Blog

School may be out for the summer, but that doesn't mean learning has to stop! CropKing has partnered with EarthEcho International to provide fun and engaging content to aid teachers or parents in discussions about hydroponics, greenhouse growing, local food, climate change, and sustainable agricultural practices. Our latest activity was a live virtual tour of our hydroponic greenhouse in Lodi, Ohio. 

Tissue analysis is an important tool in helping to understand exactly what is happening in your plants. As the year winds towards an end, many crops have potentially been in the greenhouse for several months (northern tomato and cucumber growers), and it is best to finish the year strong. From a nutrient perspective, the best way to help and understand your plants is through tissue analysis. Tissue analysis can be thought of as a snapshot of the plant's health at any given time.

Having a firm understanding of what is going into your plants and what is coming out of your plants is one of the most powerful, practical, yet often overlooked tools that can be used to achieving a healthy harvest. With this knowledge you can diagnose, treat and understand plant health issues often days before plant symptoms arrive. You can also fine tune your water and nutrient management to be as economically and ecologically responsible as possible.

What is leachate?

You might be familiar with terms such as bolting or cutting as it relates to horticulture, but what about apical dominance or GDD? We’re breaking down some common, and maybe uncommon terminology we think you should know.

CropKing hydroponic systems can be placed into two broad categories: drain-to-waste and recirculating. A drain-to-waste system delivers a nutrient solution to the crops and the “run-off" is expelled. Sometimes these systems are also referred to as “feed to waste” systems. In comparison, a recirculating system delivers a nutrient solution to the crops and the “run-off” is returned back to the reservoir to be fed to the crops again.

In the second part of the spray series, we’re covering sprayer calibration. Hopefully this is something that you’re already in the practice of doing periodically and this topic is a refresher for all. In this article, we’ll cover some key steps in the calibration process.

Always remember to follow the manufactures guide and recommendations for the calibration process!

Spring is in the air, which means it's spray season here at CropKing! In order to combat pests, disease causing microbes and other "invaders", we use a sprayer to apply chemicals and protect the plants we are caring for. From handheld, to air-assisted sprayers or foggers, there are many options and lots of information to consider when purchasing. This series will help both the seasoned and novice grower with help spraying. First, lets discuss some of the types of sprayers that are available for growers.

Ralf du Toit grew up in South Africa and served in the military, where service was required, until 1989. He was injured, and in 1989 and 1990, ended up working on a hydroponic farm. “It was a rose grower who developed different rose varieties with hydroponic systems — and that’s where I learned about hydroponics,” he says.

Growing indoors can be a fulfilling endeavor that utilizes an existing building or room. Many non-greenhouse structures are insulated, offer protection from the outdoor environment, and can be modified to suit many crops. Growing indoors and growing in a greenhouse share many aspects, however indoor operations present unique considerations.

Lighting

Microgreens offer a wide variety of choices in taste, texture, and even color. Growers can find success by adding an extra step or otherwise increasing their knowledge on microgreen growing. Below is a round-up of 7 different colorful varieties.