Why use a Grow Tent?
All plants need certain conditions in order to survive. They need the right growing conditions, soil and nutrients of course and they also need the right climatic conditions – particularly if they are to do well and produce high yields. A properly designed and constructed grow tent will help to provide these conditions. When growing outdoors a green house is often used to improve the climate that the plant is growing in—glass allows light and heat in and at the same time protects plants from the extremes of the weather. There are a number of advantages—the growing season can be extended or by providing additional heat and possibly light, sub tropical, even tropical, conditions can be provided so that exotic plants can be grown even far North or South of the equator!
Taking the greenhouse concept a stage further, a properly equipped grow room means that plants can be grown without any natural heat or light and they can be grown almost anywhere!
Now, a full grow room is simply not an option for most people. Converting a spare room or basement is a major undertaking and it will take a lot of thought and effort. A DIY grow tent is a possible option for those with the right skills and ability, but as with most DIY projects it is likely to take longer and cost considerably more than originally anticipated.
A purpose built grow tent on the other hand will provide a very quick solution at an affordable price. It will have essential features built in. For example, to maximise the amount of light available to the plants it will have a reflective inner surface. At the same time it will be light proof – you dont want to be looking at a 600 watt lamp every time you walk past!
A grow tent will have provision for other fixtures and fittings such as extraction fans and carbon filters etc. It will also have a frame strong enough to carry extra items as well as cable and duct entry and exit ports.
The surfaces will be able to withstand the humidity and be suitable for wiping down – it is important to keep the grow tent clean to keep pests and disease at bay.
Another important feature is that a grow tent can be dismantled as easily as it is erected – it is easily stored or carried.
When buying a grow tent, be sure to buy good quality! It is well worth paying a little more – there is plenty of cheap stuff around and as with many things “You get what you pay for”
A good quality grow tent will last for years and is a worthwhile investment and a must for indoor growers.
Hydroponic Grow System
The simplest hydroponic grow system uses a form of hydroponics called hydroculture.
It has also been called Passive Hydroponics and Pot Culture.
The great thing about hydroculture is that it does not require expensive equipment and you do not need a science degree to be able to use and understand it.
Some types of hydroponic grow system are quite complex and require pumps and that sort of thing to convey water to the plants. In hydroculture nothing more complicated than capillary action is used to get the water or water and nutrient to the plants. The plant is potted in an inert media. This could be any one of a number of materials which include Rockwool, Perlite, Vermiculite or Leca. Leca stands for “Lightweight Expanded Clay Aggregate” These are made from clay which has been fired at very high temperatures leaving very porous and lightweight pebbles which are capable of absorbing a considerable amount of water.
The pot with its inert media is placed inside a second pot which contains water. Capillary action draws water up through the inert media to the plants roots. The principle of it couldn’t be much simpler!
PurLec is a company who have refined their hydroponic grow system and which is based on hydroculture to take out all the guesswork and uncertainty from growing in the home.
The PurLec system has 5 key components:-
1) The Culture Pot
This is a specially designed plant pot which not only holds the plant and the inert media, but is designed to hold a water level indicator. It also has slots in the side of the pot so that as the water is used air is allowed in which ensures that oxygen reaches the plant roots.
2) The Water Level Indicator
This is a device which looks a bit like a thermometer but enables the water level to be seen at a glance.
3) The Outer Pot
This is both decorative and contains the water supply for the plant
4) PurLec Nutrient
This is a slow release fertiliser which has been designed for growing without soil. It contains all the essential nutrients including trace elements which are released throughout the growing season at a controlled rate
5) Inert Media
The PurLec system uses a Leca product called Hydroton. This has a high capacity for water absorption and the shape of the pebbles ensures good air circulation to enable the roots to receive their essential oxygen supply.
The PurLec Hydroponic Grow System takes all the guesswork out of both feeding and watering.
For more information on Purlec the Purlec Hydroponic Grow System and PurLec hydroculture visit:-