Troubleshooting a Few Common Problems With a Hydroponics Garden

A hydroponics garden is a great way to grow your own plants when you have limited room for a garden or when the soil on your property won't adequately support vegetation. Hydroponics refers to growing plants in a water solution rather than soil, and this system can be set up indoors as well as outside; some are as simple as a PVC pipe with holes drilled into the top for plants to grow through and some are very complicated with timers that automatically release the water solution to the plants. If you have a hydroponics system at home, note a few problems you might encounter and how to address them. 

1. The plants seem too dry

You might wonder how plants that grow in a water solution can get dry, but note if you're controlling their light source as you should. If you have a hydroponics system inside, you typically shouldn't keep a grow light on them day and night as this can be too much light overall. Each type of plant will need a certain number of hours of light according to their own variety and according to the hydroponics solution you use. Check the recommended number of hours of light your plants should have and if necessary, invest in a timer that will switch the light off and on automatically.

Note too that you want to keep the lights within a safe distance from your plants; having them too close can mean burning the plants from the heat of the bulb. Check the recommended distance of the light source and adjust that if needed as well.

2. Damage to leaves

It's easy to think that plants that grow inside don't get bothered by pests but remember that insects can easily get into your home and will be attracted to this food source of theirs. You can typically use an insecticide meant for your plants and hydroponics system in particular, or a type of soap that you use to clean the leaves of the plants and make them less hospitable to insects.

3. Wilted plants

The roots of plants need oxygen so that they don't get overly wet and actually "drown." Your hydroponics system should either introduce oxygen to the water solution so that roots can dry, or you should ensure that the solution washes over the plants and drains properly so that they don't simply soak in the solution. Check the recommended drying of the roots for each type of plant you have and note how long they should soak in solution, or if you need an aerator for your system to keep the plants from wilting.

About Me

Rebecca's Really Radical Gardening Blog: Tips, Ideas and Secrets

Want a successful garden? Then you need the right plants, the right supplies, an ample amount of time and a bit of luck. Hi, my name is Rebecca, and as a life long avid lover of gardening, I cherish the moments I spend with my hands deep in soil or my nose buried in another gardening book. In this blog, I want to share some of the joy I feel while gardening with others, and I want to share tips that will make gardening feel easier and more joyful for you. Please, feel free to explore this blog, and if you like my posts, share them with your friends. Enjoy.