Cleaning your hydroponic system
Cleanliness is the key to health! Order comes first!
The hydroponic system, pots, substrate, and soil are the primary habitats for the plants you grow https://420growradar.com/p/best-300-watt-led-grow-light-for-growing-cannabis/. Therefore, timely cleaning of the hydroponic plant is a prerequisite so that “uninvited guests” do not appear in this home. In this article, we will tell you how and how to clean your hydroponic system, pots, and substrate.
Let’s start with the pots
Pots made of plastic or ceramics, in case the growing cycle has passed with a “Hurray!” and not a single plant went on sick leave, it is enough to wash it with warm soapy water.
If salt deposits have accumulated on the pots, soak the pots in a solution of water with vinegar, citric acid, FloraKleen, or pH- Down for 24 hours. The next day, the pots can be easily cleaned with a sponge.
Recommendation. If your plants are overtaken by a disease, then after the completion of the growing cycle, we recommend replacing the pots to prevent the unpleasant situation from recurring. It’s better not to skimp on this moment.
Textile pots ( Grow Bag and Pro Pot ) are much easier to clean. It is enough to soak them with washing powder, wipe the dirtiest places with your own hands, rinse and dry. And they are back in the ranks! However, the same rule applies here as with hard pots – if there was an “epidemic”, it is better to replace them.
Cleaning your hydroponic plant
Hoarding is senseless and merciless.
* deposition of mineral salts in pipes, the same happens in a hydroponic system
Over time, any hydroponic system accumulates salts, particles of the grown plants and substrate. The most vulnerable are the tubing parts of the hydroponic system such as the compressor, water pump, and nutrient supply.
Flushing method number of times
Flushing the hydroponic system with soapy water or a special cleaning solution. Well suited for systems that are easily disassembled by hand, as well as for systems in which there is not a large amount of salt deposits and (let’s repeat the story with pots again) the presence of pathogenic microflora was not observed in the previous cycle.
If your hydroponic system is attacked by insidious enemies, then you need to rinse it with a solution of water with hydrogen peroxide, in a 1: 1 ratio. Pour the resulting solution into the system and let it run for 48 hours, also wipe the outside of the hydroponic system and don’t forget about the grow box!
Flush method number two
All ingenious inventions have already been invented, you just have to use them.
To dissolve large volumes of salt deposits, use the pH Down regulator. If the hydroponic system can be disassembled, soak all parts in pH Down solution at a ratio of 20 ml to 1 liter of water.
If the hydroponic system cannot be disassembled, fill in the resulting solution and let the system run for at least 12 hours.
Recommendation. The manufacturer GHE has a special product called FloraKleen that is safe for all types of hydroponic systems. A distinctive feature is that this product can be used even during plant growth. We recommend using FloraKleen between nutrient changes and harvesting.
Washing the substrate
Yes – it is possible to use the same substrate for several cycles, but provided that the plant passed the medical examination and presented a certificate of the absence of any diseases. In order to use the substrate again you need:
- Rinse the substrate with running water
- Boil for 20-30 minutes
- Defend until complete cooling
- Squeeze and dry
Recommendation. Do not overuse the washing of the substrate, after 3 – 5 treatments, we advise you to replace it with a new one to achieve new records in cultivation.
Can the soil be flushed?
Let’s say right away that no! It is not possible to completely clean it from organic residues of grown plants and used fertilizers, so do not waste your precious time on this.
In conclusion, I would like to say that keeping clean is one of the main conditions for the happiness of your plant and, accordingly, a large harvest. Do not skimp on the little things, show concern, and participation, and your success as a grower will certainly overtake you.
