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Students will gain an understanding of what hydroponics is and the basic principles behind it.

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Identify the environmental and economic benefits of using hydroponic systems over traditional soil-based agriculture.

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Explore the different types of hydroponic systems available and how they function.

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Gather small hydroponic system kits or DIY materials for demonstration purposes. A digital resource can be accessed online for those who can't afford the kits.

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If you would like to grow your own food but space and soil are lacking, try adding a hydroponic garden. This method of gardening was in place more than 2,000 years ago. Yet, it's innovative and forward-thinking since it allows for gardening in highly urbanized environments.

What Are Hydroponic Gardens

Hydroponic gardens use nutrient-rich water to bathe the plants' root bases. With a hydroponic garden, you can grow vegetables, flowers, and herbs indoors or outdoors. No soil is needed and maintenance is kept to a minimum since pest and weed control are less of a problem compared to soil-based gardens.

Depending on your needs and available space, you have a choice of several types of DIY hydroponic gardens, ranging from the simple wick and water culture systems, to more ambitious NFT (Nutrient Film Technology) and drip hydroponic systems.

If you're already familiar with water pumps (from garden ponds or aquariums) and tubing, consider that a plus as all but one of these gardens relies on electrically-recirculated water.

Depending on your needs and available space, you have a choice of several types of DIY hydroponic gardens, ranging from the simple wick and water culture systems, to more ambitious NFT (Nutrient Film Technology) and drip hydroponic systems.

If you're already familiar with water pumps (from garden ponds or aquariums) and tubing, consider that a plus as all but one of these gardens relies on electrically-recirculated water.

Tip

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If you would like to grow your own food but space and soil are lacking, try adding a hydroponic garden. This method of gardening was in place more than 2,000 years ago. Yet, it's innovative and forward-thinking since it allows for gardening in highly urbanized environments.

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Access to an interactive online guide on hydroponics, which provides a detailed overview of the components and operation of hydroponic systems.

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Present a brief overview of hydroponics, its principles, and its benefits using a multimedia presentation.

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Guide students through the process of building a simple hydroponic system. This can be a collaborative activity using Padlet to share progress and results.

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Discuss the different types of solutions used in hydroponics, including nutrients and pH balance.

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If you want to get a better understanding of one of the most important aspects of growing plants with hydroponics, read on and I'll tell you all you need to know. Whether you intend to use pre-mixed nutrient solutions or prepare your own from the start, I hope you'll find this article useful.

Providing nutrients to hydroponic plants is a more complicated procedure than fertilizing plants growing in soil. However, a hydroponic nutrient solution allows you to perfectly tailor the delivery of nutrients and optimize the growth of your plants.

The good thing about learning about hydroponic nutrient solutions, is that once you understand the basics, you can apply the same techniques no matter what plant you're growing.

By understanding the fundamentals, you will be able to adjust your nutrients solutions to deal with any problems that arise.

What Are Hydroponic Nutrients?

Growing plants without soil means that the nutrients that are naturally available in soil are not available to be used by the plants. The only way that hydroponic plants can obtain nutrients is through the water and nutrient solution that is provided to them in the hydroponic system.

Off-the-shelf fertilizer solutions designed for plants growing in soil will not suffice for hydroponic plants. The reason for this is that soil contains a wide variety of trace nutrients that plants can use, so traditional fertilizers often do not contain these. When growing plants with hydroponics, you must provide everything that your plant needs to grow or you will run into problems that will cause your plants to struggle or become unhealthy.

The best way to think about hydroponic nutrients is to divide them up into macronutrients and micronutrients. The three nutrients that every plant needs in the highest quantities are nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. You will need a different quantity and proportion of these three nutrients depending on what plant you're trying to grow. Any fertilizer product will list the NPK ratio which will help you pick the correct fertilizer.

For example, if you see a bottle of fertilizer that has an NPK ratio of 6:3:6, this means that it contains 6% nitrogen, 3% phosphorus, and 6% potassium. The rest of the product will be made up of other chemicals, including micronutrients, water and chelating agents

What Do Plants Need to Grow?

Each nutrient has a different role within the growing plant. Plants will need greater or lesser amounts of these nutrients at different stages of their growth and it is important to adjust the nutrient mix for your plants as they develop.

It is useful to think of plant nutrients as a team, working together to help your plants to grow. Similar to a team, if there is one member missing, it will put your plants at a major disadvantage and they will stand little chance of success.

In addition to the nutrients that plants obtain via their roots, they also have a need for carbon, hydrogen and oxygen. These are obtained from water absorbed by the roots and carbon dioxide absorbed by the leaves of the plant.

