HomeMy WebLinkAboutClinton News-Record, 1977-04-14, Page 32Page io
PROS AND CONS OF HYDROPONICS
Hydroponics or "water culture" was perfected many years ago by plant
scientists as a system for growing plants in sterile sand. By omitting one
element at a time from the nutrient solution, scientists were able to
duplicate the plant hunger symptoms that sometimes occur in nature.
They were also able to estimate the approximate amount of each plant
nutrient, needed to complete the life cycle of several important food and
ornamental crops.
Over the ensuing years, a small
but enthusiastic group of hydro-
ponic gardeners has been using
nutrient solutions to grow .com-
mercial and hobby greenhouse
crops without soil. Most are pro-
ducing just as good or better crops
than can be grown in soil or pre-
pared planter mixes. Most are
born tinkerers and innovators who
enjoy designing and installing the
tubes, oxygenators, pumps, and
tanks that are required to gro
w
plants hydroponically. They like
the predictability of hydroponics
and the neat, clean, odorless ap-
proach to growing flowering plants
and vegetables.
Promotors have occasionally
jumped on the `bandwagon and
pushed hydroponics as the ideal
growing system for all home and,
commercial growers. They have
generated a few notably successful
operations. They have also per-
suaded a number of greenhorns to
set up commercial greenhouses
which failed due to unrealistic ex-
pectations, inadequate market
studies and long term financing, A
number of home gardeners have
tried hydroponics and given up.
These failures are not due to any
shortcomings in hydroponics; the
system can be made to work effi-
ciently and economically. Most '
failures, result from hydroponics
being promoted as a si'mp:e pro-
cedure. It is emphatically not, yet
any mechanically adept person
who did well in high school or col-
lege chemistry can master it.
Complete nutrient solutions and
• oxygenation are required to grow
hydroponically. Three classes of
nutrients are needed'. 'major, sec-
ondary, and minor or "micro."
Nitrogen, phosphorous and potas-
sium are the majors; calcium,
sulfur and iron the secondary
nutrients. Micro -nutrients include
magnesium, manganese, copper,
iron, zinc, boron, molybdenum,
copper, cobaltand chlorine.
Other elements rarely cause defi-
ciency problems because .- they
creep in as impurities in other
elements, in water or in green-
house dust.
Plants can be rooted in gravel or
suspended on mesh just above the
water level. The level of nutrient
solution in the tank can vary from
several inches deep to a shallow
film, but should be kept moving to
reduce the growth of algae and to
promote oxygenation. Also, the
concentration of nutrients in the
solution has to be kept low for
safety. Circulating it gives plant
roots more opportunities to absorb
snacks of whichever nutrient they
need at a particular time.
Perhaps the most frequently en-
countered difficulty in commercial
hydroponics is the failure to mon-
itor changes in the -concentration
of total nutrient salts in the solu-
tion and their proportion, one to
the other. Plants are selective
about the specific nutrients they
remove from the solution. A few
days of good growing weather can
add a great deal of tissue to fast
growing plants and drastically
change the makeup of the nutrient
solution.
The equipment for precise tests
Weed killer care
Treating weedy areas on hot or
windy days could cause more
harm than good, warns R. • A.
Fleming; horticulturist with the
, Ontario Ministry of Agriculture
and Food. On days When the
temperature exceeds 27 degrees
C (80 degrees F), 2, 4-D and
combination -type products may
become volatile. Foliage may be
burnt and plants injured or killed.
To reduce chemical drift from
the target area, avoid spraying
on windy days. If there is a light
breeze, have your back to the
wind, or spray through a low-
pressure nozzle with a relatively
large opening. This gives off a
coarse spray and, when applied
within two or three inches of the
plant, reduces drift and damage
to nearby flowers, shrubs, fruits
or vegetables.
Before mixing the chemicals,
Mr. Fleming advises gardeners
to read the label and follow the
instructions carefully.
is so expensive and complicated
that it is usually restricted to uni-
versities and professional soils lab-
oratories. Consequently, amateurs
simply replace nutrient solutions
every two weeks or so and pour the
spent material around trees and
shrubs.
Before attempting to formulate
homemade nutrient solutions,
beginners should confer with a
commercial distributor of specialty
fertilizers,= for greenhouse and
nursery use. These firms usually':
sell at wholesale only, but will
often agree to a cash and carry
sale. They will note ship a bag or
two of fertilizer. Some offer 25 -Ib.
bags of water soluble multiple nu-
trient fertilizer, balanced for li-
quid feeding, and separate blends
of soluble micronutrients. You
must follow the manufacturer's
and distributor's recommenda-
tions explicitly when mixing solu-
tions to avoid precipitating the
nutrients or changing the pH so
that certain nutrients are made
less soluble.
Watch the classified ad sections
of general home garden magazines
and plant society bulletins. You
will occasionally see mail order ads
for small, packages of broad spec-
trum water soluble fertilizers. Most
"garden variety" fertilizers are not
completely soluble in water; make
sure that the materials you order
will dissolve fully.
