Hydroponics

HydroponicsThe growing of plants in a

solution of nutrients necessary for plant growth, rather than directly in soil.

Substratethe substance in which

something takes root

General Facts:any plant can be grown in a

hydroponics systemalmost any system will

produce acceptable growth

General Facts;small scale is entirely

different from the culture of several thousand plants

has contributed much to understanding plant growth

General Facts:Very few commercial

producersMost facilities are

experimental, studying plant nutrition

Different Names:nutriculturesolution cultureslop culturegravel culture

Requirements for home hydroponics

best possible lighthumidity 50% or moreday temp 75 degreesnight temp 65 degrees

Requirements for home hydroponics

no need for special drainage system

small scale, outstanding plants such as tomatoes, radishes, lettuce, carnations, roses, cabbage etc. produced

Requirements for home hydroponics

return is not sufficient for a hobbyist to earn a living.

Facts about hydroponic growing

plants don’t do well unless all essential nutrients are available in reasonable amounts

Facts about hydroponic growing

25 gallon container, minimum size for proper proportion of nutrients

Facts about hydroponic growing

the larger the particles in the substrate, the more often it must be watered.

Commercial usevery familiar with plantsobservation can determine

temps and nutrient deficiency

Commercial useto earn a reasonable living

you must grow thousands of plants

Commercial useminimum of 100,000 square

feet is needed to break even financially

Growers must know about plants

most plants are very adaptive

plants can take a lot of abuse

Growers must know about plants

plants require a minimum amount of water, food, vitamins, sleep and proper temps.

Growers must know about plants

each species has its own requirements for maximum growth

Mediaalmost any inert material

may be used as a substratesubstrate must not

decompose or be too fine

MediaRiver washed gravel is

competitive in price with soil mixtures

aeration of roots is necessary

Various Media Typesrockvolcanic ashvermiculite - heated micaperlite - exploded volcanic

rock 1800 degrees F.

Various Media Typespeat mossgranite or sandidealite - concrete aggregatewater

Wateringfrequency depends upon mediaeach time a hydroponics

system is replanted, roots will be left, this increases water holding capacity

Conventional Irrigation

floodingflood tray until water

appears at surfaceperforated tube is used to fill

and drain media as needed

Floodingnutrient solution is pumped

back and tray is flooded again

Disadv. Of Floodingnutrient solution can become

unbalancedbacteria and disease can be

spread

Peripheral Gatesnutrient solution applied and

allowed to drain awaynon recirculating systemno storage tank

Peripheral Gatesbacteria and diseases are

drained awaysolution is sprayed on

Disadv. Of Peripheralmore expensive, solution is

not reusedspraying can cause spread of

disease by splashing

Ooze Tube Systemdrip holes in double tubeno splashesDisadvantages: most

expensive

Facts about nutrientsall plants require certain

basic elementsif nutrients are missing poor

growth may result

Facts about nutrientsplants need more of the

major elements any deficiency is rapidly

apparent

Facts about nutrientstrace minerals are often

present in tap water in sufficient amounts.

Major Elements in a basic solution

Ca - CalciumK - PotassiumN - NitrogenP - PhosphorousMg - Magnesium

Minor ElementsMn - ManganeseS - SulfurCu - CopperB - boron

Minor ElementsFe - IronZn - ZincMo - Molybdenum

RecommendationsIf less than 25 gallons of

nutrient solution is needed, purchase a commercial preparation

Get a scale that can weigh to less than 0.01 oz.

Diatomaceous EarthSkeletons of diatoms dried and used as a filter