Home Grower Training Presentationv3

Hydroponics for the Home Grower
12 November 2016
Presented by:
Wynand Bezuidenhout
(Prof Cert Eng./Owner Grow Machines)
Content
• Hydroponics
• Hydroponic categories
• Hydroponic techniques
• Basics of hydroponics
• Safety
• Instrumentation
• Chemicals
Basics of hydroponics
If you know this…the rest is easy
Hydroponics?
Hydroponics is a method of growing plants without soil, using mineral
nutrient solutions dissolved in water.
Why is Hydroponics important?
Year
Why is Hydroponics important?
Will the less developed people produce food for the less developed regions?
It is estimated that by 2050, 70% of all food will be produced hydroponically
Hydroponics is used for
Production of:
• Veggies
• Herbs
• Flowers
• Fodders and feeds
• Biofuels (Algae)
• Electricity
• Fertilizers
• Super foods (Spirulina, Maringa trees)
• Medicines Moss table generating
• Sweeteners (Stevia) electricity
• Drugs (Marijuana and Poppy's)
• Fish food production
• Fish production when combined with aquaponics
It comes in many forms!

Moss Votaics
Hydroponics in bags
Hydroponics in straw
Vertical Tower Hydroponics
Multi row Vertical Hydroponics
A Frame NFT Hydroponics
Deep flow Hydroponics
Raised Bed NFT Hydroponics
Hallelujah Systems
NFT Trellis Crop Systems
Rotary Gardens
Raceway systems
Fodder systems
Did you know?
No matter which system you use, the basics stays the same!
Understanding the basics is the first very important step!

Lets focus on understanding the basics of Hydroponics!
Hydroponics Categories
Hydroponics is a method of growing plants without soil, using mineral

nutrient solutions dissolved in water.
Medium free
Medium based
(Soilless)
Hydroponics (Medium Based)
Rockwool Expanded Clay Coco Coir
Stone Wood shavings Coco Chips
Vermiculite Perlite Coco Fibre

Hydroponics (Medium Based)
Advantages:
1. Moisture reservoir
2. Plants can anchor themselves
Disadvantages:
1. Nutrient imbalance over time (buildup of nutrients)

2. Most mediums can only be used once
3. To use it twice – washing and sterilizing is essential. Not
recommended to use any organic medium twice (fungus and
diseases)
4. Costly (buy, transport, discard)
You almost always need mediums to make your seedlings.

Hydroponics (Medium Free)
Medium free hydroponics is the way of the future!
On earth!
And in space!
As the name suggest: No Medium is used except in making the
seedlings
In some case you don’t even need to use medium for seedlings…as
long as you can simulate nature
Magic Spinach (Grown from seed to

harvest in just water with nutrients)
Lets have a look at a few
Medium Free Hydroponic Techniques

Nutrient Film Technique (NFT)
Is a hydroponic technique wherein a very shallow stream of water

containing all the dissolved nutrients required for plant growth is re-
circulated past the bare roots of plants in a watertight gully, also known
as channels.
A wide range of cultivars can now be grown in these systems.
Not (yet) suitable for root crops.
Deep Water Culture Systems

(DWC)
Deep water culture (DWC) is a hydroponic method of plant production by

means of suspending the plant roots in a nutrient solution of nutrient-rich,
oxygenated water. It is mostly used for leafy crops.
Hydroponics (Medium Free Types)
Aeroponics (AP)
Aeroponics is the process of growing plants in an air or mist environment.

