CityGreens Hydroponics - Blog , OthersCityGreens Hydroponics - Blog , Othershttps://www.citygreens.ai/blogs/othersSat, 11 Apr 2026 08:57:21 +0530http://zoho.com/sites/<![CDATA[pH and its Importance in Hydroponics.]]>https://www.citygreens.ai/blogs/post/ph-and-its-importance-in-hydroponics.pH is an indicator of how acidic or basic a solution is. pH value ranges from 0-14. A solution is acidic if pH lies between 0 & 7 and basic if it’s ]]>

What is pH?

pH is an indicator of how acidic or basic a solution is.

pH value ranges from 0-14.

A solution is acidic if pH lies between 0 & 7 and basic if it’s between 7 & 14. With 7 being neutral.

pH Range for Growing Plants in Hydroponics

A pH of 5.5 - 6.0 is good for growing leafy vegetables like spinach, lettuces, coriander, basil, amaranth, fenugreek, mint, rosemary, parsley, celery, etc.


Similarly, a pH of 6 - 6.5 should be maintained for fruiting plants like tomatoes, cucumbers, bell peppers, zucchini, chillies, jalapenos etc.

Why it is Important to Maintain Optimum pH Levels in Hydroponics?

pH is directly related to the uptake of nutrients by plants. 


For example, if pH is low macro nutrients like Nitrogen, Phosphorus, Potassium is not absorbed, and plants do not grow. Conversely if pH is high micronutrients like iron, manganese, boron etc are not absorbed and plant leaves turn yellow.


So next time before you come to any conclusion on nutrient deficiencies first check the pH values.


If pH is low add pH Up solution to increase the pH value. How to use City Greens pH Up solution?


If pH is high add pH Down solution to decrease the pH value. How to use City Greens pH Down solution?


More on the nutrient’s availability for plants at different pH levels can be understood from the chart below.

Best Practices to Maintain Optimum pH Value.

  • Always measure pH every day at specific time
  • Do not try to chase a particular pH value. You always have a range to play with.
  • Wait for an hour or so to recheck the pH after adding pH adjusters
  • Try to use RO water rather than tap water to avoid pH fluctuations.
]]>Fri, 11 Nov 2022 18:17:24 +0530<![CDATA[Searching for the Perfect Hydroponic System for your Plants. Here is all that your Plant Needs!]]>https://www.citygreens.ai/blogs/post/searching-for-the-perfect-hydroponic-system-for-your-plants.-here-is-all-that-your-plant-needsLearn about Deep Water Culture Hydroponics System. Build one of your own or buy one starter kit to learn Hydroponics at Home]]>

The new Hydroponics system in the agriculture industry is slowly gaining popularity due to its high crop outputs and the smart technology that it uses, not only this, the hydroponics industry is estimated to grow tremendously in the coming years.


If you do not know what hydroponics is, need not worry, in this article we will be dealing with what is hydroponics and one method of growing plants by hydroponics – that is the DEEP WATER CULTURE (DWC), understanding the mechanism of a DWC system, its benefits, and steps to set up a DWC system.

NFT A Frame Spinach Hydroponics

What is Hydroponics?

Hydroponics is a process of growing plants, wherein the soil is replaced by water i.e. – the roots remain soaked in a water-based nutrient solution instead of soil, absorbing all the minerals required for growing from the water reservoir.


How is DWC related to Hydroponics?

While growing plants in the soil we use various methods and tools, e.g. – we would use a tractor or a cultivator for plowing the soil and a seed tape or dibble for sowing the seeds in the ground. Similarly growing plants by hydroponics includes various machinery and methods, amongst many like an Ebb and flow, drip system, aeroponics, and many more DWC is one such method.

1. What is a DWC System?

Complementary to the name itself, Deep/Direct water culture is a method in which the plant roots remain soaked in water throughout their development period. 


The liquid solution in which the plants are dipped contains three main elements, namely-

  • Oxygen
  • Water
  • Nutrients {Mainly NPK (Nitrogen, Phosphorous, Potassium), Micronutrients (Manganese, Zinc, Copper, Chloride, Boron, Iron), Mesa nutrients (Calcium, Sulphur, Magnesium)}

Components of a DWC Hydroponic System

·  Plants

·  Water reservoir (bucket)

·  Net pots

·  Air pumps

·  Air stone

·  Hose

·  pH control kit

2. How does a DWC system work?

  • A certain number of plants are placed in a tray. The plants are placed in such a way that the roots of the plants hang down from the small pits.
  • The water reservoir (bucket) filled with the nutrient solution is led into the tray where plants are placed through a pipe/tube.
  • Plant roots absorb the required nutrients from the flowing water, which is sufficiently provided, throughout the process.
  • An air pump is used for availing oxygen to the roots and this air pump is the most important appliance in the whole system of hydroponics. The absence of an air pump would either leave the plant deoxygenated or even lead to its death.

Remember: The nutrient and the water requirement of every plant may vary depending upon its size and type.

