Hydroponics Equipments
Building a Greenhouse with Hydroponic Equipments
0
Like any other structure, building a greenhouse or any other hydroponic equipments or system requires detailed planning and estimation in terms of space available, desired outcome and cost. Greenhouse like other hydroponic equipments is to be built in such a way that it provides proper environment for growing plants. By taking following points in to consideration, you can plan your greenhouse
Location:
Location of greenhouse should be such that it gets maximum sunlight (ideally south or southeast side). If plants get enough morning sunlight, their food production process is stimulated early. Other than availability of sunlight, you have to make sure that your greenhouse site has proper drainage system. Rainwater and irrigation water should never get accumulated in the greenhouse. Also, greenhouse should be located near the storage room and workplace for potting plants so that it is easily accessible to workers.
Structural Details:
While planning to build these hydroponic equipments, structural details like frames and roof/ coverings have chosen based on your budget, the plants you want to grow, space available, and environmental conditions.
Frames:
Depending on engineering requirements of your greenhouse, you can go for simple or complex structured frames. There are a variety of frames available like rigid frame which has vertical sidewalls and rafters, does not have to support the roof. This structure allows maximum interior space and air circulation. Another type of frame is Quonset which is made of electrical conduit or galvanized steel pipe frame. It has low height sidewall, which restricts storage space and headroom. For simple constructions, you can go for post and rafter type of frame which is designed with wood, has strong sidewalls posts and deep post embedment which withstand outward rafter forces and wind pressures.
Roof/ Coverings:
Glass roof: One of the most traditional rooftop used for greenhouses, it provides maximum sunlight, is easy on your wallet, and requires very less maintenance. Tempered glass is used to cover greenhouse as it is stronger.
Plastic coverings: Plastic coverings are used frequently by many farmers as they are inexpensive and can be replaced easily from time to time. Plastic films are made of co-polymers, polyvinyl chloride (PVC) or polyethylene (PE).
Fiberglass: It is strong, lightweight, and can last for 10-15 years. A good grade fiberglass increases light penetration and gives as good result as glass.
Air Circulation and Ventilation:
Plants require proper air supply to grow healthily. A well ventilated greenhouse should be built to exchange of inside air for outside air to control temperature, remove moisture, or replenish carbon dioxide (CO2). Using hydroponic equipments like mechanical ventilation and exhaust fans are used in greenhouses effectively. Ventilation requirements vary with the weather and season. You should decide your needs based on the time period for which the greenhouse will be used.
Along with taking in consideration, all the mentioned points, remember that you should do proper research of each and every product (eg. taps, pipelines, quality of wood or metal used in frames etc) while building this hydroponic equipments. With an eye towards precision and proper planning, you can build a greenhouse which will help you grow healthy and blossoming plants at minimal cost.
Try Hydroponics Farming For Optimal Yields
0
The agriculture industry is ever evolving with new inventions and technologies to grow plants more efficiently. Increased urbanization has led to scarcity of arable land. In such scenario, growing plants with a technique that can sustain changing weather conditions, and give maximum yield in lesser space is a must. Hydroponics farming is one such technique which will meet the aforementioned criteria. It is a method of growing plants using nutrient solutions, in water, without soil.
History of hydroponics farming:
In the 18th century, researchers discovered that plants absorb essential mineral nutrients as inorganic ions in water. They realized that soil is mere supporter and carrier of nutrients but is definitely not an essential factor in plant growth. The same nutrients when dissolved in water can be efficiently taken in by the plants. This led to the invention of a technique called Deep Water Culture hydroponics. However, surprisingly, the very earliest published work on growing terrestrial plants without soil was the 1627 book, Sylva Sylvarum by Francis Bacon, printed a year after his death. Water culture became a popular research technique after that.
Hydroponic Systems:
Hydroponic farming can be performed with the help of various hydroponic systems. Each system has its own principle, mechanism, set of nutrient media, and lighting system. The most famous hydroponic systems are Ebb and Flow, Nutrient Film Technique (NFT), Drip Irrigation, Wick System, and Aeroponics.