Almost any plant can be grown with aeroponics.
Hydroponics (Medium Free Types)
Ebb & Flow/Flood & Drain

(E&F)
Ebb & Flow hydroponics is essentially a hydroponic technique that simulates

the tides of the sea with a high tide(full) and a low tide(empty). It is mostly
used for the production of seedlings, cuttings and sprouts.
Which hydroponic system is best?
Personal opinion - depends on the application (seedling or plant) and the
cultivar you intend to grow.
1 bad – 10 good
Feature NFT DWC AP E&F
Flexibility (multiple varieties) 7 3 9 6
Dissolved Oxygen 8 4 10 7
Use of water 9 5 9 8
Use of Fertilizers 9 5 9 8
Growth rates 9 8 9 6
Hygiene 9 5 6 6
Simplicity to operate 8 5 3 7
Capital 6 7 3 5
Ease of assembly 7 7 3 5
Ease of cleaning 7 5 2 6
Running cost 8 7 5 6
Score 87 61 68 70
Aquaponics
Combine aquaculture (raising of fish, snails, crabs etc.) with hydroponics in
almost a kind of symbiotic way.
Complex
To maintain an economical balance

between plants and fish is very
difficult.
Aquaponics (typical scenario)
Aquaponics Cycle (As it is known)
Always sacrifice
somewhere (condition
of plant or fish) Bio filter
Aquaponics Cycle (As it works best)
Let the plants use all

the water. Rather add
fresh water to the fish
Add extra nutrients and

get results Bio filter
Basic principles of hydroponics
What a plant need to grow
Protection/Health
Climate
Sunlight
Balanced
Nutrients
O2
H2O CO2
Seed
Available
(reserve)
Space Microbes
Attention Ventilation Hygiene Comfort
(Ergonomics)
Protection
Climate
Sunlight
Balanced
Nutrients
O2
H2O CO2
Seed
Available
(reserve)
Space Microbes
(Ergonomics)
Nutrients
Mineral elements that

a plant need to grow
Nutrients?
Keywords
• Balanced • Available
Nutrients
Keywords
• Balanced • Available
Formulation of the elements + System Design

Balanced Nutrients
Means making all the nutrient that plants need available to them in the right
blend (like a recipe)
• We give them more than what they need….in solution strength.
• Plants will only take what they need.
• By having a balanced blend we
• Reduce (extend) the risk of concentration or shortage of some of the
elements
• Optimize the use of fertilizers
Essential Nutrients
Beneficial Nutrients
Free Elements
Making Nutrients available to Plants
Done in two ways:
• Through system design

• it must be available in the water and the water must be available to
the plants
Aeroponic system
• pH Management of the nutrient solution

What is pH?
pH is a measure of acidity or basicity of a solution
Why is pH so important?
Because pH determines a plants ability to absorb the nutrients.

• At certain pH values there is no maximum absorption and at others there
are no absorption.
“It does not matter how balanced or how available nutrients are to plants…if
the pH is not within range, plants will grow little to nothing”
How pH affect nutrient absorption
4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Zero absorbance of nitrogen
Ideal absorbance
Nitrogen (N)
Absorbance increase Absorbance decline
Maximum absorbance of nitrogen

How pH affect nutrient absorption
Critical range
Survivable range
Survivable range
Macro Nutrient
Deficiency
Micro Nutrient
Deficiency
Optimal range
How to manage pH
You can not manage if you cannot measure!
pH is measured with a pH tester
pH testers should be regularly calibrated because

they loose their calibration over time. Use pH 7.01
and pH 4.01 calibrations solutions.
Transfer solutions into smaller containers for

calibration. This prevents cross contamination and
save you on solution cost. Calibrate maximum up
to five times with solution.
Only use plastic containers for measurements and

calibrations. Glass containers will damage the pH
bulb of the instrument. Mark the bottles.
Use storage solution to keep the pH bulb wet

during storage.
How to adjust pH
4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Adjust pH up Adjust pH down
add
Water Bicarbonate of soda Phosphoric acid Nitric Acid

How not to adjust pH
Never use!
Pool acid (Chorine) Battery acid (Sulphur)
Caustic Soda (Sodium)

Take caution when using chemicals
Nitric Acid fumes are extremely dangerous and can kill

you if inhaled!
Acids are corrosive and will harm you if you are

exposed to it.
Keep acids and other chemicals out of reach from

children and uninformed people. Please do not use
squeeze (Powerade type) bottles to store these
chemical as small children can easily mistake it as soda
or water.
Use the correct personal protective equipment (vapor

type respirators, rubber gloves, safety glasses, rain
suit, rubber boots etc.) when working with chemicals.
Always mark your containers to warn others
Have running water available when mixing. If exposed

to chemicals, wash it off immediately.
How acids react with water
All water sources reacts different to acids. One can not exactly predict how
your water source will react, but you can test it and draw up a reaction graph.
pH Adjustment of a 1000 liter water body