3. How to assemble a DWC System?

  • Start with preparing the nutrient solution, once ready check the pH, remember the favorable pH shall be between 5.5 to 6.5
  • Place the plants in the net pots and fix the net pots in the tray through the hollow pits.
  • From the water reservoir connect the hose and towards the end of it attach the air stone, which would enable producing tiny bubbles.
  • After putting up all the above-mentioned apparatus together you can put the system under the light.

4. What are the benefits of a DWC System?

  • Reduces the use of fertilizer, as the plants are always drenched in the nutrient solution.
  • Very slight amount of maintenance after setting up for once
  • Assembling is comparatively easy.
  • Adequate nutrient absorption from the solution, improves cell growth rate.
  • The time required for plant growth is relatively low.

Confused about where to get a full-fledged kit from?

Try CityGreens DWC Starter Kit

City Greens has come up with its hydroponics DWC kids which can not only be used by adults but also by kids and people who are willing to start it as a hobby or even for the experiment.


The kit comes with:

  • DWC pipes
  • Hydroponics nutrients
  • Air pump
  • Net pots
  • Fly Ash Hydrotons
  • Coir Coins
  • Variety of seeds

How is it different from other Kits?

  • City Greens DWC kit is the only one that allows you to open the lid and access the root zone, anytime during the plant lifecycle. It also comes with a dual opening mechanism and lift-open mechanism, with this mechanism you can simply lift up the lid and access the root zone even when the plants are still growing. 
  • Allows you to open the NFT channel or pipes, check the water level and clean the system from time to time.
  • All the required apparatus is available in one box and at a very affordable cost.
  • Perfect for small-scale production or an experiment.


To buy your DWC starter kit visit www.CityGreens.shop

]]>Wed, 02 Feb 2022 17:39:14 +0530<![CDATA[Is Hydroponically-grown food as Nutritious as soil-grown?]]>https://www.citygreens.ai/blogs/post/is-hydroponically-grown-food-as-nutritious-as-soil-grownEver wondered which food is more nutritious? The one grown Hydroponically or the soil-grown? Read on and find out.]]>
Like with everything else, Hydroponics has its fair mix of promoters and detractors. Many pin it down to a new fad or an unnatural way of growing, while others are incredibly upbeat, calling it the future of Agriculture. Most proponents (including us) talk about measures like reduction in the use of pesticides, optimization of resources, yield per square foot, and RoI. In today's blog, we will touch upon an equally important and pertinent topic regarding Hydroponics - Nutrition.
NFT A Frame Spinach Hydroponics

But before that, let us recap some aspects of Hydroponic growing:

  • It is a scientific and calculated method of growing produce.
  • It takes into account the specific requirements of each plant.
  • It allows excellent control over the nutrition profile of the plant.
  • It eliminates a large number of pests and thus eliminates or reduces the need for using dangerous pesticides and chemicals.

Understanding Food Nutrition

When it comes to evaluating the nutritional profile of Hydroponic produce, we should consider three critical factors, viz

    • The nutrient-mix provided to the plant (nutrient given to the plant itself)
    • The availability of various nutrients in the crop at the time of consumption (time from farm to table)
    • Additional substances present in the food (other inputs like chemicals and pesticides used during the production phase)

    Let us explore each one of these in order.

    1. The nutrient mix provided to the plant 

    For the sake of this article,  let us compare the produce grown inorganically in soil vs. the one grown in Hydroponics. 


    In both these cases, the primary fertilizer inputs applied to the plants are similar. They mostly differ in their form, solid vs. liquid, but the underlying compounds/minerals/elements are the same. As such, there is no significant difference in the fertilizer inputs used in soil-based growing vs. Hydroponic growing. So, logically there should be no difference in the nutritional quality of hydroponic produce vs. soil-grown produce. 

    Yet, subtle differences can still appear because of the following two reasons:-

      1. Leaching of nutrients.
      2. Soil profile. 

    Scope Covered

    To be prudent, we will not cover the organic method of production under this head. The reason for the same is because, in the case of Organic cultivation, the input nutrient mix will vary with each batch of organic fertilizer. (Depending upon the quantity and quality of feed taken by the animals or the products that go into the compost bin, the nutritional profile of the organic manure or compost will vary from batch to batch.)

    Leaching of Nutrients

      Fertilizer usage in the soil does not support the principal of recirculation. An overwhelming majority of soil-based agriculture in India is dependent upon rain or uses flood irrigation methods by extracting groundwater through bore-wells. An inherent drawback of such irrigation practices is that a large amount of fertilizer seeps through the soil and get mixed into the groundwater or nearby water bodies. The pollution of natural water resources is one of the biggest banes of excessive use of fertilizers. In traditional farming methods, though a farmer can control which and how much nutrient she gives to the plant, she cannot possibly control the extent to which it remains available for the intake by the plant. The nutritional science in Hydroponics, on the other hand, works on the principle of recirculation. In Hydroponics, the nutrient-rich water is recirculated back through the plant roots repeatedly. This recirculation process helps in two ways; one, it ensures minimal wastage of nutrients. Second, the plant roots have nutrients available to them at all times. Due to this reason, a Hydroponically-grown plant should have a better nutritional profile as compared to soil-grown plants.

