horticulture RSS

Do you want big yields, big plants and less work? Check out this method of growing using the new AutoPot PlantSkirt method for unrivalled simplicity and plant growth.

Lumens and lux tell you how bright a grow light appears to the human eye, but PAR, PPF and PPFD are more useful when comparing light intended for plant growth. If you are choosing an LED grow light, understanding these measurements helps you select a fixture that suits your growing area rather than simply buying the highest wattage or brightest-looking lamp. Modern LED grow light listings often include terms such as full spectrum, PPF, PPFD and μmol/J. These specifications can appear complicated at first, but they answer practical questions: how much useful light does the fixture produce, how efficiently does...

Chilli peppers are rewarding plants to grow at home, but they need warmth, strong light and consistent care to produce a good crop. Whether you are raising jalapeños, cayenne chillies, Scotch Bonnets or sweet peppers, the right propagation setup, container, growing medium and lighting can make the difference between slow growth and healthy fruiting plants. Chillies can be grown on a sunny windowsill, in a greenhouse, in containers outdoors during warm weather or indoors under LED grow lights. The best approach depends on the variety you choose, how early you start and whether you can provide enough warmth and light...

Hydroponics is worth considering when you want greater control over watering and plant nutrition, need to grow without traditional soil, or want a cleaner indoor growing method built around a managed nutrient solution. It is not automatically easier than soil growing, because successful hydroponics depends on choosing the right system and monitoring water, nutrients and pH correctly. If you are deciding whether hydroponics is right for your grow, begin with the practical questions: what do you want to grow, how much space do you have, how often can you check the system and how much control do you want over...

DIY home hydroponics can be a practical way to start growing plants without soil, but a successful system needs more than a container of water and a pump. You will need a suitable growing method, hydroponic nutrients, oxygen or irrigation at the roots, dependable lighting where required, and regular pH and EC checks to keep the nutrient solution usable for your plants. There are two sensible starting routes for a home grower. You can begin with a compact ready-made system such as deep water culture, or you can build a more involved setup around pumps, containers, reservoirs and growing media....