Home Improvement

The use of organic plant nutrients instead of the man-made chemicals in the hydroponic garden eases the work of a gardener. The matter is that the absence of synthetic chemicals eliminates the problem of ppm amount and pH balance of the water. If there is no need to calibrate nutrients, to check pH level of the water, and calculate fertilizer’s amount, a beginner of the hydroponic gardening will certainly make no mistakes, which means many problems may never occur.

A dual root growing system is made by special composition of the medium in the container: the upper part of the medium is soil or soil substitute, and organic nutrients can be supplied directly to this upper part; the lower half of the medium is some porous material, which retains water, but to which no nutrients are supplied. 

Making an organic hydroponics system, a gardener may use a standard hydroponic grow container, though a coir fiber container will suit too. The preferred material to place at the bottom of the box is lava rock, which perfectly keeps water. Lava rock is then covered with a thin layer of loose rockwool or coir fiber to divide both medium layers and prevent them from mixing together. The upper half of the container should be filled with a mixture of 1/3 potting soil, 1/3 coarse grade horticulture perlite, and 1/3 large-sized horticulture vermiculite. Such arrangement ensures the upper capillary action of water and protects the bottom of the grow bed from the occasional mixing with any organic particles. 

Using a standard plastic hydroponic grow container one should place a plastic screen lining inside the grow bed, fitting it well at the bottom and on the walls of the container up to their top, also with the aim to protect the water from the small particles in the medium mixture. It is also possible to use a hydroponic container with tiny holes.

One more excellent choice for the use of organic gardening methods in hydroponics system is coir fiber containers. The filling is the same as described above with the thin layer of loose or strand coir fiber between the two types of medium. 

Such box is then set in the grow bed. Note that the level of the pumped water should be a bit lower than the soil mixture. The secondary root system will be submerged into the water along with lava rock and promote the capillary water flow up into the soil. The lower half of the medium may be watered on a regular hydroponic basis, while the upper one can be moistened just once a day. 

This system allows a gardener to supply nutrients right to the upper part of the medium, where they are vitally vital. At the same time, the whole medium structure will be perfectly moistened by the pumped water and the plants will also have constant supply of oxygen and CO2, drawn into their root systems. Finally, proper amount of CO2 will improve the absorption of nutrients by the upper parts of the roots. 

Soil less Mixtures

There is a fantastic amount of soil less mixtures available, which contain different ingredients. Sphagnum moss, perlite, and vermiculite are the most widely spread hydroponics components, used in such mixtures.

Being organic, soil less growing media are usually used for container gardening wick systems or on-recovery drip systems. It is also possible to use soil less mixtures in recovery systems, but, it is necessary to remember that because of very fine particles in such mixtures, they can clog tubes, pumps and drip emitters, when used without a excellent filtration system. By the way, according to the urban gardeners, one can use panty hose as a filter: just fit it to the return line and to the pump inlet, and all the tiny particles will be filtered out.

Most soil less mixes form a excellent growing medium for multiple hydroponic and organic gardens, because they can hold water well, have fantastic wicking action, and, at the same time, they provide a reasonable amount of air to the roots of growing plants.

Coconut Fiber

The popularity of coconut fiber as growing medium increases rapidly around the world. Being the first really organic growing medium, providing highest performance for hydroponic systems, coconut fiber may soon become the most well loved growing medium ever. It is fascinating to note that coconut fiber is, really, a waste product, which contains the powdered husks of coconuts.

In comparison to rockwool, coconut fiber is characterized with higher oxygen capacity and water retaining. These features are vital advantages for hydroponic systems with intermittent watering cycles.

Coconut fiber also contains a lot of root stimulating hormones, thus offering some protection against fungus infestation and other root diseases. The mixture of 50% coconut fiber and 50% expanded clay pellets is considered to be the perfect growing medium.

But, it is necessary to underline one precaution when buying coconut fiber. Avoid purchasing a low grade coconut fiber, which is very fine grained and contains a high level of sea-salts. Such coconut fiber will have negative and disappointing effect on hydroponic system.

The most widely-spread growing medium is, perhaps, rockwool. Originally used for insulation purposes and also known as mineral insulation, rockwool was first used as growing medium by Dane gardeners. Now, it is frequently used for drip-style indoor gardens around the globe.

Rockwool is produced by a process similar to making cotton candy: a particular mixture of sand and rock is melted and then turned into fibers by spinning the mixture to form products of multiple shapes and dimensions, from 1″ starter cubes and up to large slabs of  3″x12″x36″ in size. The variety of available forms and sizes turns rockwool into one of the most widely-used growing mediums.

