| The following topics will be covered: | | | | a hydroponics box, but the most basic is simply to let |
| * What hydroponics is. | | | | them grow to a height one third of the height of |
| * How to operate a hydroponics system. | | | | your grow box (this allows the plants to triple in size |
| * What lighting we recommend for hydroponic | | | | when flowering). |
| growing. | | | | The third stage of grow box growing is the flowering |
| What hydroponics is: | | | | stage. You either move your plants to an area with |
| Hydroponics is a form of gardening that is generally | | | | different lighting, or switch your grow box over to a |
| done indoors in a controlled environment. It uses a | | | | flowering stage. The light timing will also change so |
| lighting system, an environment (also known as a | | | | that your plants will know it's time to flower. |
| grow box) and a feeding system (a mixture of | | | | Finally it's time to harvest. After the harvesting, you |
| water and nutrients)... oh, and of course your plant of | | | | can dry and cure your product and it's ready to |
| choice. When growing with hydroponics there are | | | | enjoy. |
| three primary phases. | | | | Recommended lighting for your plants. |
| The primary piece of equipment needed when | | | | Grow box lighting can vary a lot, but it is by far the |
| hydroponic growing is the grow box. This is your | | | | most important part of the hydroponic grow box |
| environment. It controls the temperature, the | | | | system. Without lighting, you have no plants. During |
| humidity, the light timing, the watering etc. It also | | | | your cloning and vegetation stages, CFL or MH bulbs |
| protects your plant system from bugs and other | | | | are used to promote fast and strong growing. These |
| pests. | | | | lights produce a very white/blue light. |
| The grow box is made up of a number of | | | | During flowering your lighting needs to be switched |
| components. The box itself which is usually made of | | | | over to a more orange/warm light. Plus, the timing of |
| a reflective material to enhance the inside light, and a | | | | your lighting needs to be changed to a 12/12 hour |
| material that doesn't allow mold or bugs to hide. | | | | cycle so that your plants know it's time to flower. |
| You also need a lighting system. Many grow boxes | | | | The best light for this stage is an HPS light. |
| use a lighting system that runs either HPS (high | | | | Back in the day, really large and hot lights were used, |
| pressure sodium) or MH (metal halide) bulbs, but | | | | but nowadays it's sufficient to use a 400 or 600 |
| some grow boxes also use LED and CFL (compact | | | | watt bulb depending on the size of your grow box. |
| fluorescent) bulbs. | | | | Other lighting can be used in your grow box such as |
| Because the lighting in a grow box will create a lot of | | | | LED lighting. It's best to stick with the basics at the |
| heat (and our favorite plants don't like too much of | | | | beginning, and start to experiment as you get to |
| it) you will need fans. These fans will not only control | | | | know the strain of plant that you are growing with. |
| the air that comes in and out of your box, but can | | | | So there you have it, the basics of growing indoors |
| also blow air through a carbon filter to prevent any | | | | in a hydroponics grow box. You can generally build |
| unwanted smells. | | | | your own grow box for a relatively low price, but |
| Another primary component of the grow box is the | | | | buying a grow box from a reputable manufacturer |
| hydroponic system. This system includes a hydro | | | | has a ton of advantages. |
| bucket (to hold the plants and the water/nutrient | | | | First, you get support. This means that if you run |
| mix), a watering system (with a water pump and a | | | | into any problems with your grow box, you don't |
| timing system to automate it), mesh pots (to allow | | | | have to figure them out yourself, or lose a whole |
| the plants to be right above the water/nutrient mix), | | | | crop because of it. |
| and a growing medium (to allow the plant to grow | | | | Second, you get a wealth of growing knowledge. |
| roots that will reach towards the water/nutrient mix). | | | | You can call your manufacturer and ask their reps |
| That's it! Some grow boxes will include more | | | | about the best ways to grow in the grow box, and |
| advanced features like heaters, AC units, PH sensors | | | | better yet, get recommendations on techniques. |
| adjusters, digital ballasts, CFL bulbs (in addition to | | | | Third, you get something professional. If you build |
| larger HPS/MH bulbs) etc... but the basics have been | | | | your grow box out of wood, or another material not |
| covered above. | | | | meant to grow plants, you run the risk of serious |
| How to operate a hydroponics system. | | | | pest or mold problems. Many grow box |
| There are 3 stages in indoor hydroponic growing. | | | | manufacturers will produce grow boxes out of |
| The first stage is to clip clones off of your mother | | | | household materials and pre-made metal boxes (filing |
| plant. Some grow boxes will include a section to | | | | cabinets etc.). These can produce plants, but you're |
| house your mother plants, and some will require a | | | | not going to get a lasting grow box that will produce |
| separate mother/cloning area. This stage is where | | | | numerous harvests year after year. |
| your plants begin to grow, and they need to be paid | | | | Now, of course we've been telling you this |
| quite a bit of attention. Generally the clones will be | | | | information so that we can let you know about a |
| placed in a small growing medium (such as rock wool). | | | | product. BC Northern Lights has been making |
| The second stage of hydroponic growing is | | | | hydroponic grow boxes for almost a decade. We've |
| vegetation. This is when you grow your plants from | | | | shipped over 7000 of our grow boxes all over the |
| small clones into plants that can flower. Generally you | | | | world, and we are the only manufacturer that builds |
| will switch your light timing to a 18/6 or a 24 hour | | | | purpose built grow boxes with 7 days a week |
| timing. This will allow your plants to grow quickly. | | | | support. |
| There are a lot of techniques for indoor vegetation in | | | | |