Ask the Hydroponic Gardening Expert

Hello, and welcome to my hydroponic gardening website...my name is Jason. I would like to thank you for visiting Jason's Indoor Guide. My very favorite hobby is my indoor garden. I have been at it for over fourteen years now, and I have steadily gotten better and better results over time.

I can't tell you how many times I have been asked, and have repeated, some of the information here to a friend or acquaintance eager to get started in the right direction. I personally have helped design and start four indoor gardens in just the last four months!

Obviously, it was just a matter of time before I put a whole resource together that would teach people the basics, take them step by step through designing a garden, and provide them with all of my recommendations. That resource is Jason's Indoor Guide.

I try my best to make all the information here simple, but also very helpful. Before you submit a question, please look through my Site Map and browse a few pages....the answers to many questions can be found here already. Yet in spite of my best efforts to make all of the information here complete, there may be something I have overlooked....or perhaps something I did not fully explain. So....

Most simple questions come from visitors getting ready to start their first indoor garden. Once your garden is started, however, unanswered questions can become horrible, nagging problems that prevent you from getting the results you want! Believe me, I've been there! Drop me a line and tell me your story....my experience can help you avoid or fix those problems.

Click below to see questions from other visitors...

Getting Rid of Fungus Gnats 
I've noticed tiny black gnats flying around my house plants even though it's January....I READ ON YOUR SITE ABOUT sm90, but would strong tobacco water ...

Seeing the Light with Light-rails 
How would you use a light rail? My concerns are- would you jockey extra lights along the length of the rail (my preference) or at right-angles to the rail ...

Aquaponics? 
Have you ever ventured into the awesome world of aquaponics? You've probably heard of it/got a system yourself, but if not it's just like hydroponics except ...

Thanks, and a 12/12 light question, please! 
I'd like to say a HUGE thank you to you for your sterling efforts on this website - I have to say it's by far the most accurate and informative hydro website ...

Pump Question for Homemade Aeroponic System 
I just completed building an aeroponic system, similar to the one you show on your site.
My question is, do I have to keep the pump running constantly?...

Predatory Nematodes and Composting Redworms 
Will predatory nematodes have a negative or harmful effect on redworms used for composting? I figure on adding them, as long as they're not harmful. Could ...

CFL Lights in a Grow Box, and
Do Plants Create Humidity? 
I am a first time grower and I have a few questions. My grow box is 2'x2'x3' I have a total of 8 26 watt CFL's, 2 65 watt CFL's , with a 14 watt LED grow ...

My Most Successful Hydroponic System, missing info? 
Hi, We love your website. We will be building this system. When looking at this diagram (My Most Successful...) off to the right , what are those 2 grey ...

Tomato Fertilizer 
Hi Jason -- I've been looking for your recommended 10-55-70 fertilizer -- do you have a source for it? My indoor tomatoes are not blooming!!!

thanks....

Aeroponics System Drainage 
I was looking at your aeroponics system and I want to know how did you handle you drainage back to the reservoir.

Answer: Mack- that depends on ...

Calcified Seaweed 
I see English Chrysanthemum growers are adding small amounts of Calcified Seaweed to their growing mix. However, I'm not finding this product in my local ...

What do you think about LED grow lights? 
I'm kind of curious. I'd love to use a high dollar light set up... BUT... if LED is just as effective and a lot more efficient concerning heat and power ...

Airing a Problem Out?  Not rated yet
I suppose like many people I am feeling the penny-pinch and so I look at cheaper ways of achieving similar results that 'high-end', expensive gardening ...

CO2 levels  Not rated yet
Is there a gauge I can use to check the CO2 levels in the room where I am growing plants? Is there a magic number that relates to CO2 levels?

Answer:...

Hydroponics in Vietnam!  Not rated yet
Very interested in doing some hydroponics, a selection of vegetables as well as growing orchids for profit, about 5 meter by 5 meters

I already do gardening ...

Using a Greenhouse with Aeroponics  Not rated yet
I'm just starting to read and plan for my garden, but I was thinking of using a 10' x 22' greenhouse for my growing. I live in the southern part of Alabama,...

6 x 8 Growroom Setup  Not rated yet
Do you have any plans on how to set up a 6 x 8 garden area, where the lights should go, fans, etc. etc. Thanks very much!

Answer: Terry- One of ...

Soil Planting  Not rated yet
I have a few questions actually. The plant is 3 months old, the humidity levels are normal, and the lighting is fine 6500k fluorescents (dual bulbs), plants ...

Homemade Hydroponic Nutrients  Not rated yet
I am a fresher to this concept, would like to grow beans, tomato, and some herbs. What's the best nutrient solution that can be home made, and what is ...

Constitution of the aeroponic nutrient  Not rated yet
I have done a bit of reading on aeroponics (with no real experience in agriculture) and it has got me very interested to experiment. However, my motivation ...

Exhaust Setup for an 8 x 8 Grow Room Tent  Not rated yet
I have an 8 x 8 grow room tent that I'm not sure how to setup the ventilation for (the exhaust and intake). Could you please draw a diagram how it should ...

Can I store fertilzer after it's been mixed with water?  Not rated yet
I use soil, not hydro yet. I have Fox Farm fertilizers, Big Bloom and Tiger Bloom. The instructions give directions for a gallon mix. I would be lucky ...

Water Pump for an Aeroponic System  Not rated yet
Just about to start my own garden....I am looking at water pumps and cannot decide which one to get. None of them say anything about psi on it, just HP ...