Ebb and Flow system involves temporarily flooding the grow tray with nutrient solution and then draining it back in to the reservoir. In case of NFT, nutrient solution is pumped through growing tray or growing tube and it flows over the roots of the plants. Drip irrigation follows mechanism of using timer controlled submersed pump to flow nutrient solution and water into the container. Wick system, as the name suggests, uses capillary action of cotton or nylon wicks to provide nutrients to plant roots. In case of aeroponics, too the primary growth medium is air. The roots hang in the air and are misted with nutrient solution.
Advantages of Hydroponic Farming:
- With hydroponic farming, plants can be grown anywhere.
- Hydroponic systems can be monitored by you completely and so you get a better control over plant growth.
- It is a space saving, less time consuming method and automated systems require much less labor work than that of the traditional farming methods.
- The chance of soil-borne disease is largely reduced with hydroponics as it is a soil-less culture system, thus the need to fumigate is much less.
Disadvantages of hydroponic Farming:
- Starting cost to set up a hydroponic system is quite high.
- Sound technological knowledge and professional guidance is needed to perform hydroponics farming successfully.
- Systems like NFT, Drip irrigation and Aeroponics are dependent on electric supply and power breakdown can cease working of the entire system. This can put plants’ health and lives in jeopardy.
Hydroponic Bubbler for Your Hydroponics Garden
0
Traditionally growers have germinated seeds and cuttings in a jar. That was hydroponics in its simplest form! Hydroponics is not only fun for people but, in some regions of the world, the only way of fulfilling their gardening desires. Indoor hydroponic growing not only provides the plants with all the nutrients required for growth but also shields them from extreme climatic conditions. Roots are generally very dense in hydroponics and well-developed roots translate to healthy plants. You can use a hydroponic bubbler for directly feeding your plants’ roots the things they require most like water, nutrients, and oxygen, that too effectively. Many average gardeners, who often use more low-tech methods of hydroponic gardening and plant propagation, have used simple hydroponic bubbler system to aerate the nutrient solution. When plants get what they want, you get the best out of your plants year round, flowering and fruiting longer than if they were growing on soil outside.
Hydroponic bubblers are used in water culture system wherein the plants are placed directly above aerated nutrient solution. However, one bubbler system is distinct from the other depending upon the nature of water culture employed; the basic concept remains the same. Economical hydroponic bubblers are very simple to construct and easy to use. It makes use of plastic net cups, air tubes, buckets and lids that you can find at any nearby store. You would also need some air stones or an ordinary aquarium aerator pump. Apart from these, you would require growing media like rockwool or perlite.
First, cut a hole at the centre of the lid of a bucket according to the size of your grow container making sure the net pot should fit comfortably. This is done so that the roots can easily draw water through the holes. Now place the aquarium pump at the bottom of the bucket, which acts as a reservoir, and adjust the water pump rate. Tape some air tubes to the sidewalls and let it reach to the top of your bucket. Carefully set your plants into your net pot filling it with grow medium and then shift it to the cut holes in lids. Fill the reservoir with water and organic nutrients according to the mentioned directions and place this whole system where plants can receive appropriate light.
With these hydroponic bubblers, you can grow all different types of plants in your hydroponic system, from flowers to cucumbers to strawberries. You would need some elementary supplies, little time, and loads of enthusiasm for creating your own beautiful hydroponics garden.
Best Hydroponic Equipments for Your Plants
0
There are three main types of hydroponic lights: Incandescent, fluorescent, and high-intensity discharge (HID). Incandescent lights are not usually preferred by growers. They are found to be inefficient and have poor and limited spectrum range. HID grow lights, on the other hand, provide more light and are more efficient. But the downside of HID grow lights is that they produce more heat. They are more expensive and require high end digital ballasts to operate them. Hydroponic equipments which require more investment are generally not favorites amongst growers.
Greenhouses and solar rooms make use of natural sunlight to provide light to the plants. Having an open window in the grow room can help with this. However, some of the aeroponic plants require no contact with outer atmosphere and in such cases using artificial light source is a better idea.
