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Hydroponic Gardening - Managing Pests &
Diseases
By
Michael Page
As with soil-based
gardens, hydroponic plants require good pest and disease
maintenance controls. Failure to do so creates the same
results as with 'ordinary' gardens (i.e. spindly or dead
plants). Since the majority of hydroponic plants are fruits
and vegetables, that means the plants are not worth eating.
However,
managing the hydroponic garden is even trickier, since disease
and pests have it much easier in this setting. Plants are
continuously kept wet, either immersed in water ('true'
hydroponics) or continually sprayed (aeroponics) or reside in
a permanently wet medium such as perlite or sand. Fortunately,
as with soil-based gardens, there is an large array of
available methods to manage the problem.
Using beneficial life forms is one popular way to control
unwanted pests, including certain types of bacteria and fungi.
These can help to control spider mites and other invaders by
crowding them out, eating them or releasing compounds toxic to
the pest. They're known as beneficial organisms because they
do all that without damaging the plants themselves.
Different types of pesticides are available, too. Pesticidal
soaps have been in use for centuries and still provide
effective and non-toxic ways to keep the pests down. One
category called botanicals are compounds released by plants
themselves that have been combined into an easy-to-use pest
control method. Botanicals break down naturally from exposure
to air and water and are brilliant because they leave no
harmful chemicals behind.
Neem oil can control over 400 different types of pests that
commonly invade gardens, including hydroponic ones. A simple
spray to the leaves can often eliminate common pests. The bugs
absorb the oil, which limits their ability to reproduce,
leading to a lower population.
For more serious infestations, many commercial pesticides
continue to work well.
White flies, aphids, mites and other pests can be a problem in
hydroponic settings, just as in soil-based gardens. Powdery
mildew is common. In fact, because of the continual moisture
bugs and pests have a 'friendly' environment. Making it
'unfriendly' is straightforward enough, using fungicides and
organicides. Sulfur-based compounds can help control white
flies, mealy bugs, thrips and more.
Pyrethrum continues to be a safe and effective means of
control. Though it sounds man made it is actually derived from
flowers. This class of natural compounds released by plants
are extracted and used in many commercial insecticides. Dosage
is low, so the compound is very safe when used correctly
(always read the label). Azatrol is a broad spectrum
insecticide that provides another easy control method over
most common pests.
Hydroponic gardeners have to exercise additional care when
using any disease or pest control method, though. Since no
soil is present to hold on to the roots, it's easier to damage
a plant when manipulating the leaves and stems. That means
that if you pick off mites by hand - an effective method for
low-number infestations - it's important to exercise extra
care.
Since moisture is present, mildew and other fungi are more
common in hydroponic gardens. Keeping leaves dry and just the
roots wet will help. Any insecticide sprayed on to your plants
or vegetable should be allowed to dry under the grow lights.
For aeroponically grown plants, for example, that may require
a temporary relocation of the indoor garden.
To learn more about Hydroponic Gardening come in and talk to
our knowledgeable staff and where you'll find more information
including an extensive range of Hydroponic Pesticides Sprays
and other Hydroponic Gardening Equipment.
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