Hydroponics supply is often included in controlled environment agriculture (CEA). Even though CEA utilizes liquid and artificial media, it is not necessarily hydroponics. Hydroponics is the practice of cultivating plants without soil. Non-soil methods of growing crops requires only basic skills and offers options for agriculture for starving nations.
Growing media are divided into natural and artificial. Natural media can be organic, rock or clay. Coir an organic media consists of ground coconut husks has perfect air to water ratio. Beware of lower grade coir as they contain too much natural salt. Perlite is used to increase air and lighten soil. Vermiculite holds an even amount of water and air. Pozzolanic lassenite is a type silica rich sedimentary rock composed of prehistoric diatoms.
Other products on the market include expanded baked clay, commercially sold as Hydroton has a stable pH. These beads permit free flowing air and water flow to the roots. Sterilization between use is necessary to kill ingrown bacteria and vegetative matter. Rock-wool is basalt and limestone that has been heated and spun like cotton candy. Polystyrene packing peanuts are also available. They may leech styrene into the watering solution where it is absorbed by the plants.
Delivery methods are divided by action and passive systems. Passive systems, or subirrigation dangle the roots into the water. Aquaponics act as a passive system creating a symbiotic environment. In this system, fish are used to fertilize the plants and the plants clean the effluent rich water for the fish. Crayfish, Murray cod, catfish are commonly used in aquaponic systems.
Aeroponics either continuously or intermittently mists the roots, thus qualifies as an active delivery system. No soil aggregate is used, the plants are root bare. The roots are misted with a nutrient rich solution and remain suspended with crown support. Watering may be timed or constant, as with an ebb and flow system, difference being growth media omitted.
There are as many growing solutions as solid media. One can purchase a pre-mix solution or prepare your own solution. A degree in chemistry isn't necessary to prepare a quality fertilizer. Factors to consider include mineral balance, pH, and salt content. Plant's growth and consumption also effect the chemistry of the solution. Other which factors affect the solution quality include media choice and age.
Though hydroponics has been used successfully for thousands of years, there are pros and cons. An obvious pro, is that it opens up avenues to grow food when the world's farm land is decreasing. Water conservation and reduced water consumption as the liquid is recycled. Even though nitrates are used, they are not released into ecosystem. Being a contained system, salmonella tends to grow, and damp-off is common depending on media used. Read more about: hydroponics supply
Growing media are divided into natural and artificial. Natural media can be organic, rock or clay. Coir an organic media consists of ground coconut husks has perfect air to water ratio. Beware of lower grade coir as they contain too much natural salt. Perlite is used to increase air and lighten soil. Vermiculite holds an even amount of water and air. Pozzolanic lassenite is a type silica rich sedimentary rock composed of prehistoric diatoms.
Other products on the market include expanded baked clay, commercially sold as Hydroton has a stable pH. These beads permit free flowing air and water flow to the roots. Sterilization between use is necessary to kill ingrown bacteria and vegetative matter. Rock-wool is basalt and limestone that has been heated and spun like cotton candy. Polystyrene packing peanuts are also available. They may leech styrene into the watering solution where it is absorbed by the plants.
Delivery methods are divided by action and passive systems. Passive systems, or subirrigation dangle the roots into the water. Aquaponics act as a passive system creating a symbiotic environment. In this system, fish are used to fertilize the plants and the plants clean the effluent rich water for the fish. Crayfish, Murray cod, catfish are commonly used in aquaponic systems.
Aeroponics either continuously or intermittently mists the roots, thus qualifies as an active delivery system. No soil aggregate is used, the plants are root bare. The roots are misted with a nutrient rich solution and remain suspended with crown support. Watering may be timed or constant, as with an ebb and flow system, difference being growth media omitted.
There are as many growing solutions as solid media. One can purchase a pre-mix solution or prepare your own solution. A degree in chemistry isn't necessary to prepare a quality fertilizer. Factors to consider include mineral balance, pH, and salt content. Plant's growth and consumption also effect the chemistry of the solution. Other which factors affect the solution quality include media choice and age.
Though hydroponics has been used successfully for thousands of years, there are pros and cons. An obvious pro, is that it opens up avenues to grow food when the world's farm land is decreasing. Water conservation and reduced water consumption as the liquid is recycled. Even though nitrates are used, they are not released into ecosystem. Being a contained system, salmonella tends to grow, and damp-off is common depending on media used. Read more about: hydroponics supply
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