Hydroponic Growing Systems
Hydroponics is known as soilless
gardening, and this system has been around
throughout history. We may have gotten down its science
as late as the 1890s, but the method has actually been
practiceed as far back as the time of the Hanging
Gardens of Babylon.
Today, there are various
different types of hydroponic growing systems, most of them mere variations of
the more basic types. Below are four hydroponic growing
systems commonly used today.
Water Culture or
Aqua Culture
 The word hydroponics comes from the Greek word hydros
meaning “water” and ponics meaning “method.” Research has,
however, dispelled the belief that plants can only grow
in either water or soil since scientists have
discovered there are other growing media that will do the
job.
Still, when people hear about hydroponics, most
of them likely think of water culture as the hydroponic growing system
used.
On a small scale, the water culture method of a
hydroponic growing system is the simplest form to set up. This
system has the plant roots totally immersed in
nutrient solution. The only trouble with this hydroponic
growing system is that you need a lot of water to supply to each plant, as
well as the need to aerate the solution
continuously.
The design of this hydroponic growing system is limited only by the imagination
of the builder. Just remember the following factors as you
build your own water culture system:
• Support the
plant above the solution
• Aerate the
solution
• Prevent light from reaching the solution
(to prevent growth of algae)
The tray or tank used
as reservoir for the nutrient solution may be made of
anything, from concrete or plastic-lined, to asphalt-sealed
wood. If you use asphalt to seal the tank, make sure it
doesn't contain creosote or tars. In addition, don’t use
asphalt that leaves an oil film on the surface of the water.
The tank should be around 6–12 inches deep, 2–3 feet
wide, and as long as is convenient for the space you have
available. For plant holders, you can use a plywood top or a
piece of 1-inch thick Styrofoam. To place plants, just insert
them through holes drilled through the plywood or through the
Styrofoam.
Aerate the solution continuously by pumping
through a perforated hose or pipe immersed in the solution.
For small hydroponic growing systems, an aquarium pump and
porous stone will work. Don't bubble the solution too
vigorously because excessive movement may damage the tender
roots and impair the plant growth.
Aggregate Culture
Another type
of hydroponic growing systems is aggregate culture. Aggregate
may be made of sand or gravel. This method is often preferred
to the water culture method since the aggregate helps to
support the roots.
You can use the same type of tank
in a water culture system to hold the aggregate in place. The
nutrient solution is held in a separate tank and pumped into
the aggregate tank to moisten the roots as needed. After the
aggregate has been flooded, it is drained to provide aeration.
Enough water and nutrients cling to the aggregate and roots to
supply the plant until the next flooding.
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