    Soil Profile

      In the case of soil-grown plants, apart from the nutrients added by the farmer, the soil itself may have many trace elements and nutrients (some of which may be beneficial and some may be harmful). However, in the case of Hydroponics, unless the farmer adds a nutrient externally, the plant may never get that nutrient. Due to this reason, the soil-grown produce may have a higher amount of some elements as compared to their hydroponically grown counterparts.

    Of the two factors mentioned above, one promotes better nutritional profile in hydroponic vegetables while the other promotes better nutrition profile in the soil-grown plants. In the real world scenario, it will be challenging to ascertain which factor will play out how and to what extent and hence we should look at the average case scenario for our understanding. In an average case scenario, the hydroponically grown produce will have a slightly better nutrition profile overall as compared to the soil-grown produce. The same has been verified time and again by different farmers and experts from agri-industries who grow medicinal and aromatic plants. When they grow these plants using Hydroponics, the concentration of active ingredient/oil content is much higher as compared to soil-grown plants. The same should hold for nutrients. 

    Yet, amongst the scores of nutrients, a few specific nutrients may be in higher quantities in soil-grown produce and vice-versa. Also, this will vary from batch to batch depending upon the location/soil quality, in which the crop grew. Thus you will find multiple reports and articles in the public domain claiming both the superiority of hydroponic produce, as well as of the soil-grown produce, depending upon the source of the report and the specific nutrient element being discussed in the report. For example, consider the following two news headlines:

    Hydroponically grown Spinach has 10% more iron content than the soil-grown one. A reason to switch to safe and healthy Hydroponic produce.

    Laboratory tests show that Hydroponically grown Spinach has up to 5% less Calcium than the one grown in soil. Beware of what you eat.

    You may be surprised to know that both of the above headlines may use the same laboratory test report as their base. Depending upon the objective and motive of the author, she may choose to publish limited facts or data to influence a specific view-point. (Well, that's true for almost all the stats you read anywhere.) 

    2. Post-harvest nutrient loss in the plant 

    The moment a plant is harvested, it begins to lose nutrients. Higher the temperature more is the loss. What that means for you as a consumer is that if your food is grown in far off places and takes a long time transiting through the supply chain, it will have little nutrients left by the time you consume it. So, to get the same amount of nutrients as you expect you are getting from eating a single bowl of Spinach, you may as well need to eat two. 

    The point we are trying to drive home here is that though it is vital to ascertain how much nutrition is present in the food initially at the time of harvest, it is equally, if not more, important to track the time lag from farm to fork, or how fast you get your food post-harvest.

    By that metric alone, Hydroponics is a clear winner (unless, of course, you grow your food) as most of the hydroponic farms are setup within or near large cities and provide their produce fresh to the consumer. For example, from harvesting to delivering the greens from CityGreen's indoor farm in Bangalore, we often manage a turnaround time of fewer than three hours. It cannot get fresh than that.

    Why Fresh Matters?

    How much nutrition does a food pack is only a part of the equation. Another equally critical aspect is how much of this nutrient is still present in the food when you consume it. 

    Need proof? 

    According to a Pennsylvania State University research report, Spinach loses 47% of folates and 56% of carotenoids in just four days when stored at 20° C. You can download the report from here.

    3. Additional substances present in the food 

    We strongly believe that the third aspect that we are going to cover now is the most significant advantage offered by Hydroponics. It is common knowledge that most of the harmful pests affecting plants are soil-based. Since Hydroponics eliminates soil, it also removes all soil-borne parasites without using a single drop of pesticide. Also, since the water used for hydroponic cultivation is pre-treated and purified, even water quality is pristine. The only thing a Hydroponic grower may still need to deal with is air-borne pests (and in an entirely indoor vertical farm, even air-borne pests may not be a nuisance). As such, even if a hydroponic producer has to use pesticides, he may need to use them in much lesser quantity than a soil-based grower. This advantage exists due to the inherent nature of the technology. 

    Pesticide Footprint

    When it comes to pesticide use, it is safe to say that Hydroponics may even be better than Organic. Contrary to popular belief, organic production does allow for pesticide use, and there is a perfectly logical reason for why it is permitted. For those interested in reading more about it, refer to this article.

    The Importance of Hydroponic Produce in Cities in India

    In an ideal world, Hydroponic produce will be slightly better than the soil-grown produce in terms of nutritional value and quality. But we do not live in a perfect world, and that makes Hydroponic produce far better than the soil-grown produce that we get in our neighborhood stores, especially in the big cities in India. Let me explain why.


