Although many cultivation experts swear that a hydroponic grow system is flawless, nothing in life is ever perfect. Hydroponic problems do occur. Being aware of what can go wrong and what to watch for is imperative to ensure the ongoing health of your plants and maintain smooth sailing.
Common Hydroponic Problems and Solutions
Below are a few common hydroponic problems:
Hydroponic System Leaks
Even a new system can develop a leak. The leak might occur in the joints or valves. Also, if the hydroponic system becomes blocked from a root mass, then the water will back up and overflow. Perform checks regularly to ensure that roots are not clogging the drains or outlets.
If you design your own hydroponic system, then you’ll need to ensure that the reservoir is large enough to hold the water and nutrient solution or it could easily overflow if a power cut or pump failure causes a backup.
Before you start cultivating, be sure to tighten all of the valves and check that the connections are secure and tight. Always invest in a reservoir that will adequately hold the nutrient solution that your plants will require.
When using an indoor hydroponic system, ensure that there is a waterproof surface or place a drip tray under the system to catch any leaks and reduce the potential mess.
Lighting Problems
If you are operating an indoor hydroponic system, then you are probably growing year-round using grow lights. Without adequate sunlight, your harvest will be dismal. You probably want to save money so it's tempting to purchase cheap grow lights, but they might not produce enough light to meet the needs of fruit and vegetable production. Basically, you get what you pay for.
Ideally, you should invest in LED and T5 fluorescent grow lights because they are easy to use and suitable for all levels from beginner to advanced users.
When buying LED grow lights, avoid being cheap. Try to research the lights prior to purchase to ensure that they have the correct wavelengths needed to meet the systems requirements.
To decide if you are purchasing enough grow lighting for your system, calculate the square foot of your grow area and then multiply the number by 65 to determine the watts needed.
Using the Wrong Nutrients
When you grow a crop in the sol then the micronutrients are naturally present in the soil to meet the plant’s nutrient needs. However, with hydroponic systems, you must provide the nutrients needed for adequate growth. A fertilizer designed for soil will not suffice. You need a hydroponic solution that meets all of the nutrient needs of your crop to ensure healthy plant growth.
Contact Humboldts Secret Supplies to learn about our nutrient solutions. We offer a starter kit that includes everything you need to launch your hydroponic grow system problem-free:
- World's Best Base Nutrient System Grow & Bloom Base A and B (1/4 Gallon of Each)
- Golden Tree (1/8 Gallon)
- Flower Stacker (1/4 Gallon)
- CalMag & Iron (1/4 Gallon)
- Plant Enzymes (8 Ounces)
