Here’s what you have can find out on this website….
- What is Hydroponics?—You know it’s not space-age technology, but what, really, is hydroponics, and what’s the difference between hydroponics and other growing methods, like organics?
- Hydroponics Myths—You’ve probably heard it all. Hydroponics is too expensive, used mainly for illegal purposes, bad for environment, unnatural, too difficult, and on and on. Here’s where we’ll bust all those hydroponics myths.
- Hydroponic Systems—Here’s where it gets tough, right? Not really. With a little basic information, you’ll be able to understand each type of hydroponic system and the benefits to your project.
- Growing Mediums—There are actually more growing mediums than you might think. Let’s talk about growing mediums and how they work with hydroponics.
- Types of Fertilizers—Dung, and compost, and chemicals, oh my! Learn all about fertilizers so that you can make an informed decision.
- Micronutrients—Micronutrients is a buzzword for good health not just for people, but for plants too. But, without some basic info, you just might give the wrong nutrient and…. well… destroy your plants.
- pH and Hydroponics—What role does pH play in Hydroponics? You may be surprised. Look for the 411 an upcoming newsletter.
- Growing Orchids with Hydroponics—Now we’re talking. Yep, those finicky orchids can be successfully nurtured with a non-traditional method like hydroponics. And your lovelies will thrive!
Find all the information you need, and want, about hydroponics!
What is Hydroponics?
Your journey through hydroponics should start at the most logical place… the beginning. With that in mind, let’s explore the basics of hydroponics. What does it mean? Where did the idea come from? What makes it better, or worse, than other growing methods?
Many people have an idea of what hydroponics is. It has to do with growing things in water, right? Well, yes and no.
Hydroponics is actually a Greek word that means “to labor in water.”
Hydro (from the Greek word, “hydor”) = water
Ponics (from the Greek word, “ponos”) = to labor, toil, work
Hydroponics is also sometimes called aquaculture (as in “water” and “growing”).
So, simply put, hydroponics means to grow something in water. Of course, we’re not talking about those sponges in the shape of animals and dinosaurs that “grow” when you put them in a glass of water; we’re talking specifically about growing plants in water.
But, is hydroponics really as simple as throwing a seed into a bucket of water and watching it grow? Not usually.
Hydroponic growers use what is called a “hydroponic system”. These systems can vary, but always include a growing medium, and a “nutrient solution,” what we refer to as the “water” part of the system.
Once the grower has determined what type of system will be used and what nutrients will be needed, the growing begins!
Hydroponics vs. Organics
So, is hydroponics the same as organic growing? Again, yes and no. It really depends on your definition of the word “organic.” In the traditional sense, however, hydroponics is not organic. Organic farming, or growing, uses a plot of land, “natural” fertilizers and nutrients, and a ton of water. Hydroponics uses mineral salts to disburse the nutrients to the plants, so, for most people, hydroponics could not be considered organic.
Busting Hydroponics Myths—the Real Story
We know that hydroponics means growing plants in water using a growing medium and liquid nutrients. We also know that, in the traditional sense, hydroponics is not organic.
But, is hydroponics too difficult, illegal, expensive, environmentally bad, or unnatural?
Let’s take a look at each myth.
Hydroponics is too expensive. If you’re looking to set up a hydroponics farm, you might be looking a quite an expensive setup. However, on a small scale, technically all you need is a bucket, some growing medium, and your nutrient salt—not too pricey. And, the initial investment pays for itself.
Hydroponics is illegal. Although hydroponics itself is not illegal, some growers have used it to cultivate some debatable crops. That is illegal, but growing plants in water is not.
Hydroponics is bad for the environment. No way! Hydroponics does not take up a plot of land and force the depletion of soil nutrients.
Hydroponics is unnatural. Hmmm… water, nutrients, growing medium…. what’s unnatural?
Hydroponics is too difficult. Have you ever tried turning the earth, planting seeds in a straight line, and engaged in a backbreaking harvest? In comparison to “traditional” growing methods, hydroponics sounds like a breeze!
Well, there it is. Hydroponics is only as expensive as you make it, perfectly legal, great for the environment, completely natural, and relatively easy! So, what are you waiting for?
