The Goderich Signal-Star, 1977-04-14, Page 42Page 10
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 co
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 grow
plants hydroponically. They like
the predictability of hydroponics
and the neat, clean, odorless ape
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 sticcessful
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.
Thcse 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 simple 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.,cobalt and chlorine.
Other elements rarely cause deli•
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 makeuplof 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 (SO 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
Targe 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
homeinatte nutrient solutions,
beginners should confr 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 not ship a bag or
two of fertilizer. Some offer 25•Ib.
bags of water soluble multiple nu•
trient fertilizer, balanced for lie
quid feeding, and separate blends
of soluble micronutrients. You
must follow the manufacturer's
and distributors recommenda•
,jions--explicitly when mixing soly;,
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
Complete flower guide for your
sprout
Seed
16-20 0 NE Full sun or partial shade. Tolerates dry
Low ed01n0. Mui bedding, Rock poden, Cut flower, sj
FLOWERS
0 AGERATUM
* ALYSSUM
❑ ASTER Cut flower., Masa beddlnp or border, Lsle Woo _--
* BACHELOR'S BUTTON Cul flowers, Mass bedding_ _ ---- 15,2 10.12 In
* CORNFLOWER Low edging, Cut 1lowers. _ _�_.,.__....�..---- --10.16 lty 2 Il.
0
* BALSAM Mass beddlnp. Late blooming 16-20 2 N
* BELLS OF IRELAND Fresh or Dried Bouquets. -.... __.._�..._ - 20 124
* CALENDULA Cul Power, Mase bedding - 10 6 In
Plant
Height
plants In lightwel
v. ,,,liquid feeding or 1QA
trolled release fag
blunted somt of
hydroponic growl Vit.
a a prtifictalor�ll
um s
each time the plla ,
air (oxygen) is surge
root ball. Algae tel
troublesome in anif �4
Hydroponip can
ing and rewardinghab=
votive, resourceful g 4-
tot for the average
trouble remernbe ,
and that NaCl is tabko
garden
SUN AND BOIL
USE
Continual bloom. -•
Low edging, Early and continued bloom. Mase beddlnp.
1,0.20 2-0 In. unny place. Cut back after peak bion s
howolnp, m lo�`f ryrl"�i'k�.
7-16 - Full sun. Avold_ground prevlouely In A--
15-20
2t4•,It. T01.r.1e. Partla1 shade and poor soli. 1
Tolerate. partial shade and poor Boll.
Partial shade and Cool, moist sell, _
EaWy gown.
h. ilk.• coos wether. Poor soil or spina sl I bu k'
Sunny, dry location. WIII not "angler- r
1 IL Tolerates some shade. Any erden
2 f/. Shady, cool, molal location-"�„
POPPY Mass beddlnp Low ridging Rock pardon, Esr� blp0 Ing _ __,
* CANDVT ere 15-20
• CANTER -"-- 10.15 114 ft
0 CLARKIA o 7-10 Its 1
* CALIFORNIA 70.20
UFr Mass bedding,Fragrance,Early blooming _
BURY OELLS Mau beddlnp Tall DackOround Cut Ito . -- Full outrank' 9Ood
{ J CARNATION Fragrance. Cut flower, Mass bedding. Late bloom __ �`�•^�--� F.q
* CHRYSANTHEMUM, ANNUAL Mau bedding, Late bloominp. -_.-_,_ 16-20 21�r 11. Full run. and ample moisture.
Cut fl were Moa bedding - 10.15
2 IL Tolerates sour• shade. Fairly coal anO�pletiy`
* COCKSCOMB Mau bedding, Dry calmer bouqusta. Lala Dloommp. t. Full sun anNua1 roll,
C t Ibwen Early bloom. 15.20 2ya 1t. Cool, molal sltuallon.
S N. Sunny, warm place. Tolerale. drought -�-�
0 3-4 ft. Sunny situation, well donned
• COLUMBINE Pock garden, Mau bed., u _...
• COREOPSIS Cut flowers, Mass bedding. Early and cont bloom. 21
* COSMOS Tell background, Cul flowers 15.2
10.15
2 11. Full sun, Cool, molal sllu0tlort'
15-20 1-6 fl. Full min. Fairly ,ICI,, well drained soil '---
* DAHLIA .. Masa bedding, Cut Stowers, Lata blooming;
• DELPHINIUM Yall background, Cul flowers, Early blooming.
•"FORGET-ME-NOT PER. Low edging, Mass bedding, Rock garden, Cut flowers
Early blooming.
Tall background, Cul flowers
Mau beddlnp. Cut flower.
*GOURDS Vin. and dried fruits.
with cut Bower.
• FOXGLOVE PER.
* GOOETIA
• GYPSOPHILA PER. Small flowers for misty Ilk& spay
* GYPSOPHILA, ANN. Cul flowers, Mass bedding Early bloominp.
o HELICNRYSUM
• HOLLYHOCK, CHATERS
* KOCHIA .
15 1 It, Sunny location.
5 11., Full sun or partial shade. Good g.rden lo' -am
15
15 1.2 ft. Partial shade. Fairly moist coot _equetlo� -'�-•
10-15 ft. Full sun. My good garden loll
15-20
10.14
15-20
3 fl. Any garden Doll.
1(5110. Any pardon wn,
Dry winter bouquets. Cut flowers, Mase bedding. Late blooming
Tell background.
Tall background, Summer hedge.
16-20
15-20
* LARKSPUR .. Mats bedding, Cut bowers, Early blooming.
* L1NUM, ANNUAL Mass bedding. Late blooming.
to LOBELIA. ANNUAL Low edging,Rock garden. Mass bedding,
* MARIGOLD, AFRICAN Tall background, Mass bedding, Cul flowers. Leta blooming,
* MARIGOLD, FRENCH Mess bedding, Low edging, Cul flowers.
