Hydroponics

Soil versus Hydroponics

Growing in Soil Growing Hydroponically Soil microorganisms are necessary to break down soil particles into the basic elements of nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and trace elements.. Balanced nutrient formula is dissolved directly into water so plants receive perfect nutrition at all times. There is a lower concentration of nutrients in soil so roots must grow longer […]

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Types of Water in a Hydroponic System

There are many types of water to choose from when sourcing water for your hydroponic system.  Some are better than others, and now is the time to determine the differences. The best situation is to have water with no added minerals, with an EC of close to zero milliSiemens, or μs, and a pH of […]

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The Foundation of Hydroponics

Category 1: Class of Hydroponics Agroponics Aeroponics Aquaponics Category 2: Nutrient Derivations Hydroponic Bioponic Aquaculture Category 3: Types of Hydroponic Systems: Open/Closed High Density Vertical (HDV) Vertical Nutrient Film Technique (NFT) Deep Water Culture (DWC) Ebb and Flow Drip There is some controversy over the way to classify hydroponic systems.  The purpose of this article […]

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An overview of Hydroponics

Definition of Hydroponics Hydroponics is actually the science of growing plants without soil. Rather than soil, plants are grown in solutions containing each of the necessary minerals and elements. Methods utilized to get the nutrients to the roots, combined with the needed oxygen, include bare-root systems and systems using inert substrates to support the growth […]

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Why Use Hydroponics

The ability to produce higher yields than traditional, soil-based agriculture Allowing food to be grown and consumed in areas of the world that cannot support crops in the soil Eliminating the need for massive pesticide use (considering most pests live in the soil), effectively making our air, water, soil, and food cleaner Pesticide free products […]

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Reverse Osmosis also known as “RO”

Reverse osmosis is a process of separation that uses pressure to force a highly concentrated solute through a semi-permeable membrane to a region of lower solute concentration, which leaves the solute on one side and only the solvent on the other. The image below depicts the process of Reverse Osmosis With the normal osmosis process, […]

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Styrofoam versus High-density Polyethylene

Polystyrene most commonly known as Styrofoam has many problematic features when employed in an agricultural setting. High-density Polyethylene also known as HDPE has many superior attributes. Structural Integrity: Styrofoam is produced as small beads that are then heat fused to one another. This method of production leads to an innate variability in the end product. […]

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Efficient And Economical Food Production Systems

With the recent price increases in food, especially fresh fruits and vegetables, there is a real challenge to feed a family with the 5-a-day produce and fruit menu. Fresh vegetables and fresh fruits are the key to good health. This is not a new or profound statement but a fact. We are just realizing the […]

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Organic Farming vs Hydroponics

“Go organic” has become the battle-cry of thousands of Americans who assume that food items labeled “organic” is automatically a better, healthier product. Is this really true? Both organic farming and hydroponic farming embrace a desire to protect our planet’s fragile environment. Both methods steer clear of harmful chemical fertilizers and pesticides. Both seek to […]

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Types of Hydroponic Systems

There are two main types of hydroponic systems – closed hydroponic systems and open hydroponic systems. Hydroponic systems that do not involve growing media are usually closed systems, while hydroponic systems that involve growing media (container plants), may be closed or open systems. Closed Hydroponic Systems Closed hydroponic systems the same nutrient solution is recirculated and the nutrient concentrations are monitored […]

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Hydroponic Produce and Health

In 1994 a test was commissioned by an investment group to determine the vitamin and mineral content of hydroponically grown crops in comparison to soil grown crops, both organic and non-organic. Plant Research Technologies Laboratory in San Jose, California, analyzed tomatoes and sweet peppers; those hydroponically grown used Hydroponic nutrients. The hydroponic produce showed a […]

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What’s Hydroponic, What’s Not?

If a plant is grown without soil and with a complete nutrient solution, that’s hydroponics! It can be as simple as plants glowing in sand, gravel or rockwool with a nutrient drip, or as complex as a complete waterculture system, such as NFT or aeroponics. No matter what method you use, the key to successful […]

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