Azka Ashraf

Drip hydroponics system

Leave a Comment / Hydroponics / By

There are two main categories in which any hydroponics systems are divided: active and passive. Today we will discuss about an active system.

Active hydroponics system

In an active hydroponic system the suspended root system require a water pump to circulate nutrient solution and then drain it back to reservoir. A drip system is a type of active hydroponics. It is one of the most economical solution in terms of water consumption and materials required.

Drip hydroponics is popular among both hobbyists and commercial growers because of its efficiency, scalability, and ability to automate the nutrient delivery process. It helps optimize plant growth and minimize resource waste compared to traditional soil-based cultivation.

A slow watering system works best if plants are placed in separate containers and have individual adjustments. In this way water and nutrients are steadily supplied.

How Does the Drip System Work?

A drip system basically works by providing the nutrient solution directly to roots I-e the solution is present at the base of plants. Each part and its function is explained below:

Reservoir tank

A tank that holds reserve water and hydroponic nutrient solution required for the whole system.

Pump

This system uses a pump located at the base of reservoir. It circulates the nutrient solution through network of hoses. The pump is connected to a timer to control and set the irrigation cycle. This automation ensure that the plant receives a fixed amount of nutrient solution. The pump is used multiple times each day for supply.

Drip emitters

Small emitters  or drip lines are placed at the surface of each plant that controls how much drip or stream  the roots needs. They can be laid along the rows of plants.  If the emitters have a power source you can also control the system. The amount of water per drip can be pre set. If the system isn’t controlled it will drown the roots and it will collapse.  

Drip vertical farming

To create a vertical farm all you have to do is to place droppers at the top. The nutrient solution will pass through the top and reach the bottom plants, regardless of the growing medium. The remaining solution will drip back to the reservoir and the cycle will continue.

Just like any other hydroponics system it is a bit tedious to setup in the beginning. However, you can completely automate the system using small innovations and run the system freely from the comfort of your phone. We are working towards creating simple and easy tutorial to help you run your systems automatically. In case of drip lines, if are installed correctly the system will run smoothly. So overall it is more flexible and high result yielding system.

Drip Hydroponics plants

Almost all the plants suit hydroponics but in drip systems its better to cultivate: lettuce, tomatoes, peppers and basil. We would suggest you to steer away form larger plants with extensive root system.

Now lets talk about some of the pros and cons of this system.

Advantages of Drip hydroponics systems

 Simple with reduced labour

The construction equipment for drip system are very affordable and doesn’t require constant adjustments. This system can be very beneficial for large scale cultivation.

Water and nutrient efficiency

This systems is highly precise as the water drips directly to the roots and the excess is not wasted. This helps plants have breathing gap and not drown. This approach ensures that the crops receive right balance of nutrients.

Automation  

Drips systems can easily be made innovative by using timers on drip emitters and reservoir pump . You can also control all of it from your mobile application using the methods stated in our tutorials. This makes it particularly beneficial for both commercial and private use.

Space conservation

These systems can be designed to fit various space configurations. Be it vertical farming, it adapts to the availability.

Disadvantages of Drip hydroponics System

While drip systems offers numerous advantages, just like any other system it has its shortcomings.

 Clogging of emitters

Drip emitters or tubes can be clogged because of build up of minerals so proper maintenance is required. To prevent clogging you can try the following things.

  •  Monitor PH of nutrient
  • Make sure all the nutrients are fully dissolved
  • Check emitters regularly, tiny sediment can be removed by gentle tapping
  • Clean drain so algea or bacteria doesn’t accumulate

Power dependency

As these systems require power to operate pumps and emitters. So you need of a constant and stable power source is eminent.

Despite the disadvantages many enthusiast growers successfully use drip system by managing these challenges. Each hydroponic system has its unique characteristics and the choice depends on your particular factors.

If you think this article was helpful or you have any kind of question regarding hydroponics comment down below and we will be there to sort it. 🙂

Good and Bad of Hydroponic Systems

Leave a Comment / Flowers / By

What are 5 advantages of hydroponics?

With the changing environmental factors more people are inclining towards healthier and fresh produce. Hydroponics systems are designed to provide complete indoor growth systems as well as commercial systems.

Saves Space

Hydroponics systems conserves space as compared to soil based plants. You can save up to 98 % of land as they can be grown both vertically and horizontally. As roots don’t have to spread out in search of nutrients and food because liquid rich food solution is delivered to them directly depending upon the hydroponic technique used. This results in growing more number of plants in relatively less space and in better controlled environment. Hydroponic farming techniques can be applied everywhere even if you are living in a small and cozy space.