Remember that generally 1000W will adequately penetrate about 16-25 square feet of plant area. Using hydroponic equipments like a reflector/ light mover can work wonders for indoor lighting. If you are looking for a smaller garden and a cheaper option for lighting, you can go for compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFL bulbs). Although they don’t produce much stronger light, they are useful for hobbyists and small scale growers.
All the hydroponics systems require maintenance and care. See to it that your glowing light bulb doesn’t come in contact with water or it will blast. Also, take care that your ballast regulates electric current properly or else if the bulb is ‘slammed’ with too much power at once, it will lead to short- circuit. Remember that light is one of the most important factor in plant growth and choosing the right light source for your indoor garden will work wonders!
What Hydroponic Equipments is Best for Your Plants?
0
Indoor gardening cannot depend on sun as a source of light. Plants depend upon artificial light source. Light bulbs, like any other hydroponic equipments require certain research and study before purchase.
There are three main types of hydroponic lights: Incandescent, fluorescent, and high-intensity discharge (HID). Incandescent lights are not usually preferred by growers. They are found to be inefficient and have poor and limited spectrum range. HID grow lights, on the other hand, provide more light and are more efficient. But the downside of HID grow lights is that they produce more heat. They are more expensive and require high end digital ballasts to operate them. Hydroponic equipments which require more investment are generally not favorites amongst growers.
Greenhouses and solar rooms make use of natural sunlight to provide light to the plants. Having an open window in the grow room can help with this. However, some of the aeroponic plants require no contact with outer atmosphere and in such cases using artificial light source is a better idea.
Remember that generally 1000W will adequately penetrate about 16-25 square feet of plant area. Using hydroponic equipments like a reflector/ light mover can work wonders for indoor lighting. If you are looking for a smaller garden and a cheaper option for lighting, you can go for compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFL bulbs). Although they don’t produce much stronger light, they are useful for hobbyists and small scale growers.
All the hydroponic systems require maintenance and care. See to it that your glowing light bulb doesn’t come in contact with water or it will blast. Also, take care that your ballast regulates electric current properly or else if the bulb is ‘slammed’ with too much power at once, it will lead to short- circuit. Remember that light is one of the most important factor in plant growth and choosing the right light source for your indoor garden will work wonders!
Grow Your Small Garden With Square Foot Gardening
0
Square Foot Gardening
In today’s world where space is an equivalent of luxury, farmers and growers are adopting to alternative methods of farming like vertical farming or hydroponics which require less space. Another such successful method is square foot gardening. This method makes practicing general hydroponics easy. It is the practice of planning small but intensively planted gardens. It is a combination of principles of organic farming and stresses on the use products which are biological in origin.
Basic method involves using hydroponic equipment: open-bottomed box to contain a finite amount of soil and divide it with a grid into sections. Each section is to be planted with different variety of crops. Benefit of using smaller beds is that they can be easily adapted and it is easy for the gardener to reach entire area. Use of ‘weed barrier’ beneath the box is also advisable. In a more advanced method, garden space is divided into beds that can be accessed from all the sides. Each bed is again sub-divided into grids that are approximately one square foot units. Each unit is to be marked with sturdy slates so that they can visible even when the plants grow. Different seeds are planted in each square. Plants like radish, spinach, lettuce, carrots and onions grow very well in this kind of method.
To weed and water the beds, side pathways are used so to avoid stepping on garden soil or crushing any plants. Bio-fertilizers and composts are used to promote healthy and full-fledged growth of the plants. This gardening method has been implied successfully in many places including deserts and mountains. It is a perfect method for the cramped urbanized areas.
There are many benefits of square foot gardening:
Less labor work: Traditional gardening methods requires heavy tools are required to loosen up the soil, hard physical work is done to dig planting spaces etc. In square foot gardening however, much less work is involved. Soil is never compacted, it remains lose and loamy. There is no need of using any expensive hydroponic equipments. Weeding doesn’t take much effort or time because soil is light, beds are raised and plants can be easily accessed.
