So you’re ready to get started with growing indoors. That’s great, but growing indoors, though it will shield you from the unpredictability and inadequacies of outdoor weather, is not without its challenges. Be better prepared with these 10 essential pieces of equipment and growing accessories that will help make sure you’re ready for whatever obstacles come your way.
Grow Tents
A high-quality grow tent that retains moisture and humidity well, and which offers high internal reflectivity, is a must for serious growers. While some plants can be grown in the free air in pots or containers, a tent that maintains proper moisture and temperature levels is absolutely necessary for any cultivars that have uncompromising environmental demands.
LED Grow Lights
Grow lights are a must for all plants that need a lot of light to thrive; this includes most herbs and vegetables, many of which are “full sun” cultivars that need up to 8 hours of direct light a day. LED grow lights are best if only for their high-output, long lifespan, and energy efficiency.
Ventilation
While many plants will thrive in high humidity, being able to maintain that humidity properly with good circulation is necessary to prevent diseases. Many indoor growers install a ventilation system to maintain a high degree of consistent circulation. This is not necessary for all plants but it is for many.
Fertilizer
Many plants, especially those grown for consumption, are very heavy feeders. Just what fertilizer mix is best for you depends on what you are growing, but there are many commercially available solid and water-soluble fertilizers that are rich in nitrogen, potassium and phosphorus that are easy to measure and administer.
Thermo Hygrometers
A thermo hygrometer is a combined thermometer and hygrometer and it is an absolutely essential piece of equipment for all indoor growers. One of these gauges will provide you with the information you need at a glance to confirm whether or not temperature and humidity are where they should be.
Sprayers
A very simple and affordable growing accessory, a spray bottle is convenient if you need to raise the humidity quickly in a closed space, such as in a grow tent. Some plants also flourish when their leaves are lightly misted from time to time.
Shears
Shears are also affordable and essential growing accessories because they enable quick, sterile trimming and leave a clean cut that is easy to keep sterilized or protect against infection. They also allow for precise harvesting.
Stakes, Ties and Nets
Some cultivars are so prolific that they cannot effectively support their own weight. These plants will need support supplements in order to flourish. There are stakes, ties, nets and other growing accessories that are purposely designed for these applications.
A Magnifying Glass or Loupe
While not a completely essential accessory, a magnifying glass or loupe makes it easier for you to closely investigate buds and blossoms, as well as to inspect foliage and other tissues for signs of distress, disease, or physical pests such as mites, scale, worms or aphids.
Pest Treatment Essentials
There are many ways to treat plant-borne maladies, and no single catch-all, but you will want some common treatments to treat fungal diseases as well as insects. Common treatments include Neem oil and insecticidal soap, but there are others. Make sure your “plant first aid kit” is well-stocked with some of these essentials and other treatments of common diseases. Research common afflictions of the cultivar you intend to grow for ideas as to what you should prepare.
Where to Find Indoor Plant Growing Equipment and Accessories
Not sure where to get started? Visit AC Infinity. They carry these key pieces of equipment and growing accessories, all of which are developed specifically to meet the needs of serious indoor growers.