In one of the most important biological processes in the world, plants utilise photosynthesis to store solar energy from the sun in high energy carbohydrate molecules. Carbon dioxide and water are used as reactants in this process to produce the carbohydrate molecules which the plants needs to store energy. Oxygen is a waste product of this reaction and is released into the environment.

The chemical equation for photosynthesis is 6CO2+6H2O→C6H12O6+6O2.

The remainder of the nutrients which a plant needs to grow and thrive must be obtained by absorbing them through the roots. This is why it is so essential in hydroponics to supply the right balance and quantities of nutrients in the nutrient solution.

The Nutrients Plants Need

Nitrogen (N)

Nitrogen is one of the most important nutrients that a plant needs for healthy growth. Nitrogen is essential to make plants grow to their full potential and for the formation of leaves and stems. Nitrogen is significantly more active in younger, more actively growing parts of the plants such as buds and shoots.

Nitrogen deficiency can be identified by yellowing of the older leaves of the plant and when new shoots and leaves look unhealthy, yellow and weak. Excessive nitrogen can also cause problems, such as impaired growth and an inability to produce fruit or flowers in a timely manner.

Phosphorus (P)

Phosphorus is a hugely important compound for building healthy roots and ensure that flowers and seeds are able to form adequately. This is because phosphorus is an essential component in the energy transport system within the plant.

When a plant has a deficiency of phosphorus it's growth will typically be adversely affected and there can be some changes in the leaves. It is common for leaves to be a darker green color and smaller than normal. Sometimes the leaves can have a red or brown discoloration due to anthocyanin deposition . The plant can also have some yellow discoloration and poor growth, particularly at times when the plant should be growing vigorously, such as in late spring.

Potassium (K)

Potassium is responsible for many plant processes, including the production of ATP, which is a crucially important source of energy for the plant. It is also responsible for activating the stomata within the leaves, that impact the quantity of carbon dioxide that is taken in through the leaves. Potassium is essential to regulate the amount of chlorophyll present within the leaves, which in turn regulates the energy production capacity of the plant.

Adequate levels of potassium are very important throughout the entire life cycle of the plant, but they are particularly important during fruit development.

The signs of potassium deficiency in plants can include chlorosis of the leaves and abnormal curling and brown discoloration. Plants that have insufficient potassium will also have disappointing fruit and flower production and early dropping of fruit.

Excessive potassium can also impact the transportation of other important nutrients including magnesium, nitrogen and potassium.

Micronutrients

Magnesium (Mg)

Magnesium is essential for the production of chlorophil, and without it, a plant has a reduced ability to produce energy to grow. Magnesium is also essential for many plant enzymes to function adequately.

When a plant has a deficiency of magnesium, it will normally be noticeable on more mature leaves first. One of the tell tale signs is that you will get yellowing of the leaves, but preservation of the color of the veins. This is a sign known as interveinal chlorosis.

Magnesium toxicity does not cause any direct issues, but it can affect the uptake of other nutrients, namely potassium and magnesium, which can result in symptoms of deficiency of these nutrients.

Calcium (Ca)

Calcium has an important function in the structure and production of cell walls. Calcium moves slowly within plants and the highest concentrations will be found in the roots and in older growth. It is for this reason that deficiency is often noticed in younger shoots and leaves first. The edges and tips of leaves will often fail to grow properly and will turn brown and die in the presence of calcium deficiency.

The transport of calcium within the plant is by transpiration. This is the process by which water and dissolved nutrients are taken up by the pores in the roots and are transported to the leaves, where excess water is released from the plant through stomata.

If there are areas of a plant which have little transpiration, then the transport of calcium to these areas can be impaired and signs of deficiency will develop.

Calcium toxicity is rare in plants, but excess calcium does impair the uptake of other nutrients such as potassium and magnesium.

Sulfur (S)

Sulfur is an important component of plant proteins and it is also responsible for the formation of root nodules and chlorophyll. The quantity of sulfur in a nutrient supply can also impact the taste and smell of some vegetables. Sulfur is another fairly immobile nutrient, so signs of deficiency will develop in younger and more peripheral parts of a plant first. Sulfur deficiency often presents with slow growth and yellowing of leaves, in a pattern not dissimilar to nitrogen deficiency. Growth is slow but leaves tend to get brittle and stay narrower than normal.

Iron (Fe)

Iron has a major role in the production of chlorophil, and therefore, boosting the level of iron to your plants can make them greener and more vibrant in appearance. Deficinecy of iron will leave to interveinal chlorosis, where the leaves will turn yellow or white, but the leaf vein color will be relatively preserved.