Recent advances in growing
plants in lightweight mixes using
liquid feeding or long lasting con-
trolled release fertilizers have
blunted some of the interest in
hydroponic growing. Containers of
artificial soil need no special
pumps or oxygenators because
each time the plants are watered,
air (oxygen) is surged through the
root ball. Algae seldom become -
troublesome in artificial mixes.
Hydroponics can be a challeng-
ing and rewarding hobby for inno-
vative, resourceful gardeners but is
not for the average person who has
trouble remembering the pH scale
and that NaCl is table salt,
Complete flower guide- for your garden.
FLOWERS USE
❑ AGERATUM . Low edging; Maas bedding, Rock garden, Cut Hower,
Continual bloom.
* ALYSSUM Low edging, Early and continued bloom, Maas bedding.
0 ASTER
* BACHELOR'S BUTTON
* CORNFLOWER
* BALSAM
sic BELLS OF IRELAND
* CALENDULA
* CALIFORNIA POPPY
* CANDYTUFT .
• CANTERBURY BELLS
Cut flowers, Mase bedding or border, Late bloom.
Cut flowers, Maaa bedding
Low edging, Cut flowere.
Mase bedding, Late blooming.
Days to
Sprout
Seed
Plant
Height
SUN AND SOIL
15-20 6, In. Full sun or partial shade. Tolerates dry soli.
1b-20
7-15
15-20
15-20
10-15
Freah or Dried Bouquet.. 16-20
Cut flower, Masa padding. 10-15 11/2 ft. Likes cool weather. Poor soli or some alkali soli.
Mass bedding, Low edging, Rock garden, Early blooming. 10 8 in. Sunny, dry location. Will not transplant.
10-20 1 ft Tolerates some shade. Any garden soil.
15-20
10-15
15-20
10-15
7-1b
15-20
21 Sunny, warm place. Tolerates drought.
15-20 Sunny eltuatlon, well drained.
10-15 Full sun, Cool, molet eltuatlon.
15-20 Full sun. Fairly rich, well drained atoll.
15 Sunny location.
2-6 In. Sunny place. Cut back after peak bloom for fuller
flowering.
1-2 it. Full pun. Avoid grqmd previously in Asters.
21 ft. Tolerate. partial shade and poor soil.
10-12 in. Tolerates partial shade and poor so11.
11/2-2 ft- Partial shade and cool, moist soil.
2 ft. Eaelly grown.
Mese bedding, Fragrance, Early blooming.
Mase bedding, Tall background, Cut flower..
0 CARNATION Fragrance, Cut flower., Mass bedding, Late bloom.
* CHRYSANTHEMUM, ANNUAL Masa bedding, ,Late blooming:
Cut flowers, Maes bedding.
Masa bedding, Dry winter bouquet., Late blooming.
Rock garden, Maas bed.. Cut flowere, Early bloom.
Cut flowers, Masa bedding, Early end cont. bloom.
Tall background, Cul flowere.
Maes bedding, CUt flowers, Late blooming.
❑ CLARKIA
* COCKSCOMB
• COLUMBINE
• COREOPSIS
* COSMOS
* DAHLIA
• DELPHINIUM Tall background, Cut flowers, Early blooming.
• FORGET-ME-NOT PER. Low edging, Mass bedding. Rock garden, Cut flowers,
Early blooming.
• ;FOXGLOVE PER. ... Tall background. Cut flowers.
* GODETIA Mass bedding, Cut flowers.
* GOURDS Vino and dried fruits.
• GYPSOPHILA PER. Small flowere for misty -like spray with cut flowers.
* GYPSOPHILA. ANN. Cut flowers. Mass bedding. Early blooming.
❑ HELICHRYSUM Dry winter bouquets, Cut flowers, Mass bedding, Late blooming.
• HOLLYHOCK, CHATERS Tall background.
* KOCHIA . Tall backgrpund, Summer hedge.
* LARKSPUR .. Maas bedding, Cut flowers, Early blooming.
* LINUM, ANNUAL Maes bedding.
2 ft. Shady, cool, moist location.
114 ft. Full sun and good soli.
21 .ft. Full sun and ample moisture.
2 It. Tolerates some shade. Fairly cool and molal soil.
Full nun and light soil.
Cool, motet eltuatlon.
114 ft.
214 1t.
3 ft.
3-4 ft.
2 ft.
4-6 It.
1 ft.
❑ LOBELIA, ANNUAL
*. MARIGOLD, AFRICAN
* MARIGOLD, FRENCH
* MARIGOLD, TAGETES
* MATTHIOLA
* MIGNONETTE
* MORNING GLORY
* NASTURTIUM, DWARF
* NASTURTIUM, GLEAM
* NASTURTIUM, TALL
Low edging, Rock garden, Masa bedding, Late blooming.
Tall background, Maas bedding, Cut flowers. Late blooming.
Mass bedding, Low edging, Cut flowers.
Low edging, Rock garden, Continued blooming.
Fragrance in morning and evening.
Fragrance. Cutting with other flowers.
Vine, Late blooming.
Low edging, Rock garden, Cut flowers.
Masa bedding. Fragrance, Cut flowers.
Vine,,.cut flowers.
15 5 ft. Full sun or partial shade, Good garden loam.
