Two of today’s most popular methods of farming are organic and Hydroponic farming. Both methods are effective and both have different strengths and weaknesses. It’s a polarizing question in the farming community.  What are the benefits of choosing organic over hydroponic? Or vice versa. This article will examine both methods and each of the benefits that each hold.

Hydroponic Growing Methods

Hydroponic farming is growing plants in water alone with no soil. The plants thrive completely off water and salts which are dissolved into the water. The plants get all of the nutrients they need to grow from only these properties. These farms are built with closed-off pipe systems that have a continuous stream of water running through them. This method of farming has recently become very popular because it offers distinct advantages over soil-based farming. Not needing soil gives farmers more freedom as to where they can develop their crops in a sense changing how and where people farm.

Organic Farming Techniques

Organic farming is growing crops in soil without the presence of fertilizer or any other unnatural chemicals. Some farms will use these chemicals to accelerate crop growth. Given that these chemicals can have a negative effect on neighbouring ecosystems and sometimes even the crops, it’s sustainable to grow organically. Crops that organically farmed in soil enhance the neighbouring environment.

It’s all-natural and that’s why it is so favourable with so many farmers. Using natural products to accelerate growth gives certain assurances around quality. Growing crops organically is ethical and a good way to ensure a clean healthy product, though consistency can become a big issue- as you are a slave to the elements.

Which is more sustainable?

Hydroponic farming seems to be the obvious choice in regards to sustainability, for a number of reasons. There is a lot more room for creativity with hydroponic farming and it means farmers don’t have to use massive amounts of land to cultivate a crop. 90% less water is used as a lot of the water is recycled. There is less of a disruption to neighbouring ecosystems. Large farms have a reputation for damaging or in some cases destroying surrounding native life.

Hydroponic farms can be constructed almost anywhere as long as they have water and light-but even this isn’t a real drawback, as artificial light and water supply can be rigged to suit any kind of indoor environment.

This opens up a number of exciting possibilities that organic farming just can’t give. Urban areas can quickly become more eco-friendly with hydroponic farming. Vertical farms can maximize space while saving water.

Organic farming is still a very sustainable method of farming as it creates its own self sustaining the ecosystem. Organic farms will use animals and bugs to help control pests or support plant growth. It also reduces pollution, saves water and increases soil fertility. This means that organic farms support their neighbouring ecosystems while also supporting other forms of life. 

In a sense, Organic farming is the purest method of farming available. Given that the world is too large to be sustained off hydroponic farming alone and soil farming is needed to keep the soil fertile, organic methods are the obvious choice if you want to farm in soil.

Which produces a better product?

It’s hard to say which method produces a better product. Too many factors contribute to the quality of a crop and you can’t definitively say one is better than the other. However hydroponic farming provides crops with a lot more nutrients in a controlled environment. Since there are more concentrated compounds that can be dissolved into the water, Hydroponic farming yields better results.

Hydroponic farming does present limitations as to what it is able to grow. Some crops just aren’t suitable as sufficient technology has yet to be developed to grow them. This is where organic farming has an advantage.  Organic farms can support any type of crop and keeping everything natural ensures the purity of crops. Purity and the organic seal of approval means a lot to consumers as it has their trust.

Which has more risk?

Organic farming has a higher risk/reward as you have less control over the elements. Hydroponic farming, on the other hand, allows the farmer to have more control over certain elements. This control leads to consistency which means hydroponic farming is more efficient.

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The Hydroponic Generations team will be there, acting not just as enthusiastic attendees, but also as major sponsors of the event! SO be sure to keep a keen eye out for our branding – Hy-Gen will be plastered all over the expo!

Here at Hydroponic Generations, our aim is and has always been, to educate and empower growers in the field of growing to maximise yields and providing modern, cost-effective and efficient solutions to the many complexities of hydroponic growing.

What is the HHI Expo & Symposium 2018?

Held over 2 days, December 8th and 9th 2018 , this event will have something for everyone. Come and look, feel, taste, and experience the excitement of a large number of exhibitors, showcasing everything from Hemp fibres, clothing, bedding, beauty and health products, medicinal hemp products, building materials, hydroponic equipment and supplies for industry and home hobbyists alike, innovative products and so much more.

Gain valuable information and awareness of the amazing benefits the Hemp plant has to offer now and into the future. Learn how to grow your own produce, even where space is limited, fresh and free of chemicals. Discover new and innovative products.

