Back to the Basics: All the Accessories

What can you do when you have the best indoor garden in the world? Why, make it better of course! There is no real end to the modifications you can add or the experiments you can do with your indoor garden. Environmental controllers and emulators, nutrient boosters, foliar sprays, and other products are screaming at you from store shelves in every hydro store in every corner of the world, and their combined voice is the same; Try Me … I won't let you down!

However, as the old adage goes, make sure you learn how to walk before you try to run. Master and make yourself comfortable with all of the basic needs of your garden before you begin introducing anything extra. Since you probably will not be setting up a control group to gauge the individual success of any changes you introduce, it is best to ensure your garden is running at peak efficiency first. This way, you can immediately identify any negative effects, and hopefully phase the newly introduced alteration out before any permanent damage is done. Because, as they say on network TV; "Shoot Happens!" They can't say "shit" there you see.

You have successfully harvested three or four crops, from seedling or cutting all the way up to the flowering stage and beyond. You have practiced and perfected the optimum light cycle for your chosen crop, you have deduced the most beneficial nutrient solution and grow medium and have scheduled yourself to track and change your plant's environment dependant on its stage of development. Your hydroponic garden is running like a well-oiled machine; churning out your desired crop with peak efficiency and results. Now is the time to tweak and fine-tune; get your hands dirty and do some digging, both in your garden and in the library. Or in the brain of your local hydroponics store clerk, but ask first. No one likes errant fingers fondling their frontal lobe without an invitation.

Before you rush out and plunk down the dollars on any garden accessory, ask yourself one simple question: What more do I want out of my garden? Would I like a more luscious fruit, a more colourful flower, a shorter growth period or a more easily maintained schedule? Once you have deduced which concerns are most important to you, actually pursuing those ends will cost you less both in terms of money and time.

Many environmental controllers and emulators have been designed to maximize the climate and environment you provide your plants, while automating most of the inherent tasks so you can spend more of your precious time doing what is really important. Drinking beer and watching sports, for instance. Sure, Albert Einstein astounded the world with his ground-breaking Theory of Relativity, but I have it on good merit that he was often seen at Soccer matches in Munich precariously balancing a beer bong in each hand while yelling "Drive for ze net, Schweinhunt!" Or was that Allan Einstein?

The main purpose of environmental controllers and emulators is to mimic and improve any of the optimum growing conditions provided by Mother Nature. Talk to the expert at your local hydroponics store or any knowledgeable contact you may have, and find out what levels of specific conditions are bets for your particular crop. Then, set about providing those conditions.

NASA has studied hydroponics extensively in their pursuits to create a self sustainable atmosphere for their astronauts in space. Aside from a nice freshly grown tomato to wash out the tangy taste of recycled urine on a long space flight, the plants work in symbiosis with the astronauts. While the people ingest oxygen and expel carbon dioxide, the plants do the opposite. Introducing carbon dioxide into your grow area in proper levels can accelerate the photosynthesis process. This will provide enriched, accelerated growth, broader leaf structures and richer fruit production. Carbon dioxide emitters and regulators can help ensure the optimum CO2 level is obtained and maintained in your garden.

Proper ventilation is also important. A well-ventilated grow area arrests the build up of dust and contaminates on the leaf structure and canopy so that light energy can be processed more readily. Also, it helps cut down on the possibility of infestation and disperses harmful heat build up.

But, to the annoyance of beach revelers everywhere, some annoying people will say "It's not the heat, it's the humidity!" As air warms, the ability to sustain moisture increases. That is why people often prefer vacations in "dry heat" locales as opposed to "wet heat" areas. To humans, a highly humid environment can be uncomfortable and cloying. The effect on plants is similar. High levels of moisture in the air can cause two problems. It draws pests as quickly as last call lowers your standards. Also, humidity will cause condensation to form on your plant's leaves. This build up can be detrimental during your garden's day cycle. The water drops can refract the light and burn your leaves. Humidity controllers are available to correct this problem.

Let there be light. Even the method of delivering light to your garden can be improved. If you are thinking of expanding the size of your garden, or would like to cut monthly costs on your current one, you may want to think about adding a light mover. Keeping your light source from remaining static can be very beneficial to your garden, depending on its layout. There are two standard variations of light mover; one method operates by slowly propelling the lamp along a track while another involves rotating the light on a radial arm. Examine the size and layout of your current or future garden to decide which option would work best for you. By keeping the light source mobile, you deliver a broader ranged peak light level and avoid creating a detrimental "hot spot" directly below the bulb. Clean reflective surfaces on the walls of your garden area can help recycle unused light at its perimeter, while mounting a reflector above the bulb can help keep light directed where it is needed. You shouldn't have anything growing on your ceiling that requires light, so keep it pointed where it is needed. If you do have things growing on your ceiling, call Orkin and schedule a vacation.

All of these "garden accessories" can be made even more efficient with the addition of timers and monitors. These products are becoming "smarter" every day, which is incredibly handy since most of mankind is getting "dumber". These monitors/timers can evaluate actual levels of influences in your garden and compare that info against desired levels. They can then make any necessary adjustments to ensure the optimum levels are maintained. What are you doing while these technological marvels are doing their job? 25% of you are watching sports and drinking beer, 25% of you are trying to figure out how to get your hand out of the Cheez Whiz bottle and 50% of you are woman doing those amazing things women do. Like telling us to get our sorry asses off the couch and mow the lawn or dialing 911 since we can't operate a phone in our delicate condition.

A well maintained nutrient solution is key to a successful hydroponic garden. It is essentially the lifeblood of your system and a healthy plant is a good plant. People are often trying to find ways to make themselves more efficient machines. Just look to the people at Powerbar™ and the multi-billion dollar nutritional supplement industry for proof. Well, if people can "juice" themselves up, can plants? Sure they can!

While you don't want your plants to look like an early 70's East German Olympic woman weightlifter, a little boost here and there can definitely provide some exciting results. Foliar sprays and nutritional supplements abound covering every individual yearning your plant may experience. Examine the ingredients of the nutrient solution you are currently using and do a little research. Certain stages of plant growth require different levels of nutrients, minerals and trace elements. While introducing some boosters as a foliar spray or addition to your nutrient solution act as a catalyst to accelerate and amplify the efficiency of your plant's digestive system. If your plant can process food and light energy faster, it can grow faster. The initial step in creating an effective garden is always finding ways to provide for your plant's needs. By supercharging your plant's ability to process those needs, you can guarantee yourself an earlier, more abundant yield.

Keep track of changing trends and new ideas being infused into the hydroponics industry daily. New developments are always being made that can help make your indoor gardening experience more successful, more rewarding and more efficient. Take advantage of other people's hard work to make your work easier, and enjoy what you are doing. Now if you will excuse me, I have to get my girlfriend to stop laughing at me long enough to dial 911 … my hand is stuck in the Cheez Whiz bottle.