Compost Tea in Hydroponic Garden

It is essential to use compost tea in a hydroponic system. Any hydroponic grower, or grower in general, not using compost tea in their garden is not getting maximum results.

When hydroponic growing, you do not need to use soil.  Soil serves as a storage reservoir for minerals as food for the root system.  However, when your roots get nutrients without the need of soil, you are a hydroponic grower. Hydroponic gardening is a great benefit to those who want to produce large, sticky hemp buds. Almost any plant will grow with hydroponics. The system allows total control over growing environment and plant nutrition, and can often result in a higher yield of better quality fruits, vegetables, flowers and other crops.  

Hydroponic growing is excellent for all stages of growing, including growing, budding and maintenance.  The plants just need the right balance of nutrient solution, such as our alpaca tea.

There are many different methods and alpaca tea works with all different types including NFT (nutrient film technique – stream a thin layer of nutrient solution over the roots), drip systems, a long with ebb and flow (temporary flood your root system and allow to drain) as well as aeroponics where it involves suspending your plants in mid-air and spraying the root system very frequently.

To use, combine 1 cup of compost tea concentrate for every gallon of water you will use in your hydroponic system.  Allow soaking for 24-48 hours. Warm water (77 F or 25 C) is ideal to help the roots more readily absorb the nutrients, as is aerating your tea. Add compost tea to hydro system.  When the hydro system is set up, add your seeds to the hydro system and watch your plants grow.

The goal is to get the biggest yield and best harvest from of your plants.  Here are some tips to help you produce great results:

• Keep a Grower’s Journal – There are many variables that will impact the final result of your harvest.  Record any time you change something regarding your growing system: watering, cutting, recording pH levels, anything.  Also keep notes on who is growing where and why.  Is a plant in a dark corner week and shriveled or more robust compared to the other plants?  It can be exceedingly difficult to keep track of all the variables that go in hydroponics. When you make a change, use this data to pin point what factors are helping your plants. Over time, you can fine tune all the factors that go into your growing.
• Watch Your Water – Mineral salts have been shown to suppress beneficial microbes.  Use non-chlorinated water for best results – not tap water.  This is essential. Too much water causes rotting.  Too little and the roots will dry out. Even if you are using alpaca tea brew, nutrient levels will be fine but the water amount can alter the health of the plants. Monitor and adjust based on your plant leaves.  Again, take note on how they react after watering. If your plants appear to perk up after a watering, water more often. If your plants appear to wilt shortly after a watering, water less often.

• Pay Attention to Your Nutrient Solution Temperature – Far too many people ignore this. Keep your nutrient solution in between sixty-five and seventy five degrees Fahrenheit. Too much below or above this, and your plants will not get all the nutrients that they need. War
  m or room temperature tea helps plants absorb the needed nutrients more easily by keeping the root pores open verses cold tea (or water) will have a tendency to restrict the pores, meaning a much slower process of absorption. 

• Invest in a High Quality Fertilizer– For hydroponic gardening, picking up a bag of plant nutrients at your local chain feed store just isn’t going to cut it. You need a plant stimulant that is designed specifically for hydroponic growing. Don’t waste your time.

• Use CO2 Generators Carefully – You should only use CO2 generators with your hydroponic system if you are an experienced gardener who knows what he or she is doing. It’s true that this method can dramatically increase yields, but it can also kill your crop if done sloppily. When using an O2 generator, it is important to increase the amount of light and nutrients your plants are receiving as well. You should also measure your atmosphere conditions very carefully. Most plants can use up to 1500 parts per million, assuming all other conditions are optimized. If your CO2 levels reach or exceed 2000 parts per million, your plants most certainly are going to die. So whenever you hear hydroponics tips regarding carbon dioxide levels, make sure it is backed up by plenty of research.