    While nutrition is a tough call, the benefit of Hydroponics is clear in terms of reducing the toxic stuff we put into our bodies. Studies indicate, that especially in the cities, the soil growing conditions of crops like Spinach is deplorable and many times the water sources used are dirty and unhygienic. For example, this news report by BBC explains how Spinach is cultivated in Bangalore using polluted water from lakes. Mumbai is not far behind. The greens you consume are often grown by the side of railway tracks and are highly toxic as per this ToI news report. If you think you are safe in Delhi, or Pune, or any other cities, think again. Twenty minutes of targeted search on internet will open your eyes and make you appreciate why we switched over to Hydroponics. 


    Snippets from BBC Report.

    What shocked us was the candid admission of how greens are being grown using polluted water and then being sold in the vegetable markets from where it finds its way to the retail stores and ultimately to your food table.

    If people know where we grow our produce, they will not buy it. So we have no other choice but to lie.

    Spinach is the only crop we can grow using the polluted lake water. Other plants rot faster with polluted water.


    This is not all. Even if the farmers are using borewell water to irrigate their fields, it may still not be safe. In many parts of India, the water table is contaminated. So, along with the nutrients, there are also traces of unwanted elements that may enter the system, causing disease and damage. 


    Now let us consider the case of pesticides. Pesticides, as such, may not be harmful if used in the right quantities and at the correct times, so that the amount of residue left at the time of harvest is negligible. But does that happen in the real world? 


    Why does a farmer use Pesticide?

    For a farmer who has already invested substantially in terms of the seeds, fertilizers, effort, and time. Once faced with a pest, will she choose to be moderate or aggressive in saving her livelihood?

     Your guess is as good as mine. 


    Unfortunately, this affects the human system as we consume all these unwanted pesticides causing long term health disasters. Further, incessant use of these pesticides also impacts the water tables and creates more resistant strains of pests. More often than not, society focuses on curative and is more comfortable spending on medicines and doctors rather than on preventive measures such as choosing to eat healthy and safe food even if it comes at a little premium. 

    Just to put things in perspective, below listed are certain findings from this report available in the public domain:

      • Brinjal: Chemical found is Heptachlor, 860% above the legal limit
      • Cabbage: Chemical found is Cypermethrin, 95.5% above the legal limit
      • Okra: Chemical found is Heptachlor, 55% above the legal limit
      • Rice: Chemical found is Chlorfenvinfos, 1324% above the legal limit
      • Banana: Chemical found is Chlorodane, 54% above the legal limit
      • Cauliflower: Chemical found is Aldrin, 320% above the legal limit
      • Apple: Chemical found is Dichlorvas, 140% above the legal limit


    Thus, it is only in the larger benefit of our health that it is advisable to grow in a medium that helps to eliminate or at least minimize the use of harmful elements that cause long term damage. India faces a daunting task of purifying and making soil worthy of growing produce as it has been infested with heavy dosages of pesticides and fungicides. As such given a choice between soil-grown and Hydroponically grown vegetables, I will always choose the ones grown hydroponically. What about you?


    Happy Growing!

    ]]>    Thu, 26 Mar 2020 19:34:55 +0530    <![CDATA[The importance of manual pollination in protected agriculture]]>https://www.citygreens.ai/blogs/post/hand-pollination-cucumberSome plants can pollinate themselves, while others may need external support. Read on to find out how to hand pollinate and increase your crop yield.]]>
    In today's blog, we will attempt to explain the science behind pollination,  its impact, and reasons for failure. Understanding this will provide a better insight into the causes of why fruiting and flowering may not be occurring as expected.

    What is Pollination?

    Before we explain the process of pollination, it is vital to understand the different parts of plants that are involved in the process.

      • Anther - it is the male reproductive part of flowers that produces pollen grains.
      • Pollen grains - these consist of one or more vegetative cells and a reproductive cell (think of these as sperm cells).
      • Stigma - it is the female reproductive organ of a plant that acts as a receptor for pollens.

    Pollination is the process of transfer of pollen grains from the anther of a male flower to the stigma of the female flower.

    The Significance of Pollination

    To continue the circle of life, a living organism must produce its progenies. Plants are no exceptions to this natural cycle. Plants develop their progenies by creating seeds for the next generation. The process of pollination aids the circle of life in the case of plants. Proper pollination increases the percentage of fruit set in flower. Later, the fruit will produce the seed, thus completing the circle of life. 

    Kinds of Pollination

    Self-pollination

      Self-pollination is the process of transfer of pollen grain from the anther of one flower to the stigma of the same flower or the stigma of another flower on the same plant. Tomato is an example fo a self-pollinating plant.

    Cross-pollination

      Cross-pollination is the process of transfer of pollen grain from the anther of one flower to the stigma of a flower on another plant that belongs to the same species. Cucumber is an example of a cross-pollinating plant.

    Self-pollination, as the name suggests, does not need any external vector. The anther and stigma are positioned such that the transfer of pollen grain happens naturally. Cross-pollination, however, requires external stimuli, often a vector, like an insect, to transfer pollen from one flower to the other. 

