Hydroponics gardening and an insightful to various methods
Hydroponics is not something complicated as it sounds. Hydroponics is nothing but the method of growing plants in nutrient rich water solution instead of soil. All the nutrients that requires for a plant’s growth are supplied through the nutrient rich water solutions.
The concept of soil-less gardening is nothing new as you might think. This method has been around for around thousand years. The hanging garden of Babylon and the Floating Gardens of China are examples for existence of soil-less gardening in early centuries.
Resurrection of Hydroponics:
Hydroponics method of gardening was least considered till recent years as there was sufficient land and nutrient rich available for gardening. But the excess usage of machines and the industrial revolution resulted in the pollution of environment in the every manner possible. Vegetables cultivated in the polluted atmosphere lacked in quality in terms of nutrition and growth. Gradually need of an alternate method of gardening was in demand and Hydroponics method was brought into action.
Indoor or Outdoor?
Hydroponics method of cultivation can be adapted for both indoor and outdoor.
But when you do it outdoor, climatic condition is one factor that you need to take care of. Doing Hydroponics outdoor in a greenhouse is a perfect solution for this.
Hydroponic Methods:
- Food and Drain Method
This method uses a reservoir to hold the nutrition and above the reservoir will be a tray to hold nutrient solution at time of flooding. Here the solution will drain once the media absorbs the amount of solution it needs.
- Deep Water Culture
A Deep Water Culture system mainly includes a main reservoir that hold the bulk of the nutrient solution, and an attached system of buckets through which the nutrient solution circulates.
Each attached bucket is topped with a new pot lid, through which plant roots grows. This system also includes an air stone that ensures proper root oxygenation.
- Nutrient Film Technique
Here a Nutrient tank stores nutrient solution and a nutrient pump circulates the nutrient into the grow channel which is absorbed by the plant roots.
- Aeroponics
This is the most advanced method in Hydroponics. Here combination of water and nutrients is sprayed into air and the roots are exposed to the air. A timer makes sure that the pump runs at regular intervals.
- Drip System
This is one of the common Hydroponic methods used widely in both indoor and outdoor applications. Here, from reservoir of nutrient solution, the solution is runt through a main water line from which there are smaller lines that directs to the base of plant sites.
Advantages of Hydroponics:
- No Location Constraints
There is no burden of choosing the apt land for gardening. As long as plants receive the proper amount of nutrition and light, growth will not be affected.
- Goodbye to pesticides, insecticides and other chemicals
I most cases, the plant diseases and parasites are soil-borne, hence here being the cultivation done in water-medium, risk of plants getting damaged are minimal.
- Super fast Growth Rate
Growth rate of plants in Hydroponics is proved to be 15-30 % faster compared to growth of plants in soil-medium.
- Conservation of Water
Yes!! Hydroponics method helps in conservation of water as water used here can be reused multiple times.
- Less Work
Who does not like to get things done in an easy manner? Hydroponics requires very less work in comparison to other methods of agriculture. Weeding, tilling, are no more required in this method of gardening.
Disadvantages of Hydroponics:
Every coin has its two sides. Similarly along with the number of advantages, Hydroponics has got some disadvantages and limitations as follow:
- Time and Dedication
Hydroponic gardening is completely dependent on you like a baby. Your regular attention is very much required here .
- Frustration
In terms of advantages Soil-based gardening is nowhere near to Hydroponics. Still, your experiments of growing different type of vegetables can go wrong at times. So be prepared for some failures at times among the major success that you achieve.
You can start to do hydroponics farming in less than $100.Plant grows faster in this method especially leafy vegetables and other plants. Now hydroponics kits are available in the market.I would like to recommend two hydroponics kit to start this farming here.
1. Deep Water Culture (DWC) Hydroponic Bubbler Bucket Kit by PowerGrow ® Systems (4) 5 Gallon - 6" Buckets ($89.99):
Looking for an inexpensive and easy way to grow hydroponically? The PowerGrow ® Systems Deep Water Culture System is the answer! Super easy to use, the DWC system allows you to get up and growing in no time, with very little effort. The Power-grow Deep Water Culture System includes everything you need for a complete system. In a Deep Water Culture system, the plant roots are immersed in an oxygen infused and nutrient rich water reservoir (a 5 gallon FDA approved bucket). The oxygen rich solution helps build healthy root systems faster and more efficiently than soil which results in superior plant growth and production. The PowerGrow Deep Water Culture System includes the following: (4) 5 Gallon FDA Approved Buckets, (4) 10" Net Pot Bucket Lids, high power Oxygen/Air Pump, Air Tubing, (4) Oxygen dispering Air Stones, Blue Water Level Indicator + Drain, Complete Instructions, 1 Year Warranty.
2. Aerogarden Seed Starting System($29.95)
This is a ready-made germination kit for the beginners to do or experiment hydroponics gardening
- Start up to 66 seedlings indoors in an AeroGarden, then easily transplant them outside. Fits AeroGarden ULTRA and AeroGarden EXTRA models..
- Re-usable starter tray, biodegradable seed pods.
- Includes starter tray designed specifically to fit AeroGarden Ultra and Extra models, grow pods, nutrients and planting guide.
If you wish to buy all types of hydroponics systems and accessories mentioned as above, please visit https://www.organicwhiz.com/viagrowtm-black-bucket-deep-water-culture-system/
In the upcoming article you can expect more about hydroponics easy methods from me..Happy Hydroponics Gardening. I am expecting your valuable comments and suggestions to improve my articles near future.