK event - designed to unite the indoor gardening industry worldwide. From manufacturers, wholesalers and retailers to the most passionate and dedicated growers on the planet, GROW EXPOs bring together the best growing minds in one place for a weekend of unparalleled networking and business opportunities. It’s a show to celebrate our passion for indoor gardening! Check out the latest in hydroponics, organics, indoor grow lights, ballasts, indoor climate controllers, ventilation, plant nutrients, additives and enhancers, growth media, and much more! Retailers can take advantage of unparalleled networking opportunities with manufacturers and wholesalers from around the world. Growers can exchange tips and learn from demonstrations of the latest products and benefit from expert speakers in a relaxed environment.

See you there! 11


- Pests, Diseases, and More

There are many different types of pests and diseases that plants are susceptible to, and an indoor garden can fall prey to the same types of pests and diseases that outdoor gardens are. Paradoxically, the conditions in nature that may seem harsh to plants actually protect them from different insects. When growing an indoor garden, people typically grow herbs, flowers, and edible vegetation- such as tomatoes and peppers. These are all great plants to grow, and keeping them healthy and thriving is any grower's top priority.

The most common indoor gardening pests are aphids, caterpillars, earwigs, fungus gnats, and mealybugs- just to name a few. There are also spider mites, thrips, whiteflies, and some types of beatles that like to eat leaves and lay their larvae on plants roots. The most important step towards keeping your indoor garden pest and disease free is by thinking "prevention." Prevention is the best way to ward off those unwelcome and destructive creatures from weakening and killing your plants. First, regularly clear away all debris and plant matter. Dead and decaying plant matter is excellent breeding ground for all sorts of pests to set up shop around your plants. Second, make sure you're keeping a close eye on any of your plants that you may think is infected. Remove them immediately. Third, keep your plants healthy by giving them adequate amounts of nutrition, sunlight, and clean air. This will help your plants combat diseases and pests as well.

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There are also many pest control sprays you can use that have low photo toxicity and discourage the growth of insects. SM-90 is a product that is available at the local hydroponics store. A root disease inhibitor, it is made from natural plant oils, and is bio-degradable. It's a great way to discourage those bugs from getting into your grow tent garden plants. If you find that your garden has already been infected, and simply blasting the plants with water isn't doing much from keeping those aphids away, you may decide to use stronger measures. There are many natural products available. You can use insecticide soaps, Neem Oil, or herbal pesticides. These are products that are derived from natural ingredients, and do little damage to your plants or to the environment.

After taking preventive measures, using all-natural products, and doing everything right, in rare instances you may find that you have a raging pesticide problem. If this is the case, you can find a lot of chemical products that will do the job.

In any gardening project, whether it's an indoor hydroponics garden or in the great outdoors, make sure to keep your plants healthy from the start, and to take the steps necessary to keep your garden clean and thriving.

The author invites you to visit http://www.greenthumbdepot.com for more information on hydroponics, hydroponics nutrients, and indoor gardening supplies. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Miles_Owens

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The Role & Measures of Nutrients in Plant Growth By Richa Parera

Environment plays a very important role in plant growth up to a point. Once optimal environmental levels have been achieved in the hydroponics grow room, however, it is the quality of nutrition that determines crop quality and output. The following background information will be useful in understanding of the role of nutrients in hydroponics cultivation.

Nitrogen Plants absorb nitrogen from fertilizers in both Nitrate (NO3) and ammonium (NH4) forms. Both ammonium and nitrate forms are available in the standard fertilizer mix supplied. It should be noted however, that ammonium levels should be significantly lower than nitrate levels with a safe level being 10 to 20 times nitrogen available in the Nitrate form vis-Ă -vis the Ammonium form. Ammonium is readily available to plants and can build up to toxic levels in plant tissue if it is not assimilated for growth. Besides, the Nitrogen from Ammonium is difficult to leach away once it is in plant tissue.

