Use Lots of Light

• Photosynthesis (making carbohydrates) is the life of a plant. In the process of photosynthesis, a plant's chlorophyll (green surface of a plant) takes in the rays of the sun, then synthesizes carbon dioxide and water to produce carbohydrates. To ensure adequate amounts of light, place your plants in sunlight for at least eight hours per day. If you choose artificial light, buy a high-intensity lamp (sodium lamp). Space out your plants evenly. However, place larger plants (such as tomatoes) about four feet apart from other plants. Space cucumbers several feet apart from each other.
  
  

Preparation and Maintenance

• Because most hydroponics kits don't include soil, you provide artificial support for the plants you grow. Use wood stakes for thick-stemmed plants and vines such as tomatoes and eggplants. Tie string around smaller plants and suspend the plants in the air from a rack or horizontal pole. Plants draw their nutrients from the water via the roots and then circulate the water/nutrient by using oxygen as a carrier. A problem with hydroponics is that oxygen in the water supply is quickly used up. To rectify this problem, simply add an oxygen pump into the water supply. Add micronutrients (such as iron, zinc and copper) in small amounts to the water solution. Mix large amounts of minerals (potassium, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, sulphur and nitrogen) into the water solution. Before adding nutrients, clean out your water reservoir (any open container where the roots make contact with water). Use a truncheon to help you measure the nutrients as you add them to the water solution. Wait a minute between each nutrient introduced to the water. This gives the pump time to mix the solution in the water.
  To simplify the process of hydroponics, and to reduce labor, buy a hydroponics grow box. Grow boxes contain an odor control system with a fan, ventilation, air conditioning and appropriate lighting fixtures for plant growth. If you live in a condo or apartment, buy a grow box so you can have a garden anywhere in your home.