Hydroponics/Soilless Culture

Actually, hydroponics is merely one sort of soilless culture. It refers to a way during which plant roots are suspended in either a static, continuously aerated nutrient solution or endless flow or mist of nutrient solution. The growing of plants in an inorganic substance (such as sand, gravel, Perlite, Rockwool) or in an organic material (such as sphagnum, pine bark, or coconut fiber) and periodically watered with a nutrient solution should be mentioned as soilless culture but not necessarily hydroponic. Some may argue with these definitions, because the common conception of hydroponics is that plants are grown without soil, with 16 of the 19 required essential elements provided by means of a nutrient solution that periodically bathes the roots.

Most of the books on hydroponic/soilless culture specialize in the overall culture of plants and therefore the design of the growing system, giving only sketchy details on the rooting bed design and therefore the composition and management of the nutrient solution. Although the methods of solution delivery and plant support media may vary considerably among hydroponic/soilless systems, most have proven to be workable, leading to reasonably good plant growth. However, there's a big difference between a “working system” and one that's commercially viable. Unfortunately, many workable soilless culture systems aren't commercially sound. Most books on hydroponics would lead one to believe that hydroponic/soilless culture methods for plant growing are relatively freed from problems since the rooting media and provide of nutrient elements are often controlled. “Hydroponic culture is an inherently attractive, often oversimplified technology, which is way easier to market than to sustain.

Unfortunately, failures far outnumber the successes, thanks to management inexperience or lack of scientific and engineering support.” Experience has shown that hydroponic/soilless growing requires careful attention to details and good growing skills. Most hydroponic/soilless growing systems aren't easy to manage by the inexperienced and unskilled. Soil growing is more forgiving of errors made by the grower than are most hydroponic/soilless growing systems, particularly people who are purely hydroponic.

Advantages

a. Crops are often grown where no suitable soil exists or where the soil is contaminated with disease.

b. Labor for tilling, cultivating, fumigating, watering, and other traditional practices is essentially eliminated.

c. Maximum yields are possible, making the system economically feasible in high-density and expensive land areas.

d. Conservation of water and nutrients may be a feature of all systems. this will cause a discount in pollution of land and streams because valuable chemicals needn't be lost.

e. Soil-borne plant diseases are more readily eradicated in closed systems, which may be totally flooded with an eradicant.

f. More complete control of the environment is usually a feature of the system (i.e., root environment, timely nutrient feeding or irrigation), and in greenhouse-type operations, the light, temperature, humidity and composition of the air are often manipulated.

g. Water carrying high soluble salts could also be used if through with extreme care. If the soluble salt concentrations within the water system are over 500 ppm, an open system of hydroponics could also be used if care is given to frequent leaching of the growing medium to scale back the salt accumulations.

h. The amateur horticulturist can adapt a hydroponic system to home and patio-type gardens, even in high-rise buildings. A hydroponic system are often clean, lightweight, and mechanized.

Disadvantages

a. the first construction cost per acre is great.

b. Trained personnel must direct the growing operation. Knowledge of how plants grow and of the principles of nutrition is vital .

c. Introduced soil-borne diseases and nematodes could also be spread quickly to all or any beds on an equivalent nutrient tank of a closed system.

d. Most available plant varieties adapted to controlled growing conditions would require research and development.

e. The reaction of the plant to good or poor nutrition is unbelievably fast. The grower must observe the plants a day

CONTROLLED ENVIRONMENT AGRICULTURE AND HYDROPONICS

CONTROLLED ENVIRONMENT AGRICULTURE AND HYDROPONICS

CONTROLLED ENVIRONMENT AGRICULTURE- Also “Protected Agriculture”. Control of each the foundation region and aerial environmental factors (temperature, humidity, composition consisting of carbon dioxide across the leaves for photosynthesis and oxygen round roots and shoots for respiration, light, water, developing medium, and mineral vitamins) commonly in a greenhouse or definitely enclosed structure.

