Things you need to know covers all of the little things that other stores overlook -- and we put importance to. It's all about information: Often it is not the product, how good or bad, it often comes down to the information and knowledge obtained from the sellers of the product.
How Plants Work
A basic understanding of how plants grow and what they need for optimal growth is crucial to both indoor and outdoor gardeners. If you are gardening outdoors, Mother Nature handles most of a plants needs. With hydroponic gardening, you must provide some of the plants necessary requirements in other ways. This section will help you understand the process of what a plant needs.
About Plants
Plants are made up of eight different parts and each part has an important function in the growing process. Our main concern, however, is with the leaves, roots, root hairs and the vascular system. These are the parts of a plant that contribute to the success of the flowers and fruits.
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● Fruit
● Flower
● Leaf
● Phloem
● Roots
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Leaves - Leaves
are where photosynthesis takes place and light and carbon dioxide
are taken in, with oxygen released as a by-product. On the underside
of leaves, small openings called "stomata" open and close, allowing
carbon dioxide to enter and oxygen to exit.
»
Roots - The
roots anchor a plant in the ground and absorb water, nutrients and
air. Tiny root hairs increase the surface area of the root for
faster absorption. These tiny root hairs are extremely delicate and
must be kept moist at all times. Larger roots are similar to the
plants stem, as they transport water and dissolved minerals to the
plant.
»
Stems & Vascular System (Xylem & Phloem)
- The stems are the heart of a plants vascular
system and carry water and nutrients throughout the plant. The xylem
carries water and nutrients from the roots to the leaves, and the
phloem transports food manufactured by the leaves to the stems and
roots. The stem also supports the plant and bears leaves, flowers
buds, and fruits.
Basic Plant Needs
Plants have five basic needs and each one of
these accounts for 20% of a plants ability to grow to it fullest
potential. The amazing thing is that if one
of these needs is only partially met, all of these needs are
negatively affected in a chain reaction. For example, if a plant
receives only 10% of its needed nutrients, that does not cause just
a 10% negative impact on nutrients. It creates a 10% negative effect
on all of the other needs as well. Maintaining a proper balance of
all factors that affect a plants health is your best assurance of
gardening success.
» Air -
temperature, humidity, and CO2 & O2 Content
» Growing - air content and moisture
content
» Light - spectrum (color), intensity
and hours of light per day
» Nutrients - composition and purity
» Water - air content and moisture
content