ASK THE EXPERTS
When feeding freshly cut unrooted clones, what
nutrient solution and dosage do you recommend?
Paul
Can you give me results for growing crops in soil
versus aeroponics—rates, yields, etc.?
Ralph Smith
Unfortunately there haven’t really been many relevant,
scientifically-accurate studies making this comparison
between aeroponics and soil growing, the reason being
that the conditions of such studies vary so much that a
conclusive result would be hard to get. For example,
if a soil of excellent physical and nutritional properties was compared against a poorly designed aeroponic
system the results would be different than if a poorly
structured soil was compared against a more
superior aeroponic system. Factors such as the
crop type, effect of environmental conditions on
growth, water holding capacity and aeration of
the soil, temperature of the nutrient, makeup
of the nutrient solution, nutritional factors in the
soil, pH, etc. all have such as huge result on variables
such as yield that a standard comparison is very hard
to make (i.e, it is not just the system that affects yields
and growth rate; in fact sometimes the system only has a
minimal effect).
Maximum Yield Magazine did, however, publish one
grower’s take on the effects on growth with aeroponics
and soil (see link below) and while this may or may not
be typical of differences between the systems, the results are
interesting.
maximumyield.com/article_sh_db.php?articleID=423
Dr. Lynette Morgan
18
Maximum Yield USA | February 2012
We don’t recommend attempting to feed your unrooted clones.
Since roots are like mouths for plants, trying to feed an unrooted
clone isn’t very productive.You want to limit your cuttings’ tasks
during the propagation process, so giving them nutrients too early
in their lifecycle can send mixed signals.
Nutrients are fuel for growth, and during the rooting process
you want your fresh cuttings to only concentrate on root development and not leaf and foliage production. Once your cuttings have
started to root, a very light strength grow nutrient can be added
to your solution to begin encouraging normal, healthy vegetative
growth.We recommend dipping cuttings in a quality rooting gel
and placing it in your cloner or medium.
Roots are the most important component during cloning, so concentrate on getting the best possible roots
first! Once you’ve established them,
go ahead and begin to feed your
ladies with your favorite growth
formula.
Scott Thompson-Montague, research and development manager at EZCLONE Enterprises, Inc.