hydroponics. the growing of plants in a solution of nutrients necessary for plant growth, rather...
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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