Hydroponics gardening is a type of gardening that uses no soil to grow plants. The environment is controlled to minimize the problems caused by pests or diseases that can come from the soil like in traditional gardening. This type of gardening is done in greenhouses under closely monitored conditions.
Gravel rather than soil is used to grow the plants in this type of greenhouse. The plants are fed with a special liquid mix of nutrients periodically, a practice known as sub irrigation culture. After the plants have been planted the rest is basically done automatically.
Feeding and watering of the plants is done through automation with sensors detecting when the gravel needs water and nutrition, the pumps come on and deliver the correct dosage of nutrients. The plants that are grown hydroponically are given the exact food that is required for fast growth and a larger harvest.
Hydroponic Tanks
Some hydroponic gardeners use tanks which are constructed from large drums that have been sliced in half. Brass tubing is attached through brazing at the bottom of the tank, with a hose placed on one end. The other end is connected to another tube that has been brazed onto a smaller container. The inside of the tanks are covered with a paint that is asphalt based to protect them from rust. Then pellets of gravel are poured into the containers. These containers are used to plant the seedlings in.
Seedlings
This process of the hydroponic gardening begins with planting the seedlings first in paper cups filled with vermiculite, these cups will permit the nutrient solution to come in and nourish the roots. Then when the plants have been established then they are placed in the gravel cup and all. The roots of the plants are irrigated from the roots when the solution travels through the hose down to the gravel. This system is designed to make sure the plants have enough moisture with only being flooded with the nutrient mixture for a few seconds at a time.
Wide Range of Benefits
The benefits of greenhouse hydroponic gardening are many. The method offers a higher yield compared to traditional methods of gardening. One acre of traditionally grown tomatoes would yield anywhere from 5 to 10 tons, while the same area planted and grown hydroponically would yield about 60 to around 300 tons. This is just one example, though most crops have dramatically higher yield when grown hydroponically.
You also have an easier time with disease and pest control due to the absence of soil. Many pests can invade plants that are traditionally grown in soil – and many plant diseases can infect plants through the soil. This is another benefit of this type of gardening. Since this is done in a greenhouse, your growing season can be longer than if you were gardening outside. It is also a less labor intensive method of gardening once established.
Tags: brass tubing, gravel, greenhouses, hydroponic gardeners, hydroponic gardening, hydroponics gardening, nutrient solution, paper cups, seedlings, type of greenhouse