WATERING How to improve crop development and yields.
What is the best watering frequency for hydroponic mediums? The frequency of feeding depends on your grow room temperature, evaporation rates and the water supply in your chosen medium. Establishing a balance between the water holding capacity of a medium, aeration and drainage is a key for you to achieve optimum plant growth. In general, experienced craftsmen recommend giving 5 litres per square metre per day for fully grown plants.
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Stone wool
Expanded clay
Three daily one-minute feeds (50ml) should be sufficient during the first week; then six to ten (50-100ml) feeds per day. These should start several minutes before the lamps have been turned on and two hours before they are switched off. Stone wool holds liquid while still draining well, however, it is still possible to over water. For optimum results, regularly check the moisture content of the medium and ensure it is not water logged.
The rule of thumb to follow in irrigating greenhouse crops is to apply 10-15% more water than the container will hold. Frequency of application will depend upon plant size and greenhouse temperature, but will vary from one 15 minute feed every hour while the lights are on during the first weeks of growth; then one 15 minute feed every two hours – starting several minutes before the lamps have been turned on. Only water the plants during the day period.
Only water the plants during the day period.
One 15min feed every hour when the lights are on.
A Delivery System For Nutrients. The most effective and efficient method of watering plants is drip irrigation. It’s relatively easy and inexpensive.
Water is a critical input which can dramatically enhance or hinder crop development. Yields are impacted by the management of water at each stage of growth. According to major research study results, significant differences in yields were achieved with drip irrigation. Even with changes in other inputs, drip irrigation still played a much greater role in changes to the yields. Increased yields are dependent on the ability to deliver the optimal amount of water, based on the plants needs and changing weather conditions. Drip irrigation has the ability to meet these needs.
Perlite
Sphagnum moss peat
Coconut coir pith
Recirculating systems
The amount of irrigation water to apply is more important than how and when to irrigate. A rule of thumb is to apply 10-15% more water than the container will hold. Frequency of application will depend upon plant size and greenhouse temperature, but will vary from one 15 minute feed every hour while the lights are on during the first weeks of growth; then one 15 minute feed every two hours – starting several minutes before the lamps have been turned on.
A rule of thumb to follow is to irrigate when the medium loses 50% of the water it holds.Calculate this by watering the plant until wet, then allow to drain for 15 minutes. Now weigh the plant, including container. When it loses half of the weight it had, then water. For automatic irrigation, irrigate when 50% of the crop loses 50% of the water it holds. If you have 100 containers, water when 50 of those containers drop below 50% weight loss.
One daily feed for the first few weeks; then two feeds per day â&#x20AC;&#x201C; two hours after turning the lamps on and two hours before switching them off. Do not water the plants too often or give too much water. Reducing frequency, optimises water replenishment. If the EC of the irrigation water is > 0.6mS/cm, then increase dosage until drainage of 20% is reached (1/5 of the irrigation solution has to leave the medium again). If the the EC is < 0.6mS/cm, a drainage of 10% will suffice.
The more feed water there is available in the reservoir for the plants, the smaller any fluctuations in the pH and EC will be. Under normal circumstances renew feed every 7-14 days. If not renewed in time, the desired balance between the different nutritional elements will be severely disrupted. Between changes, the feed reservoir needs to be regularly topped up to its original level when 25-50% of the feeding solution has been used.
Apply 10-15% more water than the container will hold.
Water when the plant loses 50% of the water it holds.
Measure pH and EC using the 1:1.5 extraction methods.
The reservoir must contain at least 5L per plant.