Hydroponics is the science of gardening without soil. Hydroponics means “working water” in Latin. It is the art of cultivating plants in soil. Hydroponics is a method which allows plants to flourish from jalapenos to watermelons and orchids. Hydroponic gardening takes up little area, consumes 90 percent less water than conventional agriculture and can produce stunning flowers and fruits in a fraction of the time.
Hydroponics may sound cutting-edge however the roots of hydroponics can be traced back to the Hanging Gardens of Babylon. It is one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. The Euphrates river was diverted into channels which were a part of the lavish gardens’ walls. Marco Polo in 13th century China wrote about floating gardens. The concept of hydroponics wasn’t only a fad of the ancient ages. NASA began growing aeroponic bean seeds aboard a space station in the year 1990. This allowed for the possibility of space-based sustainable agriculture. Hydroponics has proven to be a reliable and effective method for cultivation and conservation of water for decades.
What is hydroponics, and how can it be used?
Hydroponics Hydroponics is the cultivation and care of plants with no use of soil. Hydroponic plants include herbs, vegetables and flowers. The media includes an inert growth medium which is nourished with oxygen, nutrients, and water. This system promotes faster growth, higher yields, and higher quality. If a plant is grown in soil the roots are constantly searching for the necessary nutrition to sustain the plant. A plant’s roots can be directly exposed to nutrients and water, so it doesn’t require any energy to support itself. You can redirect the energy that roots used for acquiring food or water to help the plant mature. The result is that the growth of leaves is accelerated, as well as the blooming of fruit or flowers.
Photosynthesis is how plants sustain themselves. Plants capture sunlight with chlorophyll (a green pigment found in the leaves). They use the energy of light to break down the water molecules that they’ve taken in through their root systems. The carbon dioxide and hydrogen molecules combine to make carbohydrates which are utilized by plants to supply food. This is a critical step in maintaining the life-sustaining capacity of the planet. Plants do not need soil to photosynthesise. The soil is the only thing plants require to obtain water and nutrients. When nutrients are dissolving into water, they can be applied directly to the plant’s roots through misting or flooding. Hydroponic innovations have proven direct exposure to nutrient-filled water is an effective and flexible method of growth than traditional irrigation.
How does hydroponics operate?
Hydroponic systems work by allowing minute control of environmental conditions such as temperature and pH balance and maximizing exposure to water and nutrients. Hydroponics is based on a simple principle: provide plants exactly what they need in the time they require it. Hydroponics provide nutrients tailored to the needs of the particular plant being grown. They allow you to control exactly how much light the plants receive and how long. You can alter the pH levels. The environmental conditions can be completely managed and adjusted to speed up plant growth.
Many risk factors can often be reduced through controlling the plant’s environment. Plants grown in gardens and fields are introduced to a host of variables that negatively impact their health and growth. Plants can be infected by soil fungus. Animals like rabbits may pounce on the ripe vegetables in your garden. In just a few minutes, pests such as locusts could descend upon crops to destroy the crops. Hydroponic systems eliminate the uncertainty of cultivating plants outside and in the soil. Seedlings will mature much quicker if they’re not exposed to the mechanical resistance of soil. Through the elimination of pesticides, hydroponics produce much better-quality and healthier fruits and vegetables. The plants are free to grow vigorously and quickly without any obstacles.
What are the parts of a hydroponics plant?
A few key components are essential to have the success of a hydroponic system.
Media that is growing
Inert media is used to support hydroponic plants and to anchor their root structures. Growing media is a substitute for soil, however, it does not provide any independent nutrition for the plant. The porous media, instead, stores water and nutrients from nutrients and then delivers them to the plant. A lot of the media used for cultivation are pH neutral, so they won’t alter the balance of your nutrients. There are many different media that are available. Your hydroponic system and plant will decide which one works best for you. There are many hydroponics media on the internet and at local gardening and nurseries.
Air pumps and air stones
Plants can drown quickly when they are immersed in water. Air stones release tiny bubbles of oxygen dissolved throughout the reservoir of your nutrient solution. They also distribute nutrients that are dissolved equally. Air stones can’t create oxygen on their own. They must be connected to an external pump by opaque food grade plastic tubing. The opacity will stop algae from growing. These components are very well-liked in aquariums and can be readily purchased from pet stores.
Net Pots
Net pots can be used to cultivate hydroponic plants inside mesh planters. The latticed materials allow roots to access the sides and bottoms of each pot. They also provide nutrients and oxygen. Net pots also provide better drainage than conventional clay pots or plastic ones.
What are the six kinds there of hydroponic systems,
There are a variety of hydroponic techniques. However, all are variations or combinations of six fundamental hydroponics systems.
