Maintaining your Indoor Garden

What needs monitoring?  What needs to be done to make sure plants grow well?

Research your plant’s needs.  Many cool weather plants typically enjoy temperature​s in the day of ​70°-­75°F​, and night ​55°-­60°F​ with a relative-humidity​ of ​40%-­60%​ for most growing plants.  A water and nutrient solution system should have a temperature between ​18­-21°​C (​64­-70°​F).  These factors vary depending on variety, selection, phase of growth that the plants are currently growing, and hardiness, some plants can tolerate stress better than others.

Ongoing Garden Maintenance

• Keep Environment Clean​: Helps prevent contaminating plants and a clean space is easier to  work in.
• Check for plants for signs of insufficient light,​ e.g. sparse, spindly foliage or foliage that is being shaded by other plants.  An indicator that the plants are too close to the lights will be signs of​ ​leaf burn ​on foliage closest to the lamp. Check height of lights​ compared to the height of the plant, maintain lamps ​12-­36 inches​ above plants! Rotate or turn plants​ as needed to get uniform growth and check top and underside of leaves​ for likely signs of disease, insects or nutrient deficiency. Prune regularly.​  Promptly remove and dispose of any dead, dying or diseased foliage in the growing area​.​ Conduct any necessary shaping, training, or stressing of branches and ensure foliage is properly supported (via string, netting or stakes) optional foliar spraying and apply optional additives, e.g. compost tea.
• Check Lights are operating properly and timer is correctly programmed for the given phase of growth and electrical connections/plugs to make sure they are connected properly and not in danger coming into contact with water.
• Air Circulation and Ventilation​: Proper circulation will prevent dead zones of bad and/or cold  air at lower levels and hot layers of air near the ceiling. Ventilation and oscillating fans are covering all foliage, especially those closest to the lamp.
• Check Ambient Temperature and Relative-Humidity;  Check walls and ceilings regularly for mold or  condensation.
• Check roots​/medium at various points for signs of disease, rotting or molding materials,  insects or over/under watering.

hydroponics systems:

• Check nutrient solution temperature.
• Check for plumbing leaks​; pooling in trays/channels/pots.
• Check drainage​ and/or feed outlets (drippers) are not being blocked by roots.
• Check pumps and timers​ to ensure they’re working properly. Ensure nutrient schedule  appropriate for the current phase of growth.
• Check pH​: Ideal pH for ​most​ plants is between ​5.5​ and ​6.5
• Check/adjust ​Electrical ​­​Conductivity.​  Add top­-up water​ as needed. (​Use EC meter to measure the strength/concentration of the nutrient solution to keep adequate concentration level.)  ​Discard and replace old nutrient​ every 7-­​14 days.​

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