That’s all for today folks. Check out http://www.igrowhydro.com/grow-info.aspx for more growing information. Come back for tip #10 when we focus on Caring for HID Bulbs. Visit http://www.igrowhydro.com for the best selection on all your grow lights needs.

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What is the Brix scale?

The Balling Scale was developed by German chemist Karl Balling. It refers to the concentration of a dissolved solids (mostly sucrose) , as the weight percentage sucrose at 17.5 °C.

The Brix scale was originally derived when Adolf Ferdinand Wenceslaus Brix recalculated Balling’s scale to a reference temperature of 15.5 °C. The Brix scale was subsequently recalculated again, and now uses a reference temperature of 20 °C. Brix can be approximated as 261.3*(1 – 1/g), where g is the specific gravity of the solution at 20 °C.

Brix is primarily used in fruit juice, wine making and the sugar industry. Brix is used in the food industry for measuring the approximate amount of sugars in fruits,   vegetables, juices, wine, soft drinks and in the sugar manufacturing industry. For fruit juices, one degree Brix is about 1-2% sugar by weight. This usually correlates well with perceived sweetness. Since Brix is related to the concentration of dissolved solids (mostly sucrose) in a fluid it is therefore related to the specific gravity of the liquid. Because the specific gravity of sucrose solutions is well known, it can also be measured by a refractometer.

Modern Brix meters are digital refractometers that calculate the Brix value based on refractive index. These meters are typically portable, splash-proof and very simple to use, so that they can be operated by anybody directly on location. More and more often Brix is measured to determine ideal harvesting times of fruit and vegetables so that products arrive at the consumers in a perfect state or are ideal for subsequent processing steps such as vinification.

Milwaukee Refractometer

The Milwaukee Refractometer series are precision optical instruments used for measuring concentrations of substances in aqueous solutions. They work using the principle of light refraction trough liquids. When passing light trough a liquid the refracted angle will be shown on the scale determining the amount of dissolved solids in the liquid.

The Milwaukee refractometer is very simple to use: simply place one drop of your sample on the prism and read the results on the scale immediately!

All the Milwaukee refractometers have adjustable focus, easy to read numbers for good resolution and zero adjustment screw for calibration.

Each Milwaukee refractometer is calibrated and adjusted to measure at 20°C (68°F). Models with Automatic Temperature Compensations are also available, and are suitable, for applications where the temperature of the samples vary.

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hydroponic growing | hydroponics | bigger yields | cold weather prep | Advanced Nutrients

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The word “Aeroponic” is derived from the Greek meanings of  ‘aero’ (air) and ‘ponic’ (labor). Aeroponic growth refers to growth achieved in an air culture. For example, in tropical climates orchids develop and grow freely in trees. Laboratory research on air culture growing utilizing vapors began in the mid-1940s. Today aeroponics is used in agriculture around the world.

Aeroponics is an exciting improvement on hydroponics that has been shown to greatly increase yields. The growing environment is similar to a misty rain forest. In Hawaii, orchids are often seen growing freely in the trees due to the level of humidity in the air. Aeroponics strives to recreate this environment at the root zone.

In an aeroponic system the plant’s root zone is suspended into an environment where the roots protrude into an atomized nutrient solution; the leaves and crown, often called the “canopy”, extending above. The roots of the plant are separated by the plant support structure. The lowest stem and root system are sprayed or misted for short durations with a hydro-atomized pure water/nutrient solution. The sprayers break the nutrient into small particles and saturate the roots. The levels of oxygen in the water are kept high by the constant circulation of the water.

Aeroponic growing is considered to be safe and ecologically friendly for producing natural, healthy plants and crops. The main ecological advantages of aeroponics are the conservation of water and energy. When compared to hydroponics, aeroponics offers lower water and energy inputs per sq meter of growing area. Hydroponics, when used commercially, uses one-tenth of the water otherwise necessary to grow the crop, but this can be reduced to as little as 1/20.

Aeroponics is beyond the age we are in now, it is in the space age! Aeroponics’ techniques are being investigated by NASA.

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Advanced Nutrients | Rhino Skin | Barricade | super silica | plant protection

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Advanced Nutrients | Grow Micro Bloom | 3-Part Nutrients | hydro reservoir | hydroponics

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