Clinton News-Record, 1985-4-17, Page 39Be an adventur us
By J. W . Itiekels
Department of Horticultural Science
University of Guelph
Adventurous gardeners can put their
indoor gardening skills to the test with
hydroponics.
Hydroponics offers a challenge to even the
most experienced gardener because it is a
different type of plant culture. Although most
of the same practices and principles of good
0 lant growth are used, hydroponics is distinct
ecause it does not use soil.
When growing plants hydroponically, the
gardener is responsible for providing the
plant with all of the necessary nutrients. To
do this, a good understanding of the natural
growth and development of plants is
important.
There are basically two methods of
hydroponic culture. One method involves
suspending plants directly into a nutrient
solution. The other method uses soil
substitutes, such as sand, gravel, or perlite,
to anchor the plant toots. The nutrient
solution is pumped, poured or conducted
through the anchoring materials.
Whether using a solution only, or soil
substitutes, there are some limitations to
growing plants hydroponically. Plant leaves
need light and carbon dioxide, and the root
system needs oxygen to stimulate absorption
of nutrients. In hydroponic systems, the roots
must be.kept in the dark, -primarily to prevent
algae from developing and using the
nutrients.
In simple hydroponic systems, the contain-
er keeps light from reaching the roots. A
small pump can be used to provide oxygen to
the roots. If you are using a solution -only
method, one small aquarium pump can
supply enough air for several containers.
In the sand or gravel system, the nutrient
solution must pass through the material four
or five times daily. Some systems allow the
solution to drip or flow slowly through the
container to a storage area below. Once the
solution flows through the material, it is
recycled.
In many systems, a small pump is used to
force the solution up through the sand or
gravel from the bottom. Then, the solution
drains back . to the bottom. This process is
conducted four or five times a day.
CONTAIN ERS
Any size of container can be used,
depending on the rate of plant growth. The
container should be made from non-toxic
material. For example, tin cans are unsuit-
able because they give off metals that will
eventually injure the plant. However, tin cans
can be used if they are lined with a plastic
bag, or coated With non-toxic paint on the
inside.
Glass jars or plastic pails are ideal
containers for beginning hydroponic enthusi-
asts. However, both types of containers must
be covered to exclude light from the roots.
SOLUTIONS
A plant requires 16 elements for growth. A
good nutrient solution should supply 13 of
these elements. Nitrogen, phosphorus, cal-
cium, and magnesium are required in the
largest quantities. Sulfur, manganese, zinc,
copper, chlorine, boron, and molybdenum
are needed in smaller amounts, but they are
just as important.
Hobbyists may not have to add molybden-
um to solutions because it is needed in such
small amounts that it is frequently added as"
an impurity with the other elements. Sulfur
and chlorine are often included in the salts
which supply the other elements. •
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Many types of water-soluble chemicals are
available at garden supply centers. A
chemical fertilizer with balanced nitrogen,
phosphorus, and potassium (5-5-5 to 20-20-
20) and micronutrients added, can be used to
start.
These chemicals should be diluted accord-
ing to manufacturers' instructions for general
use. For beginners, these commercial prod-
ucts should be adequate, but use a little less
than recommended. Use lower concentra-
tions and renew the chemicals frequently!
PLA NTS TO GROW
An ideal plant to start with is the coleus It
Page 5
r*.ener
can be easily rooted and grown in a
hydroponic system. Another good plant for
beginners is a tomato seep ing about 5 to 10
centimetres tall. However, many vegetaoles,
flowers, and trees can be grown successfully
using this type of plant culture.
Plants which produce bulbs (onions) or
enlarged roots (carrots) are very difficult to
grow in solutions.
You don't need special seeds to grow
plants hydroponically. Seeds of most plants
can be germinated in soil, sand or other
media, and then transferred to a hydroponic
:system.
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