Raw iron is highly reactive with many other nutrients. Without adding chelated to your nutrient solution, the vast majority of iron would react with and precipitate out of your nutrient solution. For this reason, you should always either add chelates or use a nutrient mix containing chelates, to ensure that your plants receive sufficient iron.

Manganese (Mg)

Manganese is involved in a wide variety of systems within plants. It is essential for respiration, photosynthesis and nitrogen processing. It is also important in improving root disease resistance and pollen germination.

Deficiency symptoms are quite similar to iron deficiency, with interveinal chlorosis and stunted growth being most apparent.

pH is also very important for manganese utilization, as manganese will not be available to the plant at a pH of over 6.5.

Manganese toxicity is a common concern, particularly in more acidic conditions, where the solubility of manganese, and hence the plant uptake, is significantly increased. Toxicity commonly causes brown discolouration of the edges of leaves and you can also see brown or red spots on more mature foliage.

Zinc (Zn)

Zinc is only required in very small amounts in plants, but due to it's role as a catalyst in many important processes, it is disproportionately important as a micronutrient. It acts as a catalyst for protein synthesis and also has an important role in stem elongation and in the regulation of growth of the plant.

Zinc deficiency results in necrosis of the peripheries of leaves and curling of leaves. There can also be some yellowing of leaves and poor development of buds.

Copper (Cu)

Copper is another important catalyst of numerous chemical processes within plants. It is important for plant metabolism and respiration.

Copper deficiency causes dramatic growth stunting and causes new growth to be irregular and take on a dull and wilted appearance.

Copper toxicity can be quite disastrous for plants, leading to plant death in severe cases. Excess copper will prevent the uptake of a number of other micronutrients, such as iron and zinc. This can lead to signs of other nutrient deficiencies. Copper excess can cause reduced stem formation and restrict root growth.

Boron (B)

Boron is needed by plants to produce new cell walls and to enable these cells to successfully divide. Boron is most important for flowering and for fruit production. Boron deficiency leads to stunted stems and roots and can lead to shoot and bud death.

Molybdenum (Mo)

Molybdenum is only required in extremely small quantities, but is an important catalyst in the production of a number of proteins. It is also used to convert nitrogen into a form which is usable by the plant to manufacture important amino acids.

The signs of deficiency of molybdenum are not unlike those of nitrogen deficiency. Molybdenum is quite mobile within the plant, so there are more widespread signs of deficiency. It can cause marginal chlorosis of the leaves, followed by leaf necrosis. It can also result in misshapen leaves.

Choosing And Preparing Nutrient Solutions

You have three options when it comes to nutrient solutions. You can either buy a pre-mixed solution, buy a two or three part solution, or make your own from scratch. If you are a beginner or if you only have a small hydroponics setup, I wouldn't recommend making a hydroponic nutrient solution from scratch.

For most people practicing hydroponics at home, I would recommend using a two or three part hydroponic nutrient solution. This will give you flexibility to adjust your nutrients easily to the growth stage and type of your plants.

Whichever option you choose, you should be aware that the proportion of nutrients will vary depending on a number of factors:

Plant growth stage

Parts of plants you want to encourage to develop (leaf, fruit, root)

Light intensity, weather, season and temperature.

If you decide to opt for a pre-made nutrient solution, the most important thing is to pick a solution that is specifically designed for use with hydroponic plants. The reason is that fertilizers designed for use with soil grown plants will lack many of the micronutrients which are already present in soil. If you use one of these fertilizers in a hydroponics setup, your plants will quickly develop symptoms of deficiency and you will be left disappointed with the growth of your plants.

My second piece of advice is to use liquid based fertilizers, as these will mix and dissolve in water much easier and cause less problems than solid fertilizer options.

My third recommendation is to use a two or three part solution, so that you can use variable quantities of the liquids to adjust the proportions of nutrients to tailor the nutrient solution to the particular plants you are growing and to the stage of growth that your plants are at. This will also make things easier to adjust in between fresh nutrient solution batches.

Electrical Conductivity (EC) Of The Hydroponic Nutrient Solution

Electrical conductivity (EC) is an indirect way of measuring the concentration of your nutrient solution. An EC meter will measure the electrical conductivity of the solution. This reading is then converted into a measure of the total dissolved solids in PPM (parts per million).

An EC meter can be very helpful to ensure that your nutrient solution is made to the correct concentration and remains at this level over time. It will help prevent your nutrient solution from getting too concentrated.

As plants absorb water by osmosis, they rely on water moving from a less concentrated solution to a more concentrated solution. If your nutrient solution becomes sufficiently concentrated, your plants will struggle to obtain water by osmosis and can become physiologically dry.

