The EcoGrower® is one of our larger systems, capable of growing gorgeous crops like bell peppers and tomatoes. It stands at a stout 2ft X 2ft, with a 17 gallon reservoir, making it only slightly smaller than the MegaFarm®. However, the difference between the two is that the MegaFarm is one big unit, while the EcoGrower contains six smaller units. The unique quality to the EcoGrower® is its air-driven “spider” drip system with a revolutionary hexagonal reservoir. Air goes down the pumping column and forces water back up and out of the six drip lines on the “spider hub”. This set up increases nutrient circulation and air flow, making it possible to grow multiple crops in the same unit. You can grow different crops in the same system, just as long as they have similar nutrient requirements.

Each lid insert will accommodate one 6” net pot so that one EcoGrower can easily grow several plants together. The compact design (2′x2′x2′ hexagonal) can grow small and medium size plants from seedling to maturity.  One unit will give you, as you can see in the photo below, enough tomatoes to satisfy a large, Italian family.

The EcoGrower®, like most of our systems, is a great unit that works really well. It’s ease of use makes it accessible to all types of hydroponic gardeners! 

We are so lucky to work with so many great hydro stores around the country! We love to feature them in the blog once in a while. We’ve just been talking with Michael Taylor over at Horizen Hydroponics in Grand Rapids, MI. He has been using the GO line in his home garden and having some awesome results! See the photos below.

A little bit about Horizen Hydro:

They started online in November of 1999; after much success and realizing the industry potential, Horizen Hydroponics opened a retail location in Grand Rapids, Michigan in 2002.  On a shoe string and a prayer, shelves were stocked with the finest plant fertilizers from around the world and the highest quality equipment used for controlled environmental agriculture. 

They offer complete hydroponic systems, the perfect blend of science and nature for your garden. Horizen Hydroponics stocks a wide selection of hydroponic systems, lighting, organic composts fertilizers and indoor gardening equipment. Hydroponic indoor gardening is a fun, clean, and safe hobby for the whole family.

About Michael’s garden:

He has been using the GO line in his vegetable garden and has been seeing some amazing growth rates on his tomatoes, strawberries and other edibles. His fruit production is taking off and you can really see that healthy, lush foliage in the photos. He’s using them indoors and out with some seriously great results. Thanks for sharing, Michael! Keep us posted on your progress!

Take this recent event into consideration: Sections of China’s coastline are currently being plagued with intense algae blooms. This has been an ongoing problem since 2007, even so far as to interrupt the 2008 Olympics in Beijing. However, the blooms are currently worse than ever, taking up entire coastlines, affecting tourism and the health of the wildlife there. China Daily says “the algae, though not toxic nor detrimental to water quality, ravages the ecosystem because it consumes large quantities of oxygen, thus suffocating other marine life.”* One theory as to the cause of this enormous bloom is that the growing population in the area has increased the demand for agriculture. The nitrite-rich wastewater from the fertilizers used to grow the extra food could be making their way into the ocean, causing the speedy growth. **

Check out all the photos of this massive algae bloom! ***

This is not only happening in China but also in the United States, particularly in the Gulf of Mexico, where the Mississippi Delta comes into the Gulf. The Evironmental Protection Agency (EPA) cites dozens of examples of so-called “red tides” or “dead zones” caused by algae blooms in U.S. waters, most likely as a result of fertilizer run-off.****
China’s algae problem is just one example of the recurrent problems of modern agriculture and the world-wide conundrum of feeding our growing population. We feel that this is where hydroponics can really save the day! As these problems become more evident, we can turn to hydroponic farming as a more viable means of crop production, especially as fresh water resources become scarcer. Unlike the open circuit methods of traditional farming that are essentially drain-to-waste, commercial hydro operations are closed circuit and don’t have the same potential to pollute the water downstream. 

General Hydroponics continues to stay at the forefront of hydroponic technology and education, to help prepare for the future and usher in a new era in agriculture! While China scrambles to remove the algae and clean up their coastline, we hope they will also give consideration to alternative farming methods (like hydroponics), to prevent this reoccurring problem. We all must invest in the future of food to keep our local and world-wide communities healthy and fed, while protecting our precious environmental resources.

