In the last article, we explained four rules for flood and drain hydroponic systems. Rule one told you that you need to pick the right growing media, which is ultimately up to your own preference. Rule two stated that you need to keep a base layer of clay pebbles in your pot. Rule three referred to what considerations you should make regarding your flood cycle and rule four was all about keeping your system clean.
In this next part, you’ll learn about a few more rules for flood and drain hydroponics.
Rule #5: Don’t Plant Too Deep
Like you would in traditional farming methods, you want to place your young plants just two to three centimeters into your chosen growing media. If you place your plants too deep into the growing media, then when you flood your pot the water level will rise too high above the transplant block. A transplant block, if you’re not using one, can be an extremely effective means of potting young plants without damaging their roots.
Rule #6: Don’t flood too quickly
Typically, you should wait for your plants to absorb the remaining water from the growing media before you flood them again. In fact, your next flood should be at the very minimum 30 minutes after you turn on your grow lights. There are generally three types of grow lights you can use for your indoor setup, including fluorescent, HID, and LED. You really don’t need to flood your plants while the lights are off but you might need to do so once at most.
Rule #7: Rotate Pots
You don’t want the plant roots to clog your feed tube, so it’s important to rotate your inner pot every two to three days. You can check for a blockage by pouring nutrient solution (this is why you buy in bulk) into the pot. If it drains away quickly, you most likely don’t have a clog. However, if it drains slowly then you most probably have a blockage.
It’s not really a rule but a good tip is to buy bulk nutrients. You’ll end up going through more than you think, especially if you have a frequent flood cycle. Use these rules to ensure that your flood and drain system produces healthy plants with high yields.
Looking for grow supplies or merch? Check us out today.