15 1-2 1t. Partial shade. Fairly moist, cool 'situation.
15-20 10-15 ft. Full sun. Any good garden soil.
10-14 3 ft. Any garden soil..
15-20 11/2 ft. Any garden eoll.
15-20 21 ft.
15-20 6-8 ft.
10 2 ft.
20-30- 2/-314 ft.
15 1V2 ft.
Full sun. Good garden loam.
Full sun. Well drained soil. Avoid moving.
Full sun.
Full sun. Avoid moving plants.
Full sun. Ordinary soli.
15-20 4 In. Full sun 'or partial &hada. Good loam.
8-10 1-3 ft. Full sun. Warm soil.
8-10 6-12 In. Full sun. Weil drained soil.
8-10 8 In. Full sun, Well drained soil.
10 15 in. Any garden. Boll.
12-15 1 ft.
❑ NEMESIA Low edging, Rock garden, Maas bedding, Cut flowers.
❑ NICOTIANA Fragrance, Masa bedding, Cut flowers, Late blooming.
* NIGELLA Mass bedding. Rock garden, Cut flowers.
❑ PANSY Low edging, Maes bedding, Rock garden, Cut flowers
Early and continual blooming.
❑ PETUNIA, LARGE BEDDING Maas bedding, Fragrance.
❑ PETUNIA, DWARF COMPACT Mass bedding, -Low edging, Fragrance,
❑ PHLOX, ANNUAL. Maas bedding, Cut flowers.
* PINKS, ANNUAL
* POPPY, SHIRLEY
• POPPY, ICELAND
* PORTU tACA
❑ SALPIGLOSSIS
❑ SALVIA
❑ SCHIZANTHUS
• SHASTA DAISY
❑ SNAPDRAGON
❑ STATICE
❑ STOCKS
* SUNFLOWER
* SWEET PEAS
• SWEET WILLIAM
0 VERBENA
10-15 10-15 ft.
15-20 1 ft.
15-20 2 ft.
15-20 5 ft.
Moist soil. Will not transplant.
Full sun. Very well drained light Boli.
I Partial shade If moist. Nasturtiums bloom more
freely on poor soil.
15-20 8 in. Loam soil.
10 2ft.
Full eun. Rich, moist soil.
15-20 114 ft. Grows on poor soil. Will not transplant.
Motet; cool, rich soli. Partial shade.
15-20 6-8 In.
Mass bedding, Fragrance, Cut flowers, Late blooming.
Mass bedding. Rock garden.
Mase bedding, Early blooming, Cut flowers.
Mass bedding, Rock garden, Low edging.
Tall background, Mass bedding, Cut flowers.
Mass bedding, Cut flowers.
Masa bedding, Rock garden, Cut flowers.
Masa bedding, Rock garden, Cut flowers.'
Cut flowers, Mass bedding.
Dry winter bouquets, Mass bedding.
Fragrance, Mass bedding, Cut flowers.
Tall background. Seeds for feed.
Vine. Cut flowers, Fragrance, Early blooming.
Mass bedding, Fragrance, Cut flowers, Early
blooming second year.
Low edging, Mass bedding. Fragrance, Cut flowers,
Mass garden, Late blooming.
10-12
10-12
15-20
10-15
10-14
10-14
15
15
15-20
15-20
10-15
10-15
15-20
10-15
10-15
10-15
7
2 ft. Full sun. Warm garden loam.
11/2 ft. Full sun, Warm garden loam.
8-15 in. Full eun Well drained soil.
❑ VIOLA Low edging Maes bedding, Rock garden, Early end
continued bloom,
• WALLFLOWER . Mass bedding, Cut flowers, Early blooming.
* ZINNIA Mass bedding, Cut flowers, Late bloo`'ming.
16-20
1 ft. Full eun. Any good garden .011.
2 It. Full sun, Light .oil. Will not transplant.
11/2 ft. Full sun or partial 'shade. Light soil. Avoid moving.
4-6 in. Sandy, dry soli. Tolerate. drought, alkali.
2/ ft. Full eun. Fairly ridh garden soft.
11 ft. Sun or partial shade. Well drained eoil.
15 In. Full eun. Moist garden loam.
2 ft. Full sun. Well drained eolt.
11-214 ft.
2y ft.
1-2 ft.
4-8 ft.
6 ft.
11/2 ft.
1 11.
Full eun or partial shade. Good garden loam.
Full eun.
Full sun, Cool, moist garden loam.
Full sun. Warm, dry soil.
Full eun. Very rich, well drained loam.
Sun or partial shade. Well drained soil.
Full aun. Warm, dry soli.
15-20 6-8 In. Shady. Cool and moist. Blooms quickly from spring
.own Beed.
15-20 11/2 ft. Beet In cool climates with winter protection.
6-10 11/2.3 ft. Full sun. Thrives In heat. Rich, warm, well
drained soli.
* Seed usually sown outdoors where plants El Start seed indoors if early plants
are to bloom. required or outdoors when soil
and weather warm.
• Biennials and Perennials —
sow seed outdoors June - July.
Protect plants for Winter.
SPEND MORE TIME
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