Saving water: In square foot gardening method soil mixtures which are used have high water-holding capacity. Because of the porous nature of soil, capillary action increases and water can reach the roots of plants very fast. So even small quantity of water can work wonders and this will help you save a lot of water.
No need of pesticides/herbicides: This method allows efficient use of natural insect repellant methods. You can do companion planting of marigolds with your plants and this will eradicate insects and pests. Having a densely varied population of different plants in small area is proven to be very effective in curbing plant diseases.
So now you no more have to worry about lack of space or intense labor work to grow blooming plants in your garden. Your own small and flourished garden can be grown using with the help of square foot gardening.
Usage of Hydroponic Chambers and Tents
0
Hydroponic Chambers and Tents
The hydroponic growers all around the world are looking for high-end, technologically superior and yet economical hydroponic supplies for their gardens. The most primary benefit of using hydroponic systems is of course no need of soil and use of less space. Growers who are planning to upgrade their hydroponics systems to get bigger harvests in lesser space and time are opting for grow chambers and tents.
Grow chambers and tents require low maintenance and they are easily portable. The latest hydroponic chambers are quick set-up, guarantee more security and have advanced technological features. Usage of hydroponic chambers and tents is cheaper in comparison to that of grow rooms. The chambers are designed to meet lighting and ventilation needs. When combined with other hydroponic garden supplies, the grow chambers guarantee larger yield.
Usage of any hydroponic system usually requires some expert guidance. Same is the case with grow chambers and tents. However, most of the chambers come with an instruction manual which one can refer to. Latest grow chambers are turn-key systems and have password protected timer controls for all the functions. Once the mother cutting is planted, water needs to be changed only once in a week. Usually nutrients are available with the grow chamber itself and if not, nutrients like Micro, Bloom etc can be used. In an ideal grow chamber it takes around 10-12 weeks from cuttings to grow in to a fully mature adult plant.
Hydroponic chambers are considered as a boon for growers with less space. However, like in the case of all other hydroponic gardening supplies, one needs to do extensive research before buying a hydroponic chamber/tent. If the chamber is well-manufactured, it will have problems like leakage of light, noisy fans, defective ballasts or pumps, inferior nutrients provided with some units and amateurish stealth features.
While using any hydroponic system, it is prudent to follow safety measures. In case of hydroponic chambers/tents electric safety is important. Using hydroponic gardening supplies like LED grow lights, nutrients media and organic fertilizers, one can create mini greenhouse inside the grow chamber/tent.
You can grow variety of plants like tomatoes, pepper, lettuce etc and also ornamental flowering plants like orchids and sunflowers (use floor standing models of tents) inside the hydroponic chambers and tents.
How to Build a Garden Shed?
0
Garden Shed
Garden sheds have their own inherent benefits which most gardeners can’t deny. These sheds are useful structures to keep garden tools and accessories. The cost of putting up a shed varies and the biggest hurdle for the gardener is to find a contractor who can set up the shed at minimal cost. The other option is to construct it yourself.
Here is a step by step instruction to constructing your own shed.
- Collect necessary items. The list of items include : Drill, Hammer, Concrete, Shed Kit, Insulation Materials, Shovel, Wood Preservative.
- Finalize the location where you want to put up the shed. Level the land and prepare the area for setting up the shed.
- Next, utilize wooden boards or construct a concrete base at the requisite location where you intend to set up your garden.
- It is critically important that you follow the maker’s directions exactly in putting up the shed. The various pieces will contain pre-drilled holes for the consumer’s convenience and ease of use. Utilize these holes in order to screw the shed together.
- To effectively protect the interior of the shed from mildew and leaks, properly seal and insulate the windows utilizing mastic for sealing frames. This will prevent water from seeping into the window edges. It is extremely important to meticulously seal the shed or else any leakage can damage the items stored inside by infesting the place with mold and mildew.
- Some of the recommended items that can be utilized for sealing the shed are fiber glass. This material will safe guard your important machinery and any sensitive chemicals and nutrients from extreme temperature changes inside the shed.
- Any electrical cables that you have run to provide lighting, power, or air conditioning must be properly buried beneath the ground.
