Hydroponic System Maintenance
How to care for hydroponic systems so they serve you reliably and for as long as possible? Besides general tips and principles, while reading this article you will, for example, learn the answer to a common question of growers who are just gaining their first experience in hydroponics, namely how to stop the futile effort to increase the oxygen level in the irrigation solution.
More experienced growers using the benefits of automatic irrigation systems designed for hydroponic cultivation are well familiar with the colorless liquid with a characteristic aroma that is hydrogen peroxide.
This liquid really has a wide range of applications in gardening. It is used not only in hydroponics as an indispensable part of caring for hydroponic systems, but often also when growing in coco or soil.
Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) has a slightly higher viscosity than water. It is a strong oxidizing agent, which in indoor growing, for example inside a grow box, allows for increased oxygen saturation. As is known, the plant root system loves oxygen, so in addition to perfect cleanliness inside the cultivation system, your plants will achieve faster growth and produce larger leaves and strong stems, since hydrogen peroxide, due to its natural properties, directly contributes to increased photosynthetic activity of plants and the efficiency of nutrient uptake. A classic sign of a root system well saturated with oxygen is healthy white roots.
Quality liquid additives based on hydrogen peroxide are not only an easy way to add oxygen in a hydroponic system, but besides increasing oxygen content they are also an ideal means for simple cleaning of any hydroponic system. They thus form the basis of successful maintenance, which will ensure better results associated with the return on the investment into an automatic cultivation system as well as its longer lifespan.
OxyPlus can also be used for sterilizing soil. It eliminates pathogens with high success and can be used after harvest as an effective cleanser. It also displaces chlorine from water, breaks down pesticides, herbicides and various organic substances. A sufficient and accessible prevention against root diseases has a proven recipe: Add hydrogen peroxide to every irrigation. Dead root residues and rot simply do not belong in a hydroponic system!
How to dose and use hydrogen peroxide correctly?
An important rule reads: Liquid additive containing hydrogen peroxide should never be mixed with organic (BIO) fertilizers or with beneficial microorganisms. The same applies to root stimulators and enzymes, where peroxide significantly reduces their effectiveness, so when combining with peroxide always opt for mineral fertilizers.
Faster seed germination and easy rooting of cuttings is usually achieved with ten drops of peroxide per one liter of water. For foliar sprays you can use the same ratio.
The difference in peroxide use lies in whether you use it specifically when growing herbs, fruit or vegetables within hydroponic systems, or apply it in coco, or for example in soil. In this post we look at peroxide from the perspective of maintaining autonomous irrigation systems, so our recommendation is as follows: The optimal amount of hydrogen peroxide intended for ten liters of irrigation solution (water + nutrients) equals 5 ml. But only for the start. Afterwards it is sufficient to maintain the peroxide level in the nutrient solution by adding 2 ml of peroxide for the same volume of irrigation, and do so at most three times a week.
As you can see, caring for hydroponic systems is easier than it may at first appear, especially in the beginning. And if anything is unclear, we will gladly advise you on the maintenance of a new or existing hydro system. Do not hesitate to ask us anything. Write to us at info@higarden.cz.
- OxyPlus
- Mineral fertilizers
- Hydroponic systems