With the proper
use of nutrients and the correct artificial light, today’s' Hydroponics
gardener can achieve amazing results all year long. An ideal environment
is created as the Hydroponic Gardener determines the environment which
would normally be provided by nature. In a completely controlled
environmental agricultural system you control: Light, temperature,
water, oxygen, pH, and nutrients.
In nature, bacteria break down the soil into the basic elements of nitrogen- phosphorus -potassium as well as trace elements. In hydroponics the nutrient solution is dissolved directly into water, and in an ideal situation the plant receives the perfect nutrition at all times. A proper Hydroponics system takes the required amount of food directly to the root, In nature the plant's root systems must look for it, which in a sense utilizes growth energy that could otherwise be assigned where you want it - the flowers/fruit/vegetable/buds you are cultivating. Hydroponics growing mediums are inert and sterile, free of bacteria and insect/organisms that can be harmful to both the plant and gardener.
When initially becoming involved with hydroponics gardening, there are two routes that can be taken , you can buy a prefabricated hydroponics system or you can build your own hydroponics system. Either route requires some basic research.
For
some hobbyists, the construction is part of the fun.
Slap together some buckets and soil, you're doomed to failure.
Some preconstruction planning is essential. " How to Hydroponics Basic startup hydroponics systems can be built by anyone with the patience, and basic common sense, who is willing to take the time and go through the process. Regardless of whether building your own hydroponics system, or purchasing a prefabricated hydroponics system, keep in mind that various hydroponics systems will naturally lend themselves to different types of plants. Keep the growth characteristics of your selected plants in mind when selecting a system. Learn as much as possible about the plants--such as the need for support, potential mature size and the area of the mature root system before starting - plan accordingly. Grow Great Marijuana: An Uncomplicated Guide to Growing the World's Finest Cannabis Hydroponic Tomatoes for the Home Gardener
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Some systems are suited to different varieties of plants. When specific plants are destined for a hydroponics setup, research their growth characteristics and keep them in mind when selecting a system.
Completely enclosed Turbo Grow Rooms |
Basic Requirements for Hydroponics Systems
Let there be Light! Light is the first line of
life for all matter, plants are no exception. Light is essential to
carry on photosynthesis, without which you could give your plants all
the nutrients and moisture money could buy, but you'd still end up with
a dead heap of vegetable mass. Sunlight is the ideal source
of light and contains the Reds and Blues plants require to produce a
healthy growth. However in a Hydroponic system Sunlight is not always an
option.
Artificial Horticultural lights provide the solution for the
hydroponic gardener, they are cost
effective assuming you shop carefully.
Oxygen -Nutrient Ratio
Plants can't absorb their nutrients unless Oxygen is
present the higher the Oxygen level the quicker the absorption of
nutrients . Oxygen maintains a healthy root system and allows the plant
to absorb nutrients. Without oxygen circulating around the root system
root rot would quickly develop. Man does not live by bread alone, and
plants do not live by water alone, ample oxygen must be in the water.
it. You do not grow in water in a hydroponic system, the water is a
medium through which
Nutrients and oxygen are fed to the roots, you need
only keep the roots moist - not soaked.
Nutrient Strength
Nutrients must be solely designed for Hydroponics. Soil fertilizers utilize bacteria to break down more complex elements into useful ones- a ideal hydroponic system has minimal bacteria, if any ,Soil fertilizers are less soluble- Hydroponic systems require solubility as the nutrient delivery system is based upon that factor., Soil fertilizers are generally not pH adjusted, and usually too slow to release the necessary elements to be suitable for Hydroponic Systems.
In hydroponic's, the growing medium, not soil, holds
moisture and anchors roots . Composed of inert mineral matter, it won't
decompose or harbor potential soil-born problems. All the plant's
nutritional requirements are filled by the nutrient mixes you add to
your garden reservoir. There are two basic growth mediums recommended
for Hydroponic Gardeners, Horticultural Rockwool
pH - Alkalinity & Acidity
pH is the level of acidity or alkalinity of the nutrient solution. Most nutrients in common tap water will be within the range of 6 to 6.5 pH. Which is suitable for Hydroponics systems. The requirements of Soil ph is not the requirements of Hydroponics ph .. do not confuse the two.
Temperature requirements for plants in a hydroponics system are the same as out of a Hydroponic system.
Plants require Carbon Dioxide, it is what they breathe. Poor ventilation will kill plants as surely as a lack of sunlight or water will. Ventilation systems as well as Carbon Dioxide Enrichment and control Systems are affordable and available. And are recommended for a lush Hydroponics Garden.