    Challenges of cross-pollination in a controlled environment

    Cross-pollination is normally aided through insects. Insects collect pollen and nectar from the flowers as food. As they forage, they spread the pollen from one flower to another flower, one plant to another plant. In an open environment, this process works well, and environmental factors like wind, water, rain, etc. further aid the process of pollination. A protected environment restricts the movement of natural pollinators. This limitation leads to a reduced rate of, or improper pollination, which results in no fruit set or deformed fruits and seeds.  Due to this, yield reduces in the plants grown in a protected environment. In such cases, a farmer can aid the process of pollination by carrying out manual/hand pollination. 


    How to carry out Manual Pollination

      • First, check for the male and female flowers.
      • Using a small plant brush collect the pollen grains from anthers of the male flower
      • Smear them on the stamen of the female flower. Or take the male flower and give a gentle tap over the stigma of the female flower.

    While carrying out the process of manual pollination, One should be careful so as not to damage the stigma. A damaged stigma would lead to unfruitfulness. We did experience this first-hand and have shared the same in an earlier blog. 


    Happy Growing!


    ]]>    Sat, 26 Jan 2019 11:35:00 +0530    <![CDATA[Find out what causes a deformed cucumber]]>https://www.citygreens.ai/blogs/post/deformed-cucumberDid your cucumber grew up in a different shape? Find out the possible causes that can lead to a deformed cucumber.]]>
    At the CG garden, when we grew cucumbers for the first time, we did not get any fruit due to pest infestations and lack of pollination. On our second attempt, we are happy to share that the results were sweet. Most of the cucumber fruits were very tasty, but we did notice some funny-shaped cucumbers also.

    We noticed some cucumbers that looked different. We had a few curled cucumbers and a few with a bulge towards the far end. When we investigated the reasons for these funny-shaped cucumbers, we realized that we were not doing the pollination in the right way. To know how to do hand pollination, refer to this blog. In our case, the reason was improper pollination. In your case, it may be something else too. Read on to find out the main reasons that lead to the formation of misshapen cucumbers. 

    Reasons for deformed cucumbers

    Improper Pollination

    Generally, pollination in cucumber will be facilitated by insects, especially honey bees. When there is a lack of insects in the garden, especially in protected farms, like ours, no or incomplete pollination will occur. In the case of no pollination, you will not get any fruit at all. In the case of incomplete pollination, however, enough pollens do not reach the stigma of the female flower. In this case, the part of the fruit that gets enough pollen gets developed fully, whereas the part that does not get a good number of pollens fails to grow to its full potential. Often this part is the blossom end. The incomplete pollination leads to the deformed cucumber. 

    Hot Weather

    High temperatures can impact pollination adversely in multiple ways. During warm weather, the pest activity decreases. The reduced activity can lead to a lesser number of pollens getting transferred to the stigma. Even if a sufficient number of pollens do get transferred, many of those may be sterile. The reason for this is because the sterility of pollens decreases with an increase in temperature. Apart from this, due to high heat, the stigma receptivity of the flower reduces; anthers may die too, thus leading to improper pollination and causing deformed fruits in the plants.

    Excessive Nitrogen

    Cucumber needs a lot of nutrition during the vegetative stage. However, once the plant matures, the nutritional requirements change. At this stage, the plant needs a relatively lesser amount of Nitrogen. If the nutrient solution is not adjusted appropriately, it may also lead to misshapen fruits.

    Irregular Water Suppply

    Cucumber needs a lot of water. During the warm season, this requirement increases further. In case the farmer does not provide a sufficient amount of water to the plants, the plant may come under water stress and form deformed fruits. 

    Lastly, there are a couple of more things that one should take care of if doing hand pollination. 

      • One should take care to ensure that stigma does not get damaged during pollination. 
      • Also, one has to be aware and informed regarding the perfect time for pollination. The stigma receptivity varies for different time crop combinations. For cucumbers, the best time to pollinate is usually between 6:00 AM and 8:00 AM.

    Taking care of the above-listed aspects, the grower can increase her chances of getting proper shaped good cucumber fruit. 


    Happy Growing!

    ]]>    Thu, 17 Jan 2019 09:37:11 +0530    <![CDATA[The Mighty Mites. Identify and manage red spider mite infestation]]>https://www.citygreens.ai/blogs/post/red-spider-mites-prevention-managementWhen it comes to Mites, prevention is better than cure. Read on to find out how to identify and manage infestation by mites.]]>

    Mites are tiny insects that can attack your plants and hamper their growth and yield. One could easily confuse Red Spider mites with small spiders as these mites also spin protective webs to protect them from predators, hence the common name 'spider mite.' Red Spider mites appear as reddish/greenish spots on the leaves and stems. Contrary to what the name indicates, these mites can have a variety of different colors, including red, green, and yellow/orange.   

