newbies, don’t be scared, just get growing!
HHydroponic gardening is not that intimidating,
just choose your own way of going about it. This article
will provide beginners with automation basics in
order to get automated using any hydroponic growing
method, regardless of current knowledge or skill level.
Identifying Priorities
Lighting and temperature control are probably the
most important factors in growroom automation.
In fact, these are the two main aspects that need to
be controlled in any cultivation operation. Whether
growing in a greenhouse, indoor garden, or other type
of controlled environment, lighting and temperature
are usually the most important parameters, humidity
being a close third. Controlling these three are the
main factors in producing a high-quality crop and
maximum yield. This article explores ways to use
basic automation to help.
Lighting Timers
For budding and flowering, many plant species depend
on photoperiod rather than general age, lifecycle, or
seasonal temperatures. Photoperiod simply means
the amount of daylight hours versus dark hours in
a 24-hour period. By controlling the photoperiod,
we are simply telling the garden which season
it is. In summer, days are longer while in winter
nights are longer. The grow lights need to be
programmed as such, and the easiest way to
do this is with a heavy-duty timer. Buy lighting
timers from a grow store to ensure the proper
amperage rating to prevent overload to your
electrical system. Most plants grow vigorously
in early summer, bud in late summer, and
fruit in the fall. Typical settings used to mimic
seasons are 18 hours “on” for vegetative growth,
as in spring/summer, and 12 hours (or less) “on” for
budding fruits or flowers, as in fall/winter.
Irrigation Timers
A timer may also be needed for your hydroponic or
aeroponic pump to automate irrigation and keep the
plants fed and oxygenated. Since pumps do not have a
high electrical demand like grow lights do, heavy-duty
timers with high amperage ratings are not usually
needed. Timers sold by most grow stores are suitable
for lights and pumps.
Simple timers can automate most irrigation setups
and smart timers allow for remote control via Wi-Fi
apps and various programming options. Attach timers
to pumps to automate nearly any type of hydroponics
or aeroponics irrigation setup.
Temperature Control
With hydroponics, water temperature is a key factor.
If the water gets too hot, roots harbor pathogens
and rot. With an open reservoir that is allowed to
evaporate, water will stay about 8-10°F cooler than
the ambient room temperature.
Thermostat Controller
Temperature control will allow you to manipulate the
environment your plants are growing in. This allows
for cultivation of a variety of crops, depending on their
given needs. For example, tomatoes do not consistently
flower or fruit without temperatures above 70°F.
Maximum Yield 27