Which Hydroponic System is Best?
Now that you know all about the meaning of hydroponics and that it’s a natural, environmentally friendly way to grow plants, you’ll need to know more about those hydroponics systems we talked about earlier.
There are six basic types of hydroponic systems:
- Wick
- Water Culture
- Ebb and Flow
- Drip
- Nutrient Film Technique (NFT), and
- Aeroponic.
Each system has its own set of benefits and drawbacks, and each system can be great for one species of plant and detrimental for another. Let’s look at each type of system individually.
Wick System. The wick system is perhaps the most basic of hydroponic systems. Best used for smaller plants, the wick system uses water-absorbent “wicks” to draw nutrient-rich water from a reservoir into the growing medium. There are no moving parts and set up is pretty easy.
Water Culture System. Great for lettuce, the water culture system floats plants directly on top of the nutrient solution/water… kind of like water lilies float on a pond. You’ll need an air pump to aerate the water and get oxygen to the roots of the plants.
Ebb and Flow System. Also called the Flood and Drain system, the ebb and flow system does just what it says; the water floods the plants and then drains away keeping the plants hydrated and nourished. This system uses a pump to push the water into a growing tray and a drain for it to flow back into a holding tank.
Drip System. Very much like the ebb and flow system, the drip system drips water from a holding tank to the growing tray which houses the plants.
Nutrient Film Technique (NFT). NFT used a method of continuous flow of water solution through the roots of the plants. But, because the plant’s roots aren’t actually sitting in water, they can dry out if something happens to the water delivery system.
Aeroponic System. Have you ever reached for a head of lettuce at the grocery store and been greeted by a fine mist of water? Well that misting method of keeping produce fresh is very similar to the aeroponic system of hydroponic growing. Using little more than air, a fine mist of nutrient rich solution is delivered to the plant roots every few minutes.
As you can see, some systems seem pretty simple and others are a bit more complicated. Some systems are best for flowering plants and others aren’t useful for anything other than lettuce. But, take your pick, experiment a bit, and find out what works best for you!
The Nitty Gritty Growing Medium
Assuming that you’ve already been making plans based on what you’ve learned in previous article, you’re going to need to know a bit more about growing mediums so that you can decide which will be just right for your system.
Actually, understanding growing mediums is pretty easy. Think dirt!
In traditional growing, dirt is the growing medium. It’s the stuff that supports the plants and aerates the roots.
Many people mistakenly believe that, in hydroponics, plants are just plopped in water and magically grow tall and strong. This is rarely the case, because plant roots in stagnant water tend to rot.
Hydroponics offers all sorts of growing mediums, including:
- Rockwool
- Perlite
- Vermiculite
- coconut fiber
- gravel
- sand
- and even air!
Growing mediums vary in efficiency and the ability to disburse the nutrient solution and keep the plants supplied with lots of oxygen.
But, here’s the most interesting thing about hydroponic growing mediums. If you take a look at the list, you may notice that hydroponic growing mediums are inert. That means that they do not supply any nutrition to the plants themselves. They are merely a support system.
So, even though we tend to think of a growing medium as something that supplies nutrients to the plants they house (just as dirt contains everything a plant needs to grow), in hydroponics, the nutrients are supplied in a solution, not the medium.
Cool, huh?
Fertilizer Facts
Let’s talk about fertilizers. No, not cow dung, but rather hydroponic fertilizers. But, first, let’s ask…
Is there a difference between “regular” fertilizers and hydroponic fertilizers?
In most ways, fertilizer is fertilizer. Whether the fertilizer is organic, regular, or hydroponic, it has to contain three primary ingredients:
- Nitrogen
- Phosphorus
- Potassium
Now, these three nutrients are found naturally in soil. But, the problem is that, through over farming, much of the available soil has been seriously depleted of what nature intended, leaving the poor crops to struggle to find the nutrition they need to thrive.
Hydroponics gives plants a break. In an environment that delivers carefully-controlled doses of nutrients, fertilizer, and water, plants no longer have to worry about where they will find their next meal and are free to grow and flourish.
The primary difference between organic, regular, and hydroponic fertilizers is how hard plants have to work to use them.
