Hydroponics

The "Other" no soil method of growing plants is Hydroponics. Hydroponics is a system of

growing plants directly in water without any other growing medium. NFT systems are very commonly used for this concept. Deep water culture is another method used for Hydroponics. Hydroponics has been in existence for many centuries and is often coupled with fish farming to create Aquaponics. For Hydroponics, nutrients are added to the water to feed the plants. Certain types of plants tend to grow well in Hydroponic systems. There are also plants that normally wouldnt be expected to grow well in hydroponic systems due to the height of the plants. Hemp is an example of this type of plant. Another type of farming that works well with hydroponics is the Dutch Bucket or Container method. Hydroponics and Aquaponics are very similar in practice with the specific difference being how nutrients are produced/introduced for/to the plants.

40 Pot Hydroponic Tower

How Hydroponics Works

Hyrdoponics utilizes a system where water provides nutrients directly to the roots of plants 2eaa04a3ac0e6729a907ed9c85849d91

with little or no grow medium for the plants. Typically, the plants are in baskets or pots that are submerged directly in oxygenated water. Nutrients are added directly to the water and an air pump provides atomized oxygen to the water where it is then circulated and...

Setting Up a Small Indoor Hydroponics System

Getting started on setting up your small indoor Hydroponics System is relatively simple. Hydroponics In a cooler

Basic construction skills, a drill and some materials will get you going in a few hours. See the wiki article below for information on setting up a basic Hydroponics system.

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Different Types of Hydroponic Systems

There are multiple types of Hydroponics systems. Deep Culture/Floating Raft Systems take up a lot of space but have a very high yield. Stacked grow beds are very efficient by utilizing vertical farming and hydroponics systems while also providing high yields. Potted or container, also known as Dutch Bucket system, works well with Hydroponics systems. Also a large bed with clay balls works well for melons, squash, etc. See below for many examples of the different types of systems. Media based, NFT and Deep water culture are just three of the types - see the link below for a brief introduction on these 3 types. See above for the diagrams of the most common types. See below for more detailed information on each of the different types. Click on the video link below to see a short video detailing how to set up a very basic hydroponic system (good project for kids).

Click Here: Beginner Hydroponic System Project

Nutrient Film Technique (NFT) Systems

One system that has proved to be very productive and combines aspects of the vertical gardening technique is the NFT system. With this system, you can utilize many different configurations in order to utilize your growing space. The NFT systems can be built out of gutter or PVC pipe. See below for multiple ideas for NFT configurations from multiple building materials.

Click here: Multiple NFT System Designs

Hydroponics Raft (Deep Water Culture) System

Floating beds are grow beds with flotation with holes drilled in it. The holes contain baskets with a grow media and a plant. This allows the roots of the plant to be immersed in the water all the time. Floating beds are best for cruciferous plants such as spinach, lettuce, kale, chard, mustard, collards, basil, mint and most herbs. Raft systems can be the cheapest systems to build but take up a lot of space.

Vertical Hydroponics Growing Systems

Vertical systems are designed to fully optimize growing space. The structure of your vertical system can be 3 feet tall or 30 feet tall depending on your facilities and the strength of your water pumps. There are many different types of vertical systems. Some can be built for less than $100 or some can cost $1000's. This resource can give you all the information you need to determine the type of system you want and to help you design and build the system that works for you.

Hydroponic Dutch Bucket Container Plant Systems

Hydroponic systems can be set up for Container plants ensuring better growth and production than regular watering. Utilizing different types of growing medium will ensure that your plants retain moisture and retreive needed nutrients for optimal growth and production. .