Hydroponics Defined Water Working Growing plants in water and nutrient solution without soil.

Advantages Less Work Eliminate all soil borne disease No weeds to pull No soil to till Eliminate all soil borne disease Small unit can be set up anywhere Plants will grow more rapidly Exact nutrients provided Higher in nutritional value Taste Better

Advantages Cont. Use much less water: Can be grown year-round basis None wasted None consumed by weed Can be grown year-round basis

Four types of systems Ebb and Flow aka flood and drain Typical media Roots stay moist Oxygen plentiful to roots upon draining Typical media Rock wool, perlite or expanded clay pebbles Crops Both long and short term crops

Drip Drip emitters on timed basis Typical media Mainly long term crops Rock wool or perlite Mainly long term crops Tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers others

Nutrient Film Technique – NFT Grown in channels No growing medium Frequent pumping required Typically top of roots exposed to air and bottom of roots exposed to solution Typical crops Short term – lettuce, herbs other leafy crops Long term- some form of plant support needed cucumbers and others

Passive Low maintenance Slower growing No pumps or timers Roots dangle in solution No water movement – low oxygen Can provide air pumps

Expanded Clay Pebbles

Expanded Clay Pebbles Neutral PH Excellent capillary action

Rockwool

Rockwool Derived from basalt rock Cubes Slabs Heated and then spun into fibers Roots grow down into material Excellent moisture retention Cubes Various sizes 1”, 3” etc. Propagation for transplant to NFT, Ebb/Flow, Drip Slabs Larger pieces Propagation and growing

Perlite

Perlite Derived from volcanic rock Heated and explodes like popcorn Used in pots, bags others Also used in potting soil mixtures