AEROPONICS 2.0
One type of fogponic system uses an ultrasonic fogger to create tiny
droplets of nutrient solution.
the growth cycle. Trichoblasts, or “root fuzz,” are allowed
to develop only in a finely tuned HPA system that doesn’t
oversaturate the roots, which can grow into pom-pom-sized
fuzzy masses under the right conditions. Less spray time
and wetting causes more oxygenation, leaving the roots with
a hyperactive surface area that can absorb more nutrients
and water out of the air/vapor mix. Less is more with HPA,
so the feeding solution should be closely monitored. The
same nutrient density used in early veg should also be used
throughout the rest of the cycle, as far as EC/ppm levels
are concerned. It is important to judge this by the amount
of trichoblasts (fuzz) that have developed on the roots. If
these are not present, a feeding schedule similar to typical
hydroponic and aeroponic styles can be used. On the other
end of the spectrum, when trichoblasts are prevalent, plants
can be burned by the higher density of the nutrients. A
good rule of thumb is to reduce nutrients by about 25-50%
of normal strength as the plant’s absorption rate increases.
Less is more with HPA, so
the feeding solution should
be closely monitored.”
Cleaning the HPA System
Post-harvest, it is important to keep the HPA system’s
lines primed and the system running. This will prevent
the lines from drying out and the nutrient solution from
drying, caking and breaking off, which could eventually
block the small orifices and clog the nozzles. Preventative maintenance is key to avoiding future failures.
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Maximum Yield USA | November 2015