Hydroponic growing methods
Hydroponics is basically a soil-free growing method. Plants need a source of nutrition to stay alive, and normally this is in the form of nutrients from the soil they are growing in. It is easy to grow plants without using soil, with the help of a nutrient solution. The plants still derive all their nutrition through their roots, but in much greater concentrations than would be drawn out of soil, therefore promoting growth.
There are two different types of hydroponics, both of which can be carried out using cheap hydroponic systems. They are solution and medium cultures. Solution culture uses pure nutrient solution for growing. Static solution growing is where the plants are kept in containers of solution that needs to be changed on a schedule to keep it fresh. Continuous flow solution is the method where plants are grown in containers with a constant flow of solution running over the roots, this solution is maintained via a central tank to make sure it is the correct strength and temperature. Depending on the size of the growing space, a system called Nutrient Film Technique may be used, this method is sometimes called NFT for short. It is called NFT as the level of water needed is so low it is just a film. but also allows them to get as much oxygen as they need through the exposed roots.
Medium culture uses some type of medium for the plants to bed their roots into such as rock wool or gravel. The solution runs through the chosen medium, allowing the plants to absorb as much nutrients as they need. Gravel is one of the cheapest and easiest mediums to use in homemade hydroponic systems as it is very easy to sterilise and re-use. Gravel’s main letdown is it is heavy.
Lights are also used to promote growth using hydroponic growing systems. Depending on the location of the plants, there are many lights that can be used to help growth. There are varying spectrums of light available. You can buy lights that give the right spectrum to lengthen the day when sunlight hours are short. You can buy lights that also provide the right spectrum to encourage growth.
Tags: continuous solution, hydroponic growing systems, hydroponic lights, medium culture, solution culture, static solution