Light Cycle for my Hydroponic Garden?  Not rated yet
I have a 400 watt, 8 pocket hydroponic grow system. I have the clones in there now with a fluorescent light on for 18 hrs. How soon can I put the 400 watt ...

Start Germinating the Seed  Not rated yet
I wish to germinate the seed and don't know if I should start in Aeroponics Cloner and then to Aeroponics System #1, or start in Aeroponics System #1 only?...

Supplies for New Hydroponic Garden Area  Not rated yet
After a failed attempt at a "pepper" garden this summer, nutso weather, high heat and lazy watering skills, I've decided I want to grow a hydroponics garden....

Controlling Hydroponic Nutrient Solution Strength  Not rated yet
Hi, I am very new to hydroponics and having trouble finding information on EC control that I can make any sense of. Can you possibly explain it in basic ...

Beginner Setting up a Grow Room - Advice?  Not rated yet
I just read the page My Most Successful Hydroponic System- missing info . Really, really good article! I want to get involved and try and get something ...

Maximum Area for HPS Grow Lights  Not rated yet
I have a 9'x 5' garden area and 2 600 watt HPS a/c lights, and I want to cover the hole area. Is this a good idea? If so, what would the proper spacing ...

Keeping Clones in Clay Pellets  Not rated yet
I was wondering, what is the best way of keeping clones under fluros. I have built a hydro set up like the one in "My Most Successful Homemade Hydroponics ...

Metal Halide light bulb?  Not rated yet
I bought a halide light bulb, 600w, online. How do I know it is indeed a halide grow bulb? The bulb says, metal halide lamp, MH-600w.

Answer: Larry-...

Worm Casting Tea Supplement  Not rated yet
I have a worm factory; it has been in use for about 3 months; can I use these composted castings for fresh worm tea for my plants? A local dealer told ...

Growing Tomatoes in a Sunroom  Not rated yet
My sunroom only gets to 19 C during the winter. It faces West so it does get afternoon sun. I would like to be able to grow tomatoes in this room during ...

How to Grow Carrots in a
Hydroponic System  Not rated yet
HOW do you grow carrots in hydroponic gardens? I want to grow some inside and would like to know the best equipment to get started with doing that.

Also,...

Hydroponincs for NGOs  Not rated yet
I am currently undertaking initial research on a development program in Laos PDR in which we are hoping to supplement coffee farmers income and vegetable ...

Removing Chlorine and Chloramines from Water  Not rated yet
Is it safe to use aquarium dechlorination chemicals to remove chloramines and chlorine from tap water for plants that will be consumed, and is water so ...

400 watt bulb with 1000 watt ballast  Not rated yet
Can I use a 400 watt bulb with a 1000 watt ballast,,,overwhelmed in cali.

Answer:  No- a 400 watt bulb is designed to run on 400 watts....if ...

Hydroponic Nutrient Solutions
for Strawberries and Lettuce  Not rated yet
I have a 500sqmtr poly tunnel in Mexico, I'm growing hydroponic lettuce (NFT) and strawberries in coco fiber bags. At the moment things are going very ...

Location of Airstones
in the Hydroponic System  Not rated yet
Hey Jason,
Thanks for the great website!!!!

I was reading over your page "My Most Successful Homemade Hydroponic System" and noticed in the drawing ...

The Hydroponic Nutrient Solution   Not rated yet
I know that there is to be some kind of solution in the water that the plants are in...what is this solution made up of?

Answer: The hydroponic ...

Maxsea 16 16 16 ( Made from Bloodmeal)  Not rated yet
Hello Jason,
Thank you, you have a very informative website.
You recommended the Maxsea 16 16 16, yet you would not use it, because it is made from dried ...

Garden Fan on a Timer  Not rated yet
I have an oscillating fan to blow on my indoor tomato plant, it is under a hydrofarm combo HPS & MH light system. 600 & 400 watt respectively. I have a ...

Vertical Hydroponic Gardens  Not rated yet
I have a couple small greenhouses in which I grow my bedding plants. I would like to grow vertical produce for my family all year. I have very little space....

Describe Tomato Pollen  Not rated yet
What does tomato pollen look like? If I vibrate the branch with an electric toothbrush, will the pollen be obvious.

Answer: Tomato plant pollen ...

Pollinating Tomatoes under HPS and MH Grow Lights  Not rated yet
I have a Better Boy tomato that is growing under inside grow lights. It is blossoming now and has been for about 2 weeks. Will an oscillating fan cause ...

Aeroponics with Organic Fertilizers  Not rated yet
Is it possible to use an aeroponic system with organic fertilizers?

Answer: Yes, it is possible to use organic fertilizers in an aeroponic system,...

Advice on Building a Grow Room  Not rated yet
I have an indoor area that is in a room that is never in use ... totally dark. I am building an area inside this room 39" wide x 49" deep x 84" high. One ...

NFT or DWC??  Not rated yet
I want to try hydroponic food, or flower, growing - again. What plant should I try? Which system is most successful? Which system is the least troublesome,...

Easy hydroponic food or flower plants  Not rated yet
I really want to learn to grow food primarily. Flowers will do too as a distant second. I have a good fluorescent light (3- each 4 foot shop lights) and ...

No problem with leaks/Your next hydroponic system  Not rated yet
In the article I was reading, you said to check out your next hydroponic system in which leaks were not a concern. Do you have this system on your web?...

Plants not doing well with Technaflora  Not rated yet
I have been in hydroponics for 11 yrs and just made a change to BC products, bloom+boost PH 5.9 ppm 1300 (25 gal res.) 6" rockwool cubes on hydroton rocks,...

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