𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐢𝐬 𝐇𝐲𝐝𝐫𝐨𝐩𝐨𝐧𝐢𝐜𝐬

𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐢𝐬 𝐇𝐲𝐝𝐫𝐨𝐩𝐨𝐧𝐢𝐜𝐬
Growing plant’s without soil is called hydroponics.
Hydroponics is a technique of growing plant’s using a water based nutrient solution rather than soil and can include an aggregate substrate or growing media such as Vermiculite, Cocopit, Perlite.
𝐓𝐲𝐩𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐇𝐲𝐝𝐫𝐨𝐩𝐨𝐧𝐢𝐜𝐬 𝐬𝐲𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐦’𝐬
A beginner can get easily confused and overwhelmed with all the variations of the hydroponic method. So, let’s take a look at the different hydroponic applications that you can try out.
𝟏- 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐍𝐮𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐅𝐢𝐥𝐦 𝐭𝐞𝐜𝐡𝐧𝐢𝐪𝐮𝐞 (𝐍𝐅𝐓): In this set up, plants are placed in sloping hollow pipes or channels. Nutrified water is continuously pumped through the channels over the root system. The NFT is a closed system that recirculates water throughout the channels by pumping it first to the upper or higher ends of the channels that then flows down the slope.
𝟐- 𝐃𝐫𝐢𝐩 𝐒𝐲𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐦:This technique makes use of drip lines and a pump that transports water from an underlying reservoir into the growing media encasing the plants above. Usually, a dripper will be allocated to each plant which allows for the fine-tuning of nutrient concentrations and watering intensity. The water can be recycled, which saves time and money.
𝟑- 𝐀𝐞𝐫𝐨𝐩𝐨𝐧𝐢𝐜𝐬: Here, plants are suspended in the air vertically or horizontally. A pump then delivers a misting of nutrient media to the roots of the plants at scheduled intervals or on a continuous basis, depending on the needs of the plant. This is a more advanced system requiring pumps, misters and timers, among other equipment and should only be considered by expert growers to make the investment worthwhile.
𝟒- 𝐃𝐞𝐞𝐩 𝐰𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐜𝐮𝐥𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞: Here, plants are placed in pots with growing media or lightweight covers that float on the waters surface. The plants roots then grow into the water. A pump oxygenates the water to keep the roots healthy, but apart from that, no other mechanization is required. This makes the Deep Water Culture system great for beginners.
𝟓- 𝐖𝐢𝐜𝐤 𝐒𝐲𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐦𝐬: This is one of the simplest hydroponic set ups and is perfect for beginners. A reservoir of nutrient-enriched water is placed underneath the plants. There is a wick that extends from the growing medium downwards into the reservoir. The water moves through capillary action from the reservoir into the growing medium and keeps the roots nourished and moist.
𝟔- 𝐄𝐛𝐛 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐅𝐥𝐨𝐰:Also known as the flood and drain system, plants embedded in a growing medium are placed over a reservoir filled with nutrient water. A pump periodically forces the water up into the section housing the plants. The pump is turned off and the water gradually flows back into the reservoir. This is another simple technique and apart from the pump and piping, little expert equipment is required for success.