Indoor crops: DIY or shop?
Indoor Gardening premise that supports and encourages self-reliance and initiative, and the spirit that animates those who usually decides to build something with his hands.
Following this idea we have often presented projects with creative people from trying and ritentando got the satisfaction of something unique and functional.
However, we also received comments and emails of people disappointed, discouraged by the frustration due to the difficulty in replicating such a success.
For this one more time we would like to emphasize that in most cases nothing is simple as it appears and that if tempt does not harm the result is not in any case never guaranteed.
Here are some consideration to keep in mind when you decide to roll up our sleeves and hold the screwdriver.
Growbox vs. vs. room. closet grow
Not surprisingly grown in hydroponics (growing and in general) is much easier when you opt for a growbox (or dark room) .
Change a room because it is able to transform into a small greenhouse is an abbanza complex, often fraught with complications: moisture can damage the walls, the room is too large to be managed to best climatically, the lights are not fully exploited.
Temperature and ventilation become a hassle when the space is too large, the floor could ill bear any loss of water.
Certainly you can papering the room with plastic sheeting, drill the walls (unless you rent!) For passing a ventilation pipe, build a false ceiling or support for the lamps. And if for any reason you change your mind, if the room had not then choose the best exposure, if traslocaste, if you suddenly realize that constant exposure to summer sun bakes relentlessly the environment?
Now the changes are made and change is unquestioned.
That's why you think winning a growbox .
Many build it by himself '.
Among the advantages of such a choice are undoubtedly complete customization of measures to make the most of available space.
You may, if space available is vast, opt for a modular structure, with the possibility of creating in each box a different environment and climate changing lights. With lower expenditure and a bit 'of time available you can get a lot.
This solution is optimal for good handyman, who already have the equipment necessary, a trained manual skills, a vision of the whole project, and a clear idea of what the needs of plants.
If you are unsure where to start but the risk of ending up with nothing at all in fact and in less money in your pocket is high. And chances are you noticing how the experiment went wrong after having bought everything, mounted the last screw and if you have been imprudent, happily began to grow.
Light leaks, rotting wood, inadequate measures, drafts of air are noticed only after some time.
If you opt to buy in the store what you will from your hands will be a simple kit, easy to move, to manage, to organize.
Spending, you say? Ok let's try for a minute to think about how the sigole shares would cost, how much time we spend, we make a realistic estimate of the probability of success. Sure it's worth?
Not so easy to calculate the correct flow and proportions extractor / exhaust pipe. A growbox is already perfectly ready to host accessories purchased separately , but can also be bought already prepared and ready for use. Furthermore, any serious dealer will offer all the assistance you need. The made-in-home care is not covered by its' warranty, if something goes wrong.
And the hydroponic systems? Me I build them or buy them?
Build a hydroponic system is an experience of great satisfaction. You can use relatively poor materials and follow the directions of those who have already experimented with this on.
But let's not simplify too much is still required some skill with tools, a few visits to the hardware store and a beautiful series of frustrating attempts failed.
Calculate the correct amount of water nell'idrosistema is one of the hardest parts. You would not believe what ever manage the flow can be tricky: if the pump is too powerful will get unwanted fountains and jets, if the tube is too long, or twisted and lack the power plants will remain dry. The inclination, unloading, oxygenation is essential.
If you have time and a suitable space to do many tests, the experience can really be worth. Once the magical alchemy apt and left a few days depending on the sound system you can start growing the plants without major fears.
Attention to materials: always non-toxic, better food, and UV. Paradoxically, the more the plant is small more you run the risk that is economically disadvantageous compared to a idrosistema commercial.
If you work in the outdoor game is definitely worth the candle, if you have little room in the house, and maybe a valuable hardwood floors in the next room carefully avoided.
Lighting DIY?
No, no and no again. Lighting is the cornerstone of the successful cultivation and there's no way to act as if '.
The lamps must be professional, and specifications for horticulture. Do not recycle neon aquarium, led by domestic lighting or light bulbs. Buy everything new, certified and under warranty.
Do not ever pasticciate with electrical equipment and above all do not do it in a moist environment and near the water, unless you are a professional.
It is not even worth trying to save a few cents on the reflector : it is still designed products in a particular way (no, not a sheet of aluminum foil is a good reflector. No, not a single piece of aluminum is). Features such as curvature or finishing are relevant and in the long run will save electricity and make the plant more lush.
Always put in mind the time when going to a job like that, because it is likely that they have to invest a lot.
Allow a period of chaos, possible noise nuisance due to electrical and swearing, a little water 'everywhere. Expect that things can go wrong (but fine).
Well, now that you're ready to begin. Good job!
Related Articles:
indoor , cultivation techniques
February 1st, 2011 at 21:58
prejudice,
my experiments bricoleur is a bit disappointing, I love plants and would like to find a grow box already set up, but I need something professional, not in greenhouses cloth that make me a bit of sadness in the room.
you can advise me some company that manufactures greenhouses ready-to-go?
I thank you and good growing to all!
February 2nd, 2011 at 09:10
hello,
for practical needs the growbox are equipped with little appeal under the profile of design. It comes to boxes of culture after all.
In Italy I have never seen products very similar to a closet or a cabinet that you put in your living room, but you can find (if you have lots of money to spend) with the foreign key 'grow cabinet' (and not growbox) or 'grow armoir '.
These solutions almost always very small in terms of space and very expensive, but if you have a little 'practice with DIY projects you can find interesting facts at home.
Here are a couple of addresses where to look:
http://www.dealzer.com/servlet/StoreFront
http://www.unbeatablesale.com/snlt006.html?mr:referralID=c30e2285-2ea2-11e0-b827-001b2166c62d
http://hg-hydroponics-blog.co.uk/?p=191
November 23rd, 2011 at 20:49
I would give my humble opinion, I honestly do not agree with many points. The costs proposed by the various shops of indoor growing, hydroponics, etc. are nothing short of absurd. Hundreds of euros for 4 PVC pipe, a lamp and a reflective sheet? And as for hydroponic systems? Simple pumps for aquariums, plastic tubs can be bought at the market are often of higher quality and more durable.
Despite having a decent manual did not know anything for indoor cultivation. It 's true, I made mistakes and I had to read up a lot. It 'also true that sometimes I threw some money. But step by step, correcting the various faults in a short time I have: built a perfect and functional growbox, a hydroponic system, and finally an aeroponic. I did some initial expenses such as electric saw (taken on Ebay used to 15 €) for wood, and other tools, but now I can make any change in a very short time. Adding up all the expenses that I incurred and related tools, I do not even get close to the absurd prices they are offered with these "kit".
Another thing that is priceless is the personal satisfaction, in addition to not forget that precofenzionati mounting kit, not learned virtually nothing. Building alone I learned about hydraulics, chemistry, thermodynamics, and design. As the ideas begin to take shape and with a little creativity you can make complex systems and exceptional!
On the internet you find any information from you to build a perfect growbox that has nothing to envy to the expensive "super tents" that sell for its weight in gold! Just a minimum of good will and patience. If, however, especially in these times, you have money to spend and give away what to say ... well ... lucky you!
November 25th, 2011 at 14:47
but I agree with you.
Here is what I wanted to point out that it is not trivial things that in a jiffy to build and operate.
It takes craftsmanship, time and perseverance.
If you do not have these features or if you tend to rely more discouraged in ready-made products to prevent real disasters (remember that here you handle water, electricity, dangerous tools).