1. Systems to cultivate deep water
Deep water cultivation hydroponics simply involves plants suspended in Aerated drinking water. DWC systems, also known deep water culture, are among the most well-known types of hydroponics. DWC systems are equipped with net pots which allow plants to be suspended above a reservoir of oxygen-rich nutrients. The solution submerges the plant’s roots, giving it continuous access to water, nutrients oxygen, as well as other vital elements. Deep water culture is considered by some to be the purest type of hydroponics.
Because the root system of the plant is constantly suspended in water, oxygenation of the water will be vital for the health of the plant. Without enough oxygenation, the roots could drown. To ensure that the entire system is oxygenated system, attach an airstone to an air pump in the reservoir. The nutrient solution will also circulate thanks to the bubbles created by the air stone.
A deep water system can be constructed either at home or in the classroom with the least amount of expense. You can make use of an old or clean aquarium to store the solution, and then place a floating surface like styrofoam on top to hold the pots. DWC systems shouldn’t permit roots to submerge in the solution. It is not allowed to submerge stems or vegetation. It is possible to leave one inch and half of roots above the waterline. You can leave the roots exposed by allowing air stone bubbles to pop out of the water.
What are the benefits of deep water culture systems?
- Low maintenance After the DWC system is installed, it’s simple to maintain. It is only necessary to replenish the nutrient solution as required. Also, ensure that your pump is supplying oxygen to the airstone. The nutrient solution typically only requires replenishment every two weeks, however this can depend on the size of your plants.
- DIY appeal: Deep water cultures are affordable and easy to make.
What are the disadvantages of deep-water system of culture?
- Limitations While deep water culture systems excel in the cultivation of herbs and lettuce however, they are not as successful growing larger and slower-growing plants. DWC systems do not perform well with flowers. However, you can grow tomatoes, bell Peppers, and squash in a DWC with a little effort.
- Control of temperature: It’s important that the water solution you are using does not exceed 68degF, and also does not go below 60degF. DWC systems are static, which means that the water is not circulating. This makes it harder for you to control temperature.
2. Wick systems
In a wick system plants are nestled in growing media in a tray that sits on the top of the reservoir. The reservoir is filled with an dissolved water solution that contains nutrients. Wicks travel from the reservoir to the growing tray. The wick is then flooded with water and nutrients that then cover the media surrounding the roots of the plants. These wicks can be made from materials as basic as string, rope or even felt. This is the most simple method of hydroponics. Wick systems are passive hydroponics – meaning they don’t require mechanical parts like pumps to function. It is ideal for situations when electricity isn’t available or unreliable.
Wicks systems operate by a process called capillary action. The wick absorbs water like a sponge and transfer nutrients to the media. The only way to make wick systems hydroponics be successful if there is a growing media that permits nutrient or water transference. Coco coir (fibers made of the coconut’s outer husks) has great moisture retention and pH neutral. Perlite is pH neutral. It’s very porous, and therefore can be used in wicking systems. Vermiculite, which is very porous has a high rate of cation-exchange. This allows it to store nutrients for future usage. These media are most appropriate for hydroponic-wick systems.
Wick systems are more slow than hydroponic systems. This makes it difficult to cultivate crops using them. For every plant you place in the tray for growing make sure that at least one of the wicks is flowing out of the reservoir. The wicks shouldn’t be too close to the plant’s roots. Though capable of functioning with aeration, many people opt to include an air stone or air pump to the wick system’s reservoir. This increases the oxygenation of the hydroponics setup.
What advantages do Wick systems offer?
- Simplicity A basic wick system can easily be installed by anyone. It does not require any maintenance after it has been running. Your plants will never be dry because the wicks provide water all the time. Additionally, lettuce-loving plants will flourish within the wick system, bringing a great return on your hands-free investment
- Space-efficient:Wick system are very discreet and can be mounted anyplace. It’s a great system for students, beginners and anyone interested in hydroponics.
What are some of the disadvantages of Wick systems?
- The limitationsLettuce or herbs such as rosemary, mint, basil and basil are fast-growing, so they don’t need much water. However, tomatoes will struggle to flourish in a system with wicks because of their huge requirements for nutrients. Other plants will not thrive in an environment in which the humidity is constantly. Root vegetables such as carrots and turnips will not succeed in the wick system.
- Responsible for Rot: Hydroponic wick systems are always damp and humid. This makes it more likely that fungal disease and rot could be present within the organic growth medium or on the roots.
3. Nutrient film technique systems
The Nutrient Film Technique (NFT) is a method of suspending plants over the stream, which constantly flows nutrient solution. The water is then cleaned over the roots. The channels that hold the plants in a tilted position allow water to run along their lengths before draining into the reservoir. The reservoir is then aerated by an airstone. The submersible pump pumps the water rich in nutrients out of the reservoir and back to the top. The nutrient film technique is a recirculating hydroponics system.
