Introduction to Hydroponics

1. What is hydroponics
2. Benefits of hydroponic systems
3. Disadvantages of hydroponics
4. Basics of Growing
5. Growing mediums
6. Types of systems
7. Irrigation and fertilizer
8. Testing equipment
9. Pest management
 What is Hydroponics
The word “hydroponics” comes from the Greek
“hydro”, meaning “water” and “ponos” meaning
“working”; thus working with water. It can be
defined as the science (and art!) of growing
plants, whose roots are supported by a
substrate other than soil, and feeding them with
the nutrients necessary for their growth
 Benefits of hydroponic systems
• No weeding is needed and there are no underground pests like cutworm to
contend with.
• Because the plants are being fed optimally, their resistance to pests and diseases is
improved. It is thus possible to use natural insecticides when necessary, instead of
the more aggressive chemical ones.
• It is a pleasure for the plants when they are grown hydroponically, as they don’t
have expend valuable energy sending out roots to search for nutrients in poor
soils, giving them more energy to grow their stems and leaves. In addition, there is
a plentiful supply of oxygen to the roots, which is very important for plant growth.
• There is no need to practice crop rotation, as you would have to do if you are
growing in soil. Crop rotation is necessary in soil as the available nutrients in the
soil are depleted by being taken up by the plants. You can grow any plants
hydroponically in one place time after time, as they are being fed a balanced
nutrient.
Benefits of hydroponic systems
 Disadvantages of Hydroponics
• The main disadvantage of hydroponics that I can think of is that there is a
capital cost of equipment to start with, which is missing in soil cultivation.
The costs of running a hydroponic installation of any size are usually a
great deal less than a garden!
• Hydroponic gardening can be less forgiving than conventional gardening.
These gardens sometimes need more care than conventional gardens, as
the plants grow so fast!
• There is a possibility of rapid spread of diseases such as Fusarium and
Verticillium through a system.
• Nutritional problems can arise if care is not taken with feeding the plants.
 Basics of growing
• A plant is a factory that builds organic matter in the form of roots, stems, leaves and flowers
or fruit, which usually contain seeds. This matter is composed of about 97% air and water,
while the rest comes from plant nutrients. As I mentioned earlier, a plant cannot take up
nutrients in an organic form, but must use inorganic salts. Plants feed on minerals in the soil.
Thus there is no conflict between organic growing and hydroponics. What is different is that
it is the soil that is fed with dead plant and animal matter, not the plant. Bacteria in the soil
break down the plant and animal matter into inorganic salts that the plants can absorb.
• There is no soil in hydroponics and the plant is fed directly with the same mineral salts that it
would normally get from the soil. The plant does not know, or care, whether its food is made
by man or nature. All it wants is a good feed, and nitrogen is nitrogen whether it comes from
a packet or a dead mouse.
• There are two ways in which the plant grows. The first is osmosis, where it takes up water
and minerals through its roots. The second is photosynthesis, where it uses light to turn
water and minerals into plant tissue.
• It is important that roots get oxygen to breathe, and most of the hydroponic growing media
are loose and open to allow plenty of air to reach the roots, whilst soil often needs a lot of
work to keep it aerated.
Growing mediums
 Wick System

Deep Water Culture(DWC)

Ebb and Flow Systems

Drip System
Nutrient Film Technique (NFT)

Aeroponic System
Example Drip System
 Fertilizer
• Nutrient A is the main nutrient mix that
includes all micro and macro nutrients, it is
also recommended to supplement with
Nutrient B - Calcium Nitrate. For plants that
flower and produce fruit you can add Nutrient
C – Bloom during the flowering phase.
 Recommended pH Level By Plant
Plant pH EC Plant pH EC
Artichoke 6.5-7.5 0.8-1.8 Melon 5.5-6.0 2.0-2.5
Asparagus 6.0-6.8 1.4-1.8 Mint 5.5-6.0 2.0-2.4
Basil 5.5-6.5 1.0-1.6 Mustard Cress 6.0-6.5 1.2-2.4
Bean (Common) 6.0-6.5 1.8-2.4 Onions 6.0-6.7 1.4-1.8
Beetroot 6.0-6.5 0.8-5.0 Parsley 5.5-6.0 0.8-1.8
Bell peppers 6.0-6.5 1.8-2.8 Parsnip 6 1.4-1.8
Black Currant 6 1.4-1.8 Granadilla 6.5 1.6-2.4
Blueberry 4.0 -5.0 1.8-2.0 Paw-Paw 6.5 2.0-2.4
Broad Bean 6.0-6.5 1.8-2.2 Pea 6.0-7.0 0.8-1.8
Broccoli 6.0-6.5 2.8-3.5 Pepino 6.0-6.5 2.0-5.0
Brussell Sprout 6.5-7.5 2.5-3.0 Peppers 5.8-6.3 1.8-2.8
Cabbage 6.5-7.0 2.5-3.0 Potato 5.0-6.0 2.0-2.5
Capsicum 6.0-6.5 1.8-2.2 Pumpkin 5.5-7.5 1.8-2.4
Carrots 6.3 1.6-2.0 Radish 6.0-7.0 1.6-2.2
Cauliflower 6.0-7.0 0.5-2.0 Rosemary 5.5-6.0 1.0-1.6
Celery 6.5 1.8- 2.4 Sage 5.5-6.5 1.0-1.6
Chives 6.0-6.5 1.8-2.4 Silverbeet 6.0-7.0 1.8-2.3
Cucumber 5.8-6.0 1.7-2.5 Spinach 5.5-6.6 1.8-2.3
Eggplant 5.5-6.5 2.5-3.5 Squash 5.0-6.5 1.8-2.4
Fennel 6.4-6.8 1.0-1.4 Strawberries 5.5-6.5 1.8-2.2
Garlic 6 1.4-1.8 Sweet Potato 5.5-6.0 2.0-2.5
Hot Peppers 6.0-6.5 1.8-2.8 Swiss Chard 6.0 6.5 1.8-2.3
Leek 6.5-7.0 1.4-1.8 Thyme 5.5-7.0 0.8-1.6
Lemon Balm 5.5-6.5 1.0-1.6 Tomato 5.5-6.5 2.0-5.0
Lettuce 5.5-6.5 0.8-1.2 Turnip 6.0-6.5 1.8-2.4
Marjoram 6 1.6-2.0 Watercress 6.5-6.8 0.4-1.8
Marrow 6 1.8-2.4 Watermelon 5.8 1.5-2.4
Zucchini 6 1.8-2.4
 Testing equipment
• Liquid PH
• Electronic PH
• Electronic EC
 Pest management
• Ludwigs
• Margeret Roberts
• Bioneem