Hydroponics

Hydroponics

A guide to hydroponic systems

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What does hydroponics mean?

Hydro - ponics

Lets look at the word

"HYDRO - PONICS"

Lets split it into two

Multiple Choice

What do you think the word "Hydro" means?

• Water

• Soil

"Hydro" means

WATER

Multiple Choice

What do you think the word "ponics" mean?

• to cultivate

• to destroy

"Ponics" means

to cultivate or work

"HYDROPONICS"

is therefore the cultivation of crops using NUTRIENT WATER as the MAIN component, some systems also include a MEDIUM (special material)

2 Main Types of HYDROPONIC systems

-Systems that use nutrient water ONLY

-Systems that use a growth medium (special material) & nutrient water

Multiple Choice

What hydroponic system type do you think we have installed in school?

• Nutrient Water ONLY system

• Nutrient Water & Medium (special material) system

Yes! The system at School is a Nutrient Water with Medium (Special Material) system.

(Cocopeat is the special media)

Nutrient Water ONLY systems

These systems only use WATER (with nutrients)

[1st example] DEEP WATER SYSTEM

[plants are suspended in a large volume of nutrient water]

- roots are in greater contact with nutrient water

- simple setup compared to other water only systems

[2nd example] NFT (Nutrient Film Technique)

[plants a suspended in a thin layer of nutrient water]

-less water used

-less contamination closed system

Systems that use a MEDIUM (special material) and NUTRIENT WATER

These systems use a medium and water (with nutrients)

[1st example] Bucket System

Uses buckets or bags filled with media which are fed by nutrient water

- can grow root crops (carrots, beet)

- can grow bearing crops (peppers, tomatoes)

[2nd example] Grow Bed system

Uses a bed of material that is fed with nutrient water.

- open system less disease spread

- no need to aerate water

The various types of SPECIAL MEDIUM used.

1)rockwool

2)oasis cube

3)expanded clay

4) Coco peat/fibre (used in our school system)

5) Perlite

6) Vermiculite

7)Rocks/Gravel

The hydroponics system at RLSS stats:

- Two systems in one (box and bag system)

- Drip irrigation used (fully automated)

- Electricity driven system (pumps)

- Uses Cocopeat as its media

There are many DIFFERENT types of hydroponic systems used throughout the world

...and many more being developed

Poll

Which type of system do you prefer?

• Water only system

• Water and Medium

Multiple Choice

How are the nutrients delivered to the plants in hydroponic systems?

• Through the water

• It is sprinkled on the plants

• It is placed in the growing media

• It is already present in the growing media

Leafy crops & seasonings are best suited for hydroponic systems

_{- e.g Lettuce, pakchoi, Celery, Chive}

- They are shallow rooted

- They are short term

Multiple Choice

Which one of these Hydroponic systems uses nutrient Water ONLY to grow crops?

• Grow Bed

• Deep Water

Multiple Choice

Which one of these systems uses a Medium and Nutrient Water to grow crops?

• Bucket system

• NFT (Nutrient Film Technique)

Multiple Choice

What type of crops are BEST suited for hydroponic systems?

• Leafy greens (e.g. lettuce) & seasonings (e.g. chive)

• Flowering crops (e.g. tomato, sweet pepper)

• Tree crops (e.g. mango)

• Vine crops (e.g. watermelon, pumpkin)

Why use Hydroponics?

Major Advantages

- Save water

- Uses less space

- Fewer pests

- Fewer Weeds

Some Drawbacks

Disadvantages include

- high setup costs

- technical knowledge/skill needed to setup & maintain

Multiple Choice

What is the name of this type medium (special material) used in the RLSS hydroponic system?

• Soil

• Manure

• Cocopeat or coconut fibre

• compost

Multiple Choice

What is a major ADVANTAGE of the hydroponic system.

• It costs very little

• It is low maintenance

• Plants grow slower

• It has many weeds

Multiple Choice

What is a major DISADVANTAGE of the hydroponic system?

• High start up costs

• Low maintenance

• Less weeds

• More water will be used

Multiple Select

Two main features of the Hydroponics system at RLSS are (Choose 2)

• The system uses drip irrigation

• The system utilizes pumps

• The system uses gravel as its growth media

• The system is solar powered

Poll

Did you learn something NEW today?

• Yes

• No

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