    Damage caused by Mites

    Mites are tiny insects that feed on plant tissues by penetrating the plant cells with their needle-like mouth-parts. They suck the juicy content from the plant parts, thus giving the characteristic of 'white/yellow specks.' If the damage is severe, complete defoliation (complete loss of leaves) of the plant can happen. In some cases, you might observe stunted plant growth. Mites are most active in warm weather with dry conditions. They often target crops like peppers, tomatoes, potatoes, beans, corn, cannabis, strawberries, and ornamental plants like the rose. Mites have a high reproducing rate. Once the mites attack a crop, the infestation can spread in a short amount of time.

    How to spot an infestation by Mites

    • Presence of spider webbing around leaf and stem of the plant.
    • Mite affected plants look unhealthy and will have a dusty appearance on the underside of the leaf.
    • If one looks closely, one can spot the movement of these red mites, which may otherwise seem like leaf spotting.
    • The most visible and characteristic sign is the presence of small white/yellow specks on the leaves.
    • These specks will enlarge and later merge, creating whitish to silvery transparent patches on the affected areas.

    the adjoining image shows infestation, by both, mites as well as thrips, in a pak-choi leaf.

    How to manage damage by Mites

    In the case of the mighty mites, prevention is always better than cure. This, of course, is easier said than done. So we will look at other possible alternate means:

      • Ensure regular watering for the plants as these mites prefer dry and hot climate for the multiplication.
      • Allow natural enemies like lacewings and ladybugs to feed on them.
      • Predatory mites of the family Phytoseiidae, like Phytoseiulus persimilis, will eat the adult mites and eggs.
      • Use of neem oil sprays at 20-30 ml per liter of water depending upon the infestation levels
      • Application of Harpin Alpha Beta (a protein which stimulates the plant's natural defense system and helps in restoring the sap sugar levels and encouraging in replacement of damaged plant tissues
      • The last method is the use of the insecticide 'Acaricides.'


    Don't undermine the might of a mite! 


    Happy Gardening!


    ]]>    Mon, 26 Nov 2018 22:54:55 +0530    <![CDATA[Stevia Rebaudiana - A natural sweetener - cultivation through Hydroponics]]>https://www.citygreens.ai/blogs/post/stevia-rebaudiana-natural-sweetener-cultivation-hydroponicsStevia is a natural and healthy alternative to table sugar. A plant, you must add to your kitchen garden.]]>


    Stevia rebaudiana - Another plant to add to your home garden. 


    At City Greens, we have tried to highlight the variety of plants that can be grown at home in one's kitchen garden. Today, we bring another such possible crop to grow- albeit this can be done more for commercial purposes. All who are scouting for a zero-calorie natural sweetener can attempt to grow this plant. Botanically, Stevia rebaudiana is known by many vernacular names viz., sweet herb, candy leaf, sugar leaf, bio sweetener, etc. This plant originated in South America. Many years ago, people in South America used these leaves to sweeten beverages (Tea), as medicine and chewed them raw for its sweet taste. Though the entire herb can be used as a sweetener, the maximum sugar content is present in the leaf. 

    What makes Stevia sweet?

    Steviol glycoside, which is naturally present in the leaves of the plants, gives it its sweet taste. There are about 11 types of steviol glycosides present in this plant, of which Rebaudioside A and Stevioside are the most abundant. 

    Will Stevia replace our table sugar?

    Highly likely, it will, though it may take time. Stevia is 200 to 300 times sweeter than our sucrose and it does not come with a lot of side effects that are commonly attributed to the processed sugar.

    How to grow this natural sweetener?

    The most common method to grow Stevia is by planting cuttings. One can attempt to grow the same by sowing the seeds as well, but the germination percentage is very less.

    What type of climate does it need?

    It needs a temperature of around 30-32 degrees Celsius. For commercial growing in soil media, well-drained red soil is most suitable for this plant. In the hydroponic method, you can use Cocopeat as growing medium to grow.

    After how many days will stevia be ready to taste?

    You must wait for four months after planting to be able to get the sweet taste in the leaf- directly while chewing it. But, to get more sweetness in the leaf (more of Steviol glycoside content), pluck the leaves before flowering. After the first harvest - subsequent harvests can be done at three months intervals.

    How to use the leaves after harvesting?

    Simple! Pluck and Eat! Fresh and Healthy!


    To store the leaves for an extended period, one needs to shade dry the leaves immediately after harvest, as exposure to harsh sunlight/high temperature may reduce its characteristic aroma and essential oil contents. A long period of drying reduces its stevioside content (sweetener content). After drying, pack, and store it in a cool and dry place. Enjoy it by adding to your tea, food, etc. 

    Commercial potential of Stevia?

    Stevia is used widely on a commercial scale.

        1. It is used in powder and tablet form in almost all artificial sweeteners.
        2. Herbal tonics and tablets containing Stevia are also available.
        3. It is safe for diabetic patients.
        4. It is suited for obese persons.
        5. It has antibacterial, antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, hypotensive, diuretic, and cardiotonic properties.
        6. It also prevents skin diseases like dermatitis, eczema, wrinkles, skin blemishes, acne outbreaks, scarring, rashes, and itchiness
        7. Stevia also acts as a synthesizer of oral contraceptives, cholesterol suppressing medicine, anti-tumor activity against prostate tumors, and activity against rheumatism.


