1. Hydroponics
Let’s get growing

2. Hydroponics
Growing plants without soil

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

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

6. 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

7. Aggregate culture
Using inert material to support and surround plants

9. Water Culture
Growing plants in water containing dissolved nutrients

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

25. Light
Sodium, Halogen, Fluorescent forms that supplement natural sunlight

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

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

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

33. pH
A measurement that illustrates the acidity or alkalinity of a substance (plants need for good growth)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

48. Home Hydroponics Peeps