Wednesday, August 28, 2013

Hydroponics farming involves the use of clay aggregate, pebbles, glass powder, or coconut fiber as the growing medium instead of conventional soil. The roots receive exposure to water by dripping or flowing methods and the plants sometimes receive continuous electrical light. By using hydroponics, root rot and other ailments decrease dramatically, which result in an increase of overall production. Hydroponics Farming represents a vast niche of agriculture whose benefits remain accessible even to individuals on a tight budget.

Several different methods of hydroponic growing exist. Each method possesses advantages and disadvantages and differs in complexity. Five examples lie below:

  • The Nutrient Film Technique involves using a steady layer of flowing water in a sealed container. This thin layer of flowing water possesses the property of being highly oxygenated, so the development of root rot stands far less likely. This method currently receives investigation by corporations and stands as the best method. A pump and gravity hold themselves as the only requirements.
  • The Ebb and Flow method utilizes a water tight container that periodically receives flooding. This flooding occurs on a cycle of once every one to two hours and allows the growth of plants that require a great deal of moisture, such as lettuces and other succulents. This particular technique requires more complex mechanization schemes than the Nutrient Film Technique. A pump that sucks and pours water and an electric device that monitors both water levels and time cycles require constant supervision.
  • The drip method represents another category of hydroponics farming. A continuous 24 hour drip falls on the plants' root systems. This method makes growing seedlings and tiny plants a breeze; however, water-loving succulents such as lettuce and melons do not thrive with dripping. Easily performed, the drip method just requires a pump, a suspended pipe with holes, and gravity.
  • The spray method uses a intermittent spray of water on the roots. This method receives research by NASA for space missions and stands as the closest competitor to the Nutrient film method. By using high humidity, a plant grows in free hanging suspension. The problem with this method lies in the spray spigots. They possess the tendency to clog very quickly and require cleaning.
  • The concealed pipe method involves dripping water directly into the growing medium and the roots. Succulents benefit from the continuous twenty-four hour application of water and the potential for varying water introduction based on plant type exists. This way stands as another example of the simplicity of hydroponics farming.
Several tips exist in order to prevent problems with hydroponics. Each primary concern will receive addressing:

  • Sealing all portions of the system from light stands as an important goal. This removes the threat of algae in the tubes and the tank. Algae damage crops by depriving oxygen and nutrients.
  • Fortifying the water with a growth solution and a trace mineral complex like
    bentonite dramatically increases crop production and grants the added benefit of supplying food with unique minerals. One tablespoon of bentonite per gallon represents a very efficacious nutrient solution.
  • Adding hydrogen peroxide to the nutrient water decreases root rot. Food grade hydrogen peroxide at a concentration of.3% prevents many fungal ailments and stops many other harmful pathogens.
  • Using a cayenne pepper and soap solution instead of a conventional chemical pesticide gives plants a organic quality. Do not consider using chemical pesticides in large quantities. This suggestion possesses many health benefits, especially in regards to the nervous system and liver.
The price of hydroponic systems presents a problem. The containers, tanks, and pumps may cost several hundreds of dollars. However, large scale hydroponics still lies within everyone's reach. Utilizing creativity and ingenuity opens up the way to growing success and to conserving cash. For example, by using a simple laundry pump and relying on plywood and adhesive sealants such as liquid latex and fiberglass, overall costs receive a huge discount.

To conclude, hydroponics farming stands as a very diverse field of agriculture. Even though large scale projects require funding, this goal still lies within everyone's reach with creative, ingenious solutions. By using the tips above, individuals will benefit from high production and less pest problems, which makes the way for even greater decreases in cost.\

If you desire to pursue hydroponics, the mastery of the secrets of the art needs approaching.  I recommend this helpful resource: http://hydroponic-quest.com