An NFT system isn’t similar to deep water hydroponics. The roots of the plants are not immersed in water. Instead the stream (or film) flows over the roots’ ends. The roots’ tips will bring moisture to the plant, while the open root system has plenty of oxygen. The bottoms of the channels are shaped to allow the film to easily pass through the root tips. This stops water from pooling and damming up on the root systems.
While nutrient film systems continuously recycle water, it is important to empty the reservoir and refill the nutrient solution every week. This ensures that your plants get sufficient nutrients. NFT channels must be angled at a gradual slope. It must not be too steep because the water will rush down and cause damage to the plants. In excess water could make the channel overflow and the plants could drown. NFT hydroponics systems are very well-known because they can accommodate several plants in a channel. They are also able to be easily mass-produced. Systems using nutrients films are ideal for plants that are lighter, like spinach, lettuce and tomatoes, as well as strawberries and mustard greens. Larger fruiting plants such as tomatoes and cucumbers require trellises to bear the weight.
What are the advantages of the nutrient-film technique?
- Low water consumption: Because NFT hydroponics circulate water, they don’t need huge quantities of nutrients or water in order to function. The continuous flow makes it difficult for salts to build up on the plant’s root systems. Nutrient film techniques are also not dependent on growing media, so you are saved the expense of purchasing media and the headache of replacing it.
- Modular Design: Nutrient Film Technique Systems are ideal for commercial ventures with a large scale. It is easy to expand after you’ve got one channel in place. There are multiple channels that are able to be added to the greenhouse to provide support for different plants. It is a good idea that each channel has each channel’s own reservoir. This will ensure that the operation will continue throughout the entire process regardless of the fact that the pump fails or there’s a spreading of disease.
What are the disadvantages of a nutrient film technique?
- Plants can die if the pump is not functioning correctly and the channel stops circulating the nutrients, If your plant isn’t receiving enough water, it could end up dying within a few hours. A NFT hydroponic system requires constant monitoring. You will want to diligently monitor the operation of the pump.
- Overcrowding: If the plants are spaced too close to each other or the root growth is too proliferate, the channel can become clogged. Roots can block water flow and cause your plants to starve. This is particularly true for the plants that are in the middle of the channel. If you find that the plants on the bottom are performing lower than the rest of the channel, you should considering removing them or switching to a smaller unit.
4. Ebb systems and flow systems
By flooding the grow area below using a nutrient solution Ebb and flow hydroponics is performed. The reservoir’s submersible pump comes with a timer. The timer will start when the pump is filled with nutrients and water. When the timer is stopped the water is slowly drained from the growing bed and flushes it back into the reservoir. The system is equipped with an overflow tube to ensure that the flooding does not exceed a certain level and damage the fruits and stalks of the plants. An ebb & flow system isn’t as dependent on water. While the growing beds are flooded, the roots of the plants absorb the nutrients through their root systems. The roots become dry after the water has receded and the grow bed is empty. The roots that are dry then become oxygenated in the interval between floods. The dimensions of your garden beds as well as the size of the plants you have will decide how long it takes between floods.
Ebb-and-flow systems, also known as drain or flood systems, are among the most popular hydroponic methods of growth. The abundance of oxygen and nutrients that plants receive allows for rapid and vigorous growth. The flow and ebb system is easily customizable and versatile. It is possible to make the grow bed more productive by adding various net pots as well as a variety fruits and vegetables. The ebb and flow system offers more options than other hydroponics system. It is possible to play around with your plant, media, and media.
Ebb or flow systems can accommodate nearly any type of plant. The size of your grow tray and depth are its primary drawbacks. Root vegetables will need more space than lettuce or strawberries. The most popular ebb-flow crops are peas, tomatoes and beans, as along with cucumbers, carrots and peppers. It is possible to even put to trellises directly on the grow beds. “Grow rocks” and expanded clay pebbles (hydroton) are among the most popular growing media used in ebb and flow hydroponics. These media are lightweight and washable. They are they can be reused and re-used. They also drain well. This is an important characteristic in ebb/flow systems.
What are the advantages of an ebb and flow system?
- Flexibility: An ebb flow system allows you to cultivate plants that are bigger than those in other systems for hydroponics. The use of ebb and flow hydroponics is excellent method to grow vegetables, flowers, and fruits. If you’ve taken care to provide your plants with the appropriate sized grow bed and nutrition and nutrients, you’ll see a huge yields.
- DIY appeal: There are a myriad of ways to build your own hydroponic ebb and flow system at home. A visit to the hardware store and pet stores will supply you with all the supplies needed to build an ebb and flow system. Although ebb systems are more expensive than DIY methods such as wick or deep-water cultivation but they provide a more diverse selection of plants.
