Hydroponics

What are plant needs

Water Sunlight Air Nutrients (usually

soil) Anchorage (root

system)

Hydroponics:

Growing of plants in a solutions of nutrients, without soil

What is used as a growing media when soil isn’t

present? Gravel -Rockwool Sand-Styrofoam

Vermiculite - Anything Inert!

Terms

Why have

Hydroponics?Q. Why have scientists and

horticulturists experimented with different methods of hydroponics?

A. It is a simple fact that some people cannot grow in the soil in their area (if there is even any soil at all).

Any plant can be grown in hydroponics.

Almost any system can achieve acceptable growth.

Small scale hydroponics is different to large scale.

General Facts

Hydroponics contributes to understanding

plant growth.

Very few commercial producers.

General Facts

Best possible light 50% or more humidity Day temp = 75 deg. Night temp = 65 deg. Correct pH level – 6.5-7.0

Hydroponic Requirements

All essential elements

needed

The larger the particle size of substrate the more watering needed.

Other Requirements

Minimum of 100,000 sq ft

Thousands of plants needed

Will be able to tell conditions of water by looking at the plants

Commercial Production

Reduced land costMore control over growing

environmentReduced pesticide useYear-round supplyAlternative to urban sprawlSoil has bacteria which may lead to

problems

Advantages of Hydroponics

Start-up costs Management Labor requirements

Disadvantages of Hydroponics

In the soil, organic material is broken down to release the nutrients and minerals.

There are 17 mineral elements present that are essential to plant growth.

You need to be sure to give the plants the right amount of soluble nutrients for plants success in growth.

ABOUT NUTRIENTS

Rockwool is made from rock which has been melted and spun into fibrous cubes.

Rockwool is a form of Perlite in which the pebbles or rocks anchor the plant down so they don’t just float up above the water.

Rockwool is the most popular medium for germination seeds hydroponically.

WHAT IS ROCKWOOL?

Aggregate helps to support the roots.

Water and nutrients cling to it

Sand can be used as an aggregate

AGGREGATE

HYDROPONIC SYSTMES

Aeroponics Nutrient Film System

HYDROPONIC SYSTEMS

There are three different methods to propagation.

They are seed germination, rooting stem cuttings, and tissue culture.

Stem cuttings from most types of plants can be rooted in 7-14 days.

PROPAGATION