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How to solve the nutritional problems in plant factories?
In the wild, plants obtain the elements that build their bodies from the air and soil. Air mainly provides carbon, while soil provides a large amount of nutrients that keep plants growing healthily.
Hydroponic plants do not have the ability (literally) to eradicate their own food from the soil. They rely entirely on you to provide them with these. Therefore, problems in nutrient delivery systems may have a devastating impact on your system and plants. These are the most common situations we expect you to encounter:
PH imbalance: Maintain the pH value of the nutrient solution between 5.6-6.2. Throughout the day, crops absorb acid from nutrient water, which rises through the roots, making the nutrient mixture more alkaline and increasing the pH over time. This is more normal than a decrease in pH. If your pH drops, check your EC levels. If they rise, there may be too many nutrients in your water for plants to absorb. Pour out some nutrient water and dilute the solution with some fresh filtered water. Actively check the pH value using a reusable pH meter in the first few weeks to understand the rate of pH change. Do not correct pH issues too quickly; Slowly increase or decrease the pH value of the water tank to adjust it to the desired pH value; This will avoid 'shocking' your plants.
Nutritional level: Due to the fact that lettuce is not always considered nutritious, it is necessary to constantly supplement nutrients throughout the entire hydroponic green vegetable journey. Addressing plant issues related to nutrition includes regular rinsing and water changes, as well as selecting the correct nutrient mixture for problematic plants. Visual analysis of leaves (see below) can tell you a lot about which nutrients they absorb too much or lack.
Calcium and magnesium issues: Calcium and magnesium (Cal Mag) are a special set of nutrients that are typically packaged together. Although they all have many functions, we can say that calcium mainly helps support the hard cell wall, while magnesium's greatest function is to support healthy chlorophyll. If you notice any of the most common effects of cal mag deficiency (brown veins or yellow/white areas between plant leaves), please consider supplementing cal mag and be sure to review our detailed cal mag deficiency guidelines.
Water level: There are multiple sources of water problems, including absent-minded water injection and leakage. Sometimes you just forget to water the plants - having an automatic watering system or a properly sized reservoir will help you in this regard. Regularly checking for leaks and understanding the details of PVC installation will help you avoid excessive water loss. Returning the water from the dehumidifier to the reservoir can also be helpful. Recycling and reusing!
Algae: Most systems will have some kind of algae growth, and in some places, completely eliminating algae is almost impossible. If algae grow in the reservoir, it will absorb the nutrients needed by plants and block the pipes. Avoiding algae by blocking light from reaching all nutrient sources. Using opaque reservoirs, trays, and pipes allows enough light to pass through even a little semi transparent, allowing algae to begin to grow. Another common issue is that there is an opening at the top of the reservoir (which is common in raft DWC and tidal rise and fall systems). Try to block them all with plumber putty or sealant as much as possible. One method is to install embedded UVC lamps in the water filtration system. Another way to solve the problem of algal blooms is to use algaecides. Algae removers can help control algae reproduction, but if misused or overused, they may damage the roots of plants. Humic acid and grapefruit seed extract can also be used to prevent algae growth. Humic acid darkens water, creating shadows in deeper tanks and preventing light from entering and causing massive algae growth. Grapefruit seed extract is a natural solution that has been used in ponds and drinking water for many years. When your repair work begins to exceed algae, make sure to remove dead algae from the system, otherwise the dead algae will rot and cause more problems.
Water temperature: Another common water issue you may encounter when troubleshooting factory problems is using water that is too hot or too cold. The average temperature of tap water is 55 degrees Fahrenheit (12.8 degrees Celsius), but it may drop to 45 degrees Fahrenheit (7.2 degrees Celsius) in winter. Filtering does not help with temperature. After enjoying the comfortable warmth, are you willing to be forced to stand in cold water for a long time? Your plants won't like it either. The low temperature during water change can impact and damage the roots, and reduce the intake of water and nutrients. Allow the water to settle in the tank and heat up to room temperature before flowing through the system. Titanium tube water heaters can also maintain a comfortable temperature here. Do not let the water temperature exceed 65-70 degrees, otherwise harmful bacteria and fungi will multiply! Outdoor and summer installations may require a chiller.
Cleanliness: Sometimes, solving factory problems can be attributed to good old-fashioned cleaning. Dead plant matter, including roots and leaves, is also a breeding ground for bacteria and fungi that kill plants and consume nutrients. Regularly check the roots when changing nutrients and wisely cut off old leaves.
