5 tools every serious grower uses on a daily basis

All tradespersons have a set of tools that they use on a daily basis, whether it is a screwdriver or a power tool. Since the trade in question for this article is a hydroponic crop, there are a few tools that are used on a daily basis as well. These tools are of paramount importance to a successful crop. Every serious grower has a set of tools that are used every day to monitor and tend to the most recent crop. Here is a list of those tools: 1.) pH Meter – There are a few ways that the pH of the nutrient solution can be found. If the plan is to have only one crop, there are a few very effective pH meters that are inexpensive yet simple to use. You may purchase a vial of litmus fluid to test the pH. Simply take a sample of the nutrient solution and put a few drops in the vial. After shaking it to mix it thoroughly, the color of the nutrient solution changes. Compare this color with the gauge that is included and that is the pH. A more effective but costlier method is to purchase a pH meter. This is done if there is more than one crop being grown. It’s a simple meter to use and can be found at any hydroponic supply store. The convenience itself covers the cost of the meter. Fast growing leafy plants generally like a lower pH in the range of 5.2 to 5.9. Fortunately, a lower pH will bond fewer nutrients of the type in the solution than will a higher pH. 2.) PPM Meter - The concentration of the nutrient solution is measured in parts per million (PPM). This indispensable tool is used every day to monitor and mix the nutrient solution. Young, established seedlings or rooted clones are generally started at 500 to 600 PPM. This value is increased to 800 to 900 PPM during the peak foliage growth period. During the flowering period, the PPM is raised even higher to 1000 to 1200 PPM. That’s a lot of nutrient, and it’s needed, every drop. It is at the flowering time that the plant will need the most resources. 3.) 24 hour timer – In order to have a healthy crop, the lighting cycle must be religiously adhered to. The norm is to have a cycle that has 18 hours on and 6 hours off. It is important to have a setup that allows the night cycle to be absolutely black. Don’t even enter the room they’re being grown in to check on them during their night cycle. This is accomplished with an automatic timer. Most timers can be set in 10 or 20 minute intervals. Make sure you timer can handle the load impressed by the grow lamp(s). Also, make sure the timer is a 3 pronged model. 4.) Ground fault circuit breaker - Since there is a high energy light hanging over water, the last thing you want is an energized nutrient solution. The ground wire will trip the breaker should the nutrient solution get energized if you’re using a ground fault circuit breaker. Should the calamity that is a dropped light on the crop happen, the ground fault circuit breaker is essential. 5.) Patience – Every grower has had the temptation of pinching off an immature bug for a taste test. This move will stunt the growth of the bud in that local area. This is a big no-no. Use some patience while watching the buds get fatter and fatter. Know a mature bud by pinching it. If it doesn’t bounce back, it’s a good bet that the plant is ready to harvest. If it bounces back, then try the pinch on a different bud in a few days. These 5 essential tools are essential to the crop’s success. Using them on a daily basis will ensure that the next (or first) crop will be healthy and bountiful. A setup using these tools will make raising the crop easier and less frustrating as well. Just watch the pH and PPM and keep to the lighting cycle white on and black off. By Thomas Valentine