In
previous articles we have explored various types of sex! Now don't
rush out to find the pornographic back issues of Maximum Yield.
If you weren't fortunate enough to have read the articles we were
talking about plant sex! (Exciting if you're a grower but not too
sexy if you're expecting porn!)
Sexual
reproduction, the germination and propagation of a seed, and asexual
reproduction or cloning are two excellent procreation methods used
for plant duplication. This is explored in depth in MY November/December
2001 and January/February 2002 issue respectively.
We
have successfully created a proliferation of new plant material
either from seed or cuttings. Our objective now is to keep the
plants healthy and productive in a hydroponic environment. A healthy
root zone and strong pest resistant vegetation will help to produce
an abundance of flowers and fruit.
Plants
are what they eat, therefore the nutrient solution you feed them
plays a very important role in determining the success of your crop.
There are twenty mineral elements that are essential to plant growth.
Years of studying these elements have led researchers to hydroponics
by combining these water soluble nutrients in specific amounts to
meet various plant's needs.
Mineral Elements
Macronutrients are required in large
amounts |
Carbon |
C |
Component
of all organic compounds |
Oxygen |
O |
supplied
by air & water |
Hydrogen |
H |
Basic
building block of hydrocarbons |
Nitrogen |
N |
Part
of chlorophyll, amino acids, proteins |
Phosphorus |
P |
Used
in photosynthesis and almost all aspects of growth |
Potassium |
K |
Activates
enzymes, used in formation of sugar and starch |
Calcium |
Ca |
Used
in cell growth and division, part of cell wall |
Magnesium |
Mg |
Part
of chlorophyll, activates enzymes |
Sulfur |
S |
Part
of amino acids and proteins |
| |
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