Key advantages, as well as disadvantages, of this well loved growing medium are listed below.

Rockwool’s Strong Points

HOLDING WATeR – rockwool as a growing medium in hydroponics systems is capable of holding a large amount of water. This makes an additional protection for situations, when water is not supplied because of power outages or failures in pumping or other gardening equipment.

ACCUMULATING AIR – up to 18 % of air are constantly kept by rockwool. Due to this capability, there is a very small risk to over water rockwool; besides, the plants are always supplied with enough amount of oxygen.

MULTIPLE SHAPES AND SIZES AVAILABLE – whether it is a small 1″ cube for seeds propagation or a large 3x12x36 inches slab for huge plant, rockwool offers a wide variety of shapes and sizes to choose from. Besides, loose rockwool is also available, designed for filling different plant containers.

NO DUST AND EASY TO USE – since rockwool maintains its form nearly perfectly, it cannot be scattered accidentally. Besides, usually packed into plastic rockwool is a very clean material that is easy and comfortable to work with.

Rockwool’s Weak Points

NOT A “GREEN” MATERIAL – rockwool is claimed to be not environment-friendly material, because of its nearly indefinite time of breakdown.

HEALTH HAZARDS – rockwool particles and fibers pose serious health danger, especially for human lungs. That is why it is necessary to wear a protective dust mask, while working with rockwoll.

pH PROBLEMS – because of rockwool’s high pH level, it is necessary to balance pH level in the nutrient solution properly and make it suitable for the plants, you are growing. In general, the use of rockwool requires more routine work to keep pH level of your nutrient solution at steady level.

LONG PRE-SOAK PERIOD – before rockwool can be used in the hydroponic system, it should be soaked for at least 24 hours beforehand. Other growing media usually do not require pre-soaking, it is enough just to well-water them.

These are the materials that mimic the soil in everyday gardens. It serves as a support system for your hydroponic indoor garden. They function mainly for anchoring the roots and a reservoir for water and nutrient solutions. Special attention is also placed on aeration or proper plant respiration and drainage. A balance must be kept between keeping the plant nourished and over saturating the roots.

 Types of Growing Mediums

 Choice of a specific growing medium mainly depends on the type of growing system to be used. Certain systems have no mediums used because plant growth is best when roots are suspended in air or water. Improvement made with newer growing medium mixtures has been introduced for optimum plant growth in certain systems. Ideally, an equal mixture of water and air is advised making it available for the roots to utilize at all times. Water by gravity always moves downward through coarse mediums only to be deposited in the bottom of the container. This is eliminated with the use of a hydroponic system as water is constantly circulated in the system. The only system that this would not work would be the Ebb and Flow Systems.

 Clay Pebbles

Recyclables, it can be constantly reused indefinitely reducing upkeep costs for your indoor garden. Size of the pot is one limiting factor as they do not possess excellent nutrient lifting ability, but effectiveness is enhanced in smaller pots and containers. Another advantage would be their neutral pH and they don’t retain nutrients. Ventilation and aeration are also maximized because of the spaces made between pebbles.

Clay pebbles are usually used together with net pots in drain and flood indoor hydroponic gardening systems. Water flow in roots is enhanced by their natural shapes and spaces hey make between them, therefore maximizing the absorption of nutrients. When using the Drip irrigation hydroponic system, use absorbent mediums to provide better retention and nutrient circulation.

 Coconut Fiber

Shredded husks of coconuts as a growing medium has also been growing in popularity. Packaged in a variety of ways like blocks, pellets, cubes and shredded fiber it can be a excellent substitute for any type of growing medium. It is also commonly mixed with other growing media such as perlite or rockwool.

 Why Use Coconut Fiber as a Growing Medium?

 Coconut fiber is really a waste product; its ability to be used for other useful means takes a fantastic step towards recycling and environmental awareness. It is the first really organic medium which could be utilized for indoor hydroponic gardening. It is superior to rockwool in water handling ability and oxygen capacity. Coconut fibers also possess root stimulating hormones and prevent root disease and fungus infection. In its natural state, coconut fibers provide a excellent and rich medium for the coconut when it lands in the ground.      

Special attention should be given as to the quality of the coconut fiber to be bought. Low grade quality is not well suited for gardening as they contain high sea salt content and fine grain texture. 

