Hydroponics Let’s get growing

Hydroponics Growing plants without soil

History Began 70 years ago Used to grow vegetables and flowers In 1939, American Army installed hydroponic units on their military bases

Hydroponic: It’s easy Have complete control of crop Water quality Air Nutrients Light

Hydroponics: Advantages Does not harm environment Great quality of crop = more money for your crop Little water use No weeds Less space Can be done anywhere Can be done anytime Automated

Aggregate culture Using inert material to support and surround plants

Water Culture Growing plants in water containing dissolved nutrients

Aeroponics Growing of plants where the roots are suspended in a nutrient mist

Continuous-flow system Nutrient solution flows constantly over plant roots, most commonly used for commercial production

Nutrient Solution A solution of all essential nutrients needed for plant growth

Coconut Coir Coconut husks ground up and compressed into a brick, used for a growing media

Rock Wool Thin strand-like fibers made from rocks and formed into a brick, used for a growing media

Hydroton Made of clay, shaped into pellets and used for a growing media

Vermiculite Pieces of volcanic rock that expands and holds water, used as a growing media

Light Sodium, Halogen, Fluorescent forms that supplement natural sunlight

Temperature Indoor temperature must simulate natural temperatures of plant’s native habitat

Aeration Providing oxygen to nutrient solution, can be done with aquarium pump

Crops Typically grown: lettuce, tomatoes, herbs, peppers, cucumbers, and strawberries

pH A measurement that illustrates the acidity or alkalinity of a substance (plants need 5.5-7 for good growth)

Nutrient Film Technique A plastic trough or tube supports plants and thin film of nutrient solution flows over roots

Aeration Method Uses an air pump to bubble oxygen to the roots of plants immersed in the nutrient solution

Tube Culture Plastic tube or bag is filled with lightweight aggregate, holes are made for plants and tube is hung vertically

Flood and Drain (Ebb and Flow) Water-holdng container is filled with aggregate and plants, flooded periodically with the nutrient solution

Trickle Feed Nutrient solution continuously pumped from the reservoir into smaller tubes and returned to reservoir

Garden Waves Raleigh’s Hydroponics Store on Hillsborough St. near NCSU

Hydroponics: Disadvantages Plant support is required Water quality is important Diseases spread through water More moisture and humidity in air = more diseases Expensive

Home Hydroponics Peeps