HYDROPONICS. A generation for developing flora (with out soil) the use of a entire nutrient solution (water + mineral nutrients) without or with using an combination medium (e.g. sand, gravel, perlite, rockwool, etc.) to offer mechanical aid for the roots.

THE PAST: Several hundred years B.C. – The Babylonians had placing water way of life gardens taken into consideration one of the seven wonders of the historic world. Several hundred years B.C. – Egyptian hieroglyphs inform of the humans developing flora in water way of life. Theophrastus (372-287 B.C.) – A Greek philosopher, executed experiments in crop vitamins.

During the first century A.D. – cucumbers have been grown low season for the Roman Emperor Tiberius the use of a “obvious rock” (probably mica) protected structure (first known use of Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA)). 1200’s and 1300’s (as defined through the Venetian traveler, Marco Polo) - Floating gardens of the Chinese. 1400’s – The Aztecs, who settled close to Lake Tenochititlan (close to the web page of gift day Mexico City), created gardens on floating rafts called “chinampas”. NOTE: During the beyond four hundred years plant way of life strategies have been advanced to look at the mineral vitamins necessities of flora. These strategies, acknowledged as “water way of life”, have been the beginnings of what later became “hydroponics”.

What is vertical farming?

Vertical Farming is Combination of high rise buildings and greenhouse along with complete controlled environment system in farming practices; This vertical farming technology is used to grow crops by artificial sunlight or by direct sunlight process. The greenhouse effect is detrimental to the terrestrial environment, therefore this system partially reduces the greenhouse effect and is naturally composed, most vertical farms are not built with the ecological aspect. But this vertical farming has the minimum of glass which can pass the oxygen to the outside layer of agricultural areas. Different types of water and management system are followed in the vertical farming system. The resources used in this farming system vertical where the wind turbine is used to generate electricity for pumping system water energy to generate artificial light source for high yield crops Vertical farming requires water harvesting, hydroponic technique, a type of degraded glass and an architectural structure suitable for vertical farming in the way of potentially AGRICULTURAL ARCHITECTURE: The architecture of vertical farming is divided into several sections called hydroponics, cultivation method and harvesting methods, etc. Solar radiation must pass over all vegetable crops for healthy growth. Renewable Resources: The vertical farming system is designed for future purposes where sources such as electricity, low water availability may or may not occur in the days to come. Therefore, to cope with such situations, the system involved in the process of renewable resources, where the wind turbine can be used to generate electricity for the process of pumping water to power crops, and l solar energy is also added to generate electricity. Production of artificial light for crops. Harvesting process: The harvesting process is also known as the water management process, so that the water is treated specifically in the vertical agricultural structure. In which some methods such as the rainwater harvesting method will be discussed, this method explains that the water collected for the rain has passed through the pipes too much to the crops, thus obtaining rainwater. By an indirect process will obtain a healthy water and natural yield, these activities are carried out through the hydroponic system, it is indicated that the nutrient content will pass over the crops through pipes, while the water to the crops s' continuously flowing, the mineral must also be added to the water with excellence because the crops are planted with the soil with the pipe fitting this pipe fitting will require the injector to take the force of the water and consists of a production sufficient And a filter also available in the hydroponic system to remove waste in the water and is built with the mixture as the minerals are stored in each separate storage Once the insecticide is needed the minerals can also be mixed with water. Water to protect the crop from insects which completely destroy the crops. Hydroponics is therefore practiced using multiple cultivation methods.