Perlite

Originally used as an additive to aide aeration and improve soil drainage, it has become one of the well loved hydroponic growing mediums. Commonly used with a 50/50 mix with vermiculite, it is derived from volcanic glass with holes throughout produced by exposing it to high temperatures made by water bubbles.

 Advantages of Growing with Perlite

 Inexpensive and readily available is one of the causes of its popularity. Used in wick type hydroponic systems because of its aerate nature thereby giving a excellent wicking action.

 Disadvantages of Growing with Perlite

 Health hazards come with the use of perlite when inhaled, a mask is suggested when working with perlite as a growing medium. A high degree of care and maintenance is also required. Water retention is one of its weakness therefore constant watering is required.

 Vermiculite

Used in conjunction with another growing medium compliments the qualities of the other. A well loved and common mix is that with perlite. In a 50/50 mix vermiculites property which is water retention (200 – 300% of its weight in water) complements perlites very porous quality and a balance is achieved.

 Dangers of Using Vermiculite

 Vermiculite can be a health hazard if not handled properly. Due to its nature of containing small amounts of asbestos, it can be very perilous when inhaled. It easily dries on an individuals fingers when touched even when wet. It is not also practical to reuse because of the rinsing and drying required. Water retention is also a problem, because of its high water retention if not used in pair with another growing medium, root hurt is likely and plant death are the result.

 Rockwool

Rockwool specifically made for indoor hydroponic gardening systems. It has remained as one of the well loved growing mediums. Transplanting plants when grow too huge from their previous containers is also eliminated. When this happens the existing cube with the plant is merely placed on top of a larger cube and the roots would grow through both cubes. Water retention qualities of rockwool is 10 times greater that of water. Its porous nature makes it virtually impossible to over water. Recyclable, it can be used for the next crop by merely rinsing, making it economical and environment friendly.

 Disadvantages of rockwool

 A natural pH found in rockwool is one of its disadvantages, pre-treatment is required before it is used as a growing medium. Methods of lowering its alkaline content includes mixing it with a solution of pH down, trace mineral solutions and a 24 hour fish emulsion and is then rinsed thoroughly. Gloves should be used when handling rockwool because of skin irritation but is not when rockwool is wet.

The use of organic plant nutrients instead of the man-made chemicals in the hydroponic garden eases the work of a gardener. The matter is that the absence of synthetic chemicals eliminates the problem of ppm amount and pH balance of the water. If there is no need to calibrate nutrients, to check pH level of the water, and calculate fertilizer’s amount, a beginner of the hydroponic gardening will certainly make no mistakes, which means many problems may never occur.

A dual root growing system is made by special composition of the medium in the container: the upper part of the medium is soil or soil substitute, and organic nutrients can be supplied directly to this upper part; the lower half of the medium is some porous material, which retains water, but to which no nutrients are supplied. 

Making an organic hydroponics system, a gardener may use a standard hydroponic grow container, though a coir fiber container will suit too. The preferred material to place at the bottom of the box is lava rock, which perfectly keeps water. Lava rock is then covered with a thin layer of loose rockwool or coir fiber to divide both medium layers and prevent them from mixing together. The upper half of the container should be filled with a mixture of 1/3 potting soil, 1/3 coarse grade horticulture perlite, and 1/3 large-sized horticulture vermiculite. Such arrangement ensures the upper capillary action of water and protects the bottom of the grow bed from the occasional mixing with any organic particles. 

Using a standard plastic hydroponic grow container one should place a plastic screen lining inside the grow bed, fitting it well at the bottom and on the walls of the container up to their top, also with the aim to protect the water from the small particles in the medium mixture. It is also possible to use a hydroponic container with tiny holes.

One more excellent choice for the use of organic gardening methods in hydroponics system is coir fiber containers. The filling is the same as described above with the thin layer of loose or strand coir fiber between the two types of medium. 

Such box is then set in the grow bed. Note that the level of the pumped water should be a bit lower than the soil mixture. The secondary root system will be submerged into the water along with lava rock and promote the capillary water flow up into the soil. The lower half of the medium may be watered on a regular hydroponic basis, while the upper one can be moistened just once a day. 

This system allows a gardener to supply nutrients right to the upper part of the medium, where they are vitally vital. At the same time, the whole medium structure will be perfectly moistened by the pumped water and the plants will also have constant supply of oxygen and CO2, drawn into their root systems. Finally, proper amount of CO2 will improve the absorption of nutrients by the upper parts of the roots.