An EC meter is an essential piece of equipment for anyone who is doing anything more than very casual hydroponics. It will help you accurately prepare your nutrient solutions and will help you to monitor it's concentration, dilute it as required and decide when it is best to make a new batch up.

Problems With Measuring Electrical Conductivity (EC)

Whilst an EC meter can tell you the electrical conductivity of a solution and in turn the PPM of the solution, it cannot tell you anything about the constituent nutrients dissolved in the solution.

Even though your EC meter may indicate an appropriately concentrated nutrient solution, you may not have any idea about whether the solution will be harmful or helpful for your plants.

This is a problem which is a particular issue in hard water areas, where a significant proportion of the PPM of your nutrient solution, may be the result of unknown dissolved solids.

This is why it is best to start with water that has as close to 0 PPM total dissolved solids when making up a nutrient solution for hydroponics. you would have no idea about.

Another issue is that there are many nutrients within a hydroponics nutrient solution which are not absorbed in high quantities by plants and will slowly accumulate in your solution, causing the nutrient proportions to deviate further and further from the desired levels, the longer it is since your nutrient solution was made up from scratch.

pH Of The Hydroponic Nutrient Solution

The optimal pH level to grow plants within a hydroponic system is normally between 5.5 and 6.3, depending on the individual plant. Every nutrient is absorbed by plants at a greater or lesser rate depending on the pH of the nutrient solution.

If the pH level falls much below 5.5, the plant runs the risk of deficiency of certain nutrients and toxicity from others, as the rate of absorption changes rapidly.

At a pH level of 5, copper and iron are absorbed at an increased rate, but the absorption of calcium and magnesium are greatly impaired. As a result, the plant is likely to suffer from the effects of magnesium and calcium deficiency, whilst being at great risk of copper and iron overload.

At the other end of the spectrum, as the pH rises, there will be increased precipitation of a number of micronutrients out of the nutrient solution. This can lead to rapid development of deficiency states in a number of nutrients such as iron.

It is very important to monitor the pH of a hydroponics solution on a very frequent basis. As the plants will constantly be absorbing nutrients from the solution, the pH will be changing over time and it is important to buffer and adjust this to ensure that the pH stays in the desired range.

Checking pH

There are three main options for checking the pH level of your hydroponic solution.

The first is to use pH testing paper. This is inexpensive and simple, but is not the most accurate way of testing pH as the color of the testing strips can be hard to compare accurately to the control.

The second is to use a pH sensitive solution. You simply add a few drops of the pH test solution to a small sample of your hydroponic nutrient solution and it will change color. You can compare this to the control strip to determine the pH. While this is slightly more expensive that pH testing paper, it is still fairly cheap and is more accurate and reliable.

The third way is to get a pH testing meter. These tend to be very accurate, easy to use and very accurate. The downside is they need to be calibrated to ensure their prolonged accuracy and are prone to failure. Personally, I like to use an electric pH testing meter as it's so quick to use and saves me a minute or two every time I need to check my nutrient solution.

Adjusting The pH Of Your Hydroponic Nutrient Solution

There are a number of options to enable you to adjust the pH of your hydroponic nutrient solution. My personal choices are phosphoric acid and potassium hydroxide to raise and lower the pH respectively. Other options to lower the pH are citric acid, nitric acid and sulfuric acid.

Although it is an easy process to adjust the pH of your hydroponic nutrient solution, you must be careful as both these chemicals can cause bad burns if they come in contact with skin. You should always wear eye protection as contact with the eyes could even result in blindness.

The other option to adjust the pH is to buy ready made pH adjustment solutions. These are typically a bit less dangerous and will work just as well, although are typically more expensive.

When making up a batch of nutrient solution, it is advisable to add your nutrients to the water first and adjust the pH afterwards, rather than trying to adjust the pH as you go along. You are always better to adjust in small amounts and test often, rather that making the pH yo-yo up and down by being too h=generous with your pH adjusters.

Don't forget that the pH is likely to rise over time as the nutrients are absorbed by the plants. This is one of the reasons that you should frequently measure the pH of your nutrient solution and adjust the pH back to the desired level.

Water Quality

The characteristics of your starting water are crucial when making up a hydroponics nutrient solution. As mentioned previously, water with a high level of total dissolved solids, or very hard water, will cause a whole host of problems by limiting the amount of nutrients you can add to your solution and interacting with the nutrients that you do add.

Test Your Local Water

I would strongly recommend testing the hardness of your water with an EC meter before making up a hydroponic nutrient solution. I would also strongly advise contacting your water company to get access to the most recent water quality test results, so that you know the starting parameters of your water.

