Using Hydroponics

for Food Production

History of Hydroponics
Hanging gardens of Babylon
Aztec floating gardens
World War II-hydroponics in western Pacific
Plastics changed everything!
Boom in 1990s
Space program
Growing in deserts
Vertical farming
Large scale production
Advantages
Crops can be grown
where soil is
unsuitable
Reduced plant
disease
More control
Bigger yields
Disadvantages
Initial costs higher
Deeper knowledge
is needed
If introduced,
diseases can easily
spread
Needs more
attention
The basics
Growing substrates
Nutrient solution
System designs
Growing Substrates
What makes a good media?
Provides support
Good pore size
Does not clog system
Does not affect nutrient solution
Photo: /www.aquaponicsusa.com
Growing Substrates
Rockwool
Expanded clay pellets
Coconut fiber
Growstones
Oasis cubes
Pea Gravel
Coarse Sand
Sawdust
Perlite
Vermiculite
Peat moss
Rockwool
Widely used
High-water holding
capacity
Good aeration
Needs a pre-soak to
lower pH
Irritant when dry
Not recyclable, not
reusable
Photo: grodan101.com
Expanded Clay
Hydroton/Grow Rocks
Can be reused (wash
and sterlize)
Inert
Free-draining
May get too dry for ebb
& flow systems
Not good for starting
seed
Photo: /www.aquaponicsusa.com
Coconut Fibers (Coir)
Many different sizes
Good water holding
capacity
Different grades
Salt concern?
Photo: www.kalyx.com/store/images/images_J/J_713170.jpg
Grow Stones
99% recycled glass
Similar to lava rock
Not good for starting
seeds
Not compostable,
reusable with
sterilization
Photo: www.hidhut.com
Oasis Horticubes
Similar to florist foam
Non-reactive in
nutrient solution
Can crumble
Not compostable,
not reusable
Good for seed
starting
Photo: www.gchydro.com
Rapid Rooters
Tree bark/compost based
Some crumbling
Good for seed starting
Usually need additional
support
Photo: bestbudsgreenhousesupplies.com
Not recommended
Jiffy Pots pellets
Peat based
Can break down and
clog up system
Transplants from
soilless mediums
Disease concerns
Organic matter in tank
Photo: www.autopot.com.au
Photos: www.jasons-indoor-guide-to-organic-and-hydroponics-gardening.com
onpointhydroponics.com
Nutrient Solutions
1. Make your own
2. Conventional solutions
Liquid or powder
3. Organic solutions
Aquaponics
Compost tea
Premixed solutions
Photos: www.amazon.com
Base Nutrients
Macro Nutrients
Nitrogen - (N) is primary to foliage plant growth.
Phosphorus - (P) Phosphorus helps build strong roots and is vital for
flower and seed production.
Potassium (K) - Potassium increases chlorophyll in foliage and helps
regulate stomata openings so plants make better use of light and air
Secondary Nutrients
Magnesium (Mg), Calcium (Ca)
Trace Elements
Sulphur (S), Iron (Fe), Manganese (Mg), Zinc (Z), Copper (C), Boron
(B), Molybdenum (Mn)
Options, options, options!!!
Some solutions are complete
Some are two part (Ca & Mg separate)
Some require additional purchase of
micronutrients
Formulas for vegetative growth, flowering, and
fruiting.
Depends on what youre growing
Check labels
Usually cant premix
Additives
Mycorrhizal fungi
Carbohydrates
Single nutrient solutions (K alone)
Flower boosters
Silicates
Root healers
Flushes/clearing solutions
Types of Systems
Basic wick
Non-circulating raft system or deep water
Top feed/Drip
NFT (nutrient film technique)
Ebb and Flow
Aeroponics
Aquaponics
Basic Wick
Very basic
Self-watering
Many options: from pop bottles to 5 gallon
buckets and beyond
The EarthTainer
tm
Instructions online
http://earthtainer.tomatofest.com/
Raft Systems
Photo: Geoff Wilson, Aquaponics Network Australia
Small-scale raft culture
Photo: urbangardenmagazine.com
Top Feed/Drip Systems
Photo: www.hydroponics.net
Rings or standard
emitters
Pumps nutrients to
top of pot
Top Feed/Drip System
Photo: www.gchydro.com
NFT (Nutrient Film Technique)
Figure: www.diy-guides.com
Photo: Crop King
Photo: Crop King
Ebb and Flow
Photos: www.gchydro.com
www.hydroponics-simplified.com
Ebb and Flow
Photo: www.hydroponics.net
Vertical growing
Photo: http://www.valcent.net/i/photos/VertiCrop-020909-001.jpg
Aeroponics
Photo: www.aeroponicdesign.com
Managing the nutrient solution
pH
EC
Oxygen
Temperature
pH
Measure of how acidic or basic the nutrient
solution is
0 (acidic) to 14 (basic)
Most plants prefer 5.8-6.5
Can change over time
Affects nutrient uptake
Managing pH
Photo: www.dynamicaqua.com
www.generalhydroponics.com/
www. vpmt.com
Check daily-especially
when first setting up or
changing nutrients
What is EC?