Sources:

* Zhillin, Chen. China Daily. Green Algae invading China’s tourist destination Qingdao. 7-11-2011. http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/m/shandong/e/2011-07/11/content_12873047.htm

** Frantz, Vickie. Accuweather.com. Algae Invades China’s Eastern Coastal Beaches. 7-30-2011. http://www.accuweather.com/blogs/news/story/53084/algae-invades-chinas-eastern-c.asp?partner=accuweather

*** Algae invades a popular beach in China. 7-19-2011. http://news.yahoo.com/photos/algae-bloom-1311121572-slideshow/view-algae-filled-coastline-qingdao-photo-102645670.html

**** Harmful Algae Blooms. EPA.gov. 5-7-2010. http://www.epa.gov/gmpo/habpage.html

Orchids are incredibly popular among plant enthusiasts and it’s easy to see why. Each of the many species, varieties and colors produce their own kind of unique beauty and appeal. However, growing them can be tricky and getting them to bloom and stay healthy is even trickier! Here, we offer an alternative to the conventional orchid growing method.

Most orchids, especially the popular Phalaenopsis, grow naturally in treetops and jungle canopies, where there is little soil. Generally speaking, their roots thrive in bark and moss in the wild. That is the usual medium for growing orchids in pots. There is normally no soil involved. So, it’s just an easy step from there to growing hydroponically! Orchids thrive in a soilless environment. Plant your orchids into a hydroponic system, add a growing media, water and nutrients. That is all you need to do! It takes the guess work out of wondering when to water; you can stop worrying about root rot and wilting leaves. It also eliminates the threat of most diseases, since the growing media are inert.

The well-balanced nutrients, found in our FloraNova Grow, are the perfect way to start healthy root and foliage growth. It’s is especially ideal for helping your orchids get established in their new hydroponic home. Healthy root growth builds the essential foundation for overall success. FloraNova Grow is a unique formulation of highly purified minerals, plus natural additives that combine the best of both the hydroponic and natural gardening methods to facilitate healthy growth. Use FloraNova Grow throughout the structural growth phase and into the first 7-10 days of transition. Switch to FloraNova Bloom for the flowering growth phase.

Our FloraNova Series has the perfect nutrient balance to support orchids. The NPK is 7-2-10, with many micronutrients (like iron and calcium) included, to form a near-complete, nourishing product to aid in the foliage growth and establishment of young and fragile orchids. Try growing these unique beauties hydroponically and watch them flourish!

The General Hydroponics blog has grown from just a concept to a robust website with many posts and appreciate all your comments. I want to thank each and every one of you for visiting and for making this what it is today. I am moving on to different projects, and wish all of you the best. Cheers! Tiger Lilly

This plant is 10 years old. Grown with BioSevia Terra, this is his most beautiful and bountiful flowering in years.

rhododendron obtusum, also called Kuruma azalea

We are very proud of our work with M. Bedes. He is a longtime supporter and gave us an excellent opening with the bonsaï collectors in France.

rhododendron obtusum, also called "Kurume azalea" : flower closeup

rhododendron obtusum or kuruma azalea in bonsaÏ

Growth Assembly – Alexandra Daisy Ginsberg & Sascha Pohflepp from Sascha Pohflepp on Vimeo.

Via Boing Boing

Here at Gen Hydro, we lost a tree to the weather on the first day of rains. It was a massive walnut that stood close to 4 stories tall. The tree was right between the office and our Tea Room. It came crashing down onto the roof of the Tea Room and a crew came out the same day to clear it away from our power lines. If this first storm is any indication, t’s gonna be a wild winter!

The whole root system just came up out of the ground.

The damage to the building wasn’t as bad as it could have been… We are lucky that no one was hurt.

And now we have plenty of tree trunk and branches available!

Koch Hydroponics is the only hydro store in Northern Indiana.  Don’t let the small storefront fool you, they have tons of hydro gear in stock and the owner, Mr. Koch, is very helpful and knowledgeable.

Mr. Koch started in hydroponics, during the 1970s, as a hobby. Information during that time was sporadic and often hard to come by, but Mr. Koch was able to find all he needed to turn his hobby into something more. His love of indoor gardening led him to open up his own shop with his wife, Shar.  He takes time with every customer that comes in the door to help them find the information and supplies they need.

Koch Hydroponics is located at 1627 N Wells St Fort Wayne, IN 46808-3281 (260) 422-1941

Yarrow:

Verbena:

Budlea:

Scabiosa:

Air Scrubbers In Space.