INTRODUCTION TO VERTICAL FARMING

I.INTRODUCTION:

Vertical Farming is the cycle, which is the blend of high rises or nursery impact together to frame the high-level degree of agribusiness rehearses; this vertical cultivating innovation is utilized to develop crops through counterfeit daylight or through perhaps the immediate daylight measure. The nursery impact is destructive to the world's current circumstance so this framework limits the nursery impact halfway and it is made in a characteristic way, most vertical cultivating isn't worked with an eco-accommodating appearance. Be that as it may, this vertical cultivating has less made of glass which can pass the oxygen to the external layer of the cultivating zones. Various types of water frameworks and the board are continued in the vertical cultivating framework. The assets utilized in this vertical cultivating the framework where the windmill is utilized create power for the water siphoning the framework, likewise, these windmills are kept at the top of the high rise where to assemble air source furthermore, other energy assets are added also, for example, sun-powered energy for the reason for producing the fake light source to the harvests for the high yielding. Vertical cultivating requires water reaping, the aqua-farming procedure, blur kind of glasses furthermore, appropriate engineering design to the vertical cultivating in the method of planning conceivably.

II.FARMINGARCHITECTURE:

The vertical cultivating engineering is classified into different segments that there is energy the executives, water the board is otherwise called tank-farming, trimming strategy, and reaping way, and so forth The vertical cultivating engineering is likewise subject to the development arranged interaction, where it takes the unpredictable circumstance a few times that there enough daylight radiation needs to pass on all harvests of the plants for solid development.

A.Sustainable Resources:

The vertical Farming framework is intended for future purposes where the sources, for example, power, low degree of water accessibility are could possibly be happened later on days. So in the method of taking care of those circumstances the framework associated with the sustainable resourcing measure, where the windmill can be utilized to create power for the water siphon measure for providing water to the harvests, and sun based energy are likewise added also to create power for the delivering of fake daylight to the yields.

B.Procuring Process:

The procuring interaction is otherwise called water the board interaction, along these lines particularly the water will be overseen in the vertical cultivating structure. Where a portion of the strategies will be talked about, for example, the water reaping technique, this strategy clarifies that water which is gathered for the downpour is too gone through lines to crops, so by getting the water through the backhanded cycle will get a sound and characteristic yielding, these exercises are done through the aquaculture framework it is expressed as the supplement content will be passed on the harvests through the lines, while streaming of water to the harvests routinely the mineral is additionally to be included in the water.

C.Working of Hydroponics:

Aquaculture philosophy is the significant cycle of the vertical cultivating framework, where this must be built with the dominating as the yields are planted with the dirt with the association of the pipeline these pipeline association will require the injector to pull the power of the water and it comprises of adequate force age. Furthermore, channel additionally accessible in the aqua-farming framework to eliminate the wastages in the water and it is worked with the combination that the minerals are kept in isolated stockpiling at whatever point we need bug executioner minerals likewise can be blended in with the water to shield the yield from the creepy crawlies which annihilate the harvests totally, so aqua-farming is done in different manners to develop crops. 

Basic needs for hydroponic setup.

What do I need for a basic hydroponic setup?
•Water system.

• Light source.

• Growing medium.

• Supply of nutrients.
Advantages to hydroponics gardening versus traditional soil gardening:
• less mess.

• No soil pests and disease.

• Optimum nutrient intake which results in healthier plants.

• More abundant plant per square foot of gardening space.

• Faster plant growth rate.

• Greater yield.
What type of light should I use?

Metal Halide Lights are excellent for vegetative growth or the beginning stages of growth. The "MH" puts out a blue spectrum. High-Pressure Sodium lights simulate the autumn sun. "HPS" lights put out a yellow and red spectrum. Using an HPS can increase flowering and yield up to 100% over the same size MH light. Conversion Bulbs are most commonly used to convert an MH light to HPS (although, some new types do the opposite conversion). When setting up your light, screw the bulb in quite tight and leave a light on for up to 1/2 hour for it to "fire up."

Controlling Growth

The Seasons are controlled indoors by allowing the plants to have between 14-18 hours of light for vegetative growth (like the longer day’s outdoors.) When flowering or fruiting is desired, simply reduce the hours between 12-14 hours. (A HPS light will also aid in flowering.)
Temperature:
The optimum temperature is between 70 and 76 degrees Fahrenheit. This may change for different types of plants (e.g. Tropical.)
Humidity:
The optimum range for humidity is between 40 and 60 percent. When temperature increases, the air can hold more moisture.

