Kelp
Kelp is a popular plant additive. Understanding what it is and how it benefits plants can help a gardener make the best use of it. Kelp (seaweed) are types of…
Identifying Root Rot in Your Plants
What is Root Rot? “Root rot” is a generic term encompassing any number of soil-inhabiting fungi, or fungi-like organisms that ultimately (and usually quickly) cause the collapse of a plant’s…
Why Plants Need Sugars and What They Do With them
Plant carbohydrates, in the form of sugars are the energy source by which all plants carry out their major functions. All plants must photosynthesize, transpire and respire to survive. Sugar…
Using Dry Fertilizers in Hydroponics
All living things need a source of carbon generally known as food. Animals eat their food, fungi absorb theirs, and plants make their own via photosynthesis. Plants must also obtain…
Plant Stress Signs and Preventatives
Most growers know to keep an eye out for common plant stressors like insects, diseases, and water and nutrient levels. It takes a little more effort and some monitoring to…
When to Rinse or Buffer Coco Coir
If you are reading this, you probably already know what coco coir is, and what it means to be “buffered.” If you were simply intrigued by the title (and who…
Vitamins in Plants
We all are familiar with the need for vitamins in the human diet. What about plants, do they require vitamins too? As it turns out, plants do require vitamins, for…
Vertical Gardening
The stereotypical garden space is a horizontal, flat, well lit area, and while that configuration is useful in many circumstances, there are also more vertical alternatives to consider. Vertical gardens…
Foliar Spraying
Olympians wear high compression swimsuits that are nothing short of technological marvels. They reduce drag and allow athletes to swim through the water like fish; is it cheating? No. It…
Establish and Maintain a Healthy Root Microbiome
Plants consist of several basic organ systems, and roots are an important one. In both soil culture and hydroponics, roots generally keep to themselves, out of sight, doing their critical…
