-James Gordon- Welcome back to another Introduction to Hydroponics blog! Today we are going to look at the different types of lighting best suited for indoor cultivation. With lights in the past there have not been as many options as there are today, and picking a light can be a little tricky now. Let's look at all the different types, what they are best suited for, and when to use them. So let's keep an open mind, maybe take some notes, and hopefully this will be a good tool to … [Read more...] about Lighting for Hydroponics
lighting
Digital vs. Magnetic Ballasts
-Gabrial House- Today on the blog I wanted to talk about HID (High Intensity Discharge) lighting, and more specifically the differences between magnetic and digital ballasts. We are going to take a look at the pros and cons of both and why you would choose one piece of technology over the other. First we will want to look at what a ballast does for your lighting system. If we were to plug an HPS (High Pressure Sodium) bulb right into a wall socket (AC current) you would pop your bulb … [Read more...] about Digital vs. Magnetic Ballasts
Bring ’em In!
-Chris Amaya- This summer has given our houseplants a huge boost of energy, but now it's time to start getting them ready to move back inside for the winter before freezing temperatures decide their fate. Because environmental conditions differ widely between the inside and outside of a home, a gradual reintroduction to the indoors is best for your plants. Sudden changes in temperature, light, and humidity can be stressful to plants, resulting in yellowed leaves, dieback, wilting, and even … [Read more...] about Bring ’em In!
Fluorescent Grow Lights: Versatile, Effective, and Priced Right!
-Luis Guerra- Fluorescent lighting is a great choice for growing plants indoors because it has a low startup cost and can be used pretty much anywhere. Fluorescents can be used in many different applications, from keeping orchids healthy and beautiful, to germinating vegetable starts for market. Please note that not all fluorescent lighting is the same. That flickering fluorescent light at work is not the same as the T5 fixture used for horticultural lighting. T5s utilize and deliver … [Read more...] about Fluorescent Grow Lights: Versatile, Effective, and Priced Right!
AgroLED Dio-Watt Review
-Mike Weeks- Lighting is one of the most important components of an indoor gardening set-up, and in today’s competitive and somewhat flooded market, making the right choice for your garden can be quite overwhelming. Fortunately, we know the right questions to ask to help you make an informed decision. We often recommend LED to growers that want a low profile set-up. LED’s generate less heat and draw less power so they are easy to fit into smaller spaces with very little ventilation … [Read more...] about AgroLED Dio-Watt Review
Houseplant Care Series Pt. 1: Light Requirements
We don’t believe in the myth of the ‘brown thumb’ at Fifth Season Gardening. Successfully growing plants often rests on knowing the right questions to ask. In this post, we’ll explore the importance of understanding window orientation and the effect on light levels. When looking for a new house plant it is vitally important to consider your available light levels before selecting a particular variety; if a plant is not put into the light circumstance for which it is adapted, it is often … [Read more...] about Houseplant Care Series Pt. 1: Light Requirements
Seed Starting Product Spotlight
It's cold outside now but won't be for long! Now is the time to start your seeds. Check in with the 2013 Farmer’s Almanac planting schedule for the best results. We have flats, domes, inserts, lights, organic soil and plenty of know how for experts and beginners. Everything to start seeds is here, including these products we'll shine a spotlight on... Neptune's Seaweed - an organic, kelp-based product that works great as a seed soak or as a minor fertilizer for tiny seedlings. Your seeds will … [Read more...] about Seed Starting Product Spotlight
