HYDROPONIC GARDENING FAQs

I just realized after scanning through my entire blog, that it is named, "Hydroponics in Cebu" and yet i haven't covered what HYDROPONICS is exactly. *FAIL!* I realized that most of my blog entries were simply sharing my experiences and so on, but have not introduced hydroponics in general. Perhaps I assumed that people viewing this blog would already have, if not an expert, at least a little information/background on hydroponics. After being approached by several customers who have viewed my blog to know what hydroponics is, and having not been enlightened when coming to this blog, I will dedicate this entry to answering and covering most of the FAQs that i receive on Hydroponics as well as giving an brief insight on what Hydroponics is all about.




First off....

WHAT IS HYDROPONICS?

In my seminars (that i hold once every month), I always use 3 points to define hydroponics. You may find more complex or detailed information in other sites, but in the simplest way i can define it, one should take note of these 3 essential points:

• SOIL-LESS
• PLANTS GROW ON WATER
• WATER IS ENRICHED WITH NUTRIENT SOLUTIONS

(1) HYDROPONICS IS SOIL-LESS!

Hydroponics does not use and or require any soil. Using soil is a NO-NO! In hydroponics, as a growing medium (term used to describe what the plants are planted onto), you can use several alternatives. This includes:

-Vermicompost (this is the one i use)

-Peat moss (or the moss that you can find in the clay pot section in the markets)

-Perlite (a light weight volcanic rock. It's hard to find in Cebu, but you can find them in pet stores since its commonly used as a bedding for pet geckos)

-Rice hull / rice husk

-Coco coir / coco peat (this is dried coconut husk that is shredded. This is one of most commonly used growing mediums in hydroponics)

-Clay Pellets (commonly used with orchids)

-Rock wool (commonly used to insulate or sound proof walls)

These are the many different alternatives to soil that is used in Hydroponics. 

FAQ: Can I mix different mediums up?

ANSWER: Yes you may. I usually mix up Vermicompost, moss and rice hull. 

FAQ: Can I use animal manure?

ANSWER: No. Animal manure is too strong for hydroponic plants since it contains a lot of nitrogen.Since it also contains salts and bacteria, it can contaminate the water beneath the plants, cause rotting in the water and attack the roots. Vermicompost is not a strong deposit (deposits of worms), so it is safe to use. 

(2) PLANTS GROW ON WATER!

Hydroponics literally translates to: HYDRO - Water, and PONICS - Work. 

That being said, yes, hydroponics involves the growing of plants on water. Here is a diagram to illustrate how this works:

A plant cup, holding the growing medium and the plant, is submerged partially in the water. As the plants grow, it looks for nutrients. Thus, the roots start to grow out of the plant up and into the water. 

FAQ: Can the plant grow directly on water without the growing medium?
ANSWER: Yes, it can. You would need a system, however, that can suspend the plant above the water for only parts of the roots to touch the water. If you are familiar with hydroponics, this system is known as NFT (nutrient film technique - in which there is a thin film of water running through the lower part of the roots of the plant).

FAQ: What kind of water can i use? Tap?
ANSWER: Any clean source of water you have is viable. If you are REALLY conscious with chlorine in the water, let the tap water stand still for 24 hours before using. Rain water (if your area is not overly exposed to air pollution) is good as well. I, personally, use deep well water since that's my source of water here. 

FAQ: Is it only water? Or do i have to mix something into it?
ANSWER: This leads to the next point : "Water is enriched with nutrient solutions". 

(3) WATER IS ENRICHED WITH NUTRIENT SOLUTIONS

The answer to the previous question as to if one can use just water without mixing into it -- That would be NO. 

**IMPORTANT** - water enough cannot supply the plants with the food or essential elements that they need to grow healthily. There needs to be fertilizer or in this case, it is known as HYDROPONIC NUTRIENT SOLUTION, mixed in the water to supply the plant with the nutrients it needs to grow.


FAQ: Without the nutrients, will it still grow?
ANSWER: Yes, it will - in the sense where it wont die. It will live, but will be malnourished. Here are some signs of a malnourished plant (lacking nutrients or have no nutrients to absorb):
- Stunting of growth

- Pale yellow or white leaves

- Thin, fragile stems

FAQ: What are the components of a Hydroponic nutrient solution?
ANSWER: "Macro and Micro Nutrients". I already have a blog entry talking about the components. Refer to this link: BLOG ENTRY ON MACRO AND MICRO NUTRIENTS

**IMPORTANT** Read the entry to understand the importance of the Hydroponic Nutrient Solution as well as other questions you may have are answered there. 

FAQ: Where can i get the Hydroponic Nutrient Solution?
ANSWER: I sell Nutrient Solution for P350 (good for 2-3 months use). There also other commercial hydroponic nutrient solutions out there. You may also give them a try.


FAQ: Can I mix my own Nutrient Solution?ANSWER: Yes you may, HOWEVER, you will need a chemist or someone licensed to purchase the elements for you as well as mix it. All the elements can be found at a pharmacy, however, only a licensed chemist can purchase them. Mixing them might be too complicated as well (if you're a noob at chemistry like me), so you will need the chemist help to mix it as well as his equipment. 

FAQ: Can I use normal fertilizer as a nutrient solution?

ANSWER: Yes you may, however, since they were not made specifically for hydroponics, some fertilizers might not work very well. Fertilizers (not meant for hydroponics) were formed to work with the components in the soil to be converted as food for plants. Since hydroponics is soil-less, some elements might not be converted and thus not be absorbed by the plants, that could lead to undernourishment or lack of certain elements. You are free to experiment with different fertilizers though. Bring out the scientist part of you! (haha)

AS A SUMMARY, in one sentence, what is hydroponics?

Hydroponics is a SOIL-LESS gardening method in which plants are grown on NUTRIENT ENRICHED WATER. 

Here are some actual pictures of root systems of hydroponic plants as they grow, so that you can have a better idea on how it looks when you look inside a system and lift a plant cup:

Basil plants rooting before placing them into the system

Root system of a mint plant after  1 week in the hydroponic system

Root system of Corn plants

And there you have it! Just a brief, basic view on what Hydroponics is about. I hope this gave you an idea on what it's about. In my next entry, i'll cover the advantages and other questions that i frequently get. I can't drag on this blog any longer since most readers have a certain attention span (a.k.a me). I don't want anyone getting bored now. (haha!)

'Till next entry! Happy gardening!

ULYSSA
09393257253 / 09475847023

CEBU HYDROPONIC GARDEN

http://www.facebook.com/The.Hydro.Garden