Hydroponic gardening is far different from convectional methods. Apart from being able to grow almost anywhere, it’s popularity is growing and evolving amongst professional growers and amateurs alike .With regarding an introduction to hydroponics, I will cover tips, tricks, and methods to give you the best yields, vegetables, and even marijuana.(An introduction to this down the track.).
Who Invented Hydroponics A Brief Overview
There is no one inventor of hydroponics. It all dates back to The Hanging Gardens Of Babylon. One of the seven wonders of the world, in Babylonia,600 B. C These gardens were placed along the Euphrates River. Using a chain pull system, Water was carried up from the river, trickling down to each step on the garden.
John Woodward in 1699, recorded experiments about what nutrients plant need to grow The basis of hydroponics was developed by. German plant scientists Sachs (1868), and Knop (1861-1865), They made a synthetic solution of plant nutrient.
In 1930,. Dr W.F. Gericke grew tomatoes in a nutrient tank, developing commercial hydroponics. In California.
In 1945, the U. S Air Force provided vegetables grown in hydroponic grow beds for it’s personnel on Ascension Island, in the south Atlantic, otherwise, all the produce would have to be transported
To this day, it is being studied at numerous institutions all over the world.
What is Hydroponics? The Basic Principles
It’s growing plants and vegetables without the use of soil using nutrient solution pumped from a reservoir. . The roots of the plant or vegetable are suspended in medium and may need to be artificially supported. ,It’s providing a perfect environment around a plants roots. Think of earth, wind, and fire. The three basic ingredients essential to plant growth.
When the bucket or pot is drained of the nutrient solution by the pump on a timer, air enters the pot, to rejuvenate the roots.system Soil cannot breathe as easily. There’s an enclosed room with a light source usually h.I.d or fluorescent, a fan at the bottom, allowing air to come in to the room, and an exhaust fan at the top, which controls temperature.
A near perfect environment is created, just like you are growing plants outside..
Why Choose Hydroponics
It’s versatile. There are no rules when it comes to hydroponics. If you live in an apartment, which a lot of people do now, you can quite easily set up a small grow room to grow what you need Heck, you can even use your closet. If you live in a house that doesn’t have a big garden in the backyard, you can set up a greenhouse style grow room. The pumps and timers may need to be covered, but that’s not a big issue.
It’s cheaper in the long run. There’s not as much water used. Its cleaner, not being so prone to disease and bug. The plants are protected from natural elements such as wind and rain., and grow faster.
Commercially, farms are now choosing this option where drought can be a huge and very sad problem. God bless them. There’s not as much water wasted.,
Topics to be covered:
- Advantages and disadvantages of hydroponic gardening.
- Ventilation
- Lighting
- Comparison to growing in soil
- Hydroponic Systems, from easiest to more complex
- Understanding the fundamentals
- The key components to a hydroponic system and how they work
- Aquaponics and aeroponics, for those of you who are more adventurous
- How to set up your growroom, including the best systems, lighting and ventilation
- How to set up a refrigerator style grom room
- Mistakes made by beginners
- Troubleshooting
- Hydroponic news, whats new,
Is It Difficult to set up? Can I do this?
K.I.S.S. New and improved formulas,stimulants and addidives. are used to excessive levels, where we forget the simple things. Light,air humidity and Co2.
I will be going over in detail the different types of systems. If you are frugal like me, you can find an old fridge, gut the insides. The nutrient tank can go underneath. Youve got shelving for the lights. Sometimes, it’s Christmas and you can find a kitchen fan. They are fairly tough, and just work forever.
Another option is to buy one of those proper greenhouses. They range in sizes. You can get those at the hardware store too. They come as a complete kit, if you prefer not to go hunting for parts, I just can’t help myself though. When it comes to things like ventilation, there are computer fans. They are quiet, and move a LOT of air for they’re size.
Social Outlets And Help Availability
I will do my best to deliver this in more detail. . There are forums. There will be a list on these, it’s a very good source for communicating with professionals, amateur growers, even farmers who are more than happy to offer they’re unique knowledge and expertise. There are other websites. If I can’t answer a question or you need extra help, im more than happy to redirect you.
There are hydroponic shops and stores, not only do they sell equipment and stuff, but they offer a lot of help to people starting out. They offer good honest advice without all the snake oil. Lastly, there are clubs you can join. I will(hopefully), list all of these in each country, or state.
Last But Not Least
Bear with me everybody. . This website is still under construction. If you feel I have missed something, or the information , im providing to you is incorrect or out-of-date please,let me know. I believe we can learn from each other. . . I. will do my utmost best to help you where ever I can. If you have any questions or wish to offer any feedback, you can do so below. Thankyou for stopping by. .