Hydroponics Sarah Hipps Steven Riley Lora Sommers What

Hydroponics Sarah Hipps Steven Riley Lora Sommers

What is Hydroponics? Hydroponics is the growing of plants without using soil. ¢ Encompasses the sciences and technologies for growing plants in nutrient solution instead of soil ¢ Methods require optimal light, temperature, and humidity ¢

Do you know? In Latin, hydroponics means “working water” ¢ Aeroponics is the application of nutrient solution suspended in air ¢ One of the Seven Wonders of the world, The Hanging Gardens, was a hydroponic garden ¢

History of Hydroponics ¢ Past - ancient hydroponic gardens ¢ Present - growing technology ¢ Future - experimentation and research

Popular Crops ¢ ¢ ¢ Tomatoes Cucumbers Peppers Beans Lettuce ¢ ¢ ¢ Strawberries Onions Spinach Herbs Basil More horticultural than agronomic plants are grown hydroponically

People in Hydroponics ¢ Commercial Growers - Fresh produce, $$ ¢ Hobbyists - Own satisfaction ¢ Scientists - Research tool ¢ Educators - Hands-on experience for students

Equipment Light system (hooks, chains, light movers, timer) ¢ Growing system (container, pump, irrigation) ¢ Growing medium (vermiculite, rock wool) ¢ Environmental controls (thermostat, air circulation fan, exhaust fans, CO 2 enrichment) ¢ p. H control equipment ¢ Nutrients and Nutrient Monitoring Equipment ¢

Nutrients ¢ Macronutrients • Nitrogen • Phosphorous • Potassium • Magnesium • Sulfur • Calcium ¢ Micronutrients • Iron • Manganese • Boron • Zinc • Copper • Molybdenum

Systems Wick ¢ Water Culture ¢ Ebb and Flow ¢ Drip ¢ NFT (Nutrient Film Technique) ¢ Aeroponic ¢

Wick ¢ ¢ ¢ Simplest type of passive hydroponic systems Large plants may use up nutrient solution faster than supply Can use a variety of growing medium

Water Culture ¢ ¢ Simplest type of active hydroponics Very inexpensive Best system for fast growing, water loving plants (lettuce) Does not work well with large or long-term plants

Ebb and Flow ¢ ¢ Very versatile Roots can dry out quickly, if water cycle is interrupted

Drip ¢ ¢ ¢ Most widely used in the world Most efficient system Requires less maintenance than others

NFT • Supplies constant flow of nutrient solution • No growing medium • Roots dry out quickly if flow is interrupted

Aeroponics ¢ ¢ ¢ Most high-tech Growing medium is primarily air Roots hang in air and are misted with nutrient solution

Advantages ¢ Used where soil is not suitable for growing crops ¢ Uses less acreage ¢ High yield/low space ¢ Less labor (digging and cultivating)

Advantages: Greater Control over Environmental Conditions Water and fertilizer can be reused ¢ Operator controls light ¢ Controlled and reduced use of pesticides and herbicides ¢ Elimination of soil-borne pests and diseases ¢ Sterile growing mediums ¢

Disadvantages ¢ More intensive management ¢ Increased setup costs ¢ Spread of water-borne diseases and microorganisms ¢ Fear of biotechnology

Hydroponics Overview Hydroponics is growing plants without soil. ¢ Hydroponics has been in existence since ancient times. ¢ It is used by people from hobbyists to commercial growers. ¢ A wide variety of systems, equipment, and methods can be used. ¢ Hydroponics is a growing industry, in which the advantages seem to outweigh the disadvantages. ¢