(borehole water with high calcium)
9
pH Stable
8
6 Critical line
pH
5
pH Unstable
4
0
0 50 100 150 200 250 300
ml Phosphoric Acid added
Your water is different!
All water sources reacts different to acids. One can not exactly predict how
your water source will react, but you can test it and draw up a reaction graph.

9
pH Stable
8
6 Critical line
pH
5
pH Unstable
4
0
0 50 100 150 200 250 300
How much acid is required
Exercise 1: We have a pH of 7.5. We need 6.5. How much phosphoric acid is
required on 1000 liter water?

9
6
pH
0
0 50 100 150 200 250 300

9
3
95 ml required
2
1
pH
0
0 50 100 150 200 250 300

9
3
150 ml required
2
1
pH
0
0 50 100 150 200 250 300
Important notes on pH
• Water reaction may vary from summer to winter,
especially if you use borehole water.
• Know about the critical line…adjust your acid quantities accordingly.

• When you need to do pH up adjustments you can simply add more water to
your system to do it.
• pH is more important than EC because with an incorrect pH the plants can
not absorb the nutrients or fertilizers.
• pH is important for any type of

plant growing technique
(hydroponics, soil and even in
your garden)
• pH for plants can almost be compared to the pulse of a

Human body. The first thing you should check when a plant
get sick is the pH of the water, the medium or the soil. In
most cases fixing the pH will solve your plant problems.
Nutrients and Fertilizers
Quality hydroponic nutrients (or fertilizers):
1. contains all the elements needed in the correct “balanced” ratios (or
recipe)…preventing waste
2. provide plants with a complete “diet” for healthy growth
3. is completely water soluble
NPK fertilizers as we know it is not good enough.

Hydroponic fertilizers are specialty fertilizers.
Essential Nutrients
Beneficial Nutrients
Free Elements
Nutrients and Fertilizers
Hydroponic fertilizer comes standard in two forms generally known as
Nutrigro and Nutriplex. It is two separated mixtures mainly because these
mixtures contains Calcium and Sulphur which react with each other in
concentrated form to a product called gypsum (CaSO4)
At the moment South African hydroponic

fertilizers are still very generic, but we are
working on fertilizers for specialized commercial
applications.
Omnia Nutrigro and Nutriplex are generic hydroponic fertilizers and good
enough for home growing.
How nutrients are managed (EC)
Electrical Conductivity (EC) is the measure of a solution’s ability to conduct an
electrical current. It measures the amount of salts in a solutions. The higher
the amount of salts present, the higher the electrical conductivity and the
higher the reading.
Fertilizers are mineral salts.
EC is measured in Siemens per centimeter (S/cm)
EC is measured with a EC Meter
Calibrating your EC meter regularly is also important.
Use 1413 uS/cm calibration fluid to calibrate.
Stir gently while measuring to remove air bubbles

Unfortunately we can not determine exactly how much of
each mineral we have in the solution but we do get an
indication of how much of all we have combined. That is
why it is important to have a balanced nutrient solution
How much nutrients are required?
Sensitive Leafy crops (like lettuce) are commercially grown at 1.6 – 1.8 mS/cm
to prevent tip burn.
All other crops can be grown at 2.5mS/cm.
Seedlings are made at 1.4 to 1.6mS/cm.
1kg of Nutriplex + 1kg of Nutrigro + 1000 litres water = 2.5mS/cm (variable

based on the initial water EC)
Nutrients added to 1000 liter water
2,5
2
EC (mS/cm)
1,5
0,5
0
0 200 400 600 800 1000 1200
Gram Nutrigro & Nutriplex added

