Hydroponics Systems Bechtel TED 210 Hydroponics A Basic

Hydroponics Systems Bechtel – TED 210

Hydroponics: A Basic Understanding - Hydroponics is the cultivation of plants in a nutrient solution rather than soil. - Hydroponics comes from a Latin word which literally means “Working Water”. It’s the growing of plants without soil.

The Water Culture System The water culture system is the simplest of all active hydroponic systems. The platform that holds the plants is usually made of Styrofoam and floats directly on the nutrient solution. An air pump supplies air to the air stone that bubbles the nutrient solution and supplies oxygen to the roots of the plants.

Other Hydroponic Systems

The Wick System The Wick system is by far the simplest type of hydroponic system. This is a passive system, which means there are no moving parts. The nutrient solution is drawn into the growing medium from the reservoir with a series of wicks.

The Ebb and Flow System The Ebb and Flow system works by temporarily flooding the grow tray with nutrient solution and then draining the solution back into the reservoir. This action is normally done with a submerged pump that is connected to a timer. When the timer turns the pump on, nutrient solution is pumped into the growth tray. When the timer shuts the pump off the nutrient solution flows back into the reservoir. TH etimer is set to come on several times a day depending on the size, type of plant, temperature, humidity, and the type of growing medium that is being used.

The Drip System Drip systems are probably the most widely used type of hydroponic system in the world. Operation is simple, a timer controls a submersed pump. The timer turns the pump on and nutrient solution is dripped onto the base of each plant by a small drip line. In a Recovery Drip System the excess nutrient solution that runs off is collected back in the reservoir for re-use.

The Wick System This hydroponics system is the most well know of the various types. N. F. T. systems have a constant flow of nutrient solution so no timer required for the submersible pump. The nutrient solution is pumped into the growing tray (usually a tube) and flows over the roots of the plants, and then drains back into the reservoir. The is usually no growing medium other than air.

The Wick System The aeroponic system is probably the most high-tech type of hydroponic gardening available. Like the N. F. T system, the growing medium is air. The roots hang in the air and are misted with a nutrient solution to compensate for soil. Because the roots growing medium is air, the plants are constantly supplied with as much oxygen they may need, which is a necessity for proper plant growth

Sources Publications: • • • Jensen, M. H. and M. A. Teran. 1971. Use of controlled environment for vegetable production in desert regions of the world. Hortscience 6: 33 -36 Shive, J. W. and W. R. Robbins. 1937. Methods of growing plants in solution and sand cultures. New Jersey Agr. Expt. Sta. Bul. 636 Gericke, W. F. 1940. The complete guide to soilles gardening. Prentice-Hall Englewood Cliffs. N. J. Internet Sources: • • Brown, G. and Bednar, A. (1998). Systems. March 30, 2005, http: //www. simplyhydro. com/system. htm Brown, G. and Bednar, A. (1998). p. H Controls. March 29, 2005, http: //www. simplyhydro. com/ph 1. htm Sorenson, R. (July, 1998). Home Hydroponics. March 30, 2005, http: //www. ext. vt. edu/pubs/envirohort/426 -084. html Jensen, M. H. (October, 1997). Hydroponics. March 30, 2005, http: //ag. arizona. edu/PLS/faculty/MERLE. html