Where & When?

Where-

The Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre, South Wharf, Melbourne , VIC.

When-

Saturday 8th December – 9.30am – 6.30pm
Sunday 9th December – 10am – 4pm

Pricing-

Find all the ticketing and pricing information you’ll need right here! 

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The key to massive reproducible yields when using hydroponics is a highly optimised growing system and environment. Get all of these factors right as often as you can and your yields will be consistently high.

In order to create the best environment for your plants, there are several things that need to be considered. These environmental elements include airflow, light, CO₂ levels, relative humidity and temperature.

Apart from these, there are other factors which need considering and are very important in order to maximise your yields;

Growing with Coco Peat                                              

Coco Peat is a growers dream and is very simple to set up and effective as a means of growing your favourite plants. Plants grown in cocopeat can be hand watered or fed using automated feeding systems. Automated feeding systems utilise reservoir tanks, small (or large) pumps, simple plumbing and electronic timer systems for controlling the amount of watering or feeding. The good thing about cocopeat is that if you forget to water your plants or if the pump fails, the cocopeat retains enough moisture to sustain the plant until the problem is rectified. It’s more forgiving than many other hydroponic systems. Cocopeat based systems are one of the easiest to maintain, especially for use in the home hobby and commercial farming installations.

It’s about growing your food plants in containers in your own home garden where soil or potting mix is replaced by a cocopeat growing media, or one based on a coco peat combination with perlite to give better air movement.

Coco peat has a high water holding capacity allowing rapid absorption of water and nutrients, both of which are easily available to plants. It also holds onto moisture better than most other mediums including potting mix, for example. It’s easily hydrated and is a by-product of the coconut industry making it a great renewable resource.

Nutrition Elements

1. You provide a sound nutritional program to the plants through the use of a well-balanced nutrient and additive program
2. That the nutrient is maintained at the correct temperature to ensure adequate levels of oxygen are available to the roots of the plant
3. That the nutrient is maintained at optimum elemental levels and is not allowed to become depleted and/or imbalanced
4. That the nutrient is maintained at the correct pH to ensure optimum uptake (bioavailability) of the mineral elements required for plant growth
5. That the nutrient is maintained at the correct EC to ensure that viable amounts of food are readily available to the plants

Different Growing Systems

These days, the market is flooded with different run-to-waste / recycling systems, and it can be difficult to figure out which one is right for you-

Recycling Systems

In these kinds of growing systems, the nutrients are delivered to the plants and then returned to the reservoir. This nutrient is then delivered to the plants again and again and over time this perpetual recycling of the nutrient delivery can cause an imbalance and start to recycle nutrient-depleted substances which can affect the growing quality of your crop and ultimately the yield. Crops with high-intake requirements are particularly affected by this process- and whilst it is possible to run these systems effectively, they do require significant amounts of maintenance and upkeep.

Recirculating systems

Operating differently to recycled systems, a recirculating system the drainage water doesn’t flow away but is reused.

Run-To-Waste System

Run-To-Waste is a system of hydroponic growing where the nutrients are not recycled, instead an inert medium is used that has a similar moisture retention rate as soil, holding it for long periods without the need for constant upkeep or replenishment. As a result, the general feeds are smaller and not as frequent as some recycling regimes.

In the Run-to-waste system, plants are given regulated doses of water and nutrients such that the by the time a new dose is injected, the previous feed has simply drained out, getting rid of the need for re-dosing. Since the nutrients are not recycled, there are some distinct advantaged to this kind of system. They include;

• No nutrient exhaustion/depletion as the plant receives fresh nutrient at every feed
• pH stability over and above that of a recycling system
• EC stability (in nutrient tank) over and above that of recycling systems
• Nutrient less prone to bacteria/pathogen build up
• Nutrient less prone to sodium chloride build up where mains water is used
• Less maintenance
• Roots are well insulated from heat
• Moisture retention in medium will last for day or longer in cooler weather

The run-to-waste system is ideal for larger plants with high nutrient uptake needs.

Hydroponic Generations have a wide range of growing products to get you started on your project, or to update your existing set up. For advice on how to get started, or how to increase your yields, get in touch with the team at Hydroponic Generations today!    