    Some studies have tried to understand the negative impacts of stevia consumption. These studies have not found any direct co-relation yet. However, some claim that if consumed in vast quantities, Stevia may lead to antifertility. 

    The next time you go to a store, don't forget to check out the ingredients mentioned on any of the many available artificial sweeteners present in the market. See if you could spot Stevia Rebaudiana.


    Happy Growing!


    ]]>    Thu, 11 Oct 2018 22:53:27 +0530    <![CDATA[Growing Sweet Corn in Hydroponics]]>https://www.citygreens.ai/blogs/post/sweet-corn-hydroponics-cocopeatOne can even grow crops like sweet corn and sugarcane without using soil. We have grown them both. In this article we are sharing our experience of growing sweet corn in Hydroponics.]]>
    In our journey to try out various crops, this time, we attempted to grow baby corn in our Research Centre. Needless to say, the journey has been exciting and fruitful, and hence this happy post sharing the details of the same. Sweet corn is a fantastic vegetable. It has a good demand and value in the market. It is also one of those considered in the exotic vegetable pool. Baby corn is the normal maize that is harvested at earlier stages and thus used as a ‘vegetable.’ This light yellow colored immature corn is known and called by many names viz., young corn, sweet corn, candle corn, mini corn, etc. Besides its characteristic flavor and taste, it contains similar nutritional values as found in tomatoes, cabbage, or carrots. 

    Our Experience in Growing Sweet Corn

    Our journey of growing this sweet vegetable started with sowing seed in cocopeat in a grow bag. Cemented pots, Grow bags, or any large root growing containers can also be used for growing this crop. 

      1. For corn, it is ideal to sow the seeds directly into the medium instead of raising seedlings and transplanting them. The root system of this plant is very delicate, and unless it is handled with extreme care and caution, attempting to transplant this may result in loss of the plant. We used cocopeat as the medium to grow corn. If you would like to grow it in soil, ensure that the ph of the soil is maintained at a neutral pH range of 6-7.
      2. Before sowing the seed make sure that the selection of pots is right. This plant needs a pot with a wide mouth and a depth of at least 2 feet. As mentioned earlier, since the root system is very delicate, transplanting is not advisable.

    The seeds germinated within a week. And from then on, we waited with bated breath to see the transformation and growth of this plant. Plants started growing well. For nutrition, we provided the plants - CG Symphony, our nutrient solution. We initially started with a dosage of 2 ml of Greens + 2ml of Nutes per liter of water. This concentration was gradually increased up to 4ml (Geens 4ml +Nutes 4 ml) and addition of Blooms at the flowering stage ( which was around the 5th to 6th week). Just like many other plants, these also need enough sunlight and optimum temperature for their proper growth. Any fluctuation in climate will impact plant growth, which will delay in getting corns to harvest. We have had to face fluctuating temperatures and climates in Bengaluru, and yet we were able to harvest corn within 6-8 weeks. 

    When will we know the corns are ready to harvest?

    deally, one can harvest healthy corn within after 8-9 weeks of planting.

             

    We allowed a few of our plants to grow beyond the baby corn stage, and they are now maturing into maize or corn.

    Some others were harvested earlier as baby corn. Fortunately for us, we did not have to fight any disease or pests for this crop. Initially, we did notice some micronutrient deficiencies in the plants. This was then eliminated by using our CG Nutes solution. We hope this encourages you to add this vegetable to your growing collection too.

     

    Happy Growing!


    ]]>    Sat, 06 Oct 2018 02:48:51 +0530    <![CDATA[Reasons for Blossom drop a.k.a Flower drop]]>https://www.citygreens.ai/blogs/post/reasons-blossom-drop-flower-dropAre the flowers on your plant aborting themselves? Read on to find out what could be causing a flower drop in your garden.]]>
    A common concern we have been observing of late is in regards to flower drop. Today we attempt to throw light on the various reasons that are responsible for flower drop. Flowers are generally grown for their vibrant and attractive colors, as well as for their commercial value. In either case, these plants are grown with much love and affection. In the case of fruits and veggies, the flower further develops into the fruit and, eventually, the seeds. In case the flower drops, failing to transform into a fruit, it will result in lower yield and economic loss. Thus, flower drop is a cause for much annoyance and concern to the growers.

    Male flower of Cucumber

    "It's common for male flowers of many plants to drop off after they have served their purpose of pollinating the female flower."

    Why do flowers fall off?

    Firstly, not all flower drop is a concern - for example, in the gourd family (cucumber, ridge gourd, etc.), male flowers naturally drop off from the plants after few days - once their primary purpose of pollinating the female flowers is complete. Having said that, a healthy blossom that drops off suddenly should be a cause of concern.


