Organic Farming vs Hydroponics

Hydroponics

“Go organic” has become the battle-cry of thousands of Americans who assume that food items labeled “organic” is automatically a better, healthier product. Is this really true? Both organic farming and hydroponic farming embrace a desire to...

Ladybug

Beneficial Insects

What is it about the tiny Lady Beetle that makes people like them? Is it their bright colors or domed shape? Or do we sense how much good they’ve done us through the centuries? Whatever the attraction, it’s gone on for a long time and is quite widespread. Common...

Green ‘Lynx’ Spider

Beneficial Insects

Aptly named for their bright green body color and capability of running very fast, then jumping on its prey like a cat, Peucetia viridans, is North America’s largest ‘Lynx’ spider. These long-legged hunting arachnoids are known by the Spanish name araña...

Calcium in Plants

Nutrients

Calcium uptake and mobility Calcium uptake by the plant is passive and does not require energy input. Calcium mobility in the plant takes places mainly in the xylem, together with water. Therefore calcium uptake is directly related to the plant transpiration rate....

Types of Hydroponic Systems

Hydroponics

There are two main types of hydroponic systems – closed hydroponic systems and open hydroponic systems. Hydroponic systems that do not involve growing media are usually closed systems, while hydroponic systems that involve growing media (container plants), may...