What is Hydroponics?
HydroPonics [hahy-druh-pon-iks] Origin hy·dro·pon·ics:[hahy-druh-pon-iks] Show IPA noun (used with a singular verb) the cultivation of plants by placing the roots in liquid nutrient solutions rather than in soil; soilless growth of plants. Compare aeroculture, geoponics (def. 2). (Source http://dictionary.reference.com/)
Hydroponic fundamentals
In hydroponics you control everything the plant gets from the type of nutrients, hours, color of light and temperature. This control allows the gardener to control growing time and when the plant will flower and produce fruit. the bigger you let the plant grow the more fruit it can produce but the more fertilizer you need to feed it and the more you need to change out the solution adding to the cost. There are 6 types of hydroponics, Run to waste, Ebb and flow, Drip, Deepwater, Aerophonic and Aquaponics. All the systems have pH, nutrients, light and temp in common. if any one of these get outside of the preferred range for too long the plants could die. Below I will explain how we run our 30 gallon deepwater culture.
Choosing the right plants
First step is to make sure the plants you wish to grow will thrive in a hydroponic system. Also if your going to grow fresh veggies you might as well choose Heirloom, Organic non GMO plants. We grow a few types of Tomatoes and peppers along with Cucumbers and hope to have a few strawberry one day.
Starting seeds
We start seeds the same for both outdoor garden and for our hydroponics. wet paper towel and a heat mat for a few days till roots start then we put them in rock wool plugs in a humidity dome. Once the first two leafs have formed we take the plug and plant and plant in a starter tub (see picture) this system is too small to hold full grown plants. When the plants are small I don't see a point in mixing 30 gallons of solution when all they really need in 4 gallons.
Starting seeds
We start seeds the same for both outdoor garden and for our hydroponics. wet paper towel and a heat mat for a few days till roots start then we put them in rock wool plugs in a humidity dome. Once the first two leafs have formed we take the plug and plant and plant in a starter tub (see picture) this system is too small to hold full grown plants. When the plants are small I don't see a point in mixing 30 gallons of solution when all they really need in 4 gallons.
When the roots grow large enough to reach the water I will transplant them to the larger system. It will take some time and experimenting to learn what combination of plants will work in your system. some plant might crowd or absorb too much nutrients and kill other plants. I recently had a problem where my cucumbers died.
Setting up the solution
Not all water is equal, Tap water has chemicals added to it, many times it has so many additives that the total dissolved salts is so high the roots will not be able to absorb the nutrients you add to the water. This is called nutrient lock out, lock out occurs when the ppm (Parts per million) reaches 2000, I like to keep my ppm less than 1000. next tap water must be left to sit for 24 hours to allow the chlorine to dissipate. If your doing this in a basement or on a cold floor put it on carpet or a piece of cardboard to keep your water temp up. I like to keep my stored water and my system in the same climate and on the same material to avoid shock to my plants during solution changers and when I add water. Adding a Tsp per gallon of Hydrogen peroxide will kill off bacteria and aid in oxygenation of the water, thou it is not needed it is one of the cheapest ways to improve growth. A fish tank air pump and air stones need to be added to oxygenate the solution, the more air the more growth. The solution level should be kept high enough that when the bubbles from the air stone pop the wet they bottom of the net cups that the plants are in but not so high that the bottom of the cups rest in the water. If the cups rest in the water the plants base will rot (water logged). No matter witch type of nutrients you choose it should be made for hydroponics, I started by using basic garden fertilizer and thou it kept the plants alive it was not even close to what happened when I switched to the right stuff. Each brand has more than one line from all in one 1 part to 3 part with a bunch of additives to give the grower total control. I suggest stating with a 3 part basic from any of the top mainstream providers. Be sure to black out the sides, top and don't for get the bottom of your totes, Algae will grow and fast if any light can penetrate into the solution. I use a spray glue and tinfoil. Finally adjust the solution to a pH between 5.8 and 6.3 or at least really close to it and maintain the pH. I adjust pH 2 times a day morning and evening. I adjust my pH closer to 5.8 because pH tends to climb slowly up if everything is going good. If your pH is falling you more than likely have an algae problem.
Lighting
Lighting is as important as the solution. Too much light and well I don't think you can have too much light. But you do need to watch the heat that comes with alot of light. LEDs eliminate the risk of heat but purchase price is high. during grow phase plants require a blue color (65k kelvins) for 20 to 22 hours and during Flowering and fruiting stage they need a red (3,500 kelvins) for 12 to 18 hours. It is also very important that when the lights are off the room is kept very dark as the plant requires this time for the health of the plant. This mimics Nature. Some people claim that a green light can be used to see in the room with out disturbing the plants. There are many types of light out there, From HID lighting that costs alot to run and to buy to florescent that don't put out as much light or heat and don't cost as much to run and even LEDs that cost nearly nothing to run and create nearly no heat but cost alot to buy. What ever you choose to get the intensity is measured in lumins. The higher the lumins the better the growth.
Environment
First add a fan to stimulate you plants to grow strong stems, artificial wind. second don't let you room get too hot or too cold. Depending on what plants your growing your temp may be different. One thing is universal thou when you want your plants to flower and produce fruit you should lower the temp a few degrees. If your plants are not self pollinating you will need to pollinate them. Special pollination tools can be purchased but we have had good luck with the almighty Q tip. My wife pollinates every other day between 10 am and 2 pm. My research has shown that every other day at mid day is the best method weather using pollination tools, Q tip or rubbing the flowers together. This mimic's the time and method Bee's use in a natural setting.
Questions or comments
Feel free to e-mail me any comments or questions: [email protected]
if your looking for hydroponic supplies feel free to check out any of the ads at the bottom of our pages or e mail me and I can suggest some that I have used.
if your looking for hydroponic supplies feel free to check out any of the ads at the bottom of our pages or e mail me and I can suggest some that I have used.