What is a hydroponic system? Hydroponics definition is a method of farming without using soil media as in general, the hydroponic system uses nutrient solutions or other substances that contain nutrients for plant needs, such as coconut fiber, mineral fibers, sand, broken bricks, wood fiber, and others as a substitute for land media.
Wick System
Wicks System is the simplest hydroponic system that is by utilizing the axis which is then connected between the nutrient solution in the reservoir with the growing media. This system includes passivity and nutrients flowing into the growth media from inside the container using a kind of axis. So the nutrient solution will be pulled into the media which is then channeled to the planting media from the tub or storage tank through the axis. By utilizing the power of the capillary axis, water and nutrients can reach the roots of plants. Wick systems work well for small plants. This hydroponic system does not work well for plants that need a lot of water.
Drip Irrigation System
Drip Irrigation System, fertigation system, drip system or dutch bucket system in principle of cooperation. is a nutrient application technique through an irrigation system. In accordance with the meaning of fertigation itself which stands for fertilization (fertilization) and irrigation. With the fertigation technique, labor costs for fertilization can be reduced, because fertilizer is given together with watering. The Fertigation system is not only dripping water but the water has been mixed with nutrient solution. So that plant growth is maintained. This means that in one drop already contains complete nutrition. Then the operation is also relatively easy. Another advantage is the increased efficiency of nutrient use because fertilizer is given in small amounts but continuously and reduces nutrient loss (especially nitrogen) due to leaching or washing and denitrification or loss of nitrogen due to gas changes.
What distinguishes them is the scale of use, for hydroponic production more people use the fertility system, whereas for the hobby scale many use the drip system or the Dutch bucket system.
Ebb and Flow System
Ebb and Flow System is a hydroponic farming system where plants get water, oxygen, and nutrients through pumping tanks that will wet the roots or the term pairs. A growing medium is placed in a container which is then filled with a nutrient solution. Then the nutrients are returned to the shelter, and so on. This system requires a pump that is connected to a timer. Be sure to use a large enough container and set the distance between the plants so that plant growth does not interfere with each other.
NFT (Nutrient Film Technique) System
This system is the most popular method in hydroponic terms. The basic concept of NFT is a method of cultivating plants with plant roots growing in shallow and circulating nutrient layers so that plants can get enough water, nutrients, and oxygen. Plants grow in layers of polyethylene with plant roots submerged in water containing nutrient solutions that are circulated continuously with a pump. The rooting area in the nutrient solution can develop and grow in a shallow nutrient solution so that the top of the root of the plant is on the surface between the nutrient solution and Styrofoam, the presence of this root part in the air allows oxygen to be fulfilled and sufficient for normal growth. This system can continuously drain nutrients dissolved in water so it doesn't need a timer for the pump. NFT is suitable for leafy plants such as lettuce.
Aeroponic System
Aeroponic System is a method of growing hydroponics in the air, where the roots of the plants hang in the air without media and their nutritional needs are met by spraying the roots. The sophistication of this system allows getting good results and the fastest compared to other hydroponic systems. This is caused by the nutrient solution given in the form of mist directly entering the roots so that plants more easily absorb nutrients that contain lots of oxygen.
The aeroponic system is the best system for cultivation because with this system plant roots will get nutrients and oxygen together at once. Planting using the aeroponic system is very interested in many farmers because the plants produced will be more hygienic, crispy, fresh and have a delicious aroma.
This aeroponic system has several advantages including:
- Reducing pathogens that are harmful to plants
- Hanging roots will find it easier to get oxygen
- Plants will photosynthesize because plants will utilize carbon dioxide which is rich in oxygen
- The quality and quantity produced will be guaranteed
This aeroponic system also has disadvantages such as when the electricity or water pump is damaged, it can disrupt the nutrient condensation process which affects the rapid drying of nutrients in plant roots.
Water Culture System
Water Culture System or floating raft system, plant roots are suspended in water rich in nutrients and air is given directly to the roots. Plants can be placed on a raft and float in nutrient water too. With this hydroponic system, plant roots are submerged in water and air is given to plant roots through an aquarium pump and air diffuser. The more bubbles the better, the root plants will grow quickly to take nutrient water.
Nutrition solution should pay attention to the amount and pH corresponding elements. Elements pH range of 5.5 to 7.5. This nutrient solution containing concentrations of N, P, K, Ca, Mg, S, in large numbers, while the elements Fe, Mn, Zn, Cu, B, Mo, and Cl in small quantities. The nutrient solution made by dissolving the salt - fertilizer salts in water. Various types of fertilizer salts can be used for nutrient solution, the choice is usually over priced and the solubility of the fertilizer salts.
Growing Media, among others, consists of bricks, sand, gravel, husk charcoal, sponge, pumice, etc.
Water must be considered, the quality of water used, the salinity level does not exceed 2500 ppm and EC value of not more than 6.0 mmhos / cm. The water should not contain too many heavy metal elements.
Oxygen plays an important role in hydroponics. Lack of oxygen will cause the cell walls are difficult to penetrate, so the plants will be short of water. Thus the plant will quickly wither because the solution does not contain oxygen. Administration of oxygen into the solution can be through air bubbles as the water pump used aquarium, replacing the nutrient solution regularly, cleaning or uproot plants that are too long, and provide the ventilation holes at the site of implantation.
Another article: Seed One Of The Determinants For Successful Farming.
How to make :
- Guttering cut to a size of 1 meter.
- PVC pipe to drain the water from the pool to the respective gutter by using a pump pond water that flowed in from the front of the gutter side up and out of the lower end of the other side gutters.
- Cork stereoform which cut the size of gutters and punched to the size of a mini plastic cups that - that Jely.
- Buy a pack of snack foods jelly Jely in supermarkets, and having eaten it, the plastic can be used by cutting to the ends (split one side) so that it can be clamped vegetables to be planted.
- cotton sieve size cut small fish For wrapping the upper root vegetables.
- enter vegetables that have been wrapped in cotton filter into plastic cups that - that Jely and place it in the hole - hole cork gutters that flowed water ponds.
- To prevent caterpillars and insects or other pests, can be closed by using a fine mesh.
So little discussion about hydroponics and how to make it, may be useful for the readers, if after viewing the video and then practice it continues there is a problem, please fill in the comments on the matter..
Please read also about Aquaponics and Cultivation In Vertikultur..
GREETINGS OF AGRICULTURE .. !!