Basic Requirements

Description

Hydro=Water. Water is vital to hydroponic systems. Water quality can drastically effect the output of the system. Start with the cleanest water you can. Most tap water is "okay" but distilled, spring, or filtered water is better. The water has to be available to the plant. There are many different methods used but in most cases, water is stored in a reservoir and then delivered to the plants via pumps, hoses, troughs and valves. There are many variables that need to be monitored in the water, including temperature, pH and nutrient levels.

Outside, plants use sunlight to grow and for photosynthesis. Inside, plants need high-powered specialty grow lights to help replace the sunlight. These lights include High-Pressure Sodium and Metal Halide lights (similar to the ones used as street lights and stadium lights). Fluorescent and LED lights are becoming popular also because of their low energy use and long life. Lights can be expensive and must be put on timer to cycle the light on and off according to the stage and type of plant being grown. Grow lights are the most expensive part of hydroponics. Obviously, sunlight can still be used if the hydroponic system is outside or in greenhouse and make hydroponics even more environmentally friendly and cheaper.

Many things can be grown hydroponically. Fruits, vegetables, herbs and even flowers can be grown hydroponically. Common plants include lettuce and other "Greens", Basil, Beans, Tomatoes, and Peppers to name a few. Each plant tends to favor specific nutrients, systems, temperatures, pH, and other variables. For this reason, it can be difficult to grow a variety of plants in one system. Some plants can be "cloned" from clippings. Roots will form on the clippings and then the plants are ready to be transplanted into a system.

Air is needed for a variety of reasons. In Hydroponics, air is very important in the water. The water must be moved, agitated, or aerated to create an oxygen rich water. Without oxygen, the plants roots will rot, eventually resulting in a dead plant. Water can be moved with submersible pumps gravity, or air pumps and stones. The best systems tend to use a variety of methods. Typically, the more air in the water the better, as long as the plants roots are not damaged from the moving water. Also do not forget that plants absorb Carbon Dioxide or CO2 through their leaves. It is important that the system is well ventilated as well as the temperatures and humidity levels are kept stable and appropriate levels for the plants that are grown.

A seed has enough energy and nutrients in it to germinate (sprout) when water is present but after that, plants need to be fed. In hydroponics, they get their food from the nutrients that are in the water. Pure water has no nutrients or dissolved solids. Different nutrients are added to the water depending on the stage and type of plant. Examples of Nutrients include Nitrogen, Calcium, Iron, Phosphate, Magnesium, and Zinc to name a few. There are many types of nutrients out there and each one has to be carefully monitored and adjusted to properly feed the plants that are being grown.

In traditional plant growing, soil is used to provide support or structure to the plants roots. Since Hydroponics does not use soil, alternative materials are used. These materials or "Grow Mediums" are typically made of natural or man- made materials that help absorb water and provide a strong anchor for the plants to start their roots. In most cases, only a few inches of the plant's base and roots are in the media and the rest are in water or the growing troughs. Growing material include pebbles, Rockwool, Clay pebbles, coconut husk, or Perlite. Regardless of the material, the tasks remain the same, provide support, absorb water, and block light from the roots.