Hydroponics 101
Hydroponics 101
Hydroponics 101 the basics you should know about growing plants hydroponically. No soil is used in hydroponic gardening, instead most systems use some sort of inert matter called growing media. The nutrients are mixed with the water making a nutrient solution. This allows the plants to directly absorb the nutrients through their roots, with no soil to tie up nutrients and slow growth. The results of this are the hydroponic plants mature about 25% faster, yield about 30% more, and use about 35% less water.
Some of the things you should know about hydroponics 101 are the different types of systems. Some of the types of growing media. And nutrient solutions are very important, there are many types of ready to use nutrient mixes available for all types of plants and all stages of growth.
Three types of passive hydroponics 101 systems are Deep Water Culture, Water Culture, and the Wick System. These passive systems are easier to maintain than the active systems because there is only an air pump needed to aireate the water, there is no need to pump water. However most plants will grow better in an active system.
Deep Water Culture - The plants roots are suspended in nutrient solution and they take in what they need.
Water Culture - The plants are held in a platform usually made of Styrofoam and float directly on the nutrient solution.
Wick System - A grow tray is held on top of the reservoir with a wick or wicks connecting the two.
Four types of active hydroponics 101 systems are the Ebb and Flow ( Flood and Drain), Nutrient Film Technique, Drip System, and the Aeroponic System. You can find more information about these seven hydroponic systems on the internet.
Ebb and Flow - Nutrient solution is pumped from the reservoir to the grow tray, and then the water drains back into the reservoir.
Nutrient Film Technique - The nutrient solution is pumped into the grow tray and flows over the roots, then drains back into the reservoir. The water flow is constant.
Drip System - A pump inside the reservoir pumps the water through emitters drip by drip to the plants.
Aeroponic System - The reservoir holds the nutrient solution but the roots are suspended above the water level, the roots are fed water and nutrients through a mist.
Growing media is an important thing for you to learn a little about for your hydroponics 101 system. Some examples are perlite, vermiculite, rockwool, and expanded clay pellets.
Perlite - allows for good oxygenation good for light weight plants such as lettuce
Vermiculite - retains moisture well also good for light weight plants
Rockwool - provides strong support for the plants, a great water to air ratio, and is available in many shapes and sizes
Expanded Clay Pellets - reusable and porus great for root development
I hope this information gives you a good start to getting your hydroponics 101 system up and running.
Hydroponics 101 the basics you should know about growing plants hydroponically. No soil is used in hydroponic gardening, instead most systems use some sort of inert matter called growing media. The nutrients are mixed with the water making a nutrient solution. This allows the plants to directly absorb the nutrients through their roots, with no soil to tie up nutrients and slow growth. The results of this are the hydroponic plants mature about 25% faster, yield about 30% more, and use about 35% less water.
Some of the things you should know about hydroponics 101 are the different types of systems. Some of the types of growing media. And nutrient solutions are very important, there are many types of ready to use nutrient mixes available for all types of plants and all stages of growth.
Three types of passive hydroponics 101 systems are Deep Water Culture, Water Culture, and the Wick System. These passive systems are easier to maintain than the active systems because there is only an air pump needed to aireate the water, there is no need to pump water. However most plants will grow better in an active system.
Deep Water Culture - The plants roots are suspended in nutrient solution and they take in what they need.
Water Culture - The plants are held in a platform usually made of Styrofoam and float directly on the nutrient solution.
Wick System - A grow tray is held on top of the reservoir with a wick or wicks connecting the two.
Four types of active hydroponics 101 systems are the Ebb and Flow ( Flood and Drain), Nutrient Film Technique, Drip System, and the Aeroponic System. You can find more information about these seven hydroponic systems on the internet.
Ebb and Flow - Nutrient solution is pumped from the reservoir to the grow tray, and then the water drains back into the reservoir.
Nutrient Film Technique - The nutrient solution is pumped into the grow tray and flows over the roots, then drains back into the reservoir. The water flow is constant.
Drip System - A pump inside the reservoir pumps the water through emitters drip by drip to the plants.
Aeroponic System - The reservoir holds the nutrient solution but the roots are suspended above the water level, the roots are fed water and nutrients through a mist.
Growing media is an important thing for you to learn a little about for your hydroponics 101 system. Some examples are perlite, vermiculite, rockwool, and expanded clay pellets.
Perlite - allows for good oxygenation good for light weight plants such as lettuce
Vermiculite - retains moisture well also good for light weight plants
Rockwool - provides strong support for the plants, a great water to air ratio, and is available in many shapes and sizes
Expanded Clay Pellets - reusable and porus great for root development
I hope this information gives you a good start to getting your hydroponics 101 system up and running.
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