The Hydroponics; Farming business made easy.

Hydroponics

Hydroponics is a subset of hydroculture, the method of growing plants without soil, using mineral nutrient solutions in a water solvent. Terrestrial plants may be grown with only their roots exposed to the mineral solution, or the roots may be supported by an inert medium, such as perlite or gravel . The nutrients in hydroponics can come from an array of different sources; these can include but are not limited to byproduct from fish waste, duck manure, or normal nutrients.

Hydroponics systems are various structures (e.g., towers, trays, A-frames) that hold water or other inert media and provide places to grow plants. Hydroponics systems fall into two basic categories: a solution (liquid) culture and an aggregate culture. In a solution system, the plant roots grow directly into a nutrient-filled solution. In an aggregate system, such as gravel, sand, or small clay pellets, the roots grow into the medium. In each method, the system supplies the three essential ingredients plant roots need to grow: water/moisture, nutrients and oxygen.

Methods/Systems of hydroponics.

Various methods of hydroponics each offer their own advantages and disadvantages. The type of system you decide to use will depend on your budget, the scale of your crop and the type of plants you intend to grow. There are six basic methods of hydroponics. All hydroponics systems work on the same principle: plants grow in a sterile, soil-less medium that allows delivery of nutrients to the roots directly from a nutrient-enriched water solution. These systems differ primarily in structure. Each of the following six systems utilizes a unique method to deliver nutrients to the growing plants.

1.Wick

Just as the name implies, this system uses one or several wicks to draw nutrient solution from a reservoir into a sterile medium such as perlite, vermiculite or rockwool. A wick system is cheap and simple to set up and doesn't require any pumps or elaborate drainage systems.

2.Drip

A drip system employs an intricate system of hoses and drip lines to take nutrient solution to each individual plant. Each plant is usually rooted in a fairly solid medium, such as rockwool cubes to prevent clogging of lines. This type of system works well for larger plants, such as tomatoes, that need to grow for an extended period of time before harvest.

3.Ebb and Flow

An ebb and flow system uses a timed pump to regularly flood and drain a growing table, on which plants are rooted in a sterile medium. The regular flooding keeps the roots moist and well-fed, while the drain cycle ensures they are able to get enough oxygen. This system is not overly costly, is easy to maintain and is not prone to many of the problems associated with other systems.

4.Nutrient Film Technique

This system is also better suited to a greenhouse or larger operation than for an in-home project. The Nutrient Film Technique (NFT) has plants suspended in plastic baskets and sometimes small rockwool cubes over long tubes or trays. Nutrient solution flows through the tubes onto the plants' roots and then drains back into the reservoir.

5.Water Culture

Water culture is the system most often used commercially to produce small, water-loving, quick-growing plants like lettuce or spinach. It is generally little more than a tray, made of Styrofoam or similar material, floating on the reservoir.

6. Aeroponics

Similar to the NFT, aeroponic systems have bare plant roots suspended in little or no growing medium. Rather than flowing through the system, nutrient solution is continually misted on the suspended roots, allowing for maximum uptake of water, nutrients and oxygen. This is perhaps the most efficient delivery system, but also the most expensive.

Hydroponic growing medium/substrate option.

1.Expanded clay aggregate :- Baked clay pellets are suitable for hydroponic systems in which all nutrients are carefully controlled in water solution.

2. Growstones :- Growstones , made from glass waste, have both more air and water retention space than perlite and peat. This aggregate holds more water than parboiled rice hulls.

3. Coir peat :- Coco peat , also known as coir or coco, is the leftover material after the fibres have been removed from the outermost shell (bolster) of the coconut .

4. Rice husk :- Parboiled rice husks (PBH) are an agricultural byproduct that would otherwise have little use. They decay and retain less water than growstones.

5. perlite :- Perlite is a volcanic rock that has been superheated into very lightweight expanded glass pebbles.

6. Vermiculite :- Like perlite, vermiculite is a mineral that has been superheated until it has expanded into light pebbles.

7. Pumice :- A pumice stone like perlite, pumice is a lightweight, mined volcanic rock that finds application in hydroponics.