You can also pay to have a sample of your water tested by a private lab, which will tell you exactly what is in the water coming out of your tap, rather than a regional water report, which is what you will get from a water company.

Modify Your Water

If you have hard water in your area, of above 120 PPM, you may wish to consider modifying the water prior to using it in a hydroponic system.

For starters, you will definitely want to set any water aside that you intend to use for making up a hydroponic nutrient solution for at least 24 hours in direct sunlight to allow the chlorine present to react and evaporate out of the water.

Secondly, you may wish to run the water through an activated carbon filter to remove any remaining chloramine and reduce the PPM of the water to a more acceptable level.

Thirdly, you may wish to reduce the PPM of the water further by one of the following methods.

1. Use a reverse osmosis filter to remove the vast majority of total dissolved solids from your water, or using distilled water. A reverse osmosis filter is not excessively expensive, but you may not want to go down this route if you are running a very small hydroponics system.

2. Use distilled water. You could consider purchasing distilled water or making it at home to put in your hydroponics system. This will have very close to 0 PPM of TDS and would be ideal for making a hydroponic nutrient solution. The downside is it is inconvenient to purchase this every time you need to make a new solution, and the cost would mount up over time.

3. A compromise, would be to mix some distilled water into your own filtered tap water, to bring the PPM count down to an acceptable level, where the impact of existing dissolved solids will be fairly insignificant.

How To Make Up A Hydroponic Nutrient Solution

Equipment I Use

1. A large, clean bucket

2. A stirring stick

3. A syringe for measuring smaller volumes

4. A measuring jug for larger volumes

5. Nutrient solutions

6. An electric pH Meter

7. An electric EC meter

8. Suitable pH adjustment solutions (I use phosphoric acid and potassium hydroxide. You can buy dilute versions of these as pH UP and pH DOWN solutions)

Leave The Water To Stand

Leave the water to stand in direct sunlight for at least 24 hours to allow the chlorine to dissipate from the water. This will also allow the water to rise to room temperature. An ideal temperature for hydroponic solutions is about 63 to 72 °F.

Initial Readings

Check the PPM count and pH of the water. If the PPM count is more than 120 PPM, consider lowering this by either adding distilled water or running the water through a reverse osmosis filter or activated carbon filter.

Follow The Advice And Instructions Of The Nutrient Solution Manufacturer

Before adding any nutrients to your water, consider the growth stage of your plants and determine an appropriate concentration and nutrient composition for your nutrient solution. General Hydroponics have some great resources on their website to give you a guide. I often use this and other resources as I find it difficult to keep all the information in my head. I also use their nutrient solutions as I have found them reliable over a number of years.

Add your chosen nutrients as per your planned proportions. If you are adding individual nutrients to your solution, start with the micronutrients, followed by the macronutrients. Otherwise, simply follow the instructions provided by your nutrient solution manufacturer.

Monitor the Concentration Of The Hydroponic Nutrient Solution

Using your EC meter, monitor the concentration several times as you are making the solution up, so that you don't overshoot and make the solution too strong.

Adjust The pH

Once you have added all of the nutrients, the next step is to check the pH of the nutrient solution. This is done with your chosen pH monitoring method. For me, it's an electric pH monitor.

It is likely that your pH level will have risen above the target range. Mine usually does when making up a nutrient solution. In this example, you should dilute a small amount of phosphoric acid or pH DOWN in about one litre of water.

pH adjustment solutions tend to be very strong and is very easy to cause the pH to go from being too high to way too low with only a small volume of acid. By diluting the acid, you can more finely adjust the pH.

Once you have adjusted the solution to the correct pH, you can add the solution to your hydroponic system.

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Hydroponic Nutrient Solution (Easy Guide) - Smart Garden Guide

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Complete guide to hydroponic nutrient solutions. Easy guide to help you learn more and make and adjust a hydroponic nutrient solution.

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Have students monitor the growth of plants in their hydroponic systems, emphasizing the importance of pH and nutrient balance. Utilize a class Padlet to document and share observations.

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Students compare the growth of plants in hydroponic systems to those in soil through a class discussion or on a collaborative Padlet space.

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A quiz covering the basics of hydroponics, the benefits, and the different types of systems. This can be administered online.

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Hydroponics system is a method of growing plants in a nutrient-rich water solution rather than soil. Plants grown in a Hydroponic system has a greater yield and much faster growth rates than other types of gardening methods. Hydroponically growing flowers, fruits herbs, and vegetables are planted in inert growing media and supplied with nutrient-rich solutions, oxygen, and water. This system fosters rapid growth, stronger yields, and superior quality compared to soil-grown plants. In a Hydroponics system, the energy expended by the roots is energy better spent on vegetative growth and flower and fruit production.

