Hydroponic plants have long ceased to be the preserve of the greenhouse business. At home, they are used almost more often than in production. They have various sizes, modifications and configurations. Ready-made systems for growing plants using a hydroponic method can be bought at a specialized store or assembled from improvised means.
What is hydroponics?
Hydroponics is a loop-through, cyclical system that operates on a balanced, nutrient-rich aqueous solution. Due to the active saturation of the roots with oxygen, the method of growing agricultural crops without land allows you to get high yields, with a minimum investment of funds and labor. The seedlings receive all the necessary nutrients from a nutrient aqueous solution.
According to the principle of irrigation, tidal, capillary and drip systems of hydroponics are distinguished. Each technique is distinguished by the principle of saturating the roots with oxygen and nutrients. But all of them are united by a common principle β the complete absence of soil.
Necessary equipment
Depending on the choice of design, the set of required equipment may vary. However, there is a common base on which any hydroponic design is based:
- Capacity for nutrient solution. When assembling a capillary multi-level system, two tanks are required. For a medium tidal system, one container is sufficient. Food-grade plastic cans, PVC containers, buckets or cans can be used as a reservoir (if the size of the irrigated structure allows). The volume of the tank depends on the size of the unit, but it is not recommended to use containers over 50 liters It is better to distribute the required liquid among several tanks. To keep the solution in the tanks clean and fresh longer, they must be tightly closed with a lid. Tanks with opaque walls are chosen, or they are painted over with opaque paint.
- Pump. Two-channel models are ideal for any hydroponic system. You can purchase a professional pump from your gardening store. But if the installation volumes are designed for no more than 100-150 bushes, an aquarium pump will suffice. You can do without it only in a multilevel capillary irrigation system. But otherwise, you will have to manually pour the solution from the lower tank to the upper one, which creates additional hassle.
- Aquarium compressor. In addition to the pump, a compressor pumping oxygen into the system is useful. It is irreplaceable for tidal irrigation. The solution is additionally enriched with oxygen, which has a positive effect. In capillary irrigation, where water flows without pressure, additional saturation of the liquid with air will also not interfere. But drip irrigation, in which the roots are in the air most of the time and are powered by fine water dust, may well do without a compressor.
- Hoses and sprayers. Not a single system can do without this, especially a drip system, in which water must flow to the roots breaking into microscopic dust.
- Pots. If it is not possible to purchase special hydroponic cups for seedlings, you can make them from any plastic pots intended for home gardening. For this, holes with a diameter of at least 8 mm must be made in the bottom and on the sides.
- Substrates. Mature plants are held in pots with stretchers and garters, but younger bushes and undersized varieties are held upright with a small amount of substrate. There are special hydroponic soils, in addition, you can use coarse sand, expanded clay or loose peat mixtures.
Depending on the choice of model, gutters, PVC water pipes, seals and corners, wooden blocks may come in handy. During the assembly process, you cannot do without self-tapping screws, drills, and sealant.
If possible, it is better to immediately purchase a water thermometer and a device for measuring the amount of nutrients in solution β TDS meters.
Hydroponic growing technology
Growing plants on nutrient solution is technologically different from growing the same crops in open or protected ground. From germinating seeds to watering, hydroponics requires a special approach and a number of rules.
Germination of seeds
Germination of young shoots for hydroponics is carried out in several ways: using a substrate, soil or on water. The second option is the least attractive, as it requires additional flushing of the root system, but if desired, you can use it.
Belt germination
This method is rightfully very popular among plant breeders. It is suitable for growing single planting plants. All that is needed for its implementation is always the floor by hand: a plastic tape about 10 cm wide (a garbage bag or a lunch bag is suitable) and toilet paper. Planting seeds with this method will not take more than five minutes:
- lay out the plastic tape, cover it with toilet paper on top (if the paper is thin, you can use two folds) and moisten;
- then at a distance of 3-4 cm (and, about 1 cm from the edge), lay out the seeds;
- we twist the tape into a roll and put it in a glass so that the seeds are at the top.
As it dries, it is necessary to add a small amount of liquid to the bottom of the glass, which will saturate the toilet paper, protecting the seedlings from drying out. As well as in soil cultivation, planting material for hydroponics can be pre-soaked in a growth stimulator and treated with antiseptics, for example, manganese.