EC=Electrical
Conductivity
General idea of
soluble salts
Cant tell you the
individual N-P-K
Always check the unit
being measured
Photo: www.nehydro.net
What about TDS and PPM?
TDS=Total Dissolved Solids
PPM= Parts Per Million
Difficult to convert to EC
Fallen out of favor
Dissolved Oxygen
Very important!
Use aquarium
bubbler for non-
recirculating system
Use high density
airstone
Photo: www.hydroponics-at-home.com/
Temperature
Optimum depends
on crop
Check air and
nutrient solution
temperature
Water chillers and
heaters can be used
What about light?
Natural Light: Greenhouse
Artificial Light: Supplemental lighting
Supplemental Lights
Fluorescent (T5 most efficient)
shop lights, low cost
High-pressure sodium
Best for flowering, $$$
Metal halide
Best all-around/vegetative, $$$
LED
Low energy use, research?
Carbon Dioxide Enrichment?
Commercial growers
Increases yields by
20%
Natural gas
$$$
Photo: www.hydro-gardens.com
What beginners dont need
Odor control systems
Grow cabinets
Cloning system
Plant stimulants, additives, bud boosters, etc
Light rails/tracks
Keep it simple!
When do I replace the
nutrient solution?
Many options:
Top off with plain water or nutrient solution
Full replacement depends on the crop:
7-10 days if high use/fruiting crop
2+ months if low use (lettuce or herbs)
Waste Nutrient Solution?
The problem: High nitrates & phosphates
Avoid runoff to surface water!
Options:
Send down sewer to waste water treatment plant
Apply to houseplants and garden plots
Commercial operations
Recycle water
Constructed wetland remediation system
What can you grow?
Lettuce
Photo: www.treehugger.com
Lettuce
Good for beginners
30-85 days to maturity-
depending on variety
Sequential plantings to
ensure continuous
supply
Photo: images.plant-care.com
Lettuce Varieties
Bibb: Deci-minor, Ostinata, Cortina, Rex,
Salina, Milou, Vegas, Cortina
Looseleaf: Domineer, Black Seeded Simpson,
Grand Rapids, Waldmanns Dark Green
Head/Iceberg: Great Lakes 659, Montemar
Romaine: Valmaine Cos, Cimmaron, Parris
Island Cos
(From: Hydroponic Food Production, H.M. Resh)
Tomatoes
Pollination
required
Indeterminates
can produce for
months
Trellising required
Tomato Varieties
Beefsteak: Dombito, Caruso, Larma, Perfecto,
Belmondo, Trend, Trust, Apollo, Match, Blitz,
Quest, Laura
Cherry: Favorita, Conchita
TOV (tomato on the vine): Tradiro, Ambiance,
Balance, Cronos
(From: Hydroponic Food Production, H.M. Resh)
Cucumbers
European/English
Doesnt require
pollination
Trellising required
Photo: grodan.com
European Cucumber Varieties
Varieties: Toska 70, Pandex, Uniflora D,
Corona, Farona, Marillo, Fidelio, Bronco,
Mustang, Exacta, Ventura 1289, Jessica,
Optima, Flamingo, Dominica, Accolade,
Discover, Milligon
(From: Hydroponic Food Production, H.M. Resh)
Bell Peppers
Trellising required
Can be difficult to grow
and manage nutrient
solution
20+ peppers off single
plant
Photo: grodans.com
Bell Pepper Varieties
Red: Delphin, Plutona, Tango, Cubico,
Mazurka, Val Valeta
Yellow: Luteus, Goldstar, Samantha, Gold
Flame, Kelvin
Orange: Wonder, Eagle, Narobi, Fellini
Purple: Violetta
(From: Hydroponic Food Production, H.M. Resh)
Basil
Easy to grow
All varieties do well
Pinch back to
encourage branching
Will last many months
Photo: green-change.com
Other plants
Oregano
Thyme
Mint
Strawberries
Watercress
Easy to grow
Photo: www.gourmetsleuth.com/images/watercress.jpg
Desktop Hydroponics
Raft System: Handout from Urban Garden Magazine
Cooler setup on display
Start with lettuce, basil or other vegetative crop
Photo: urbangardenmagazine.com
April 30th
May 17th
Inputs/Outputs
Transplants/seed*
Nutrient solution*
pH up/down *
Coconut coir*
Cooler
Tubing
Airstone & pump
Garbage bag
Duct tape
Lights
Harvest as of July 8
th
7 clamshells of basil from
two plants
$28 value
Will add two additional
plants to system
July 8th
7 harvests in ~2.5 months!