Hydroponics at home would be a very different system than a Commercial System. Different types of Hydroponic systems are Aeroponics, Aquaponics, Deep Water Culture, Drip System, Ebb & Flow, NFT, and Wick. The main 3 things all Hydroponic systems have in common are the plant roots need for water, oxygen, and nutrients.
The following Hydroponic Questionnaire would be useful for Hydroponic Gardening at Home, Hydroponic Test, Hydroponic Exam Questions, Hydroponics Quiz, Survey Questions on Hydroponics system, and Multiple Choice Questions on Hydroponics topic.
Below are the Commonly Asked Questions about Hydroponics System

What is Hydroponics system?

The hydroponics system is the growing of plants without using soil. Hydroponic plants are grown by using soilless media such as gravel, peat, vermiculite Perlite, rock wool, and expanded clay aggregates. The essential minerals that the plant needs are dissolved into the water which is then watered directly to the plants. Thus, in short instead of the plants searching throughout the soil for their minerals, they draw them directly from the water that they are being fed.

Hydroponics system

Hydroponic is the process of growing plants by a mineral-rich water solution, whereby the plants continuously draw on nutrients supplied by the water. The Hydroponic system remains a safe alternative to growing crops in soil, as growing food indoors reduces the need for pesticides. Also, soil-borne diseases do not present a problem because the systems do not utilize soil.

What EC should maintain in Hydroponics?

Well, this is one of the most commonly asked questions being asked in many exams, quiz and hydroponics gardening.

In Hydroponics, EC (Electrical conductivity) requirements change as the plant grows from a seedling into a mature plant. When your plants are young they require less food, so it makes sense that the plant grows to increase the amount of food to fulfill the plant's needs.

Growth/Vegetative requirements - 0.6 - 0.8 EC.

Bloom/Flowering requirements - 1.6 - 2.4 EC.

How does Hydroponics work?

This is one of the most commonly asked questions about the Hydroponics system. Hydroponics system eliminates the use of soil and utilizes a Hydroponic growing media to growing fast growth in flowers, houseplants, fruits, and vegetables.

What kind of plants can be grown using Hydroponics?

Almost any type of plant can be grown using a Hydroponics system, for example, vegetables, fruits, herbs, and flowers. Generally, if you can produce ideal environmental conditions the Hydroponic plants will be fast-growing compared to plants grown in soil. Some of the plants grown in Hydroponics are Tomatoes, Lettuce, Cucumber, Kale, Spinach, Beans (Green beans, Pole Beans, Etc.), Strawberries, Peppers, White Radish, Ginger, Peppermint, Chives, Basil, Oregano, Sage, Stevia, Lemon Balm, Rosemary, and Bok Choy.

Is Water Quality Important In Hydroponics?

Water quality is important in a Hydroponics system to make sure you get the most out of the plants. Hard water and well water have a high amount of minerals that can build up and damage the plants. Reverse Osmosis or de-chlorinating filters are useful for cleaning impurities out of water.

What pH should maintain in Hydroponics?

The consensus for pH level in a Hydroponic system and coco coir is that it should be kept between 5.5 - 6.5 throughout the cycle. Ideally in the growth/vegetative phase pH level should be maintained at 5.8-6.2. If the pH level fluctuates too much the plant will be unable to uptake specific "slow" moving nutrients, so having all the necessary equipment like pH pens will save a lot of guesswork.

The pH level of a nutrient solution influences the availability of nutrients, so it should be maintained in the optimum range. Nutrient solutions used for Hydroponics have a pH between 5 to 6 (usually 5.5), so the pH level in the root environment is maintained between 6 to 6.5.

What is the ideal temperature in Hydroponics system?

The ideal Hydroponic temperature range is between 18°C and 20°C for truly optimal plant growth. The ideal grows room temperature changes depending on what types of plants you are growing. Tropical plants such as orchids and plants like succulents do well at 26°C and up. Plants like kale and broccoli do best at cooler temperatures in the 15- 18°C range. Tomatoes do well in the 20-23°C range. The temperature level is important for more reasons than plant growth. When the temperature surpasses 26°C, insects can multiply much faster than at cooler temperature levels.

Why is pH important in Hydroponics?

Growing plants Hydroponically requires a specific pH range for optimal growth and nutrient absorption. If the pH level of your nutrient solution is outside the required range your plants won't get the necessary nutrients they need to grow.

How do you choose the right Hydroponic system?