You can transfer seedlings to a permanent place at the stage of the appearance of two true leaves. This method has one important advantage: a painless transplant. Unwind the tape and carefully remove each sprout without damaging the roots.
Seedlings on tea bags
The seeds are planted in tea leaves with a small addition of soil or peat substrate:
- I dry the used tea bags, cut off the top and add soil to the tea leaves;
- The mixture of soil and tea leaves must be well moistened and planted without burying the seeds.
- Then, to give stability, the bags are rewound with toilet paper or a plastic bag and placed in an upright position in a shallow dish.
As it dries, it is enough to pour water to the bottom of the container, from where it will be absorbed into the bags. No more than 2 grains are planted in each bag. After the seedling has a second true leaf, it can be transplanted to a permanent place in a hydroponic structure.
Peat tablets
The simpler method of germinating seeds is very similar to using tea bags. Peat tablets are sold in any gardening store. They are quite cheap and easy to use:
- For the prevention of fungal diseases, a peat tablet can be soaked before use, not in water, but in a weak solution of manganese;
- When the tablet is saturated with liquid and increases in size, 1 or 2 grains are immersed in it.
- After that, the peat cups are placed in a plastic container, covered with a lid or plastic bag to create a greenhouse microclimate. The mini-greenhouse is ventilated once a day, checking the moisture level of the substrate. If necessary, add a little water to the bottom of the container.
The plant is transplanted to a permanent place, as in other cases, after the formation of two true leaves.
Vermiculite
Recently, a growing method of germination is gaining popularity. Ideal for capillary irrigation systems and green cultivation. Vermiculite is a special substrate for growing plants in hydroponic systems. In shape, it resembles fine gravel, but lighter and safer for the root system.
On this soil, young seedlings can be grown directly in hydroponic troughs or in separate pots. In this case, two options are also possible: subsequent transplantation or installation of the pot at a permanent place of growth.
Vermiculite is poured over another substrate β expanded clay or coarse sand. Then seeds are sown on it and moistened from a pulivizer so as not to wash off and not deepen the crops into the soil. If necessary, the seedling pots are moistened with a spray bottle.
You can also cultivate seedlings on wet cotton wool, in saucers of water or in eggshells. Some growers prefer to germinate seeds in wet sawdust, after which the sprouts are first transplanted into soil for rooting, and then transferred to hydroponics. However, for productive development, it is best to choose a germination method that minimizes plant roots. That is, the fewer transplants, the better.
Transfer from soil to substrate
There is an opinion that the seeds of garden crops germinate better in the soil. With the use of land, the seedlings are stronger and more hardy, but require a special transplant, when transferred to a permanent place of growth.
If for germination was used not a specialized substrate, but real soil, then before planting in hydroponics, the rhizome must be rinsed well. To do this, the plot with seedlings is well watered, the plant is carefully pulled out of soft soil and placed in a basin of water. With smooth movements, the roots are rinsed from the remaining lumps of earth, and then washed under running water.
A plant with clean roots is immersed in a hydroponic pot, observing the integrity of the suction hairs, and sprinkled with a small amount of substrate for stability. The pots are set so that the roots do not touch the aqueous solution for the first time.
Filling with nutrient solution
In the first week after transplanting into a hydroponic system, plants must be given the opportunity to adapt, therefore professional growers do not recommend immediately filling the system with a nutrient solution. The first fertilizers can be started 7-10 days after transplanting.
The nutrient saturation in the solution is adjusted according to the instructions and the needs of the grown crop. When using systems with separate tanks, the nutrient liquid is poured into the common tank before the next watering. The pump circulates the resulting mixture throughout the system.
If we are talking about small structures for 3-4 plants without a separate tank, then the nutrient solution is made directly in a common tank. To do this, mix the entire volume of fertilizer with a small amount of liquid in a separate bowl, and then add it to the system and mix. Fertilizers are stopped 3-4 weeks before harvest.
Harvesting
Harvesting crops grown using hydroponics is practically the same as in the open field. However, due to the greater instability of the bushes, this must be done very carefully. The berries are removed with sharp scissors, cutting off the stalk. Vegetable crops are also cut at the level of the stalk or gently break off from the bush, holding the plant with the other hand.