Over supply of fertilizers with high levels of Ammonium nitrogen manifests as distorted and dark growth starting at the plant's growing tip. The imbalance may also lead to symptoms of other nutrient deficiencies despite these nutrients being supplied in the correct amounts. This is because of the nutrient imbalance that is created. Higher nitrogen levels are required during vegetative/green growth phases. After proper rooting of cuttings, nitrogen levels can be increased from Âź strength to full strength over 10 to 14 days. Over application of nitrogen causes delayed flower and fruit development. Nitrogen levels at the time of rooting of cuttings should be around 100 ppm and may be increased to +250 ppm for aggressive growth under optimal conditions. Light conditions can make a difference to the Nitrogen to Potassium ratio, which can be about 1:1 under higher light conditions, while under low light conditions it may be as high as 1:5.

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Phosphorus Plants require the phosphorus content of the nutrient mix to be high during the flowering/fruiting phase of their life cycle. At other times amounts between 15 to 30 ppm are quite adequate for most crops. Over supply of phosphorus will be harmful during these stages as it will lead to imbalances of iron and calcium and even zinc. Iron and zinc have an association with the greenness of plants, phosphorus levels should therefore be increased only with corresponding increases in levels of calcium, iron and zinc. Calcium levels should be maintained at 1.5:1 ratio with phosphorus. Most commercial calcium nutrient formulations include the right proportions of trace elements to cover flowering/fruiting requirements. Phosphorous levels may be increased to 250 ppm during the peak phase maintaining important ratios such as calcium and micro-nutrients.

Potassium Potassium is required in root development and also for the ripening process of flowers, fruits, and seeds. Potassium levels can be increased during the flowering/fruiting phase to harvest a heavy, colourful and firm produce. High potassium levels in some crops help increase resistance foliar diseases such as powdery mildew. Under low lighting growth conditions higher potassium to nitrogen ratios in the range of 3:1 helps healthy vegetative growth. Under brighter the same nutrient proportion may be closer to 1:1 to stimulate vigorous green growth. Most plants do well on potassium levels in the range of 100 to +400 ppm.

Calcium Calcium is an important component of the cell walls of plants and is also plays an important role in the processes of cell division. It requires to be maintained in a ratio to phosphorus and is best applied in greater amounts 1.5X the level of potassium. The calcium magnesium ratio is also important and should be maintained at 3:1. For instance with 150 ppm calcium levels in a nutrient solution, magnesium levels should be maintained at around 50 ppm.

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Magnesium Magnesium is associated with keeping the plant "green" and is a carrier molecule for certain plant processes. Indoor crops will generally benefit from elevated magnesium levels. Reports on the use of elevated levels of Magnesium have been positive with growers harvesting firmer flowers and fruits. Hydroponics calcium formulations often contain additional amounts of magnesium. It should be noted however, that magnesium levels should be maintained around 1:3 ratio to calcium.

Other Nutrients In addition to the above nutrients, that constitute the main macro-nutrients that plants need to obtain from the nutrient formulations, there are other macro and micro-nutrients that are vital to various plant processes. While plants use macro-nutrients in large or appreciable quantities, the micro-nutrients are required in trace amounts Plants absorb carbon, hydrogen and oxygen from the air and water. The following table lists various nutrients essential for plant nutrition and the different plant processes they serve.

Carbon-->

Organic compounds formation

Boron-->

Reproduction

Oxygen-->

Energy release

Chlorine-->

Root growth

Hydrogen--> Water formation

Copper-->

Enzyme activation

Nitrogen-->

Iron-->

Photosynthesis

Chlorophyll, Proteins formation

Phosphorus--> Photosynthesis

Manganese--> Enzyme activation

Potassium--> Enzyme activity, starch formation, sugar formation

Sodium-->

Water movement

Zinc-->

Enzymes and auxins component

Calcium-->

Cell growth, component of cell wall Molybdenum-->Nitrogen Fixation

Magnesium-->Enzyme activation Sulphur-->

Nickel-->

Nitrogen Liberation

Cobalt-->

Nitrogen Fixation

Silicon-->

Cell wall toughnening

Amino acids and proteins formation

Know more about hydroponic nutrients.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Richa_Parera

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How Do Plants Grow By Wendy Pan

Plants are amazing, especially when you wonder how do plants grow. There are over 350,000 species of plants, above ground and underwater plants. Each one has to survive some harsh conditions to grow, and you can see the tenacity of plants to grow when you see them perched on the side of canyon walls, or pushing their way up through old pavement. Their will to survive and propagate is intense!