To be successful, you first have to select the right Hydroponic system that fits your situation. Before setting up the Hydroponic system, it is necessary to consider the below factors to ensure you make an informed decision.

Space availability

Lighting

Available finance

Time availability

Type of crop to be grown

Future expansion

It is advisable to start with a passive system rather than an active system because passive systems are affordable, simple to build for smaller plants.

You have to choose whether the system will be a media-based system or a water culture system. Media-based Hydroponics systems like ebb and flow (flood-and-drain) rely on growing medium to offer support to the plants. Although the media system is costly and the media requires regular replacement, it holds nutrients solution for the plants. There is a need to protect the entire system from power blackouts so that the nutrients and pumping of water to the plants are not affected. The media-based Hydroponic system is efficient because of its ability to recycle nutrients. Contrary to this, water culture systems function without media and it is simple. The system is good, particularly for the water-loving plants.

What are the benefits of growing with Hydroponics?

There are numerous benefits of Hydroponics gardening. Hydroponic systems use less water than traditional systems. They are also cleaner since you are not bringing soil into the home. Hydroponic systems are less likely to host destructive insects, and you can grow plants indoors year-round.

The biggest advantage of the Hydroponics system over traditional gardening is significantly larger yields in less time. Plants with access to ample oxygenated water absorb nutrients faster, resulting in growth that is 30 to 50% faster. Also, topsoil erosion is eliminated, meanwhile, there are fewer cases of plant decay and wilting, particularly those associated with soil-borne diseases and very little use of pesticides. The use of recirculated nutrient-rich water through this system and reservoir allows plants to draw on the correct amount of nutrients when it is needed.

Hydroponics Benefits.

Do plants grown using Hydroponics system taste better than plants grown in soil?

Hydroponic plants have a better taste because the plants grown utilizing Hydroponics have all the essential nutrients readily available to the plant. In soil, the important micronutrients are locked away in the soil where the plants cannot take full advantage of these minerals. That is why Hydroponics is superior because the grower has control over what minerals the plants are feeding.

What causes plants to die in Hydroponics?

There can be several reasons for plants to die in Hydroponics. Primarily, eliminate the obvious things like lack of water, high temperature, or a broken stem.

Bad pH Level - Having the right pH level for Hydroponic plants is crucial. The pH level in Hydroponics should not be too high or too low. The right pH level for the Hydroponic system should be between 5.5 and 6.5.

Poor Lighting - Many startup indoor Hydroponic growers make the mistake of buying cheap and unreliable grow lights. Since most Hydroponic grow rooms are indoors, you need to ensure that plants receive sufficient lighting throughout their growing season.

Wrong Fertilizer - Not all fertilizers that you find on the market and good for a Hydroponic garden. For instance, you should not use traditional fertilizer from your store in a Hydroponic system. This is because the fertilizer may fail to dissolve completely in a Hydroponic system. Also, using less or excess fertilizer can be dangerous to your Hydroponic plants.

Deficiencies & Root Diseases - Deficiencies and diseases are other causes of Hydroponic plant death. These can be hard to detect, and that's why you will be required to monitor your entire system closely. For instance, if the plant roots turn to brown, then there is an issue. Some of the things that cause deficiencies are the wrong pH level, nutrient solution concentration, and temperature, etc.

What are the differences between Hydroponics versus growing in soil?

This is a very commonly asked question of the Hydroponics system. The Hydroponic system differs from soil-based gardens as the plants are using only the nutrients they need from the recirculated water, whereas watering plants growing in soil capture fewer nutrients due to evaporation. Gowers can save on space growing vertically, eliminate weeding, and use fewer pesticides.

What causes leaves to turn yellow in Hydroponics?

This can be caused by several factors;

Nutrient deficiency

The pH is too high/low.

Overwatering can turn leaves yellow.

The solution is too hot/cold.

Too much salt in the water.

There are numerous reasons why your plant leaves may be yellowing. This is caused mainly by nitrogen deficiency. There is not enough nitrogen available for fast-growing plants, causing them to take nitrogen from the older leaves and send it to the new shoots. This can be corrected by adding some more nitrogen to your feeding schedule.

How often to feed Hydroponic plants?

This is one of the basic questions of hydroponics gardening system.

Feeding of the Hydroponic plants depends on factors such as;

Age of the plant

Prevailing temperature

Humidity

Type of crop grown

Nature of medium

Younger plants require small amounts of nutrients hence their feeding period is shorter.

Hydroponic plants at the flowering and fruiting stages need feeding for a prolonged time. Thus, the frequency of feeding the medium must be increased as the plants continue growing.