PH:
Measures how alkaline or acidic a nutrient solution or medium is. Having pH between 6.0 and 6.8 is the optimum range (some plants do require a more specific pH) this can be controlled easily with inexpensive testing devices and pH raising or lowering solutions.
Hydroponic Nutrients:

 Hydroponics Nutrients are easily mixed with water to form the nutrient solution (each type of nutrient has simple directions to follow.) The nutrient solution is usually kept in a reservoir that is completely emptied and refilled between 4 and 7 days. This will use more nutrients but it will ensure that the plants receive all the nutrients they need and will result in more healthy plants. After the hydroponics nutrient is added, the pH is adjusted. Depending on how alkaline or acidic the solution is pH up or down is added Generally, it is a good idea to have an extra reservoir to let the water sit uncovered allowing for the evaporation of chlorine. This normally takes 2 or 3 days.

Watering or "Feeding":

Watering or "feeding" is quite simple because it usually occurs automatically. Feeding your plants with hydroponics normally occurs more often (3-6 times a day.) Rather than hand watering plants so frequently, a pump and timer do the work for you. Feeding normally does not occur at night or when the light is off. Flood and drain systems are one of the easiest and most inexpensive types available. The nutrient solution is stored in a reservoir that is kept lower than the tray or table that has the plants on it. Using a simple pump and timer the nutrient solution is pumped up to feed the plants 3-6 times a day. Gravity allows the nutrient solution to flow back into the reservoir. Drip systems are another common way to feed plants. Small hoses deliver the nutrient solution through drippers. This allows for varying designs other than a table type design. Figure 2 shows a close-up of how the hose and dripper are commonly constructed. Figure 3 shows how the feeder hose is connected to the larger commonly 1/2" hose which goes to the pump. The pump is resting at the bottom of the nutrient solution.

How does a hydroponic "Ebb and Flow" system work?

1. The light – complete system has a reflector, bulb, and ballast.

2. The tray – holds the medium and water during flooding. Medium, which plants grow in, comes in several varieties. Making your table to support the tray is often necessary and can save money. Many people are set their trays or planters on the old tables from their garage.
3. Reservoir to hold the water and nutrients.

4. Pump for moving water up to tray. Water drains back through the pump into the reservoir when flooding is complete.

5. Two timers are necessary to turn light and pump on and off. Feeding occurs 4-6 times a day during the light cycle of 12-14 hrs.

Support for your system

Several of the I.G. systems require that you have or that you construct support for your grow tray. If you need or want to construct a table and have questions please call. This is just some of the important information that can be learned about hydroponics. It’s enough to have success growing your flowers and vegetables in a way that is a year-round joy and superior to gardening in soil. If you would like to learn more about hydroponics, Interior Gardens carry many books that can assist.

Growing Tips

Nutrient Deficiencies: Macronutrients are the elements plants use most: Nitrogen (N), Phosphorus (P) and Potassium (K). Unhealthy plants usually, display symptoms that are due to a lack of one of the Macronutrients (N, P, or K).

Problem: Leaves turn pale yellow. Cause: Nitrogen deficiency.

Problem: Dark green, soft, weak growth. Cause: Too much Nitrogen.

Problem: Underside of leaves turn dark green.

Problem: Yellowing at the edge of the leaves. Cause: Potassium deficiency (most likely), iron deficiency, or imbalanced pH.

These deficiencies are minimized and rare if following the directions on any of the nutrients carried by Interior Gardens.een and produce dark spots and eventually slowed and stunted growth. Cause: Phosphorus deficiency.

Problem: Yellowing at the edge of the leaves. Cause: Potassium deficiency (most likely), iron deficiency, or imbalanced pH.

These deficiencies are minimized and rare if following the directions on any of the nutrients carried by Interior Gardens.