FloraBloom (Qty options)

Stimulates flower and fruit development--- Recognized for consistently delivering reliable results for all plants, growing methods, media and applications.

Flora Series, the original 3-Part Building-Block Nutrient System, contains all Primary, Secondary and Micronutrients required for balanced plant nutrition. Made from pharmaceutical grade minerals, Flora Series is formulated to be the finest balanced and pH buffered fertilizer available. The three parts make complete and balanced nutrient solutions for proper plant nutrition that produce strong vigorous plants, abundant large healthy flowers, enhanced yields and nutrient dense crops.

Flora Series is the most used nutrient for a reason, it delivers spectacular results such as enhanced size, quantity, flavor, aroma, potency and essential oils in your fruits, flowers and vegetables.

What is a good inexpensive hydroponic system for the first time user?
Answer: Our WaterFarm, PowerGrower and EcoGrower are all good systems for a beginner. Nearly any plant can be grown, and if you later decide you would like to have some additional units, they can be linked together and expanded with our controller. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

What is the best system for starting cuttings?
Answer: Our RainForest Series does an excellent job for starting cuttings. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Which is the best system for growing smaller plants?
Answer: You can use any of our systems, though the AeroFlo produces the most rapid and dramatic results. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

What is the best system for growing tomatoes, peppers and cucumbers?
Answer: These plants have longer growing periods and need enough space for adequate root development. Our best systems for these crops are the WaterFarm, PowerGrower, EuroGrower and the EcoGrower. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Can I turn my system off at night to conserve energy? Should I run it continuously or cycle it at intervals?
Answer: All systems can be left off at night once the plant roots are long enough to reach the nutrient level in the reservoir. Longer cycles depend on the type of system you have: AeroFlo systems: The cycle can be set to run continuously during the day and coming on once or twice during the night on 15 to 30 minute intervals.
EuroGrower systems: Set the timer to come on for .5 hour/ off 1.5 hour during the daylight cycle once the plant has a good root system. These systems use coco peat which holds moisture and nutrients in the root zone.
WaterFarm, PowerGrower and EcoGrower systems: Set the timer to come on for 1 hour/ off 1 hour during the daylight cycle.
RainForest systems: These units are run continuously, especially if you are trying to root cuttings. If you are growing plants, they can be shut off in the evening once the roots have grown into the nutrient solution.
All of our systems can be run 24 hours a day 7 days a week for optimal results, power conservation is the only reason to cycle watering. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

How does the Dutch Pot system differ from the WaterFarm system?
Answer: Each WaterFarm, PowerGrower and EcoGrower can be used as a stand alone system, or several can be connected together. There is a growing chamber and a nutrient reservoir for each unit. They use an air pump to deliver nutrients and have expanded clay pebbles as the medium.

The Dutch Pot (EuroGrower) is a single chambered system which is drip fed by an in-line pump. Drainage from all units returns to a single reservoir. In the Dutch Pot, smaller grade media such as coco peat may be used without fear of particles entering the nutrient stream and clogging pumps. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

What is the Controller, and what does it do?
Answer: The Controller is a large external nutrient reservoir, which can supply make-up nutrient to as many as eight WaterFarm or PowerGrower modules. It provides an additional supply of nutrient solution as the plants move into their rapid growth phase. The larger Texas Controller can be used to supply up to 12 WaterFarm or PowerGrower modules, or it can be used in conjunction with the RainForest or EcoGrower systems. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Can you recommend a simple solution for keeping growing media out of drains?
Answer: The General Hydroponics' CocoTek Mats were designed for this purpose. The CocoTek mats can be cut to fit any application and come in two sizes, 4'x8'x1/4" or 4'x4'x1". --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The hoses on my WaterFarm have gotten dirty. What's the best way to unclog the system?
Answer: The easiest way to clean the drip ring and pumping column is to soak the pieces in hot water. You can add 1 Tablespoon bleach per Gallon as a cleanser. After soaking, plug one end of the drip ring and run hot water into the other end. This forces water out of the drip holes and removes any deposits. Some people keep an extra pumping column and drip ring that they swap out during every cleaning. The used pieces are soaked in bleach solution, rinsed thoroughly, dried, and stored for the next cleaning. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Why is my WaterFarm or PowerGrower not dripping from the drip ring?
Answer: Make sure the y connector for the 1/4" air line and 1/2" drip line (both are connected by the y connector and are the pumping column assembly) is on the bottom of the reservoir in the nutrient solution. There should be a 1/2" drip line to connect the drip ring tee to and a 1/4" air line to connect the 1/4" air line to coming out of the top of the pumping column support tube. If this part is correctly installed, check the drip ring, pumping column and y connector for debris and clogging. If the system still will not drip correctly call or email GH. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