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Growing Hydroponics is a worthwhile and thoroughly rewarding experience. The crop yields are generally much higher than conventional methods and require much less space. One of the problems with gardening in general, however, is dealing with pests and disease.  

Your hydroponic garden is just as susceptible to invading pests and diseases just like a convention garden is, but the change in equipment brings a change in critters and other bacteria, which can dramatically affect your crop if you’re not careful.

Since hydroponic gardens are normally islands of their own and cut off from the world, they’re actually far less prone to contracting an insect, fungal, or bacterial pest or disease.  

The problem, however, is that if one of these organisms finds its way into the garden, it lacks the competition found in nature to keep it in balance. A small pest invasion will quickly take over and destroy a crop if left unchecked in a hydroponic garden set up.  

The usual suspects-

The same insect pests that affect outdoor gardens will affect indoor ones. Thrips, spider mites, nematodes, aphids, fungus gnats, and mealybugs are all common outdoor AND indoor garden pests.  

Thrips

Thrips are small, greenish black insects that move at lightning speed and tend to jump off your plants leaves whenever you try to look for them and as a result, they are rarely seen. Identifying thrips relies more on finding the damage they cause than seeing the insect itself.  

Thrips will use special mouthparts to scrape away the surface of the leaves in order to get to the sugary, juicy insides. The leaves will look scaly, and silver. Large infestations will start to cause growth defects in the leaves, and older leaves will begin to die off.  

Thrips are best dealt with by blocking off the roots of your plants with plastic. Part of their life cycle involves dropping off into the root zone to grow as larvae before crawling back up the plant to feed on the leaves. Blocking off this crucial stage in their life cycle is one of the simplest and most effective ways of eliminating thrips from the hydroponic garden. 

Spider Mites

Spider mites are in the arachnid family, and can actually spin webs just like a spider. These tiny insects are hard to see with the naked eye but will form large colonies quickly which are shrouded in web structures which they use as highways to get from leaf to leaf. These webs protect them from sprays and help to create a small microclimate for their eggs. 

Spider mites need to be attacked vigorously and early. Use insecticides containing neem, malathion or pyrethrum for best results and repeat every 3 days until they are completely gone and monitor closely for signs of their return or remission.  

Mealy Bugs

Mealybugs are white, fluffy looking insects that attach themselves permanently to the leaves or stalks of your plants, where they spend the rest of their short lives sucking the sugary juices from your plant.  

Mealybugs are very difficult to treat because their hard shells protect them from being exposed to insecticides. They reproduce quickly and will feed on a wide range of plant species.  

The best way to manage mealybugs is to use pyrethrum insecticides to target the younger generations that lack the hard protective shells and to attack adults individually with a cotton swab soaked in alcohol. This is tedious, but one of the most effective ways to deal with mealybug infestations.  

Aphids

Aphids are pioneers. When colonies grow large enough, they begin producing offspring with wings, which they use to fly to other areas in search of new food sources. Once they find a new spot (which may be the inside of your hydroponic garden) they only need a single insect to start a colony. Aphids don’t need a male and a female to produce young and are often found to be born already pregnant. This makes it very easy for them to grow incredibly large colonies from a single insect.  

Aphids have soft swollen bodies, making them easy to kill by either pinching them with your fingers or through insecticide use. Their rapid reproduction and large numbers are what makes them difficult to eliminate completely.  

Common Diseases In Plants

Hydroponic Mildew

Powdery mildew is a fungal disease affecting the leaves. It’s very common in indoor gardens, especially areas with poor airflow, and cooler temperatures. You can identify powdery mildew from the dusty, fuzzy appearance it leaves on infected areas. Powdery mildew will not grow on anything but leaves, so if you find something that fits this description in the soil, it is something else.  

Treating powdery mildew is generally quite easy. Antifungal agents can be sprayed onto the affected areas and generally result in the complete elimination of the fungus after just a single treatment. Sometimes a follow-up treatment or 2 will be needed. Once eliminated, it can help to increase the airflow of your hydroponic garden by adding circulation fans or adjusting current ones.

Pythium

Pythium is one of the worst diseases that you will inevitably face in your hydroponic setup. It is a fungus-like organism that infects the roots of your plants. It’s both highly infectious and lethal.  

The best treatment for this disease is prevention. Ensuring that there are no\ dead or rotting roots in your system, using enzymes or hydrogen peroxide.  