Some underwater plants get their nutrients from water, surviving without sunlight. In hydroponic growing, plants are grown in just water instead of soil, and you can see the root growth. The water must have the nutrients needed, or the addition of plant food for the plant to thrive. To answer the question of how do plants grow, you must look at propagation. Some plants have both male and female parts, others do not, but they all depend on wind, air, animals, bees and insects to help with pollination and fertilization.

Plants include flowers, trees, shrubs, bushes, grass, moss, vines, herbs, seaweed, and green algae. These have much in common. They depend on Nature for survival, and the contents of other living and natural things.

Others will send out runners and tubers, or create corms, bulbs, suckers, and adventitious buds to propagate new plants through the soil to new locations. Humans help with splicing for cross breeding and new growth on old plants.

They need sunlight (except deep sea plants), water, air, bees and insects, soil, animals, and fire for life. Some pine trees only release their seeds after a big fire; they need the heat to open the cones and seeds.

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The Biology of Plant Life Plants that have seeds create little packages (seeds) that contain a food store and a baby plant embryo, similar to a fertilized egg, and there is a protective seed coat over the seed.

Plant food comes from the water and soil. Plants take in food and energy through photosynthesis from sunlight, and respiration through their leaves (osmosis). They take in carbon dioxide from the air in the daylight and release oxygen during the night. It is important for plants to obtain the right minerals from soil. Fortunately, Mother Nature works just perfectly in most cases and plants thrive.

When fertilized through pollination, the seed forms after a flower dies. The flower contains male and/or female parts that create an ovum ready for fertilization. This becomes the seed or fruit containing seeds.

When you look at all it takes for Nature to be in perfect balance and answer the question of how do plants grow, it is an amazing thought, and a miraculous process.

The seed drops to the ground and begins to soften with moisture until the seed coat opens enough for germination to break through with a tap root, root hairs, and the plant top begins to grow towards light and warmth.

Wendy Pan is an accomplished niche website developer and author. To learn more about how do plants grow

This is the seedling plant. The roots grow down to find more moisture and the top of the plant grows up to find food and energy.

[http://classygardens.info/how-do-plants-grow-the-biology-ofplant-life/], please visit Classy Gardens [http://classygardens.info/] for current articles and discussions. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Wendy_Pan

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FORUM Q A

I am thinking of trying to grow tomatoes using LED lights. What kind of light and set up would be required? You may have trouble with tomatoes and LED lights as they will get very tall, and the light produced by LED's is not intense enough to provide enough light for anything below the top canopy so they will get very leggy. If you put additional LED lights at different heights around the sides you might have some luck, or you could supplement with other types of light like CFLs.

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I have been wanting to get into hydroponics for some time now. I have studied lots of sites for tips but am curious how others got started. For my first setup, I was wanting to use a storage space I have ( about 7ft x 3ft ) that I am not using. I was thinking of using LED lights (low cost to run??), but other than that I am not sure where to start. Does anyone have a list of things I need to get started or some ideas where to start? As for the list, it really depends on what system you want to use and what you would like to grow. Check out some of the videos on this site of people who have built their own system and decide which one works for you. Or, there are lots of grow room / grow tent kits available which provide everything you might need and come in a size to suit your requirements.

The complete grow tent kits are certainly an easy way to start if you are uncertain, but are relatively expensive, running at several hundred pounds even for something of the size you are looking for. Search through several "kit" suppliers and look at the list of what is supplied. If you are feeling adventurous and not put off by everything you will need for a successful grow room, then source and build it yourself. If you are unsure, then buying a "kit" might be the best option as a starting point into hydroponics 20


TOPICS Q

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Q

I have read as much about hydroponics as I can as I am new to this, but appear to be getting some conflicting information. It seems to me that DWC allows the plant roots to sit in water all of the time, but I read somewhere that if roots do this it will cause them to rot. The ebb & flood only allows them to be in water for a relatively short period each day, but the growing medium is supposed to absorb the water for the plants. Is this correct, or am I misunderstanding something?