8. Sand :- Sand is cheap and easily available. However, it is heavy, does not hold water very well, and it must be sterilized between uses.

9. Gravel :- The same type that is used in aquariums, though any small gravel can be used, provided it is washed first.

10. Wood fibre :- Wood fibre , produced from steam friction of wood, is a very efficient organic substrate for hydroponics.

11. Sheep wool :- Wool from shearing sheep is a little-used yet promising renewable growing medium.

12. Rock wool :- Rock wool ( mineral wool ) is the most widely used medium in hydroponics. Rock wool is an inert substrate suitable for both run-to-waste and recirculating systems. Rock wool is made from molten rock, basalt or 'slag' that is spun into bundles of single filament fibres, and bonded into a medium capable of capillary action, and is, in effect, protected from most common microbiological degradation.

13. Brick shards :- Brick shards have similar properties to gravel.

14. Polystyrene foam peanuts :- Polystyrene packing peanuts are inexpensive, readily available, and have excellent drainage. However, they can be too lightweight for some uses. They are used mainly in closed-tube systems.

Getting Started

If you're still not sure which of the many methods of hydroponics are best suited to your plans, start with a small, basic system and become comfortable with hydroponic methods before you try to expand or invest too much money in the latest, greatest system. Hydroponic gardening requires experience moderating nutrient levels, water pH, light levels, humidity and even indoor pest control. Getting to know your plants and materials before you take on a large project will minimize stress, ease the learning curve and ensure a successful first crop.

How hydroponic works

A critical factor is to avoid keeping hydroponic medium like coconut byproducts from becoming too wet. Constantly soggy medium will cause the roots to suffocate from a lack of oxygen. Air pumps used in water systems generate bubbles and increase the dissolved oxygen in water, both of which supply oxygen to the submerged roots.

How much time does it take?

Like all hobbies, hydroponic growing takes time. Assuming you are new to hydroponics, you’ll want to invest some time in learning more about the process before you get started. Although you don’t have to spend time weeding like you do in a traditional garden, you do have to spend time maintaining your system, replacing nutrients and harvesting.

What kind of plants can be grown?

Almost any houseplant, fruit or vegetable that you want. As a general rule, solution systems are best for plants with shallow roots. Some examples are leafy greens, such as lettuce and spinach, radishes and herbs. Aggregate systems generally are best for vegetables with deep roots, such as beets, or those that are top heavy, such as squash and cucumbers. So the crops that can be planted include, Onions, Lettuce, Cucumber, Flower crops, Tomatoes, and Pepper.

Advantages of hydroponics

1.You can grow anywhere.

2.Uses 20 times less water than soil based gardening.

3.Your environment is sterile, which means no pesticides.

3.You’ll use 20% less space for growing.

4.The system water can be reused, allowing you to conserve water.

5.You can have complete control over nutrient balance by using Dyna-Gro Nutrition Solutions.

6.No soil setup and testing hassles.

7.Harvesting is easier.

8.No mulching, tilling, changing of soil and weeding

9.You can grow year round if indoors.

Disadvantages of hydroponics 

1.Putting together a hydroponic system isn’t cheap.

2.Constant monitoring is required.

3.Hydroponic systems are vulnerable to power outages. In the event of a power outage that outlasts your generators you will be manually watering your garden.

4.Micro-organisms that are water-based can creep in rather easily.

5.Growing a hydroponic garden demands technical expertise.

6.Production is limited compared to field conditions

7.If a disease appears, all plants in the system will be affected.

8.Without soil to serve as a buffer if the system fails plant death will occur rapidly.

Conclusion

There are numerous benefits of hydroponic gardening. Its practice can yield excellent results in short span of time with proper knowledge and techniques. Various environmental concerns, reduction in arable land, and scarcity of water can be easily conquered with the use of hydroponics. It is extremely beneficial for commercial farmers and home gardeners alike as of 2017, Canada had hundreds of acres of large-scale commercial hydroponic greenhouses, producing tomatoes, peppers and cucumbers, nothing stops Nigeria from fully adopting the technology in producing fruits and vegetables in large quantity for its populace.
Aliyu Ahmed Olanrewaju
Researcher/Agribusiness consultant.