Basic Plant Requirements

Anyone interested in gardening has one question in mind when choosing a new plant:  Will it thrive in my garden?

Many factors come into play to determine whether or not a plant will perform well for you.  Each kind of plant has
its own needs and requirements.  Some plants, like the dandelion, are tolerant of a wide variety of conditions, while
others, such as the pink ladyslipper orchid, have very exacting requirements.  Before you spend the time, effort, and
money attempting to grow a new plant in your garden, it is best to do some research to learn something about the
conditions that the plant needs to grow properly.

Here is a brief description of some of the environmental parameters that influence plant growth:

Daylength
Daylength is usually the most critical factor in regulating vegetative growth, flower initiation and
development, and the induction of dormancy.  Plants utilize daylength as a cue to promote their growth in
spring and prepare them for the cold weather.  Many plants require specific daylength conditions to initiate
flowers.

Light
Light is the energy source for plants.  Cloudy, rainy days or the shade cast by nearby plants and structures
can significantly reduce the amount of light available.  Shade adapted plants cannot tolerate the bright light
of full sun.  Plants survive only where the amount is within a range they can tolerate.

Temperature
Plants grow best within an optimum range of temperatures; and the range may be wide for some species,
narrow for others. Plants survive only where temperatures allow them to carry on life-sustaining chemical
reactions.

Cold
Plants differ in their ability to survive cold temperatures.  Some tropical plants are injured by temperatures below
60°F.  Arctic species can tolerate temperatures well below zero.   The ability of a plant to withstand cold is a
function of the degree of dormancy present in the plant, its water status, and general health.  Exposure to wind and
bright sunlight or rapidly changing temperatures can also compromise a plant's cold tolerance.

Heat
Heat tolerance varies widely from species to species.  Many plants that naturally grow in arid tropical
regions are naturally very heat tolerant, while subarctic plants and alpine plants show very little tolerance
for heat.  High night temperatures are often the most limiting factor for many plants.

Water
Different plants have different water needs.  Some tolerate drought during the summer but need winter
rains.  Others need a consistent supply of moisture to grow well.  Careful attention to the need for
supplemental water can help you select plants that need a minimum of irrigation to perform well in your
garden.  If you have poorly drained, chronically wet soil, you can select lovely garden plants that naturally
grow in bogs, fens, and other wet places.

pH
The ability of plant roots to take up certain nutrients depends on the pH, which is a measure of the acidity or
alkalinity of your soil.   Most plants grow best in soils that have a pH near 7.0.  Most ericaceous plants such
as azaleas and blueberries need acid soils with pH below 6.0 to grow well.  Lime can be used to raise pH
and materials containing sulfates such as aluminum sulfate and iron sulfate can be used to lower pH.  The
solubility of many trace elements is controlled by pH, and only the soluble forms of these important
 micronutrients can be used by plants.  Iron is not very soluble at high pH and iron chlorosis is often present
in high-pH soils, even if they contain abundant iron.

Just like the human body requires optimum nutritional, environmental and various other optimum conditions for general well-
being and growth, plants also need certain optimum conditions that promote their growth. Here we will discuss all the
environmental as well as nutritional factors that affect the plant growth:

Nutritional Plant Growth Factors

There are several aspects of plant nutrition, which need to be considered for better growth of plants. The basic nutrients
required for plant growth are divided into two main categories namely micronutrients and macronutrients. Here is the
information about the important nutritional plant growth factors:

Macronutrients: The nutrients that are required by plants in larger quantities are termed as the macronutrients. There are six
elements in the soil that are termed as macronutrients these are nitrogen, potassium, magnesium, calcium, phosphorus, and
sulfur.

Micronutrients: The nutrients that are required in smaller quantities by the plants are called as the micronutrients. There exist
eight elements, which are termed as the micronutrients. The eight micronutrients include iron, zinc, molybdenum, manganese,
boron, copper, cobalt, and chlorine.

