Hydroponics Plants without soil!!! By: Walt Iciek Topic# 2221

Hydroponics- Definition Science of Plants grown in an inert medium –Gravel, sand, sawdust, water, rockwool, perlite, vermiculite –Nutrients are provided from a nutrient solution –Solution provides all necessary elements.

Commercial use of Hydroponics Used for over forty years Crops –Almost any herbaceous plant –Lettuce, tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, herbs –Bred specially for hydroponics

Advantages Can be used regardless of soil conditions Year round Higher yields, faster growth, more crop cycles No soil- Less insects and pest No soil- No weeds or cultivation

Advantages- Continued Less pesticides Plants receive correct nutrients at correct time. More effective use of water and fertilizer

Disadvantages Expensive to start, investments add up fast Much skill is required - Grower need to be trained on maintance and plant nutrition. -Close monitoring to prevent water or nutrient stress. -Sanitation is very important

Different kinds of Hydroponics Water Culture –Crops grown in continuous flow of nutrient solution. –Usually the tops of plants need to be supported Aggregate Culture –Grown in solid media for crop support

Water Culture Nutrient Film Technique (NFT) –Grown in trough –Nutrient solution flows continuously –Shallow so adequate oxygen can reach the roots –Vegetables and herbs most common Aeroponics –Roots are misted constantly

NFT Set-up Look like rain gutters with holes for the plants Less than 100 ft. Sloped 2-3 degrees for good water flow Closed system, water flows continuously Very efficient use of water and fertilizer

NFT- Problems If a disease develops, the entire systems needs to be flushed Requires close monitoring

Aggregate Culture Gravel Culture –Beds filled with gravel, –Gravel is saturated and drained several times daily depending on plants needs Sand Culture –Plants receive nutrients through a drip emitter

Hydroponics Summary Hydroponics is the science of growing plants in an inert medium Many different crops can be grown hydroponicly There are advantages and disadvantages to hydroponics There are two many types of Hydroponics –Water culture –Aggregate culture