The urban gardener asked:

hydroponic plants receive all the nutrients they need for growing and fruiting from the growing liquid with all the nutrients dissolved in it. Hydroponic nutrients are available in great variety at specialized hydroponic stores. By the way, both chemical nutrients and organic nutrients can be used for the needs of hydroponic gardening. The only thing to remember is that organic fertilizers require more skills, time, and attention to use them effectively.

Hydroponic gardening allows anyone to grow organic vegetables, fruits, and flowers. A little research, learning and training, combined with enthusiasm, will soon bring the first success in hydroponics to you.

Today, there are many ready-made hydroponic systems available on the market. They are not too expensive, but such systems can really help to make an easy start in hydroponic gardening. For the beginning gardeners it is even recommended to choose simple inexpensive hydroponic systems – they are enough to give you the necessary experience. Of course, you can always build you own system to suit all your particular growing conditions and requirements, when you have enough experience and understanding of how hydroponic system works.

If organized properly, hydroponics gardening can even be easier than traditional plants growing. For example, with hydroponic system it is much easier and less time-consuming to test and maintain the necessary pH level in comparison to the regular soil gardening, where even the pH level testing can be a very challenging task, not speaking about maintaining it on the required steady level.

After all, it is necessary to remember, that in spite of the fact that hydroponics differs significantly from traditional gardening, it is nothing but an alternative approach to grow the same fresh, tasty, and healthy food. Just spend some time to research the topic, evaluate all the benefits of hydroponic gardening – and you will see that there are many advantages offered by hydroponics. Growing healthy organic vegetables without polluting and exhausting fertile soils is definitely one of them.

The urban gardener asked:


Carbon Dioxide (CO2) Systems

Carbon Dioxide (CO2) as described in the previous paragraphs is one of the most important elements needed for plant growth. CO2 is combined with nutrients, water and energy from light (grow lights/ sunlight) is utilized during photosynthesis producing essential sugars that provide energy for the plant. Any factor missing needed for photosynthesis will limit the plants growth potential. In order for a plant to grow to its utmost potential and for it to yield the best results all of the elements must be present. 

Carbon Dioxide (CO2) Injectors

One of the most cost effective way of adding CO2 to an indoor hydroponic garden system is with the use of CO2 injectors. A valve, regulator and gauge are used to measure CO2 levels injected to the air. Sophisticated CO2 injectors are also used to control CO2 release. CO2 tanks are readily available from medical supply outlets and restaurant supply stores.

Carbon Dioxide (CO2) Generators

Investing in CO2 generators would also be wise for long time use in your indoor hydroponic garden systems for several crops. CO2 generators burn propane, natural gas or other carbon based fuels to produce carbon dioxide. More expensive than CO2 tanks, they provide a more convenient way of producing CO2. Long period and continuous use of CO2 generators has proven to be more efficient and economical than purchasing injectors and many tanks.

Carbon Dioxide (CO2) Monitors and Controllers

CO2 monitors with controllers automatically maintain indoor hydroponic garden systems CO2 levels. It is advised for large-scale gardeners or hobbyists and enthusiasts with that extra cash to invest. Often in the hundreds of dollars, they are quite expensive but are really effective if you can afford it. An electronic CO2 monitor together with a CO2 controller are used to maintain CO2 levels. Monitors could be sold separately and can be used with various types of controllers giving room for flexible indoor hydroponic garden designs. 

Water

Water quantity requirements vary according to the type of indoor hydroponic garden system. Adequate levels of water should be maintained whatever type of indoor hydroponic garden system used. Water deficiency even if reversed and corrected cause permanent loss in production.

Not only the amount of water but also quality of water is important. Poor quality also causes serious problems for any indoor hydroponic garden system. The use of tap water can affect the nutrient balance in hydroponic nutrients solutions. Tap water naturally contains mineral and salts. Often referred to as “hard water,” tap water is offset by constant monitoring and adjusting nutrient solution. Salt content should always be kept below 325 ppm (parts per million) whenever possible.

Temperature

 

Temperature is a gauge for optimum production for every plant. When plants are exposed to extreme ranges of temperature, stunted growth and poor fruit yields are the result. Plants have specific temperature ranges for their ideal growth. Warm-season vegetables and most types of flowers have 18o C and 260 C as an ideal temperature range. Cooler season vegetables like lettuces have a 10o C to 18o C range.

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Soil less Mixtures

There is a great amount of soil less mixtures available, which contain different ingredients. Sphagnum moss, perlite, and vermiculite are the most widely spread hydroponics components, used in such mixtures.

Being organic, soil less growing media are usually used for container gardening wick systems or on-recovery drip systems. It is also possible to use soil less mixtures in recovery systems, however, it is necessary to remember that because of very fine particles in such mixtures, they can clog tubes, pumps and drip emitters, when used without a good filtration system. By the way, according to the urban gardeners, one can use panty hose as a filter: just fit it to the return line and to the pump inlet, and all the tiny particles will be filtered out.

Most soil less mixes form a good growing medium for multiple hydroponic and organic gardens, because they can hold water well, have great wicking action, and, at the same time, they provide a reasonable amount of air to the roots of growing plants.

 

Coconut Fiber

The popularity of coconut fiber as growing medium increases rapidly around the world. Being the first totally organic growing medium, providing highest performance for hydroponic systems, coconut fiber may soon become the most popular growing medium ever. It is interesting to note that coconut fiber is, actually, a waste product, which contains the powdered husks of coconuts.

In comparison to rockwool, coconut fiber is characterized with higher oxygen capacity and water retaining. These features are important advantages for hydroponic systems with intermittent watering cycles.

Coconut fiber also contains a lot of root stimulating hormones, thus offering some protection against fungus infestation and other root diseases. The mixture of 50% coconut fiber and 50% expanded clay pellets is considered to be the perfect growing medium.