In most situations tap water is just fine for
hydroponics systems, over extended periods of time you may get some
mineral build-up, but this s not a major cause for concern. Excessive
salinity or high zinc content could be harmful to your Hydroponics
Garden , but generally as a rule
of Thumb - if you drink the water yourself it's just fine.
Home Hobbyist Systems Nutrient Film Technique Passive Planters Aeroponics
Flood & Drain Drip Systems
1. Home Hobbyist Hydroponics Systems
There are a number of popular compact hydroponic kits and systems most popular with home hobbyists, researchers and teachers. Most systems are aeroponic systems and are scaled down versions of larger commercial systems.
RainForest 318
- Passive Planters in Hydroponics
Probably
the most commonly known form of hydroponics. These systems do not
require a water or air pump and are therefore called passive
systems.
Hydroculture planters utilize a clean, porous growing medium to support
plant roots. A nutrient reservoir in the containers base enables the
plants to take as much or as little water as necessary. Water level
indicators can show when and how much to water. Clean, odorless and
non-allergenic, planters are ideal for most environments.
- Nutrient Film Technique for Hydroponics
Nutrient Film Technique: The World's First Method of Crop Production Without a Solid Rooting Medium
The
Nutrient Film Technique is the purist form of hydroponics systems is It
is also the form of hydroponics most intriguing due to its futuristic
aspects.
In this Hydroponic systems, the nutrient is fed directly into tubes which the roots draw from. The
excess is gravity drained back to a reservoir. A thin nutrient film
allows the root system to have continuous contact with the nutrient and
the air layer above simultaneously.
Most Commercial Kits are user-friendly and decent quality, simple by design, relatively easy to assemble. They work by trickling a slow moving film (stream) of oxygen rich nutrient down gently sloped, flat bottomed gullies (channels). Plants love it and thrive in this Hydroponics system. These kits are basically scaled down versions of larger commercial Hydroponic installations.
Plant roots are suspended in highly oxygenated nutrient solution allowing easy inspection and root pruning . Air pumps, compressors or Oz injectors provide oxygen which is crucial to healthy plant growth. The simplicity and affordability of these very active systems make them popular with home Hydroponic hobbyists and commercial Hydroponic growers alike. In an Aeroponic system the roots are misted within a chamber. A pump pushes the water with nutrient solution through sprayers, keeping the roots wet while providing a maximum amount of oxygen. Deep Water Culture is another form of aeroponics. The root system of a plant grown in Deep Water Culture is immersed in water with a bubbling aerator keeping the roots oxygenated.
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The
AEROJET ® is a true aeroponic system, not a deep flow hydro-aeroponic system. Micro
Jets spray the roots of the plants allowing for aggressive
growth rates from the high levels of oxygen to the root zone. provides an effective and automated method to provide your plants optimal levels of water, nutrients, and oxygen for rapid growth rates, higher yields, increased nutritional value. Good for propagating plants or nourishing and watering seedlings - holds a 1020 seeding tray containing 72 - 1.5'' starter plugs or 200 - 3/4'' plugs. Available in 4 different feed methods - ebb and flow, top feed drip, aeroponics, aeroponics clone - choose your preferred hydroponics gardening method. |
- Flood & Drain Hydroponics Systems
Flood & Drain Hydroponics systems are similar to Nutrient Film
Hydroponics systems and are ideal
for multiple plant per square foot growing where individual plant
inspection is difficult. They are also very popular as propagation
tables.
A plastic growing tray is flooded periodically by a submersed pump
connected to a digital timer . Medium and root system are soaked, then
drained (via gravity back through the pump) at specific intervals.
Various mediums can be used, Horticultural Rockwool
Professional Soilless Grow Substrates are
reliable and flexible. Cultilene and Grodan are two leading substrate
producers. Both companies have established a good reputation. Where
such properties as strength, optimal air-to-water ratio, homogeneity and
excellent root zone management are important. Stonewool substrate is
made from basalt. Basalt originates from the earth’s interior - brought
to the surface as lava . Melted again, the material in its basic form is
made by spinning it into a defined structure.
Horticultural Rockwool
- Drip-Irrigation or Micro-Irrigation in Hydroponics
Greenhouse irrigation systems employ drip or micro-irrigation. It
entails macro-moisture efficiency a principle of minimal water
consumption and maximized plant benefit. There are numerous
dripping/trickling/macro-moisture efficiency spraying devices on the
market today for the grower to choose from. A submersed pump feeds
nutrients solution through header tubes to secondary feed lines
connected to drip emitters.
A controlled amount of solution is continuously drip-fed over the medium
and root system. Another tube is connected to the lower part of the
system to recover unused solution, and it is generally re-circulated.
Plant-Drip Automatic Plant Waterer