Prevents water wastage

Plants grown in complete hydroponic systems use only 9-10 % water as compared to traditional field plants, because it is reused. The excess water is sterilized and revitalized to be used again. So only forms of water loss are through evaporation and leakage if any. Due to current water shortage issues conserving maximum amount of water is crucial which conventional irrigation systems makes impossible.

Calculations suggests that using traditional farming methods a single cup of lettuce uses about 3 gallons of water, 3 ounces of broccoli serving uses about 11 gallons of water.

Quality product in lesser time

A major advantage of hydroponic system is that it guarantees fast growth as you are completely in control of all environmental factors including temperature, moisture, minerals intake. Plants are placed in favorable conditions were their energies aren’t wasted on finding nutrients deep rooted within soil and can focus on thriving. In conventional farming ways fruits and vegetables are picked before they are ripe and stored in warehouses were sometimes they are sprayed with ethylene gas to artificially ripen as crops comes from far off places. Hydroponic farms contains own microbiomes, so these systems don’t need artificial ripening and  can be enjoyed at very instant.

Less time and labor

hydroponic technology is efficient as you don’t have to spend ours prepping soil or maintain it during yield. Hence it offers significantly lesser load for laborers and can easily be managed in few man ours. A small hydroponic plant system can easily be managed my one worker.

Optimal use of nutrients free from pests

In ydroponics systems you ave complete control over your plants nutrient requiremnets. You can find out minerals are best for your plants growt and can mix it in water at desired intervals. As excess nutrient filled liquid is stored in tanks, there is minimal possibility of loss. Since no soil is involved, use of chemicals, insecticides, pests is eliminated. This allows clean and healthy growth.

Why hydroponics is bad?

A common complaint from hydroponic systems is the taste of its produce, as we aren’t used to rich nutritious vegetation. Hydroponic plants root have stunted growth because of limited space as compared to soil grown plants, as their roots get slow release of nutrient from soil in comparison to hydroponically grown, therefore the different in texture. You need to be vigilant while growing a hydroponic farm as a lot of artificial factor are involved. A minute mistake can break the entire system.

What are 3 disadvantages of hydroponics?

Requires proper expertise and commitment

Just like any other farming method hydroponics system also require sheer commitment and patience. Even a slightest mistake can totally jeopardize the entire system, so firm grip over all the technology and products involved is necessary.

Water and electricity

Water and electricity are the two main necessary components in hydroponics systems. You will need to ensure proper safety precautions as electricity is required for running water pumps, grow lights, depending upon the type of system you are using.

Expensive installation cost

Unfortunately hydroponic farming involves expensive equipment for first installation, so you can’t set it up if empty handed. You will require quality nutrients, water tanks, lighting solutions, filters and many other products.

Hydroponic Farming: What not to do!

Leave a Comment / Garden / By

Hydroponic farming system of vegetation uses liquid nutrient solution. Water based minerals are fed to nourish plant growth. By adjusting the quantity of nutrients, sunlight and water plants flourishes more as compared to traditional ways. Typically an inert medium or substrate is used along with air pumps, air stones and wool. Recently a majority of commercial hydroponic systems are used because of its higher yield value. Even though the system is extremely mechanized but proper supervision is necessary to get ideal production.

Traditional farming involves the ploughing of soil prior to plantation which is very time consuming. While in hydroponic farming, ploughing is eliminated from the whole equation which makes it quite easier and stress free.

What are hydroponics techniques?

There are various techniques that are used, but the principal of hydroponics system are essentially the same for every system.

Hydroponic systems are generally categorized as water based or medium based systems.

Water setup does not require an inert medium to support the roots, only needs the liquid nutrient solution. Whereas medium based setup needs a solid substrate, such as rock wool, moss, to strengthen the plant root structure.

Both setups can be open or closed. Incase of open setup liquid solution flows through the roots just once and the rest goes to waste. In closed setup the extra liquid nutrient solution is recycled and sent back to the system roots.

Revitalizing the liquid nutrient solution:

For open setup the water solution is used only once and discarded. In close setup water solution after once used is examined for ph and minerals, then refreshed, and returned to reservoir tank.

Neutering hydroponic medium:

Inert medium based hydroponic systems are inclined to pathogens attack so it is advised to sterilize the setup between each yield. It can either be done by steam sterilization or by chemical sterilization (using bleach).

Pest and disease control:

Integrated pest management (IPM) is the most eco friendly method for both commercial hydroponic systems and complete indoor hydroponic systems. It requires frequent checking and uses a range of managing techniques that varies from plant to plant. Certain thresholds are also set to identify pests and other factors.