How do I deal with algae build up in my hydroponic system?
Answer: The best method is prevention. If you keep the solution away from light, i.e. keep the lids closed and all openings sealed, you can prevent algae from growing. If you already have algae in the system you can remove it with a brush, or use hydrogen peroxide (3ml of 3% H2O2 per gallon of solution) to remove it. If there are particles floating in the nutrient solution, be sure to flush the reservoir and growing chamber with ample water, and then start with a new batch of nutrient. If the problem is severe, make sure you have the algae completely flushed out to avoid the risk of clogging some of the flow lines in the system. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Is there a way to get parts for old GH systems?
Answer: Please first check our parts and supplies page to see if we have your replacement part listed. If you do not see the parts you are looking for please email or call General Hydroponics with the specific parts needed or a description of the parts and GH will let you know if the parts are available and a give you price if available. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Are the plastic components used in General Hydroponics systems food grade safe?
Answer: Yes, all of our plastic parts are food grade safe. No chemicals will leach into growing plants. The plastics are also UV stable under artificial lighting and natural lighting. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Do I need a humidome for my RainForest system?
Answer: No. The Vortex sprayer, included in the RainForest 66, 318 and 236, supplies an ultra fine mist of water, oxygen and nutrient in just the right amount for cuttings to survive until roots form. As with the Vortex sprayer, the pumping set up used in the RainForest 36 will also supply the right amount of water, oxygen and nutrient for cuttings to survive until roots form, no humidome is needed.

General Hydroponics is a leading innovator in the field of hydroponics in North America and Europe.

Hydroponics basically means working water ("hydro" means "water" and "ponos" means "labor"). Many different civilizations have utilized hydroponic growing techniques throughout history. As noted in Hydroponic Food Production (Fifth Edition, Woodbridge Press, 1997, page 23) by Howard M. Resh: "The hanging gardens of Babylon, the floating gardens of the Aztecs of Mexico and those of the Chinese are examples of 'Hydroponic' culture. Egyptian hieroglyphic records dating back several hundred years B.C. describe the growing of plants in water." Hydroponics is hardly a new method of growing plants. However, giant strides have been made over the years in this innovative area of agriculture.

Throughout the last century, scientists and horticulturists experimented with different methods of hydroponics. One of the potential applications of hydroponics that drove research was for growing fresh produce in non arable areas of the world. It is a simple fact that some people cannot grow in the soil in their area (if there is even any soil at all). This application of hydroponics was used during World War II. Troops stationed on non arable islands in the Pacific were supplied with fresh produce grown in locally established hydroponic systems.

Later in the century, hydroponics was integrated into the space program. As NASA considered the practicalities of locating a society on another planet or the Earth's moon, hydroponics easily fit into their sustainability plans. This research is ongoing. But by the 1970s, it wasn't just scientists and analysts who were involved in hydroponics. Traditional farmers and eager hobbyists began to be attracted to the virtues of hydroponic growing. A few of the positive aspects of hydroponics include:
� The ability to produce higher yields than traditional, soil-based agriculture.
� Allowing food to be grown and consumed in areas of the world that cannot support crops in the soil.
� Eliminating the need for massive pesticide use (considering most pests live in the soil), effectively making our air, water, soil, and food cleaner.

Commercial growers are flocking to hydroponics like never before. The ideals surrounding these growing techniques touch on subjects that most people care about, such as helping end world hunger and making the world cleaner. In addition to the extensive research that is going on, everyday people from all over the world have been building (or purchasing) their own systems to grow great-tasting, fresh food for their family and friends. Educators are realizing the amazing applications that hydroponics can have in the classroom. And ambitious individuals are striving to make their dreams come true by making their living in their backyard greenhouse, selling their produce to local markets and restaurants.

And now that so many people from so many different walks of life are involved in hydroponics and its associated disciplines (such as aeroponics and aquaponics), progress is coming faster than ever before.