Hydroponic Growing
In recent years, hydroponic gardening has become a popular pastime among many gardening enthusiasts. You only need a minimal amount of space and your plants will need very little care when you participate in hydroponic growing. To begin your own hydroponic garden you will need to decide the type of garden that you desire. There are three different types of systems that can be utilized for hydroponic growing- the aggregate, the water culture, and the aeroponics systems.
The Aggregate System
The best system for the beginner wanting to start hydroponic growing is the aggregate system. Aggregates are substances that are used in hydroponic gardening that provide support to the plants. These substances can be a wide variety of materials, although you need to make sure that the material that you choose to use has the proper size particles in it. Smaller particles may not drain properly while larger ones may need more frequent feedings. You can contact your local garden supply center to purchase a properly sized aggregate substance.
When using this type of hydroponic growing system, you simply place your plants in the aggregate. You then flood your tank with the nutrient solution and drain it off. The plants retain enough of the solution on their stems and roots to hold them over until the next flooding. The draining process aerates the aggregate, making an outside air source unnecessary.
The Water Culture Hydroponic System
Another hydroponic growing system that you may want to consider using is a water culture system, which is also known as an aquaculture system. In this system, the plants are placed directly into the nutrient solution.
There are several disadvantages to using this type of hydroponic growing system. You will need to install a separate air pumping system. You should make sure this pump does not bubble too powerfully, as this activity can cause damage to your plant’s roots and stems. You will also need to provide some type of support for your taller plants, such as tomatoes (low lying plants such as lettuce can support themselves). You will also have to continue to add needed support as these plants mature.
The Aeroponics System
The most advance hydroponics growing system is the aeroponics system. With this type of hydroponics garden, the plants are placed in a totally dark container while built-in nozzles spray a continuous mist on your plants.
There are disadvantages to using this type of hydroponics growing system as well. You need to make sure that the nozzles are working nonstop. You also need to position them so that plenty of nutrient solution reaches the plant roots. In addition, you will need to monitor the humidity level inside the container, as it should remain at almost 100% at all times.
Again, this is the most advanced type of hydroponics system and will require much more maintenance and time than the other types of hydroponic gardens.
The Joys of Hydroponics Growing
Once you have set up your own hydroponics growing system, you will discover the joys of this type of gardening. It will enable you to grow a greater number of healthy plants with a lot less effort than traditional gardening requires.