Water: A majority of growing plants contains as much as 90 percent water. Water is one of the most essential factors required
in growth of plants. Water plays a crucial role for efficient photosynthesis, respiration, transpiration and transportation of
minerals and other nutrients through the plant. Water is responsible for functioning of the stomatal opening of leaves and also
the source of pressure for the directed growth of roots through the soil.

Environmental Plant Growth Factors

In addition to the nutritional factors there are various environmental factors, which play an instrumental role in enhancing the
plant growth. Here are the important environmental plant growth factors:

Light: Adequate light is perhaps one of the most important factors influencing plant growth and it is he quantity, quality and
duration of light exposure is what matters. Various light sources can be used to provide light to the plants and the sources of
light can be classified as natural and artificial sources. The natural source of light is the sun whereas the artificial sources
include various types of lighting equipment. Blue light is essential for the growth of the leaves whereas a combination of red
and blue light promotes flowering of plants. The artificial light sources can be manipulated to adjust the intensity of the light as
well. While it is always good to rely on the natural source of light, during extreme weather conditions and lack of sunlight
artificial light is the best option. Also there are certain plants, which require less light for the growth, in such cases the light can
be filtered using protective shelters for the plants to allow minimum required amount of sunlight exposure.

Temperature: Temperature is a crucial element that influences the growth of plants. Temperature of the surrounding
atmosphere as well as the temperature of the soil matters for the plant growth. Optimum temperature is one of the pre-
requisites for many of the plant processes, like photosynthesis, respiration, germination, and flowering. Although the values
differ for various plants usually cool season plants have 55-65 degrees Fahrenheit as the optimum temperature for
germination whereas warm-season plants germinate at 65-75 degrees Fahrenheit. The temperature ranges for optimum
photosynthesis and respiration vary with the species of plants and their individual requirements.

Relative Humidity: Moisture is a very important factor in growth of plants and is defined as the ratio of water vapor in the air
to the amount of water in the air. The relative humidity in the air is used by the plants and is crucial for the transpiration of the
plants. Transpiration is at its peak cutting hot, windy and dry days while transpiration slows down during cool and humid days.

Carbon dioxide and Oxygen The manufacturing of sugar by plants requires the presence of carbon dioxide and hence it is
one of the vital elements for plant growth. It is a known fact that plants can use as much as 1500 parts per million of carbon
dioxide. In case the natural carbon dioxide available in the air is not enough, there exist Carbon dioxide injectors that promote
enhanced plant growth. Oxygen is essential for plant respiration and utilization of photosynthesis byproducts.
Soil: Soil with proper humidity, and the right balance of all the minerals and nutrients is one of the essential factors
instrumental in plant growth. The type of soil and the quality and the nutrients required in it vary according to the plant species.
The right pH balance, which measures the alkalinity or acidity of the soil and presence of certain chemicals, is also
instrumental in the growth of plants.

Limiting Factors

Factors Limiting Growth in Plants

Every plant species has particular conditions where they will flourish.  There are various physical factors that affect the
growth rate of plants; however, all plants share one universal growth limiting factor.  Minimally stated it is "the rate of
any growth process controlled by 2 or more factors is limited by the factor in least supply".  In layman's terms, the
chain of growth is only as strong as the weakest link.

Basic Factors Affecting Plant Growth

There are seven (7) fundamental factors that have the potential to limit or assist in the growth of a plant.  These seven
factors are listed below:

1. pH Level - The acid/alkaline levels in soil, growth medium, nutrient solution etc.
2. Light - Intensity, color and photoperiod or length of day.
3. Atmosphere - Some sub-factors are oxygen, carbon dioxide and humidity.
4. Nutrients or Soluble Minerals - Found in the soil or hydroponic solution.
5. Temperature - Both of the air and the root zone.  Also, the variation between the high and low temperature
plays a part in growth or lack thereof.
6. Soil or Hydroponic Growing Media Particle Size - The size affects the rate of drainage as well as aeration or
oxygen content at the root zone
7. Water - Will effect all other factors and all other factors can effect water.

