| |
 |
Browse by Category |
 |
| | |
| |
 |
Browse by Brand |
 |
| | |
| |  | |  |
| |  |
|
 |
| | | Home»A Brief Introduction to Methods of Hydroponic Production-II |
| |  |
|
 |
| | | | A Brief Introduction to Methods of Hydroponic Production-II | | | | | |
| Ebb and Flow
The Ebb and Flow method of hydroponics simply floods a growing area for 5 or 10 minutes and then the nutrient solution drains away. The nutrient solution is stored in a reservoir that can be located under the grow table. In an Ebb and Flow, the plant roots are usually grown in a medium of Perlite, Rockwool or expanded clay pebbles. Ebb and Flow is common in hobby systems but not often found in commercial production. This is also know as flood and drain.
Float
The float system can be an economical means of hydroponic crop production in areas where raw materials are limited and manufactured hydroponic systems and components are not availableFloat systems take advantage the surface of the nutrient solution. Most float systems are long, rectangular reservoirs built out of cement or wood and lined with a durable, poly liner. Holes are cut in a foam board which floats on the surface of the water and plants in net pots are set in the holes. The plant roots dangle in heavily aerated nutrient solution.
Passive
A passive system does not use timers or pumps to flood the root zone. The roots usually draw what they need by dangling into the nutrient solution. Being a slow growing system, passive system is not as productive as the other methods discussed. Passive hydroponic systems are sometimes used by hobbyists.
Drip (Substrate)
Long term crops like tomatoes, cucumbers and peppers are grown using the Drip system. In this system, the nutrient solution is delivered to the plants through drip emitters on a timed system. Depending on the stage of development of the plant and the amount of available light, the emitters are usually scheduled to run for approximately 10 minutes/hour. The drip cycle provides the plants with fresh nutrients, water and oxygen, thus flushes the growing medium.
Commercially, in a drip system, Perlite or Rockwool are the most common mediums for the plant growth. The biggest variables in a drip system are in the growing medium and the container that holds that medium. Perlite is often bagged in thin, plastic sleeves. Holes are cut in the bag and plants, usually 3-4, are set in with the roots growing down into the Perlite. Recently, a bucket system has been developed to contain Perlite for drip systems. Each bucket holds loose Perliteand one or two plants. In either of these methods, a slot or hole is cut in the container to allow excess nutrient solution to run out. A drain line below the bag or bucket collects the excess.
The Perlitetray is the another method of a drip system that is becoming popular for lettuce and herb production. Usually it is about 24 inches wide by 10—14 feet long. An aluminum tray, coated with a non-toxic material, is filled with Perlite and set on a gentle slope of 1-inch to 10-feet. The nutrientsolution is continuously dripped in at the higher end of the tray and allows trickling through the Perlite to the other end. Basically, this system is a combination of drip and NFT techniques.
In this case, there is no need for a large nutrientreservoir tank or the periodic dumping of used nutrient. Injectors are used, in most drip systems, to add nutrient concentrates to water when the feed cycle starts.
|
|
|
|
|
