Hydroponics
By: Barngrover
hydroponics
the definition of hydroponics is... the process of growing plants in sand, gravel, or liquid, with added nutrients but without soil.
3 types of hydroponic systems
Here are some hydroponic systems, Drip System, Water Culture, Aeroponics, and Wick.
- Drip system- a timer controls a submersed pump. The timer turns the pump on and nutrient solution is dripped onto the base of each plant.
- water culture- the platform that holds the plant is usually made of Styrofoam and floats directly on the nutrient soil. an air pump supplies to the air stone that bubbles the nutrient soil and supplies oxygen to the roots of the plant.
- aeroponics- the roots hang in the air and are misted with nutrient soil. The misting are usually done every few minutes.
plants you can grow with hydroponics
leeks
parsnips
radishes
tomatoes
lettuce and
rubarb
advantages of using hydroponic systems
- you can grow anywhere.
- uses 20 times less water than soil based gardening.
- uses 20% less space for growing.
disadvantages of using a hydroponic system
- constant supervision is required.
- putting together a hydroponic system isn't cheap.
- product is limited compared to a field conditions.