| Soilless gardening is nothing new, and in fact dates | | | | environment, so too do plants use up the CO2 in |
| back several thousand years; however, today's | | | | the enclosed spaces in which hydroponic gardens |
| indoor gardening supplies are definitely high tech. | | | | are maintained. Adding increased amounts of CO2 |
| Growing indoors is not "rocket science," but it's | | | | with a CO2 generator can also speed up the |
| definitely science. Although you are growing plants | | | | process of photosynthesis, thus maximizing plant |
| inside in a soilless medium such as rockwool or | | | | growth. |
| even gravel, your objective is to duplicate the | | | | Light Timers and Meters |
| natural conditions under which your plants evolved. | | | | The most money you'll invest in indoor gardening |
| Monitoring these conditions and maintaining control | | | | supplies will most likely be for lighting. Much |
| over them requires that you keep and maintain | | | | information about types of bulbs and reflector |
| numerous kinds of meters and controls among | | | | hoods is available elsewhere; once you have |
| your indoor garden supplies. | | | | installed a lighting system however, you will need |
| Acidity or Alkalinity? | | | | to do everything possible to make certain that it |
| Depending on the plants your growing indoors, | | | | approximates natural sun conditions as closely as |
| your medium needs to have a careful pH balance | | | | possible. Light timers allow you to control the |
| between acidity (low pH) and alkalinity (high pH). If | | | | length of time your plants are exposed to your |
| you are using a highly alkaline medium such as | | | | artificial "sun," whereas light meters permit you to |
| rockwool (the most common choice), you need | | | | monitor elements such as brightness and |
| to amend it with an acidic substance. You'll then | | | | wavelength. Remember that plants' growth cycles |
| need to carefully monitor the pH balance; pH | | | | are tied to the changing seasons, and the |
| meters are the best way to make sure that your | | | | corresponding changes in the hours of sunlight as |
| plants are growing in the best possible | | | | well as the angle at which those rays strike the |
| environment. | | | | earth. |
| CO2 Enrichment | | | | Lots to Choose From |
| Recall from your high school science courses that | | | | Meters and timers are the heart and soul of |
| plants "breathe" carbon dioxide and "exhale" | | | | modern scientific growing indoors, and are the |
| oxygen. This is an aspect of plant growing indoors | | | | most important indoor gardening supplies you can |
| that often gets overlooked. Your indoor gardening | | | | own after a good lighting system. For this reason, |
| supplies should definitely include a CO2 generator. | | | | it makes sense to buy the highest quality devices |
| Why? For the same reason that you don't want | | | | your budget permits; these are indoor gardening |
| to breathe in a tightly sealed space. Just as you | | | | supplies that you don't want to skimp on. |
| would quickly use up the oxygen in such an | | | | |