However, it is necessary to underline one precaution when buying coconut fiber. Avoid purchasing a low grade coconut fiber, which is very fine grained and contains a high level of sea-salts. Such coconut fiber will have negative and disappointing effect on hydroponic system.

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Key Facts on Hydroponics

Hydroponic plants do not require soil to grow in. They use different growing media instead. All the required nutrients are supplied through nutrient solution. Hydroponic system allows cultivation of plants, irrespectively to climate and environmental condition. Hydroponic system allows increasing the density of plants significantly (up to 3 times higher in comparison with traditional soil gardens). It may be surprising but hydroponic plants consume considerable less water than those, growing in soil. Since soil is not used in hydroponic systems, there is no need to worry about crops rotation. Hydroponic plants are healthier, because there are no or very little risks for them to get infected by parasites, living in soil. Hydroponic gardening does not depend on seasons of the year. You can grow plants and gather harvest all year round.

Hydroponics in the Present

Thanks to many technological achievements and innovations, hydroponic growing has already become much more effective, convenient and affordable. Plastic, used for manufacturing of hydroponic equipment, such as plumbing products, fittings, growing pots and containers, etc., made it possible to lower the cost of hydroponic systems significantly.

Multiple electronic devices, such as pumps, timers and monitors, have made hydroponic growing a fully automated process. Furthermore, the hydroponic plants themselves have evolved significantly, ensuring high yield results even if used under the most extreme environmental conditions, for example, at the submarines.

Hydroponics in the Future

The next goal of hydroponics developers is to make indoor gardening eco-friendly and more energy-saving. In this regard, current achievements in the development of solar heating systems look very promising. On the other hand, current innovations open new opportunities for designing new growing light systems with higher lumen output, better spectrum profile and lower electricity consumption. In the long run, hydroponic systems may allow increasing the amount of grown plants to completely satisfy the needs of people in food products, without using additional natural resources and soil.

Furthermore, maybe in the nearest future hydroponic systems, which have already been tested in space on the space stations, will even become another valuable step in the space exploration by the humans.

The urban gardener asked:


Ebb and Flow hydroponic systems or reservoir systems are one of the easiest to build and maintain. Simplicity and low cost in setting up make it ideal for home hobbyists. Basic setup consists of a growing tray for plants in containers. Usually used with pebbles, perlite and rockwool gardening mediums. Reservoirs filled with water and hydroponic nutrient solutions are placed under the growing medium. A timer controls the amount of water pumped back into the growing tray. The draining action helps provide a steady flow of oxygen to the plants roots. An overflow drain is installed to regulate water height and avoid overflow.

 

 

Building Ebb and Flow Hydroponic System

 

 

 

The following hydroponic supplies are required for an Ebb and Flow hydroponic system

 

 

 

Growing Tray

 

 

 

Root protection requires a growing light that shields your roots from light. Plastics are preferred to metals and wood due to its light weight and durability. A thorough check of the growing medium is required to make sure that water drainage is complete. Root rot, pests problems and molds are the main problems encountered by improper drainage.

 

Plant Pots

Any non-metallic plant pot with drainage holes will suffice for a simple ebb and flow system.

 

 

Growing Medium

 

Ebb and flow systems need no special type of growing medium. Clay pebbles (sometimes called grow rocks) are usually used, they don’t need to be mixed with other mediums. Due to frequent flooding cycles, it is advised that water retention be avoided.

Supports

Support for the tray suspended above the reservoir is needed. The setup of the indoor system would dictate if a simple table or milk tray, or a customized support is required. Something sturdy is what you need for supporting the full weight of your setup. Always include the weight of the water and nutrients in planning. Taking note the mature size and weight of the plants should also be considered. Changing the supports would present an impossible if not very difficult scenario once the plants reach their full growth size.

 

 

Reservoir

 

Any large plastic can be used as a reservoir (rubber tubs and trash cans are also ideal). Rust is the main problem with metal containers.

 

 

Drains

 

Two drains are required for your garden, a drain for the water to return to the reservoir and one for the overflow drain. Fill pipes also serve as a drain pipe, allowing it to run up the same way it came down. Overflow pipes should be designed at the desired maximum level of water for the indoor hydroponic garden system. Be sure that the overflow pipe is large enough to accommodate the amount of water to be pumped out of your grow space. Ideally a figure of 125% to 135% of the amount is desired. This assures a optimum flow of nutrients for the growing medium and avoids salt and mineral to buildup.

 

 

Water Pump

 

Pump size depends on the indoor hydroponic systems needs. The amount of water and distance are factors to be considered for the size of the pumps. Aquarium pumps can be used for most small scale systems.

 

 

Timers

 

The type and cost of timers depends on the specific setup of your gardens need. Hobbyists usually employing a single time schedule can work with a cheap timer readily available at a Home Depot or Lowe’s type store. Larger more sophisticated timers are needed for advance or large scale ebb and flow systems this allows control for more than one section at a time.

 

 

Flexible Plastic Tubing

 

Transparent flexible tubing’s should be avoided to prevent algae build up. Ordinary flexible tubing’s may also be used. 

 

 

Care of Ebb and Flow Hydroponic Systems or reservoir systems are one of the easiest to build and maintain. Simplicity and low cost in setting up make it ideal for home hobbyists. Basic setup consists of a growing tray for plants in containers. Usually used with pebbles, perlite and rockwool gardening mediums. Reservoirs filled with water and hydroponic nutrient solutions are placed under the growing medium. A timer controls the amount of water pumped back into the growing tray. The draining action helps provide a steady flow of oxygen to the plants roots. An overflow drain is installed to regulate water height and avoid overflow.