With that said, what are the optimal conditions for growing plants?

pH
For most plant life, the most favorable pH value is between 6 - 6.8.  This is not something that should consume one's
time as the pH level of the hydroponic solution will change from night to day and even hour to hour.  This is caused by
plants taking in the nutrients and then emitting carbon dioxide at night.  As long as the pH level maintained in the
system is between 5.8 and 6.8 it will not limit the growth of the most plants. 

Light
In the summer when the sun is the brightest and plants reside outside or in a greenhouse, sunlight is generally not a
limiting factor.  However, some plants do require partial shade to grow best.  

In regards to hydroponic systems where light may not be as as strong, light may be limiting factor.  One may want to
employ a light meter and consult a horticulture book to measure and learn the minimum footcandles for the species in
the crop.

The blue and red portions of the light spectrum are most efficient in producing plant growth.  The red spectrum may
also stimulate the flowering response in various plants.  Some plants also have precise photoperiod needs, to stimulate
flowering, like the Chrysanthemums.

Atmosphere
Carbon dioxide and humidity are the two most influential sub-factors in the atmosphere category.

Typically, humidity is not likely to be a limiting factor.  If the air increases in humidity, then increased ventilation must
be provided.  For every 10 degrees Fahrenheit rise in temperature, the air will hold twice the moisture.  Relative
humidity from 40 to 60% is beneficial for most plants.

For plants that have enough warmth, light and nutrients, the likely growth limiting factor will be carbon dioxide.  The
most advantageous growth temperature for many species will increase if sufficient carbon dioxide is available. Outside
air contains about 300 PPM of Carbon dioxide.  Though, with all other factors being available in adequate measure the
best carbon dioxide level may be between 2500 PPM and 4000 PPM.  PLEASE NOTE: Carbon dioxide levels over 2500
PPM are toxic to humans.
Temperature
As mentioned previously there are two temperature zones that one must be aware of in a hydroponic system: Air and
Root.

The most favorable air temperature for most plant species is between 65-85 degrees Fahrenheit.  If the air
temperature is in excess of the range, it places stress on the water and nutrient uptake system of the plant.  Below 60
degrees Fahrenheit plant growth will be stunted considerably.

The root zone temperature is an entirely separate concern.  The optimum is about 70 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit.  This
allows maximum nutrient and water intake.

Nutrient
Nutrients, also dubbed "plant food", are soluble minerals that, when mixed with water, allow the plant to feed. Needed
nutrients fall into two categories: Macro and Micro elements. 

Macro elements are vital to plant health; these include:

1. Nitrogen
2. Phosphorus
3. Potassium
4. Calcium
5. Magnesium
6. Sulfur. 

Other elements needed are called Micro elements.  Included in this category are:

1. Boron
2. Manganese
3. Copper
4. Zinc
5. Molybdenum
6. Chlorine
7. Sodium
8. Cobalt
9. Silicon. 

It is important to note that some of the Micro elements are toxic to the plant at levels as low as 0.01 PPM. 

The total strength of the solution usually ranges from 500 to 3500 PPM.  There is a wide variation here as it widely
depends on the plant species and temperature.  For most plants, a solution strength of 1000 PPM to 2000 PPM
facilitates growth best.  A note of caution: use a lower solution strength in very hot climates. 

Nutrients are only absorbed if oxygen is readily available at the root zone.  The optimum dissolved oxygen content of
the nutrient solutions 6 PPM at 70 - 75 degrees Fahrenheit.  This is realized by continual aeration of the solution. 

Media Size
The best media particle size is usually between 3 to 8 mm.  This permits rapid drainage while allowing fresh air to be
drawn into the root zone.  The growing media should also be inert, to prevent interactions with the nutrient solution.

The capillary action of the media also affects the optimum size.  For example, Rock wool has 0.005 mm fibers with
96% pore space.  This works extremely well as it is porous and allows for drainage and aeration.

Through the products provided by High Nutrients, you may be able to elude many of the factors that will limit the
growth of a given crop.