* MARIGOLD, TAGETES Low edging, Rock garden, Continued blooming.
* MATTHIOLA Fragrance in morning and evening.
* MIGNONETTE Fragrance. Cutting with other flowers
* MORNING GLORY Vine, Late bloominp.
Low ed91n9, Rock wean, Cul flower.
Mass bedding, Fragrance. Cut flowers.
Vine, cul flower,
Low edging, Rock garden, Mass bedding, Cut Dower.
Fragrance. Maas bedding. Cut flowers. Lata blooming.
Mass bedding. Rock garden, Cut flowers,
0 PANSY .. . Low edging, Mass bedding, Rock garden, Cul flowers
Early and continual blooming.
* NASTURTIUM, DWARF
* NASTURTIUM, GLEAM
* NASTURTIUM TALL
❑ NEMESIA
0 NICOTIANA
* NIGELLA
PETUNIA. LARGE BEDDING
O PETUNIA, DWARF COMPACT
n PHLOX, ANNUAL
* PINKS, ANNUAL
* POPPY, SHIRLEY
• POPPY, ICELAND
* PORTULACA
0 SALPIGLOSSIS
0 SALVIA
❑ SCHIZANTHUS
0 • SHASTA DAISY
❑ SNAPDRAGON
[] STATICE
STOCKS
Mass bedding, Fragrance.
244 ft.
6.6 1t.
Full .un. Good garden loam'--
Full sun. Well drained soil Avoid movin_ ,
10 2 ft. Full sun.
20.30
15
15.20
6-10
6-10
1-1100
12.15
10.15
15-20
15.20
15-20
15.20
10
15.20
15.20
Mass baddin0. Low edging, Fragrance.
Mass bedding. Cut flowers.
Mass bedding, Fragrance, Cut flower, LOAD bloominp,
Mess bedding, Rock garden.
Mass 5044100, Early blooming. Cut flowers.
Mau bedding, RoCk garden, Low edging.
Tell background, Mass bedding, Cul flowers.
Maas bedding, Cut flowers. -
Mass bedding, Rock garden, Cut power.
Mass bedding, Rock garden, Cut flowers.
Cut flowers, Mass bedding. .,
Dry winter bouquets, Mau bedding. -
2(-314 h. Full sun. Avoid moving plants " "-...
11/2 It. Full sun. Ordinary loll.
4 In. Full sun or partial shade. Good loam
14 S. Full sun. Warn soli.
6-12 In. Full sun. Well drained soil. ---------
a
-- -a In. Full sun. Well drained soil.
16 In.
1 ri.,
10.15 fl.
1 ft.
2 ft.
6 il.
0 In.
2 ft.
11 ft.
6-a in.
Any garden •oil..
Moist so11. 1N111 not transplant_�
Full sun, Very well drained light wli-'--'--
Partial Made 11 moist Naalurllum� s bl
1 freely on poor .011.
Loam soil.
Full sun. Rich, moist Boll. --'^-�
Grows on poor so11. Will not Irensplenl.
Moist, cool, rich soil: Penial .neat--"' -
10.12 2 fl. Full sun. Warm garden losm-•"� -
10.12 116 1t.
15.20 5.15 In. Full sun Well drained soil,
00-15 1 1t. Full sun. Any 9094 garden soil ."--------
10.14 2 R. Full sun. Light Boll. Win not trennsplant^
10.14 1K h. ' Full sun or partial .hada. Light soll_Avold movinr,
15 44 In. Sandy. dry s011. Tolerate& drought, slk,Ij
15 21 fl. Full sun. Fairly rich garden soli --
16.20 11/2 R. Sun or partial shade. Well drained soil.
15.20 15 In. Full sun. Moist garden loam--------
--
Full
000---
Full sun. Warm garden loam.
... Fragrance, Mau bedding, Cul 100,.,..
* SUNFLOWER
Tall background. Seeds for feed.
* SWEET PEAS
• SWEET WILLIAM
0 VERBENA .
0 VIOLA
Vine. Cut flow(r. Fragrance, Early blooming.
Masa bedding, Fragrance, Cut flower, Softy
blOoming"k'ebond yes,
.. Low edging, Mass bedding, Fregrence, Cut dowers,
Mass garden, Late blooming.
10.15 2 ft. Full sun. Well 4,110.4 soil.
10-15 11/241/2 f1. Full sun or partial Mads. Goof pardon loam.
15-20 21/2 f1. Full sun.
10.15 1.2. ft: Full sun. Cool, moist garden loam.
10.15 4-6 ft.. Full sun. Ws,m, dry soli.
10.15 6 ft. Fun sun. Very rich, well 4,110.0 10am.
7 116 It Sun Or partial shade. Well drained sou,
15.20
1 ft 'Full sun. Warm, dry soil.
Low edging,Mass bedding, Rock garden, Early and
continued oom.
15-20 6-6 In. Shady. 00011 and moot. Blooms quickly trams
. sown steed.
e WALLFLOWER
Maas bedieln Cut dower; Early blooming.
Mus b.ddlnCut flower', Late blooming.
15-20 11/2 d. Beet In cool cllmatea with winter protection.
* ZINNIA
5-10 , 114.3 R. Full
015.4 sun..011. Thrlwes In heat. Rich, warm, well
4-
* Seed usually sown outdoors where plants ❑ Start seed indoors if early plants
are to bloom. - required or outdoors when soil
and weather warm. •
• Biennials and Perennials
sow seed outdoors June•Ji
Protect plants for Winter,'
SPEND MORE TIME
la G
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FOR THE FUN OF IT -
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Enjoy the outdoors in
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•
HOFFMEYER
PLUMBING AND HEATING LTD.
Goderich
5 24-18111
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