Remember, that soil fertilizers may or may not be present in enough quantity to satisfy growing plants. Organic fertilizers are great but they have to break down before plants roots can access them. But, hydroponic fertilizers are dissolved in water and delivered directly to plant roots, ready for them to use.
It’s like a plant spa!
What’s in a Nutrient?
Last article discussed fertilizer. And, since nutrients are closely linked to fertilizers, now would be a great time to talk about nutrients, or rather, micronutrients.
Fertilizers are used to distribute three major nutrients to plants: nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium. But, plants also need several micronutrients to thrive. These micronutrients include:
- Calcium
- Magnesium
- Sulfur
- Boron
- Cobalt
- Copper
- Iron
- Manganese
- Molybdenum
- and Zinc.
Just like people, plants use a combination of nutrients to grow healthy and strong. If any one of these nutrients is missing, or not present in sufficient quantities, plants may become susceptible to diseases, pests, and funguses. Some may even die.
Interestingly, since plants absorb these trace elements, and since humans eat plants, these micronutrients eventually end up as part of our nutritional puzzle as well.
Malnourished plants are not only puny and non-productive, they can lead to malnourished humans!
Hydroponic growers have to make sure that they use a nutrient-rich fertilizer and a balanced nutrient solution to deliver complete nutrition to what they grow.
Balancing pH and Nutrition
As we talk about plant nutrition and hydroponics, we have to cover pH. It’s just as important as nutrition because, without the proper pH, plants can’t absorb the nutrients provided to them.
Some folks shy away from hydroponics because of the pH issue. Just like regulating pH in a fish tank, hydroponic system pH has to be carefully monitored. But, here’s the good news … monitoring and adjusting pH in a hydroponic system is far easier than it is in traditional soil gardening.
Since different plants thrive in different pH levels, you’ll need to access a chart that tells you what pH to shoot for for the plants you intend to grow.
Monitoring pH is pretty easy. You can use strips, liquid drop test kits, or digital meters.
The hydroponic system you use can have an effect on water pH. Some systems reuse water which can concentrate and throw off the pH level of the water. If you reuse water, you’ll need to check your pH often. pH can also be affected by the type of plants, growing medium, and the weather, so check your pH often.
Several chemicals are used to correct (raise or lower) pH levels. Although these chemicals are generally considered safe, they can cause burns to both humans and plants, so they have to be used with care. The most widely used chemicals are phosphoric acid (to lower pH) and potassium hydroxide (to raise pH).
Let’s Grow Some Orchids!
Now that you’ve absorbed everything you need to know (or, at least the basics) about hydroponic gardening, let’s grow something!
Orchids, typically a finicky and difficult plant to grow, actually thrive in a hydroponic environment. Because orchids don’t like to get their feet wet (soaked roots) and love lots of aeration, hydroponics is a great way to give them what they want.
Orchids, like any plant that has been transplanted, may adapt well or with difficulty to their new environment. If your orchids look a little sick after you introduce them to hydroponics, don’t give up. Keep up a regimen of nutrition, light, and TLC, and most plants will fully recover.
Take care when getting your orchids ready for transplant in their new home. You’ll need to remove them from their pots (gently break clay pots), remove potting materials, cut away damaged and mushy roots, and rinse any remaining materials.
Once you introduce your prepared orchids to their new environment, be sure to avoid overwatering them to compensate for peaked looking plants. In their natural habitats, orchids get lots of air and their roots dry out between rainfalls. So, even if your plants look like they need water, they probably don’t.
There is no set season to move your orchids from soil to hydroponics. But, remember, if you transplant in the winter, growth will be slower, not due to the transplant, but because winter is not a high-growth season.
To guarantee the continued health of your orchids, prepare them thoroughly. Get rid of all the damaged roots. Be merciless! And, if your plant has droopy leaves several weeks after transplant, resist the urge to water! Droopy orchids need air, not water. Check the roots, trim as necessary.
Hydroponically-grown orchids generally grow faster and stronger than their traditionally-grown counterparts. They require less maintenance and get fewer diseases. Remember, hydroponics closely mimics orchids’ natural environments, so it’s a no-brainer for your orchids too.
