Hydroponics media is the name given to the solid particles (e.g. All hydroponic media must be sterile (free of pests and diseases), and inert (free of nutrients) soil replacement used in this method of growing. Specially selected and designed media, pumps and wicking material are all available along with fertilizers specifically designed for hydroponics, not to mention books on hydroponics and indoor gardening. And many offer educational workshops to inform the public on indoor gardening options. Media based systems use some type of soil-less growing media to support plant roots and retain moisture. Pea gravel, sand, perlite, vermiculite, rockwool and other lightweight aggregates, such as Geolite, are common media used in these systems.
Nutrient Film Technique - This system delivers a constant flow of nutrients to the plants with a pump, so no timer is required. This system doesn't require a growing medium; the plants are simply suspended in a plastic tray with the roots dangling in a nutrient solution. Nutrient solution is fed by an air lift pump under control by electric conductance thereof. Nutrient solution should occasionally be siphoned out completely and remixed.
Generally, it is also advisable to monitor for pH and its affect on nutrient availability. For example, if pH is too high, iron may become unavailable.
Lighting is the next consideration is a to have a timer setup to automate the lighting system. Add seed and water, and sit back and watch as your plants grow!
This is a perfect start for a growing system for both the hobbyist and professional grower. Additionally, it helps keeping the hydroponic solution level sufficiently low so that the two-third of the plant’s root systems is rendered to the air.
Essential for this method is that seeding and harvesting take place periodically, starting the crops out at one end of the greenhouse and keeping them moving at intervals to the other side where they are harvested. Essentially, you create a "sprinkler" head that draws up the water and mists the roots. I guess it provides more oxygen for the roots or something.
Generally speaking - a plant will grow faster hydroponically because it doesn't need to grow extensive root systems do to the fact that everything it requires is supplied directly to the root system. The plant can therefore spend its energy growing more vegetation instead of roots.
"Why hydro instead of soil? Growing hydroponically has tons of advantages. It actually saves water! This project uses the same 5 gallons of water over and over again for a whole week. If you were watering into dirt, it would be difficult, if not impossible, to collect and recirculate the water.
In addition, if you think about it, a hydroponics garden is the perfect solution for anybody who wants a garden, but does not have enough space or suitable soil. Hydroponics gardening is, simply put, a method of growing plants using a nutrient solution instead of soil
With hydroponics gardening, you are able to grow beautiful flowers and delicious vegetables virtually anywhere you want. In addition, hydroponics gardening requires much less maintenance than a normal garden would. In fact, you will usually spend less than five minutes a day maintaining your hydroponics garden.
Every few weeks the nutrient solution will have to be replaced, but that too will only take a few minutes. While some heavy fruiting vegetables like tomatoes and peppers may not be able to thrive in the nutrient solution, almost all other types of flowers and vegetables will just fine in a hydroponics garden.