A

What is the best way to test my water for ph levels?

The easiest way is with a digital pH meter or pen. However, they can be pricey depending on which meter you get. As with most things, the 'what you pay for is what you get' rule applies here. A pH meter in the ÂŁ20 range is a good entry point. However you may want to consider a meter that combines pH, water temperature and also reads EC for nutrient strength.

You are correct to a point, but maybe haven't yet read up on the aeration requirement of Deep Water Culture. With DWC you have to aerate the water otherwise the roots will die and decompose Also, what you say about E & F is correct, except you wouldn't say the medium absorbs water so much as holds onto it, but you've got the right idea. DWC is the most simple system. just plug in the air pump and you're off and running. E & F, while not overly difficult, does require a means to flood the system at regular intervals. normally a water pump and timer.

These are a selection of questions and answers from our forum which you can find here The answers are not representative of our views but merely an individuals opinion given freely, and are not to be taken as fact or definitive in any way. If you would like to give an opinion or solution of your own, or raise a question on a similar or related topic, you can do so here 21


The Indoor Grower's - The process of growing plants in an air or mist environment without the use of soil or an aggregate medium. - A sustainable food production system that combines a traditional aquaculture (raising aquatic animals such as snails, fish, crayfish or prawns in tanks) with hydroponics (cultivating plants in water) in a symbiotic environment. In the aquaculture, effluents accumulate in the water, increasing toxicity for the fish. This water is led to a hydroponic system where the byproducts from the aquaculture are filtered out by the plants as vital nutrients, after which the cleansed water is recirculated back to the animals. - This is the science and technology of producing and using plants for food, fuel, feed, fiber, and reclamation. Agronomy encompasses work in the areas of plant genetics, plant physiology, meteorology, and soil science. Agronomy is the application of a combination of sciences like biology, chemistry, economics, ecology, earth science, and genetics.

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- This describes a top-fed Deep Water Culture hydroponic system. Basically, the water is pumped from the reservoir up to the top of the roots (top feeding). The water is released over the plant's roots and then runs back into the reservoir below in a constantly recirculating system. As with traditional Deep Water Culture, there is an airstone in the reservoir to help add oxygen to the water. Both the airstone and the water pump run 24 hours a day. (also known as coco peat or coco) This is the leftover material after the fibres have been removed from the outermost shell of the coconut, and is a 100% natural grow and flowering medium. It is extremely difficult to over water coir due to its perfect air-to-water ratio, and plant roots thrive in this environment.


- This is a hydroponic method of plant production by means of suspending the plant roots in a solution of nutrient-rich, oxygenated water. Bubbleponics is a related method of plant production that involves a topfed Deep Water Culture system. A more accurate definition for the acronym DWC is Direct Water Culture. Direct Water Culture can be performed in deep or shallow water. - aka "Flood & Drain" is a form of hydroponics that is known for its simplicity, reliability of operation and low initial investment cost. Pots are filled with an inert medium which does not function like soil or contribute nutrition to the plants but which anchors the roots and functions as a temporary reserve of water and solvent mineral nutrients. The hydroponic solution alternately floods the system and is allowed to ebb away. -A lightweight ceramic shell, rounded in shape, with honeycomb core produced by firing natural clay to temperatures of 1100-1200째C in a rotating kiln. With the advantage of light weight, high permeability, high durability and excellent thermal insulating properties, expanded clay is a good 'all round' aggregate for use in an a variety of applications and hydroponics in particular. It is also an environmentally friendly product composed mostly of naturally occurring clay, is not susceptible to chemical attack and has a long life span.

