Hydroponics
· What is hydroponics?
Hydroponics is simply the science of growing plants without soil. Hydroponics is also know as the cultivation of plants in nutrient-enriched water, with or without the mechanical support of an inert medium such as sand, gravel, grow rocks or rockwool.
· Is growing hydroponically hard to do?
Not at all. If you can read and follow simple instructions, you can set up and operate a hydroponic system. It is just a matter of having the right growing conditions, equipment and fertilizers.
· What is involved in taking care of a hydroponic system?
Once you get your system up and running, it will pretty much take care of itself except for some simple maintenance. Once weekly up to 4 or 5 times per month, you will "top off" your hydroponic system. This means that you will replace the nutrient solution that your plants have used with additional, solution. After topping off your reservoir six to 10 times, it will be time to change out the solution completely by draining or pouring off all of the old solution and replacing it completely with fresh nutrient solution. The frequency of topping off and changing your reservoir will depend on what you are growing and what stage of growth the plants are in. For example, tomatoes in full production will use solution more quickly than young tomato plants or non-fruiting plants such as salad greens. For more exact nutrient management and even faster growth, nutrient test pens are available. You would want to test your pH levels and TDS (Total Dissolved Solids) levels. ph and TDS are very important and should be tested every 2-3 days.
· What plants can I grow in my hydroponic system?
Just about any plant will grow faster and healthier in your hydroponic system. For indoor food production, you will get more yield for the space by growing in hydro as opposed to soil.
· What are the benefits of hydroponics?
A well-tended hydroponic system will yield up to 50% more than a soil-grown garden. The secret is direct feeding to the plant's roots-resulting in smaller root systems and faster growth. Other benefits include better quality produce due to optimum nutrition; no soil-born pests or disease; no weeds.
· Hydroponics or Soil?
Hydroponic gardening means growing a plant without soil. Instead of growing a plant in the dirt, the plant is fed a nutrient mixed with water, which allows the plant to grow much faster than it normally would, resulting in a larger harvest of vegetables, fruits, herbs and flowers. If you are growing in soil, It's important to provide a large enough container for the plant. One rule of thumb would be, to have one gallon of soil per foot of plant growth, or one gallon per month of growth, whichever is larger.
· What is involved in taking care of a hydroponic system?
Once you get your system up and running, it will pretty much take care of itself except for some simple maintenance. Once weekly up to 4 or 5 times per month, you will "top off" your hydroponic system. This means that you will replace the nutrient solution that your plants have used with additional, solution. After topping off your reservoir six to 10 times, it will be time to change out the solution completely by draining or pouring off all of the old solution and replacing it completely with fresh nutrient solution. The frequency of topping off and changing your reservoir will depend on what you are growing and what stage of growth the plants are in. For example, tomatoes in full production will use solution more quickly than young tomato plants or non-fruiting plants such as salad greens. For more exact nutrient management and even faster growth, nutrient test pens are available. You would want to test your pH levels and TDS (Total Dissolved Solids) levels. ph and TDS are very important and should be tested every 2-3 days.
