How is DIY hydroponics done?

How is hydroponics done by hand? Hydroponics is a system that allows plants to grow without soil. They will receive all the necessary nutrients from the liquid. Each plant needs a different concentration.

Thanks to hydroponics, a large harvest of organic products can be harvested in a small area. Growth time to fruit is greatly reduced. Plants will not need to provide energy to the roots to get adequate nutrition. A banana within a year can reach a height of 2 m in a house. Just a large amount of solution will be needed.

Almost anything can be grown at home with hydroponics. The most popular crops are tomatoes, cucumbers, radishes, lettuce, peppers, mint, and strawberries. Home hydroponics is also used for indoor plants. Exceptions, however, are plants whose roots can rot.

Hydroponic substrates

With this type of cultivation, the plant will be in a container with a special substrate, which has a high moisture capacity and friability. The ability to absorb moisture allows the substrate to constantly wet the roots, the friability allows for excellent aeration. Substrates for this system can be:

• perlite;
• expanded clay;
• peat;
• gravel;
• mineral wool.

Hydroponics with a wick

For these purposes, you will need:

• container for plants;
• container for water;
• wick;
• planting material;
• fertilizer;
• air spray;
• seedling.

Windowsill hydroponics are made from the simplest materials at hand. A reservoir is used in which the liquid will be located, a container with plants is placed on top. Water will flow upward through the wicks. The device is uncomplicated, however, during assembly, you will need to take into account some features. The disadvantage can be incorrectly installed wicks, because of which it will not be possible to evenly distribute moisture. This issue will need to be approached with great responsibility.

Wicks can be made from nylon tights. They will be able to conduct moisture well and not subject the plants to rot. Holes for wicks are made in the bottom. It is recommended that there is a wick under each crop, then moisture will evenly flow to the root system. If you use a pipe, then holes must also be made in it for planting plants. Thread the wicks into the lower part of the holes, lay them in a spiral at the bottom, gradually cover them with hydroponic material. Then you can plant the plants.

Place the tray with plants on top of a container with a water solution, at the bottom of which it is recommended to place an aquarium spray. Thanks to this, the solution can be saturated with oxygen and the water will not stagnate.

It is important that the containers are kept out of the light of the sun, otherwise it can lead to mold.

If necessary, they can be painted on the outside in any color or use a dark film. If the container is opaque, then it does not need darkening.

Tips for using hydroponics

For beginners for hydroponics on the windowsill, it is better to choose unpretentious fast-growing crops. Various types of greens, cucumbers, strawberries are suitable for this. For tomatoes, bell peppers, zucchini, larger containers will be needed.

It is recommended to use filtered water in order to prevent the appearance of bacteria that can lead to blooming of the liquid.

It is better to place the system away from heat and light sources.

The optimum solution temperature will be 25-30 ° C. If the temperature is lower, the aquarium heating can be used.

The harvest will be greater if artificial lighting is made using fluorescent lamps.

Now you know how home hydroponics is done. Good luck and a big harvest!