Difference between revisions of "Hydroponics"
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I have been growing hydroponically for a few years and in preparation for growing tomatoes, basil and rosemary in the basement of the Patton Block building, i have decided to start collecting hydroponic information in one place. | I have been growing hydroponically for a few years and in preparation for growing tomatoes, basil and rosemary in the basement of the Patton Block building, i have decided to start collecting hydroponic information in one place. | ||
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| + | The following is a list of "parts" that all hydroponics have in common: | ||
| + | :- water reservoir, planting bed, circulation of water, lighting, fertilizer (NPK) | ||
| + | ::::[[File:Basic_hydroponics_02.png|400px]] | ||
| + | |||
| + | Some additions: | ||
| + | :Air stones are used to "aerate" the nutrient solution when circulating pumps are not used. | ||
==Types of Hydroponics== | ==Types of Hydroponics== | ||
| − | [https://www.simplyhydro.com/system/ This] website has a | + | [https://www.simplyhydro.com/system/ This] website has a nice description of 6 ways of growing plants in water. |
| − | |||
===Wick=== | ===Wick=== | ||
| + | This system uses no pumps, but instead uses a "wicking" system to move water from a water reservoir to the plant bed containing the support material. | ||
===Water Culture=== | ===Water Culture=== | ||
| + | This system is unique because the planting bed (made of some type of floating foam) sits/floats on top of the water reservoir. Since the planting bed and water reservoir are in direct contact, there is no need for a pump. Roots extend into the water reservoir. | ||
===Ebb and Flow (Flood & Drain)=== | ===Ebb and Flow (Flood & Drain)=== | ||
| + | As the name says, the planting bed is "flooded" with water and then allowed to "drain." This flood/drain process can be controlled by a timer on a pump, or better yet through the use of a siphon tube. | ||
===Drip (recovery or non-recovery)=== | ===Drip (recovery or non-recovery)=== | ||
| + | Individual plants in the planting bed have their own drip tube that provides water/nutrient solution. Unlike the systems above, most drip systems do not use a single planting bed, but instead individual planting containers. Nutrient solution is "dripped" using a pump with timer and if the nutrient solution is collected and reused it is considered a "recovery" drip system. | ||
===N.F.T. (Nutrient Film Technique)=== | ===N.F.T. (Nutrient Film Technique)=== | ||
| + | This technique uses a planting bed that consists of a single row of plants (similar to a rain gutter). Nutrient solution is delivered to the end of a planting bed and this solution then flows through the bed and moistens the plant roots. The planting beds are usually mounted on a slant allowing the nutrient solution to easily drain out of the opposite end of the planting bed. Nutrient solutions are recovered and the pump runs all the time. | ||
===Aeroponic=== | ===Aeroponic=== | ||
| + | Plant roots are keep moist by a timed pump connected to spray nozzles. | ||
| + | |||
| + | ==Hydroponic Principles== | ||
| + | ===Plant Support=== | ||
| + | |||
| + | ===Water Flow=== | ||
| + | |||
| + | ===Nutrients=== | ||
| + | |||
| + | ===Lighting=== | ||
Latest revision as of 14:53, 29 March 2020
(3/29/2020, bes)
I have been growing hydroponically for a few years and in preparation for growing tomatoes, basil and rosemary in the basement of the Patton Block building, i have decided to start collecting hydroponic information in one place.
The following is a list of "parts" that all hydroponics have in common:
- - water reservoir, planting bed, circulation of water, lighting, fertilizer (NPK)
Some additions:
- Air stones are used to "aerate" the nutrient solution when circulating pumps are not used.
Types of Hydroponics
This website has a nice description of 6 ways of growing plants in water.
Wick
This system uses no pumps, but instead uses a "wicking" system to move water from a water reservoir to the plant bed containing the support material.
Water Culture
This system is unique because the planting bed (made of some type of floating foam) sits/floats on top of the water reservoir. Since the planting bed and water reservoir are in direct contact, there is no need for a pump. Roots extend into the water reservoir.
Ebb and Flow (Flood & Drain)
As the name says, the planting bed is "flooded" with water and then allowed to "drain." This flood/drain process can be controlled by a timer on a pump, or better yet through the use of a siphon tube.
Drip (recovery or non-recovery)
Individual plants in the planting bed have their own drip tube that provides water/nutrient solution. Unlike the systems above, most drip systems do not use a single planting bed, but instead individual planting containers. Nutrient solution is "dripped" using a pump with timer and if the nutrient solution is collected and reused it is considered a "recovery" drip system.
N.F.T. (Nutrient Film Technique)
This technique uses a planting bed that consists of a single row of plants (similar to a rain gutter). Nutrient solution is delivered to the end of a planting bed and this solution then flows through the bed and moistens the plant roots. The planting beds are usually mounted on a slant allowing the nutrient solution to easily drain out of the opposite end of the planting bed. Nutrient solutions are recovered and the pump runs all the time.
Aeroponic
Plant roots are keep moist by a timed pump connected to spray nozzles.