The advantage of hydroponics growing to the farmers or gardeners is growing more foods in smaller areas. The small areas may be the:

Rooftops Classrooms Living rooms Office.

Hydroponics growing is mostly adapted in areas where there is less space or soil or limited water.

Lot of questions comes in minds when we hear about hydroponics,

How we give support the plants without using soil? How do plants grown with just nutrients & give the produce almost more than that of the same plants when grown in soil.

Well all this is possible in the soil less growing environment adapted in the hydroponic growing. One may research or study few books on the hydroponics growing. Today with the advancement of technology, the growers have believed that there are advantages in hydroponics gardening.The hydroponic growing of plants indoors have given the advantage to the gardeners like

Dirt free gardening Less use of space Lesser maintenance Pesticide free produce

The hydroponic growing of plants required 2 important requirements for the plant growth which is the nutrient intake & the oxygen intake. The nutrient is supplied by mixing the required nutrients with water. Oxygen is important for the root health. This is misted on the roots which speeds the plants growth & be healthier. In normal growing in soil, not much oxygen is available to the roots. Hydroponic growing has gained an advantage in such areas. Most of the hydroponics plants only require perlite, gravel for the support. One can grow crops of the highest quality any number of times in any area or amount of space that is available.

Let us know the ideal conditions that are required for proper hydroponics growing,

Climate Temperature range – During lights-off cycle it will be between 64 to 71 degrees Fahrenheit & during lights-on cycle it will be 70-80 degree Fahrenheit.

Roof Zone temperature – The temperature should be ideally 60 degrees. Make sure that the plants growing in those pots should not be placed directly on the floor.Since; the cool surface of the floor may harm the roots & slow down the growth rate of the plants.

Water/Nutrient Solution Temperature – This should be around 66-71 degrees.

Grow Room Humidity – The level of humidity during vegetative phase should be 40 to 65%.It should be 40 to 60% during the flowering stage. Do not allow the plants exposed to excess humidity.

Light Cycles – 6 hours off & 18 hours on at the time of vegetative growth & at the time of flowering growth it should be 12 hours on and 12 hours off. One should also take notice of the amount of coverage a particular light will do. A 400 watt bulb will be adequate for an area of 10 square feet. A 1000 wattage bulb will be required for an area of 20 square feet of space.

Again one should consider the type of lighting that will required at various stages like

For early cuttings, it will be fluorescent lighting For Vegetative Growth it will be Metal Halide. For floral growth it will be high pressure sodium

Distance of Light to Plant Tops The plants should not be placed closed to the light or else the high intensity will damage them. The bulbs are separated from the plants by glass or any other material. A 2.5 feet distance should be there between the top pf the plant and the bottom of the light bulb. Make sure this is monitored at regular intervals to prevent any burning.

Atmospheric Requirements – The roots of the plants require bulk oxygen, to get maximum oxygen supply for the plants one can install the aeroponics system that will boost the oxygen level and result in faster growth. The growth of plants is at its best when large amount of CO2 or carbon dioxide is given to those leaves. So in average temperatures the level of CO2 should be 400 ppm.

Air circulation – Fans should be used in larger rooms for the air circulation so that all the plants seem to be in a moving ocean of air.

Air Exchange – Exhaust fans are required for regular exchange of air in the space for every 5 minutes.

Crassula ovata develop thick, fat trunks that have an aged look and will eventually grow up to 8 feet tall.  In late winter jade plants get 3 inch clusters of light pink to pale salmon flowers with five petals. These perennial plants are drought tolerant and only need water once a month or so.

Indoors, succulent jade plants make good houseplants in containers.  They prefer bright, indirect light and can take a few hours of direct sunlight but they are also adapted to low light.  In a pot, Jade stay small and can even be used for bonsai.  Crassula ovata is sometimes confused with Crassula argentia, which has a similar growth habit, but has silvery grey leaves.  Crassula are usually not bothered by insects or disease.  The biggest problem crassulas face may come from over watering.  This will result in a soggy brown, rotting trunk.

In the garden, drought tolerant jade plants will grow in light shade to full sun.  In hottest desert areas, crassula do better when they don’t have an entire day of full sun.  Crassula ovata are hardy to 41 degrees (5 degrees centigrade).  A light frost will show up at brown dots on leaves.  Overhead protection is usually enough to protect succulents during a light frost.  Heavy frost, or a deep freeze will turn leaves brown and shriveled.  Frozen leaves will fall off, or you can brush them off with your hands.  If the plant branch or trunk is not damaged, new sprouts should form in a few weeks.

Green jade plants are able to live off rainfall alone in many areas.  In my southern California garden, crassula are happily growing in both full sun and shade, in heavy alkaline, clay soil.  You can see photos of flowering jade plants at http://www.theGardenPages.com .

To root cuttings like jade plant or gollum jade, start with a 5 or 6 inch cutting.  Bury about half of the stalk in soil.  This will give you deep roots and helps the plant withstand drought better.  Keep the soil moist (like a squeezed sponge).  After a month, cut back to monthly watering.  The leaves will probably shrivel a bit as the plant forms roots: it is living off the stored energy in its leaves.  This is normal.  You may also lose a few leaves, which is also normal.  The plant will start growing again and may even flower in a year.

Visit at http://www.theGardenPages.com to see crassula plant photos and read about more plants that are versatile and easy to grow.  Their winter bloom make jade plants a great addition to any garden or home.