What are the advantages of an ebb/flow system?
- If your pump fails, your hydroponic system is destroyed. It is important to keep an eye on your flow and ebb system to ensure that it’s functioning is not harming the health of your plants. The plants won’t receive the proper amount of water and nutrients if it is flowing too fast.
- Disease and rot:Sanitation and maintenance are essential to an flow and ebb system. Rot and root diseases can develop if the bed doesn’t drain well. A dirty flow and ebb system could produce mold and draw in insects. It is possible to damage your plants if you don’t keep your environment clean. Additionally, some plants do not respond well to the rapid change in pH that occurs as a result of draining and flooding extremes.
5. Drip systems
The hydroponic drip machine sends the nutrient and an aerated solution via a series of tubes to individual plants. This solution is slowly dripped on the roots to maintain the moisture and nutrients. The most common method of hydroponics is the drip system, particularly for commercial growers. Drip systems are utilized to water plants or vast areas.
There are two types in hydroponics with drip systems. The most popular recovery system is for smaller farmers at their homes. It means that excess water is drained from the growing bed and then recirculated back into the reservoir. The water that is not removed out of the media before going to the dump. This method is much more common among commercial growers. Although non-recovery drip systems may sound wasteful, large-scale growers are very cautious with their water use. The drip systems are created only to deliver precisely the quantity of solution needed to keep the growth media surrounding the plant hydrated. Non-recovery drip system use complex timing devices and feeding programs to reduce the amount of waste.
The plants that are grown in a drip plant system will need to be sensitive to variations in pH of their nutrients. This is the case for any system where wastewater is recirculated to the tank for storage. Since plants can deplete the solution’s nutrient and alter its pH balance, growers will have to adjust the solution reservoir to ensure it is in good condition. This is different from a non-recovery system. The growing media may be oversaturated with nutrients, so they will require cleaning and replaced regularly.
What are the advantages of a drip system for your company?
- Many choices for plants: A drip irrigation system can accommodate larger plants than many other hydroponic systems. This is why it is so appealing for commercial farmers. A properly-sized drip system can be able to support squashes, melons, onions, and zucchinis. Drip systems can hold more growing media than other types and can support bigger root systems. Drip systems work best with slow draining media, like rockwool, coco coir, and peat moss.
- Scale: Large-scale hydroponics operations are possible using drip systems. Growers can add additional plant by connecting new tubing to reservoir. Existing drip systems can be altered to accommodate new crops. Additional reservoirs may be added to accommodate different timers that meet the requirements of the plant. This is one reason why drip systems are so popular in commercial hydroponics.
What are the cons of a drip-system?
- Maintenance If your plants are grown with drip systems that do not recover at home, you’ll require more maintenance. Monitoring pH and nutrients in the solution is essential. If needed the draining and replacement of water will be necessary. You will also need to clean your recovery lines regularly because they could become clogged with dirt and plant matter.
- Complexity:Drip systems can easily turn into complex and complicated undertakings. This is less important for professional hydroponics. However, it’s not the ideal method for hydroponics at home. A lot of simple systems, like ebb & flow, are better suited for hydroponics at home.
6. Aeroponics
Aeroponics systems hang plants suspended in the air, and expose the roots to a nutrient-filled mist. Aeroponics systems are able to house a variety of plants in one enclosed structure, like cubes or towers. Water and nutrients are stored in a reservoir and then transferred into a nozzle, which disperses the solution into it as a fine mist. The mist typically falls off the tower, and can be seen cascading through the chamber. Some aeroponics mist continuously the roots of plants, similar to NFT systems that expose them to the nutrient films at all times. Some operate more as an ebb and flow system, spraying mist at intervals over the roots. Aeroponics do not need substrate media to thrive. Since they are continuously exposed to oxygen the roots absorb oxygen in a fast rate and then grow.
Aeroponics systems use less water than any other kind of hydroponics. It takes 95% less water an aeroponic crop to grow than a plant grown in an irrigated garden. Vertical gardens Because their vertical design takes up little space, they can accommodate multiple towers in one space. Aeroponics produces high yields and can be produced even in confined areas. Additionally, due to the oxygen-rich environment they are exposed to, aeroponic plants grow faster than other hydroponically grown plants.
Aeroponics allows for year-round harvesting. Aeroponics is a great way to cultivate vines and nightshades (e.g. tomatoes, bell and eggplants), in a controlled environment. Baby greens, lettuce and herbs, as well as watermelons, strawberries and ginger thrive. Obstacles are too heavy and bulky to be grown aeroponically. Plants that have deep root systems like potatoes and carrots are also not able to be grown.