In Part One of the Lettuce Blog Series GGS discussed the Greenhouse Structures to provide the best possible space for growing, now they consider setting up the inputs to create the best possible growing environment in that greenhouse.
The first consideration is water.
For hydroponic growing it is the medium that the plants live in and that supplies the plants with the nutrients they need. The first thing to always do is have your water source tested so you know exactly what its analysis is. Don’t forget that some sources will vary at different times of the year. In most cases pretreatment of the water is minor and can consist of as little as adding some acid to bring it into a comfortable level. When setting up the system GGS can recommend the best solutions for your specific needs.
In both NFT and Deep Water systems the water is constantly flowing. It runs through the beds or troughs and is recycled. The flow may be different for various systems but the basics are the same. As the water flows back to the storage tanks it is tested for fertilizer levels. It is also filtered and additional water and fertilizer are added as needed. Then it is ready to be recycled. In some cases the water temperature can be adjusted, more often cooled during hot summer days to help prevent plant stress. Oxygen levels are another consideration. Along with our hydroponic system partners, GGS has all the automated system solutions for your fertigation/irrigation requirements.
For more information on light, cooling and heating, continue reading at GGS.