Exercise 3: We have an EC of 0.8 mS/cm. We need 2.5mS/cm. How much
fertilizer is required per 1000 liter water?
2,5
2
EC (mS/cm)
1,5
1 650 gram Nutriplex &

650 gram Nutrigro required
0,5
0
0 200 400 600 800 1000 1200

2,5
2
EC (mS/cm)
1,5
0,5
0
0 200 400 600 800 1000 1200
If fresh water had an initial
EC….add it throughout
Exercise 4: We have an EC of 1 mS/cm. We need 2.5mS/cm. How much
fertilizer is required per 1000 liter water?
2,5
2
EC (mS/cm)
1,5
1 600 gram Nutriplex &

600 gram Nutrigro required
0,5
0
0 200 400 600 800 1000 1200
If fresh water had an initial
EC….add it throughout
Stick to this graph for simplicity
2,5
2
EC (mS/cm)
1,5
0,5
0
0 200 400 600 800 1000 1200

200 liter water? – Use ratios
Exercise 5: We have an EC of 0.8 mS/cm. We need 2.5mS/cm. How much
fertilizer is required for 200 liter water?
2,5
2
EC (mS/cm)
1,5
1 650 * 200/1000 = 130 gram

Nutriplex & Nutrigro required
0,5
0
0 200 400 600 800 1000 1200

Ratios
Ratios can also be used for pH and EC
Lets say our 1000 liter tank is half full and we don’t want to fill more water.
For EC:
We know from the charts that to change the EC from 1 to 2,5 we need 600
gram of each fertilizer.
How much fertilizer do we need for the half tank?
Answer = 500liter/1000litre x 600gram = 300gram
For pH: (see next slide)
How much phosphoric acid do we need to change the half tank pH from 7.5 to
6.5?
Answer = 500liter/1000litre x 95ml = 47.5ml – Always measure pH after

adjustments because if you are close to or below the critical line this won’t
work.

9
3
95 ml required
2
1
pH
0
0 50 100 150 200 250 300
Tips for mixing hydroponic fertilizers
• Mix the fertilizers (Nutrigro and Nutriplex) separately. They will react if they
get in contact with each other in concentrated form.
• Use a stirring stick instead of your hands (20mm PVC conduit works well)
• First mix Nutriplex in a bucket with water until it is fully dissolved and then
add it to the tank. Stir the solution in the tank well.
• Then mix the Nutrigro in the bucket with water until it is fully dissolved and
then add it to the tank. Stir the solution in the tank while adding the second
mixture.
• Measure the EC
• Measure the pH. (Always measure pH after any adjustment)
• The instructions are normally provided on the bags. Read it and follow it,
especially if you intend to use hydroponic fertilizers other than Omnia.
Don’t let other people stand by when you mix fertilizers….it burns like crazy if it
gets into your eye….don’t rub your eyes after or during mixing.
Protection
Climate
Sunlight
Balanced
Nutrients
O2
H2O CO2
Seed
Available
(reserve)
Space Microbes
(Ergonomics)
The importance of Oxygen
Photosynthesis
carbon dioxide + water + sunlight = sugar + oxygen
leaves (stomata) roots cells leaves
carbohydrates atmosphere
Respiration/Transparation
sugar + oxygen = carbon dioxide + water + energy
cells roots (< absorbed) vapour survive
evaporative cooling
Natural evaporation is a plants build in mechanism of cooling down itself

through evaporative cooling. If the plants can not cool themselves through
evaporating water vapour they will enter a state off Heat Stress (Wilting).
Wilting occurs when a plant can not transpire anymore because there is no
vapour (water) or energy (oxygen). Heat stress is very severe condition to
plants. Plants seldom recover completely from heat stress.
Facts about Oxygen
• Dissolved oxygen levels in water decrease at 24 degrees Celsius and above.