- aka "Ebb & Flow" is a form of hydroponics that is known for its simplicity, reliability of operation and low initial investment cost. Pots are filled with an inert medium which does not function like soil or contribute nutrition to the plants but which anchors the roots and functions as a temporary reserve of water and solvent mineral nutrients. The hydroponic solution alternately floods the system and is allowed to drain away. - A room of any size where plants are grown under controlled conditions. Plants can be grown with the use of artificial light, sunlight, or a combination of the two. Due to the heat generated by high power lamps, grow rooms will often become excessively hot relative to the temperature range ideal for plant growth, often necessitating the use of a supplemental ventilation fan. - The science, art, technology and business involved in intensive plant cultivation for human use. It is practiced from the individual level in a garden up to the activities of a multinational corporation. It is very diverse in its activities, incorporating plants for food (fruits, vegetables, mushrooms, culinary herbs) and non-food crops (flowers, trees and shrubs, hops, grapes, medicinal herbs). - When plants are grown in a soilless medium. Plant nutrients are distributed via water. 23


The Indoor Grower's - A subset of hydroculture and is a method of growing plants using mineral nutrient solutions, in water, without soil. Terrestrial plants may be grown with their roots in the mineral nutrient solution only or in an inert medium, such as perlite, gravel, mineral wool, expanded clay or coconut husk. - Any chemical preparation used to repel or destroy insects, usually in the form of liquid or powder. - Plant lighting or grow lights are an artificial light source, generally an electric light, designed to stimulate plant growth by emitting an electromagnetic spectrum appropriate for photosynthesis. Grow lights are used in applications where there is either no naturally occurring light, or where supplemental light is required. Grow lights attempt to provide a type of light spectrum similar tailored to the needs of the plants being cultivated. Outdoor conditions are mimicked with varying colour temperatures and spectral outputs from the grow light, as well as varying the lumen output (intensity) of the lamps. Depending on the type of plant being cultivated, the stage of cultivation (e.g., the germination/vegetative phase or the flowering/fruiting phase), and the photoperiod required by the plants, specific ranges of spectrum, luminous efficacy and colour temperature are desirable for use with specific plants and time periods.

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- Metallic element essential in the production of chlorophyll in plants. Magnesium deficiency can stunt development, so is an essential element in hydroponic nutrient solutions. - A chemical that an organism needs to live and grow or a substance used in an organism's metabolism which must be taken in from its environment. They are used to build and repair tissues, regulate processes and are converted to and used as energy. Most plants ingest nutrients directly from the soil or modified water solutions, either through their roots or from the atmosphere. This is a hydroponic technique wherein a very shallow stream of water containing all the dissolved nutrients required for plant growth is re-circulated past the bare roots of plants in a watertight gully, also known as channels. In an ideal system, the depth of the recirculating stream should be very shallow, little more than a film of water, hence the name 'nutrient film'.


- This is a form of growing that relies on techniques such as crop rotation, compost and biological pest control. Organic farming uses fertilizers and pesticides but excludes or strictly limits the use of manufactured (synthetic) fertilizers, pesticides (which include herbicides, insecticides and fungicides), plant growth regulators such as hormones, livestock antibiotics, food additives, genetically modified organisms, and human sewage sludge. - A volcanic rock that has been superheated into very lightweight expanded glass pebbles. It is used loose in potting soil mixes to decrease soil density. Perlite has similar properties and uses to vermiculite but, in general, holds more air and less water. - Substances intended for preventing, destroying, repelling or mitigating any pest.. Crop protection products in general protect plants from damaging influences such as weeds, diseases or insects. A pesticide is generally a chemical or biological agent that through its effect deters, incapacitates, kills or otherwise discourages pests. - A process used by plants to capture the sun's energy to split off water's hydrogen from oxygen. Hydrogen is combined with carbon dioxide (absorbed from air or water) to form glucose and release oxygen. All living cells in turn use fuels derived from glucose and oxidize the hydrogen and carbon to release the sun's energy and reform water and carbon dioxide in the process (cellular respiration).

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The Indoor Grower's

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(HPS) - High-pressure sodium lights yield yellow lighting (2200 K) and are often used for the second (or reproductive) phase of the growth. If used for the vegetative phase, plants will usually grow slightly more quickly and tend to be taller and leggier. High-pressure sodium lights enhance fruiting and flowering in plants which use the orange/red spectrum in their reproductive processes, which produces larger harvests of higher quality herbs, vegetables, fruits or flowers.