What are 5 specific examples of plants that can grow in hydroponic systems?

Tomatoes

Tomatoes are one of the most highly grown vegetable hydroponically, whether you grow cherry or traditional ones both commercial and home grown produce yields best results. It takes about 6- weeks to harvest. Tomatoes require more light but it can easily be grown indoor (using grow light).

Lettuce

Lettuce is among the fastest and relatively easy growing hydroponic plants. It has a big market value as it is used in making fresh salad to a 5 star meal. Ideal ph required is 6-7 . It takes approximately 4 weeks to harvest.

Strawberries

Among fruits strawberries are the most sought after because of its countless use in recipes. You can enjoy fresh strawberries all-round the year hydroponically from comfort of your home. They take about 6 weeks to harvest.

Mint

Hydroponic farming is famous for its best growth results in all species of mint. Their roots spread rater quickly, and have overall faster growth time.

Beans

Growing beans is generally considered easy and requires low maintenance. It has a steady market demand and can be easy grown using hydroponic system. Ideal temperature requirement is warm with ph 6.5. It takes about 8 weeks to harvest.

If you want to read more about Hydroponics click here.

https://smartgardeninghub.com/thriving-in-water-the-world-of-hydroponics/

Thriving in Water: The World of Hydroponics

Leave a Comment / Hydroponics / By

Hydroponic systems have recently gained quite a lot of popularity as an effectivemethod for growing plants in nutrient-rich solutions. Hydroponic is simply the process of growing plants and vegetation without using soil as compared to traditional farming. The roots of hydroponic plants are directly supplied with water and nutrients instead of soil. Other than water solution they also need significant quantity of oxygen to facilitate growth, along with maintaining water’s PH level and temperature.

Hydroponics isn’t a new idea or technology, history of hydroponics go back to 600BC (Babylon times) where its hanging gardens were operated also proofs of hydroponic floating systems existed in early China and Mexico.

What is hydroponics define in simple words?

Hydroponics is a Greek word meaning ‘to labor in water’. As the name suggests it uses water rather than soil for agriculture. Using hydroponics to grow plants basically means submerging its roots in water mixed with mineral nutrients solution instead of growing it in soil.  Hydroponic farming requires less water than traditional farming methods.

What are the 6 requirements for Hydroponics systems?

Water 

Water is the chief element of hydroponic farming. PH of water should be balanced between 6-7 level. It can be adjusted using over the counter products.

Light 

Sunlight is the best answer for hydroponics farming as it provides full range of visible and non-visible light. Plants require at least 6 hours of sunlight contact every day. Southern exposure and greenhouses are capable of providing this amount of sunlight. If you are growing your hydroponic plants inside, the alternative is grow lights (ranging 4-6 K). Keep in mind that every plant has different light requirements along with placement of light (daily light integral, DLI) and its angle. Many option in artificial lights are available including florescent bulbs, LEDs and metal halide, which is the best choice among gardeners.

Nutrients   

Almost all the plants require these key nutrients. When you are growing them without soil these minerals are to be provided via water.

Nitrogen- Turns sunlight into energy, for leaf and stem growth.

Phosphorus- Key component of protein synthesis, for roots and builds tissues.

Potassium- Regulates CO2 intake, maintains water level.

Calcium- Helps in nutrient penetration, key part of cell wall creation.

Magnesium- Asists in photosynthesis, gives them their color.

Temperature  

To determine perfect water temperature we need plant oxygen usage and its metabolism rate. In most cases, temperature between 50-70 degrees works best for winter plants and 60-80 degrees for summer plants. Commercially hydroponic plants flourish in temperatures ranging from 59-86°F.

Oxygen     

Artificial supply of oxygen is required for ideal mineral intake. In traditional farming methods plants get oxygen form air pockets in soil while in hydroponics farming depending on your type of system you will have to adjust O2 supply, either in water reservoir or in plants base.

Root system 

In soilless plant system you will require certain support to hold your setup. Inert mediums such as rock wool, fiber, moss are typically used. Avoid using material such as gravel and sand as they don’t retain moisture.

What is hydroponics and its purpose?

Hydroponics is the future of farming. In traditional farming soil is the key component in providing nutrients, system support to its plants. For such systems health of plants depends a lot on quality of soil used, where you have to consider harm from diseases, pests, fertilizers, and natural calamities. However in hydroponic techniques you fully control your plant requirements. This regulation also safeguards from diseases, insecticides and chemicals. You control your plants intake, ensuring that it is pure and direct (free from chemicals). You will need to provide everything yourself. From strong nutrients to appropriate vitamins ensuring speedy and healthy growth.

Shopping Cart