• At this point plants start experiencing difficulty to function properly.
• Higher temperature = less oxygen
• At 28 to 32 degrees Celsius there is almost zero oxygen left in the water.
• With no dissolved oxygen two things happen:
1. Plants can not produce energy and enters a state of Heat Stress.
2. Anaerobic organisms (harmful organisms that favor low oxygen conditions)
thrive and attack the plants. This typically cause problems like root rot.
Facts about Oxygen
• Once you have Pathogens present, it is difficult to get rid of them and often
require total system clean out.
• If your hydroponic system is not properly designed for hygiene, you will
likely never get rid of pathogens.
• Oxygen and hygiene is very closely linked because with plants:
• Unhygienic conditions involve anaerobic (low oxygen) conditions

where pathogens thrive.
• Hygienic conditions involve aerobic (high oxygen) conditions where
aerobic microbes (that control pathogens) thrive.
How to maintain high Oxygen
Preventative
Keep the water as cool as possible! A properly designed system gives you the
best chance of success.
Use the correct hydroponic technique
Cure
Cool down the water

• Ice
• Mechanical cooling (water chillers)
• Cooling tower
Hydrogen Peroxide
Aerate
• Air pump and air stone
• Venturi systems
• Mechanical paddling
Protection
Climate
Sunlight
Balanced
Nutrients
O2
H2O CO2
Seed
Available
(reserve)
Space Microbes
(Ergonomics)
Winter, summer, spring and autumn. When is the best time to produce?
Protection
Climate
Sunlight
Balanced
Nutrients
O2
H2O CO2
Seed
Available
(reserve)
Space Microbes
(Ergonomics)
Day length & Production
Winter, summer, spring and autumn. When is the best time to produce?
Day Length & Plant Production

120%
Grow lights do make a slight difference
100%
80%
60%
40%
20%
0%
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Daylength of max Production (Best case) Adding light
Plant production is equivalent to day length (when other conditions are favourable)
Grow Lights
Only feasible with exotic plants….but

that is illegal… rather stay away!
Is it worth it?
• Nice to play with.
• Not feasible for veggies
• Cost of capital
• Cost of energy
Protection
Climate
Sunlight
Balanced
Nutrients
O2
H2O CO2
Seed
Available
(reserve)
Space Microbes
(Ergonomics)
Protection
What do you need to protect for?
Black and white shade net is generally
yielding the best results in SA.
Do not protect against something your
plants do not need protection against.
Vs.
Be careful not to spend to much on protection. In SA we generally overprotect and overspend

Protection
Incorrect protection often cause more harm

than doing good (Day length & Production)
120%
100%
80%
60%
40%
Common effect that plastic covered tunnels have on production in SA
20%
0%
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Daylength of max Production (Best case) Adding light Too hot
Golden rule! At least 30% of your floor surface must be ventilated!

Protection
Climate
Sunlight
Balanced
Nutrients
O2
H2O CO2
Seed
Available
(reserve)
Space Microbes
(Ergonomics)
Microbes
Microbes are present in nature. Aerobic microbes play a vital role in pathogen
combat, keeping plant roots clean but also in converting chemicals like ammonia
into useful absorbable nitrates.
Use products like Microbial Waterbac or Quantum Growth.
Just add a drop during seedling stage.
Protection
Climate
Sunlight
Balanced
Nutrients
O2
H2O CO2
Seed
Available
(reserve)
Space Microbes
(Ergonomics)
Comfort & Ergonomics & Space
Is just as important to plants as it is to humans!
Support
Gully (white)
Growers foam
Nutrient film
Space (Root & Plant)
Netted pot (restriction?)

Sunlight (algae)?
Dark surface
(warm water?)
How long?
Drain pipe
Nutrient film
(or dam?)
Protection
Climate
Sunlight
Balanced
Nutrients
O2
H2O CO2
Seed
Available
(reserve)
Space Microbes
(Ergonomics)
Space
When plant leafs start overlapping the leafs looses their efficiency and purpose.
You can not make more product and money by squeezing more plants into a
smaller space. With too little space plants:
• Produce less due to insufficient sunlight and ventilation
• Is more vulnerable to disease, fungal and insect attacks
• Cost more money and effort.
Provide plants with enough space!