- A mineral wool and one of the most widely used mediums in hydroponics. An inert substrate suitable for both run to waste and recirculating systems, it is made from molten rock, basalt or 'slag' that is spun into bundles of single filament fibres, and bonded into a medium capable of capillary action, and is, in effect, protected from most common microbiological degradation.

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- The large, central root that grows downwards, and from which smaller, lateral roots grow - A mineral that has been superheated until it has expanded into light pebbles. Vermiculite has a natural "wicking" property that can draw water and nutrients in a passive hydroponic system. - A concept that argues that it is economically and environmentally viable to cultivate plant or animal life within skyscrapers, or on vertically inclined surfaces. "The Vertical Farm" promotes the mass cultivation of plant and animal life for commercial purposes in tall buildings and skyscrapers using advanced greenhouse technology such as hydroponics and aeroponics.

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- A sap-sucking insect of the family Aleyrodidae. A particular pest of the greenhouse and indoor garden, whitefly can be very destructive. - The amount of produce obtained from a cropping plant, measured by weight or quantity - A chemical trace element found in soil, and one of various micronutrients typically added to hydroponic solutions to supply essential elements, along with the major nutrient nitrates, sulphates and phosphates.


The Indoor Grower's Directory UK

UK

UK

1st Hydroponics Unit 5, K-Line House, West Rd., Ipswich, Suffolk, IP3 9FG Tel: 01473 279 829 www.1st-hydroponics.co.uk

Gardening Express Chelmsford Essex, CM1 4UA www.gardeningexpress.co.uk

The Indoor Grower Online magazine enquiries info@theindoorgrower.co.uk www.TheIndoorGrower.co.uk

Blooming Direct Rue des Cabarettes St. Martin, Jersey, JE3 6HT Tel: 01534 857160 www.bloomingdirect.com

Grow Expo 2012 Unit 7, Park Rd Bus' Cen', Park Rd, Bacup, Lancs, OL13 0BW Tel: 01925 924 082 info@grow-expos.com www.grow-expos.com

Thompson & Morgan Poplar Lane, Ipswich, Suffolk, IP8 3BU www.thompson-morgan.com

Eden Project Shop Eden Project, Bodelva, Cornwall, PL24 2SG www.edenproject.com/shop

Indoor Growers Network Enquiries and information info@theindoorgrower.net www.TheIndoorGrower.net

Even Greener No. 1, Whitehall Riverside Leeds, LS1 4BN Tel: 0845 658 5588 www.evengreener.com

Keengardener Ltd 19 Arden Business Centre Alcester, Warwickshire, B49 6HW www.keengardener.co.uk

Garden Chic Beacon Hill Office Park, Newark Nottinghamshire, NG24 2TN www.gardenchic.co.uk GardenBargains.com Ideal Home House, Newark Road, Peterborough, PE1 5WG www.gardenbargains.com Gardening Direct 1st Floor, Nelson House, David Pl., St Helier, Jersey JE2 4TD www.gardeningdirect.co.uk

Original Organics Unit 9 Langlands Business Park, Uffculme, Devon, EX15 3DA www.originalorganics.co.uk Plant Me Now Eastcote GC, Hampton Road Eastcote, Solihull, B92 0JJ Tel: 01675 442 551 info@plantmenow.co.uk www.plantmenow.co.uk Riverford Organic Farms Ltd Buckfastleigh, Devon TQ11 0JU Tel: 01803 762059 www.riverford.co.uk

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Two Wests & Elliott (UK) Unit 4 Carrwood Rd., Sheepbridge Ind. Est., Chesterfield, S41 9RH www.twowests.co.uk

International Green Thumb Depot Tel: (800)-830-6558 contact@greenthumbdepot.com www.greenthumbdepot.com Hydroasis 2643 S.Fairfax Ave Culver City, CA 90232, US Tel: (310) 559-GROW contact@hydroasis.com www.hydroasis.com Natures Hydroponics Willowcreek Circle Sun City, AZ 85373, US Tel: (623) 974-0787 NaturesHydroponics@gmail.com www.natureshydroponics.com


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