Below is an example of a feeding schedule for different growing mediums;

Perlite - feed once every 2 to 3 hours during the day. At night, use lower feeding frequency.

Expanded clay - feed once every 1 to 2 hours during the day. At night lower the feeding frequency.

Rockwool/coconut fibre/soil - feed 3 to 6 times per day. The feeding must be spread equally during the day. Do not feed at night to avoid waterlogging.

Are Hydroponic plants organic?

This is one of the quiz questions asked in hydroponics. In Hydroponics, feed the plants directly with an available mineral-rich solution. In organic gardening, the fertilizer components require beneficial organisms (bacteria, protozoa, and fungi) to convert them into usable forms that the plant can uptake as food. These methods of growing are fundamentally different because of the way that you supply nutrition to the plant.

How do you get rid of pests in Hydroponics?

You can use various methods to control pests in Hydroponics. Some products are organic or natural some are not. This can determine which route you take for control. Weekly preventative sprays of neem oil are recommended. If the pest problem in plants is severe a more toxic stronger pesticide may have to be used.

What are the different types of Hydroponic growing systems exist?

This is an important and one of the frequently asked questions about the hydroponics system. There are several different Hydroponic growing systems, but there are six consistent types used throughout the Hydroponic system - Aeroponics, Deep Water Culture, Ebb & Flow, Wick System, Drip Irrigation, and Nutrient Film Technique.

What are the reasons for leaves of the plant are curling down in Hydroponics?

If your leaves are curling down it can be a sign that your nutrient solution is too strong.

If your plant is lit with a top light this can be an indication that not enough light is reaching the lower levels of your plant. This is quite normal and you shouldn't be alarmed as the top leaves capture enough light for your plant to continue to thrive. If you'd like you can provide supplemental light from the side to ensure your bottom plant leaves are getting enough light as well.

You should not miss this: Organic Aquaponics Growing Practices For Beginners.

What is the best thing to clean the Hydroponic system?

This is one of the basic questions of the hydroponics system. The best option for cleaning a Hydroponics system is to use Hydrogen Peroxide, hot water, soap, and also use a salt leaching solution. Rinse thoroughly to wash off any residue that can be left behind by cleaning products. For this reason, bleach is not recommended as it can be harmful to Hydroponic plants.

Why is Hydroponics expensive?

The cost of installing the Hydroponic system is one of its main disadvantages. Both the starting and the operational costs are high in Hydroponics compared to conventional gardening. The materials and equipment used in Hydroponics system are costly, and you must have them to operate the system well.

What are the growing mediums for Hydroponics?

This is one of the basic questions of the hydroponics system. The most common growing mediums used in Hydroponics include rock wool and perlite; however, other popular mediums consist of bark chips, fibres, sand, and rock.

What are the advantages of a wick system?

This is one of the basic questions of the hydroponics system. A wick system can be set-up by anyone and it is easy to care. The wicks in this system will constantly supply your plants with water, so there is no risk of them drying out. Also, plants like lettuce will flourish in a wick system, providing a great return on your hands-free investment

How should empty and replace the reservoir and nutrient solution in Hydroponics?

Reservoirs must be emptied and the nutrient solution replaced at least every 5-7 days. People use their EC/TDS meters to measure nutrient levels and top up their nutrient solution when levels get low. EC/TDS meters measure overall salt levels, not the levels of specific nutrients. This means nutrients not completely used by plants will begin to build up to potentially toxic levels. First, emptying the reservoir and then replacing nutrient solution with a quality fertilizer is the only process to ensure nutrient levels are consistently in the ideal range for plant growth.

Does Hydroponics use a lot of electricity?

Pumps and other types of machines used in Hydroponic gardening consume relatively little electricity when compared to lighting costs. Still, even the least-used devices will add to electricity utility bills. Finally, the consumer inherits the high electricity costs of Hydroponic gardening.

In case if you are interested in this: Hydroponic Mushroom Farming.

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Hydroponics Questions - Answers, And Hydroponics Quiz | Gardening Tips

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A Guide To Hydroponics Questions, Answers, Hydroponics Quiz, Hydroponics Exam Questions, And Hydroponics Gardening Questionnaire.

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Students present their hydroponic systems and growth observations. This is an opportunity to use Padlet for presentations.

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Highlight the key concepts covered in today's lesson, including the benefits of hydroponics and the different types of systems.

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Encourage students to reflect on what they have learned about hydroponics and how it can be applied to real-world scenarios.

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Students are tasked with researching advanced hydroponic systems and techniques. Prepare a brief report on their findings.

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Keep a daily diary of a plant growing in a hydroponic system, noting observations about growth, health, and any challenges encountered.