Changing the water regularly, and making sure it remains in constant motion with air stones, and water pumps will go a long way in preventing pythium infection in your garden as well.  

Knowing what can infect your plants, and how to identify them make it much easier to find a solution to the problem. All of the pests and disease discussed in this article are very common, and at least one of them is likely to be faced by any hydroponic gardener no matter how many precautions you take. This is why regular inspections of your plants are crucial if you want to catch these infections early and deal with them long before they become a problem. 

For more information get in contact with one of our representatives at Hydroponic Generations today!

The post How to Control Pests: Setting Up Your Hydroponic Garden appeared first on Hydroponic Generations.

What is the Law Surrounding Medical Cannabis in Australia?

From 2014-16 the laws around medical cannabis started to change, and in February 2016 an amendment to the Narcotic Drugs Act 1967 – allowing for license and permit-based cannabis cultivation in Australia – was passed. This change in legislation made the supply of medical cannabis in Australia legal, however, each state and territory would be able to decide individually whether the use of medical cannabis was allowed or not.

Victoria was the first state to make this change. In April 2016, Victoria passed the Access to Medical Cannabis Bill 2016, which provided guidelines for manufacturing, supplying and accessing medical cannabis products in Victoria.

In July of the same year, NSW obtained the first license from the Federal Government for legally growing cannabis for medical purposes. Then, in August 2016 changes in legislation allowed medical practitioners in NSW to request permission for prescribing approved cannabis-based products to patients.

By February 2017, additional laws were passed, as the Federal Government gave the green light for approved companies to legally import, store and sell the drug until domestic production could meet demand. However, the medication could only be prescribed to patients with painful and chronic conditions. At the same time, this law was passed, the first license for private cultivation in Australia was issued in Victoria.

Jump forward to January 2018, and Australia is now growing medical cannabis domestically and has just made the decision to start exporting cannabis-based medicines. The Federal Government has ambitions to be one of the world’s leading producers and exporters of the medically approved drug, creating a sound domestic and international supply of the medicine.

The regulations that currently prohibit the exportation of the drug are expected to change when Parliament resumes in February. These changes will allow for the exportation of cannabis-based treatments, such as oils, patches, sprays, lozenges and tablets that are manufactured to relieve the pain and symptoms of a number of medical conditions.

What is the Law Surrounding Industrial Hemp in Australia?

As of November 2017, the laws surrounding industrial hemp in Australia have also changed. Updates to the Food Standards Code now allow for the sale of low-psychoactive hemp seed as food. The term ‘industrial hemp’ has been devised to distinguish the ingredient from ‘medical marijuana’, however, like cannabis-based medicines; research has shown that these hemp seeds come with myriad health benefits, including being naturally high in good oils, amino acids, valuable minerals and vitamin E.

To be considered low-THC hemp, the seeds have to contain less than 0.5 per cent of the psychoactive ingredient, tetrahydrocannabinol. Industrial hemp naturally has low levels of THC, however, levels do need to be monitored regularly as they can fluctuate.

What Does This Have to do with Hydroponics?

Hydroponic growing methods have proved successful for medical cannabis and industrial hemp growers, and as the law continues to make these products more accessible, demand for effective growing methods will continue to grow.

At Hydroponic Generations, we have a range of products that will prove invaluable to authorised industrial hemp and medical cannabis growers. Currently, in Western Australia licensed permit holders are already using the HY-GEN range of nutrients and additives and following the carefully prescribed feeding schedule. To learn more about these products and feeding schedules, contact the team at HY-GEN and speak to the owner and qualified Chemist today!

The post Is There a Market for Medical Cannabis in Australia? appeared first on Hydroponic Generations.

This fantastic two-day event allows visitors a unique insight into the hemp industry, where you can look, feel, taste, and experience the excitement of a large number of exhibitors, who will be showcasing everything from hemp fibres, clothing and bedding, to beauty, health, and medicinal cannabis products.

As one of the event’s major sponsors, you’ll be able to see our products and branding featured prominently at the expo. To get a better idea of what we do with our HY-GEN-branded products, be sure to keep your eye out for a sea container with glass windows and hemp plants that have been grown hydroponically, and are referred to as ‘live crop’. Make sure you also look out for our HY-GEN logo on the top of the container!

