Hydroponics Basics
Master Gardener Stephan Leonard talks about Hydroponics. Hydroponics is growing a plant without soil. Hydroponics is where the root system is gathering its nutrients directly from water. The water contains a nutrient solution that has the macro-nutrients like nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. It also contains the 13 micro-nutrients the plants need to grow. The plants are planted in a soilless medium that provides structural support. Mediums can include Rockwool or beads. The medium allows the roots to grow through to the solution below.
With hydroponics, you can grow year around outdoors or indoors with a more consistent and predictable yield. With hydroponics you are controlling all the variables but you need a power source to circulate the nutrient solution. Aeroponics is like hydroponics but the system mists the nutrients onto the roots of the plant.
One of the important things to monitor in a hydroponic system is the pH of the solution. If the pH is not in the correct range then the plants cannot take up the nutrients with their roots and will not grow properly or may even die. Also, you need to provide light to the plants. This can come from the sun or from artificial lights.
Most hydroponic kits require changing out the solution every week or so. This prevents salt build-up and helps keep the pH in the correct range.
In a traditional hydroponics system you cannot grow underground vegetables and peppers do not taste normal because they lack the pepper heat.
Related Video:
Changing Hydroponics Nutrient Solution
Why are my hydroponic tomato leaves miscolored with a pattern?
Related Resources:
Hydroponics
Home Hydroponics
Hydroponics for Home Gardeners
With hydroponics, you can grow year around outdoors or indoors with a more consistent and predictable yield. With hydroponics you are controlling all the variables but you need a power source to circulate the nutrient solution. Aeroponics is like hydroponics but the system mists the nutrients onto the roots of the plant.
One of the important things to monitor in a hydroponic system is the pH of the solution. If the pH is not in the correct range then the plants cannot take up the nutrients with their roots and will not grow properly or may even die. Also, you need to provide light to the plants. This can come from the sun or from artificial lights.
Most hydroponic kits require changing out the solution every week or so. This prevents salt build-up and helps keep the pH in the correct range.
In a traditional hydroponics system you cannot grow underground vegetables and peppers do not taste normal because they lack the pepper heat.
Related Video:
Changing Hydroponics Nutrient Solution
Why are my hydroponic tomato leaves miscolored with a pattern?
Related Resources:
Hydroponics
Home Hydroponics
Hydroponics for Home Gardeners