    It turns out that multiple factors often working together are responsible for this. Listed below are few of the major causes of Flower drop:

    Environmental Factors

    Temperature Fluctuations

    Temperature fluctuation affects ‘pollen’ growth. At higher temperatures, pollen becomes dry, while at lower temperatures, pollen becomes sterile, both leading to no pollination in flower. For example, in the case of the solanaceous family of plants ( which includes tomatoes, chilly, brinjal, etc.), Day temperatures >30° C could cause flower drop. Similarly, night temperatures >22° C or <11° C could lead to flower drop.
    Humidity

    Humidity plays a major role in pollen shedding and its transfer. Lack of moisture or sudden and excess watering at once creates a stress condition in the plant leading to flower drop. High humidity leads to improper shedding of pollen. Lower humidity makes the pollen dry, and it will not adhere to the stigma of the flower.
    Light

    Lack or excess of sunlight exposure results in the poor setting of fruits.

    Irregular Nutrition

    Lack of or irregularity in nutrition also creates stress in plants. Higher/lower concentration of Nitrogen fertilizer will lead to blossom drop. A higher dose encourages vegetative growth in the plant while a lower dose cannot support further reproductive growth in the plant.
    Excessive Wind

    Excessive Wind may carry away pollens or desiccate the flowers. It could also physically damage the plants by breaking the flowering branches.

    Other Factors

    Heavy Fruit Set
    To maintain a balance in the plant system, the plant itself abort some flowers when it blooms in large numbers. This avoids competition for fruit development when plant food supply is limited.

    Pruning
    Excessive pruning of the plant limits the reserve food energy, thus reducing the flower production and fruit set.

    Insect Damage and Diseases
    Small insects like thrips and flies ill-feed the developing buds/flowers. This could lead to bud/flower drop.

    Improper Pollination or Lack of Pollination
    When flowers do not get proper pollination within a particular period, this causes the flower to fall off.

    Tips to Control Flower Drop

      • Grow varieties that are suitable to the region and climate (Ex. Varieties which can tolerate high/low temperature)
      • Ensure the provision of proper macro and micronutrition to the plants. Micronutrients such as Boron are essential for flower development.
      • Regularly water the plants in the right quantity depending on the climatic conditions. The growth medium should always be kept moist.
      • Monitor for pest activity at regular intervals


    Happy Growing!


    ]]>    Wed, 05 Sep 2018 23:00:07 +0530    <![CDATA[Understanding Plant Tissue Culture]]>https://www.citygreens.ai/blogs/post/understanding-plant-tissue-cultureWhile the practice of cloning in animals is of recent origin, you may probably not know that the practice of cloning in plants dates back to more than 100 years.]]>

    If you hear the word cloning, you would most likely think of animals, and probably of the sheep Dolly which was the first mammal cloned from an adult somatic (non-reproductive) cell in 1996.


    While the practice of cloning in animals is of recent origin, you may probably not know that the practice of cloning in plants dates back to more than 100 years. By using plant tissue culture techniques, plants are regularly cloned in labs by using parts that have the power to regenerate, for example, leaves, seeds, pollen, etc.

    Need for plant tissue culture

    There are several scenarios where plant tissue culture can be highly useful, for example:-

      1. A healthy plant that is high yielding and has good pest resistance can be cloned to develop multiple copies of it. This will give higher predictability of yield and plant health.
      2. By bypassing the process of germinating through seed, crop maturity time gets reduced, which means an early yield. (or more number of crop cycles in a given time frame).
      3. By taking good qualities of two plants (for example, high yield of one and disease resistance of another), using techniques of tissue culture, newer and better strains can be developed.

    How is it done?

    There are three stages involved in growing plants in a tissue culture lab.

    In the first stage, a part of the plant is selected that has the power to regenerate, say leaves. The tissues of the leaf are then separated and grown in test tubes or Petri dishes.


    In the second stage, these plant parts are transferred into a nutrient medium (generally agar-agar) and placed inside a sterilized container under artificial light. The temperature is maintained to promote plant growth. Slowly it will start to grow and develop new plant parts (roots and shoots).


    Once it becomes suitable for transplantation, it is transplanted to pots and kept in nurseries to expose them to the outside environment. This stage, known as hardening, is the final stage, after which the plant is ready to move to the fields.

    What are the possible pitfalls?

      • The technology is capital, labor, and energy-intensive. The availability of trained people, clean water, and electricity can be costly.
      • If the growing plant becomes infected from viruses, bacteria, fungi, or any other micro-organism, then the whole new next generation will also get infected.

    Plant tissue culture in action

    Some examples of where the techniques of plant tissue culture have helped solve real-world issues:-

      • Disease-free sweet potatoes have been adopted on 500,000 hectares in Shandong province in China, increasing yield between 30% -40%, and rising income for 7 million sweet potato producers.
      • In India, several potato breeders now use tissue culture to detect viruses at the initial stages of seed production.
      • Tissue culture banana varieties are now widely cultivated in India. This has helped in reducing crop time, thereby increasing a farmer's income.


    Happy Farming!


    ]]>    Thu, 26 Jul 2018 07:40:37 +0530