Guide to Hydroponics

Hydroponics is a technique commonly used by gardeners to grow plants in water as opposed to soil. The word hydroponics came from the Greek hydro (water) and ponos (working). In here, the essential macro- and micro- nutrients that is needed (table 1.1) by plants are supplied in water.

Table 1.1
Essential Nutrients need by Plants

The practice of Hydroponics dates back to Hanging Gardens of Babylon. Today, Plant Physiologist use this method of plant cultivation on laboratories to determine what nutrients and on what quantity is needed by plants to grow.

In starting a hydroponic garden we will do three steps: Converting, Container and Potting

Converting
In order for a plant to live on a hydroponic environment, it must first be converted. We take a soft stemmed cutting and suspending it in a container full of water. This can be done by placing a piece of cardboard on the top of the container and putting the cutting through a hole in the center (fig 1.1). This setup must be placed in an environment that it can obtain light indirectly and in an ambient temperature. Water must be replaced every few days to avoid it from becoming stagnant. When a good root system have developed, place the plant in a transparent plastic bag with air holes to keep the humidity high for one month.

Container
The conventional Pot and Saucer method is the easiest method in making a container for hydroponic gardening. This method requires a standard plant pot with bottom drainage holes, a transparent plant pot saucer bigger than the plant pot and a nutrient solution. The pot is placed on the saucer so it can work as a reservoir of the nutrient solution (fig 1.2).

Potting
When the plant is already conditioned and the pot is prepared, potting can be done. Here we will use aggregate that is made of clay pebbles. We put the clay pebbles into the pot and over it is a plant, just like a normal potting done in soil. Be careful not to submerge the plants root on the nutrient solution; it may be touched the solution but not drowned on the solution. When the plant is already adapted to the current environment, it will establish its roots downward the reservoir.

The major drawback of Hydroponic gardening is that fungal infection on plants rates high. It also requires a high cost for labor, lighting, and water. Advantages include the ability to grow crops in arid regions, more controlled conditions; such as the ability to grow plants indoor, and thus minimize pests and weeds; greater plant density; and most of all is a constant supply of nutrients.