Protection
Climate
Sunlight
Balanced
Nutrients
O2
H2O CO2
Seed
Available
(reserve)
Space Microbes
(Ergonomics)
Ventilation
Heat is the biggest problem in South Africa contributing to most losses!
Plastic tunnels are heat accumulators.
Ensure at least 30% of the floor area is ventilated….
…or rather use cheaper but more efficient shade net.

Hybrid tunnels (plastic and shade net) may be the best solution for Home Growers
Ventilation
Very warm Warm Getting cooler

Protection
Climate
Sunlight
Balanced
Nutrients
O2
H2O CO2
Seed
Available
(reserve)
Space Microbes
(Ergonomics)
Attention
“Your success in Hydroponic growing is equivalent to the number of foot steps

around your system”
Ensuring all the things plants need to grow is available
will ensure that your plants will produce the best
Protection
Climate
Sunlight
Balanced
Nutrients
O2
H2O CO2
Seed
Available
(reserve)
Space Microbes
(Ergonomics)
Available
Hydroponic systems are generally power sensitive.
For best results invest in some kind of backup power system….and

prevent disappointment.
• Solar system
• Inverter system
• Generator
Buy or building your own system?
What ever you need let us know if you need assistance or advise.
The End
Thank you for attending this training session
This presentation will be available on Dropbox for viewing and download at:
https://www.dropbox.com/home/home%20growers%20training
It will also be available under our training tab on our website at:
www.growmachines.co.za
Please contact us at info@growmachines.co.za for more information or advise.

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Hydroponics for the Home Grower

It comes in many forms!

Understanding the basics is the first very important step!

Hydroponics is a method of growing plants without soil, using mineral

Rockwool Expanded Clay Coco Coir

Stone Wood shavings Coco Chips

Vermiculite Perlite Coco Fibre

1. Nutrient imbalance over time (buildup of nutrients)

You almost always need mediums to make your seedlings.

Magic Spinach (Grown from seed to

Lets have a look at a few

Medium Free Hydroponic Techniques

Nutrient Film Technique (NFT)

Is a hydroponic technique wherein a very shallow stream of water

Deep Water Culture Systems

Deep water culture (DWC) is a hydroponic method of plant production by

Aeroponics is the process of growing plants in an air or mist environment.

Ebb & Flow/Flood & Drain

Ebb & Flow hydroponics is essentially a hydroponic technique that simulates

To maintain an economical balance

Let the plants use all

Add extra nutrients and

Mineral elements that

Formulation of the elements + System Design

• Through system design

• pH Management of the nutrient solution

Because pH determines a plants ability to absorb the nutrients.

Zero absorbance of nitrogen

Absorbance increase Absorbance decline

Maximum absorbance of nitrogen

You can not manage if you cannot measure!

pH is measured with a pH tester

pH testers should be regularly calibrated because

Transfer solutions into smaller containers for

Only use plastic containers for measurements and

Use storage solution to keep the pH bulb wet

Adjust pH up Adjust pH down

Water Bicarbonate of soda Phosphoric acid Nitric Acid

Pool acid (Chorine) Battery acid (Sulphur)

Caustic Soda (Sodium)

Nitric Acid fumes are extremely dangerous and can kill

Acids are corrosive and will harm you if you are

Keep acids and other chemicals out of reach from

Use the correct personal protective equipment (vapor

Always mark your containers to warn others

Have running water available when mixing. If exposed

pH Adjustment of a 1000 liter water body

pH Adjustment of a 1000 liter water body

pH Adjustment of a 1000 liter water body

pH Adjustment of a 1000 liter water body

pH Adjustment of a 1000 liter water body

• Know about the critical line…adjust your acid quantities accordingly.

• pH is important for any type of

• pH for plants can almost be compared to the pulse of a

NPK fertilizers as we know it is not good enough.

At the moment South African hydroponic

Fertilizers are mineral salts.

EC is measured in Siemens per centimeter (S/cm)

EC is measured with a EC Meter

Calibrating your EC meter regularly is also important.

Use 1413 uS/cm calibration fluid to calibrate.

Stir gently while measuring to remove air bubbles

All other crops can be grown at 2.5mS/cm.