Latest Hydroponics News

Our Thurrock and Waltham Abbey store are currently selling plants.

Waltham Abbey Essex grow shop are selling halloween chilli plants and Thurrock are selling herbs!

All plants currently only £1. Tesco and morrisons all sell little bags of chillies for 90p so grab your self yet another type of bargain with 3CH.

 
As some of you may have already seen some of our retail assistants and managers are sporting rather dashing tashes at the moment. This is to raise awareness for testicular cancer. Please give what you can in the pot every little helps or check this site out.

uk.movember.com

 Great news this week for all you hot-headed hydroponics chilli growers!

3CH in in the process of putting together a number of great value complete hydroponics chilli growing kits. These chilli growing starter kits are put together to suit all growing spaces and all budgets.

Check out the first 4 of these superb complete hydroponics packages...at these prices, they are sure to get your mouth watering!

Organic Chilli CFL Package - only £185!

Chilli CFL Hydroponics Starter Kit - only £210!

Classic Tent 60 Organic Chilli Grow Kit - only £240!

Chilli CFL Coco Grow Kit - only £195!

Lumatek have released a new type of bulb for use with your Lumatek dimmable ballasts and are now available at your local 3 Counties Hydroponics shop.

These bulbs are high quality and are especially designed for use with the dimmable ballast. They are for use during the flowering period and lean heavily towards the red spectrum providing your garden with lots of summer sun.

The 400w version is currently priced at £30

Key Specifications
 Bulb: TD46
 Power Voltage: 230V 50Hz
 Current (A): 4.6
 Power Factor: .88
 Rated Hours: 24000
 CCT (K): 2100
 Luminous Efficiency (lm/W): 137.5
 Luminous Flux (lm): 55000

The 600w version is currently priced at £35

Key Specifications
 Bulb: TD46
 Power Voltage: 230V 50Hz
 Current (A): 6.2
 Power Factor: .92
 Rated Hours: 24000
 CCT (K): 2100
 Luminous Efficiency (lm/W): 150
 Luminous Flux (lm): 90000

To get these superb new bulbs at a discounted prices, consider purchasing one of 3CH’s specially priced Lumatek Lighting Kits:

400w Lumatek Dimmable Euro System
600w Lumatek Dimmable Euro System

What is Vermiculite?

Vermiculite has been used in various industries for over 80 years. It is used in the construction, agricultural, horticultural, and industrial markets including hydroponics.

Vermiculite is often called worm castings but the mineralogical name given to hydrated laminar magnesium-aluminum-ironsilicate which resembles mica in appearance. Vermiculite is found in various parts of the world. Locations of the predominant commercial mines are in Australia, Brazil, China, Kenya, South Africa, USA and Zimbabwe. Vermiculite mines are surface operations where ore is separated from other minerals, and then screened or classified into several basic particle sizes. When subjected to heat vermiculite has the unusual property of exfoliating or expanding into worm-like pieces (the name vermiculite is derived from the Latin 'vermiculare' - to breed worms). This characteristic of exfoliation, the basis for commercial use of the mineral, is the result of the mechanical separation of the layers by the rapid conversion of contained water to steam.

Uses of Vermiculite

Vermiculite's many uses in hydroponics and indoor and outdoor gardening:

• Germination of seeds
• Clones and Cuttings
• Potting Mixes including Coco.

Vermiculites beneficial properties include:

• Inorganic, and sterile.
• No known toxicity or fire hazard.
• High water holding capacity.
• Non-abrasive and non-irritant.
• Absorbs excess nutrients.
• Facilitates re-wetting.
• Low alkalinity.
• High cation-exchange capacity.
• Does not deteriorate in storage (if kept dry).
• Free from disease, weeds and insects.
• Will not mould or rot.
• Good air holding capacity.
• Insulates and minimizes soil temperature fluctuations.

For further information please visit our hydroponic information page.