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ASK THE EXPERTS
Can LED lights work for all stages of growth?
Thomas Johnson
Yes, LED lights can work for all stages of growth. There are many LED lighting systems available with spectrums tailored for specific stages of growth (e.g.,
more blue wavelengths for vegetative growth and more red
wavelengths for blooming). It should be noted, however,
that LEDs used for horticulture are a relatively new
technology and there are some drawbacks. My tests
with LEDs have shown that the current LED lighting systems available are more suitable for vegetative
growth or plants that are short in stature.
Eric Hopper
Keep on growing,
Eric Hopper
What nutrients would be suitable for growing saffron? I am going to have a go at it this year for the first
time and want to grow it in hydroponics.
Cheers
Bill
Saffron requires just a general purpose, complete hydroponic nutrient. For the first
few weeks after the dormant bulbs are planted the flowers and first leaves use the
reserves provided in the bulb for growth, so minimal nutrients are required. However, after flowering, the plant must then produce a lot of foliage for a period of
eight to 10 months, which feeds the developing bulblets from which the crop is
propagated and during this stage the plants need a vegetative growth hydroponic
formulation or product.
I suggest you contact a hydroponic retailer and obtain a general purpose vegetative hydroponic nutrient product—this has to be a hydroponic product as many of
the general purpose liquid plant foods you can buy from garden suppliers are not
suitable for soilless production. The hydroponic nutrient product should contain
all of the following elements: N, P, K, Ca, S, Mg, Fe, Mn, Zn, B, Cu, Mo and you
will need to dilute this according to the instructions on the product (typically
hydroponic nutrients come as two or three part stock solutions that are
diluted with water).
Also you will need an EC meter to check the concentration of
the nutrient solution—EC meters can be purchased from your
local hydroponic retail shop. Saffron should start off at a low
EC of around EC 1.0, increasing to EC 2.2 when foliage has
grown. Also, it needs reasonably high quality water (rainwater should be fine, but avoid city water supplies due to
the water treatment chemicals they contain).
Good luck with the saffron,
Dr. Lynette Morgan
20
Maximum Yield USA | March 2012
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