Win Some Great HY-GEN Prizes

We’ll also be giving you a unique chance to win a collection of prizes ranging from hats and tee-shirts to mugs, and a limited number of vouchers for $100 of free HY-GEN products. These prizes are limited, and the vouchers can only be redeemed at participating hydroponic stores. To be in the draw to win one of these fantastic prizes, all you need to do is remember to spin the wheel when you enter the expo! If your spin lands on the HY-GEN logo, head to our stand to collect your prize!

Hydroponic Generations aims to educate growers in plant nutrient requirements at all stages of the growing process, providing solutions for real-world problems.

Our HY-GEN range is one of the best products available on the market and has been utilised for growing medicinal cannabis to great effect.

To learn more about our innovative product range, come and visit us at the HHI expo, or contact us today!

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The impact of global warming is making sustainable plant and food growth a big priority in commercial and government-based settings. Hydroponic systems come with a number of benefits and are becoming a popular choice for environmentally-conscious organisations.

Though the costs of producing food in commercial hydroponic settings are still quite high, the benefits make it well worth the cost.

Five of the biggest environmental benefits of hydroponic plant growth are:

No Pesticides

Hydroponic equipment is used in the growth of hydroponic plants, which means no soil is required. Not only does this mean plants can be grown in almost any setting, it also means no herbicides or pesticides are required to keep the plants safe. Farmers now use integrated pest management systems, which utilise predatory insects to reduce pest infestations. The reduction in pesticide usage has a positive impact on human health and the environment.

Faster Growth

When growing with hydroponics in Australia, you can grow an average of four times the amount of crops in the same space you could with traditional soil-based farming. Most crops will also grow at a faster rate, as you’re able to control certain factors like the amount of sunlight and the temperature. This allows the growth of crops all year round.

Increased Water Conservation

When compared to traditional forms of agriculture, growing plants hydroponically can reduce water consumption by up to 90%, this accounts for approximately 70% of the world’s water usage, so cutting back on excess water usage in the agricultural sector will make a big difference to water supplies across Australia, and the world.

Makes Greater Use of Natural Resources

Growing plants hydroponically is a great way to produce food in areas that have limited natural resources, such as deserts or highly urban areas. 

Limits Fossil Fuel Consumption

Hydroponic systems place less reliance on fossil fuels. This is because most plants are grown in urban areas, eliminating the impact of transportation as well as the use of agricultural machinery.

To learn more about the countless benefits associated with hydroponic plant growth, or to stock up on hydroponic equipment and nutrients in Perth or Australia, contact Hydroponic Generations today!

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What is Plant pH?

When it comes to hydroponics, pH is an incredibly important factor and refers to the amount of acidity or alkalinity in a nutrient solution. pH is expressed as a series of numbers that represent the degree of acidity or alkalinity, usually ranging between one and 14. Numbers between one and seven refer to acidity, while seven to 14 represent alkalinity levels.

For optimum results with your plants, maintaining a slightly acidic level of between 5.5 and 6.5 is ideal.

If you maintain your plant’s pH within the recommended levels, they’ll be better equipped to absorb nutrients. However, if the pH is too high or low it can interfere with the absorption of important nutrients, such as iron, calcium, and magnesium.

This is why maintaining a stable pH level is so important, as it will help ensure your plants develop healthy roots.

How Can You Test the pH Levels of Your Plants?

To grow healthy hydroponic plants you should be checking their pH levels daily. This should always be done after water or additives are added to the tank, and only after the tank has been mixed thoroughly and allowed to stand for at least 30-60 minutes.

You can test plant pH levels using a  HY-GEN pH Test Kit. This hydroponics kit contains a test tube, colour chart and concentrated indicator solution, which makes testing the pH levels of your plants easier than ever! All you need is a single drop of the indicator solution to find out if the pH is within the recommended range. You can learn more about how this fantastic kit works in our handy product guide.

What Products Can Assist with Maintaining pH Levels?

If you’re having trouble maintaining the pH levels of your plants, whether they’re too high or too low, Hydroponic Generations have the perfect products for you!

HY-GEN pH Up will assist you if your pH solution is too low, while HY-GEN pH Down is the perfect product for when pH is too high. Each of these products has been developed specifically for hydroponic plants, contain food-grade ingredients and are highly soluble.

As you can see, pH levels in your plants can make a big difference to their overall health. To learn more about maintaining the pH levels in your plants, as well as all of our hydroponic systems in Perth, contact Hydroponic Generations today!

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