- Also ensure that you treat the wood used in construction with a good preservative in order to prevent rotting. This needs to be done at regular interval or else the treatment will cease to be effective.
Basic Aquaponics Systems
1
Aquaponics Systems
If you are the type of grower who’s constantly searching for something that is informative, then you should read this article about “aquaponics”. Aquaponics is essentially a type of hydroponics and it acts as a great controlling measure to protect the environment from the harmful effects of a few substances which pollute the environment. It’s principally a perfect combination of aquaculture and hydroponics.
Ideally, aquaponics consists of two main things – fish culture and hydroponics, i.e. planting without soil in water as a medium. These two aspects of aquaponics complement each other to work efficiently. If planned properly with good equipment and proper knowledge then aquaponics can surely give you good yield. As this method is on similar principles as hydroponics, you do not use soil.
Here are a few simple steps to set a basic aquaponics system:
- Basic tools: Gather all the basic things needed to construct your aquaponics system. You require filter, tank, gravel, pump, water and plants.
- Tank: If you know how to set up a simple aquarium then half of your work is done, because aquaponics is similar to setting up an aquarium. Fix the filter with the tank and connect with the tube. Your level of water will depend on the size of the fish; that should be 1 gallon of water per inch of fish.
- Grow beds: To allow easy drainage of water, ensure that you create small holes at the bottom of the grow bed and a hole at the back to insert the tube. Now slowly add gravels. But, it’s very important to wash all the tools properly before use.
- Pump: Immerse a submersible pump into the tank and then connect the tubes – one tube that takes water from the tank to the grow beds and the other vice versa.
- Water: Fill the tank with water and switch on the pump to see if water is pushed into the grow beds. To get enough oxygen ensure that the air pump releases bubbles. Let the tank clear all the chlorine and then add fish into your tank. It’s advisable to check the pH level regularly for the survival of fish and plants.
- Growing plants: Mostly the system takes four weeks to create a good growing environment for the plants.
The fish waste serves as food for plants while plants generate oxygen for the fish to survive and breathe. With this symbiotic process you can create a healthy growing atmosphere for fishes as well as the plants!
Aerogarden a New Level to Hydroponics Home Gardening
7
Aerogarden
If you want to try out something that is convenient and something that would help you grow healthy lettuce, herbs, tomatoes and many more plants, then you should consider having a small aerogarden. In your aerogarden you can grow any variety of plant at any time of the year. You don’t have to worry about weeds, dirt, bugs or any chaos. Aerogarden is becoming a popular hydroponic garden. This type of hydroponics system is easy going and inexpensive for growers of any level.
With the help of aeroponic technology and proper built-in lighting you can easily have your own completely automated indoor garden. Therefore, unlike hydroponics, in aerogarden you don’t have to worry about adjusting the pH level or conductivity. The plants grown in your aerogarden are healthier and better compared to soil gardening. The plants in this garden grow in an environment that has consistently 100% humidity and is oxygen-rich. There are many aeroponic pods available on the market with different color and combination’s in which you can grow plants.
The aerogarden works best with aeroponics. It’s basically a technology where plant roots are allowed to hang in the air. These roots are timely drizzled with nutrients and water to give plants a perfect growing atmosphere. Aerogarden is the result of appropriate amount of light, air, nutrients and water needed by the plants for healthy growing. The final outcome is much better than the expectation; the growth is twice faster than the soil or dirt gardening. The fruits and vegetables grown are full-sized and juicy.
There are space-saver aerogarden pods that can fit well in a small kitchen or room. There is a huge variety of hydroponics equipment you can purchase to make your garden lot more meaningful and fun. There are also seed kits that are customized specifically for aerogarden. You can also design your own seed kit to create rare species of herbs, flowers or salad greens.
You can now add life and nature anywhere in the house with the help of aerogarden because it needs very limited space. Your office or a small cubical desk can also have an aerogarden to get that fresh look. All you have to do is, just add two nutrient tablets and fill water whenever the level is low and sit back and enjoy while your plants grow. Now, have your own aromatic herb garden.
