Hydroponics refers to the cultivation of plants without the use of soil. Instead, in hydroponic plant cultivation, nutrients are delivered directly to the plant’s roots through the water, leading to fast growth and high yields. As a beginner, there is no need to be intimidated by setting up your hydroponic system. There are several simple, easy to use hydroponic systems that even beginners can set up and successfully run.
The Deepwater Culture Hydroponic System (DWC)
This is one of the simplest hydroponic systems for beginners. In a DWC system, plants are suspended in a nutrient solution, with an air pump providing much-needed oxygen to the roots. The most basic DWC system includes a bucket, net pots, an air pump, an air stone, and some hydroton, which is the medium in which the plants grow.
Firstly, cut holes in the lid of the bucket, big enough to hold the net pots. Fill the net pots with hydroton, then place your plants into the pots. Next, fill the bucket with a nutrient solution until it reaches the base of the net pots. Attach your air pump and air stone to the bucket and turn it on. The bubbles created by the air stone will ensure that the plants’ roots have constant access to both nutrients and oxygen.
DWC systems work well with most plants, but they are particularly effective for growing leafy greens and herbs. Although easy to set up and use, DWC systems require regular monitoring of water temperature and nutrient levels and are not suitable for plants that prefer dry conditions.
The Wick System
The Wick system is an entirely passive hydroponic system, with no moving parts. It works via the simple principle of capillary action. Nutrients and water are transported to the roots of the plants via a series of wicks.
To build a Wick system, you’ll need a container for holding the nutrient solution, a grow tray, wicks (made from cotton or nylon), growing medium, plants, and of course, the nutrient solution. Fill the container with the nutrient solution, and the grow tray with your chosen growing medium.
Next, plant your plants in the grow tray, making sure their roots reach down to the wicks. Then place this grow tray above the nutrient solution container. Once set up, the wick system requires very little maintenance, making it another great choice for hydroponic beginners. However, because the wick cannot supply water and nutrients as quickly as the plants may use them, this system is best suited for smaller plants, such as herbs and lettuces.
Nutrient Film Technique (NFT) System
This technique involves a constant flow of nutrient solution, which ensures that the plants always have access to water, nutrients, and oxygen. The plants in this system are usually suspended in net pots, with their roots exposed to the nutrient film flowing beneath them.
To set up an NFT system, you will need a flat, slightly sloping surface, a reservoir for the nutrient solution, a water pump, tubing for delivering the nutrient solution, a collection tube for the runoff, and a spreader mat. The primary action is using the water pump to continuously pump the nutrient solution from the reservoir to the uppermost part of the slope.
It then flows down over the roots and is collected at the bottom, where it returns to the reservoir to be recycled. The NFT system is great for most types of plants but performs best with lightweight, fast-growing plants such as lettuce and spinach.
The Dutch Bucket System
Also known as the Bato bucket system, the Dutch bucket system is versatile and ideal for larger plants that require more root space. The plants are housed in individual buckets filled with a growing medium such as perlite or hydroton. A drip system continuously provides these plants with water and nutrients, which then drains back into the main reservoir to be recycled.
To set up this system, you’ll need buckets, a reservoir for the nutrient solution, a water pump, drip emitters, tubing to connect everything, and a medium in which to grow your plants. The Dutch bucket system can accommodate a wider variety of plants than the other systems mentioned, including fruiting plants like tomatoes and cucumbers.
Bubbling Bucket System
This system is also known as the Bubbleponics or Top drip system. It is a hybrid system combining features of DWC and Dutch bucket system. In this system, the roots are submerged in nutrient solution, and an air stone or diffuser is used to create bubbles providing oxygen to the roots.
Setting up a bubbling bucket system needs a container or bucket, net pots, nutrient solution, air pump, air stone, tubing, and the selected growing medium. Then the setup is very much akin to the DWC system. Just add the top drip element to keep the medium moist.
With hydroponic gardening growing in popularity, many manufacturers are offering affordable, pre-made systems perfect for beginner hydroponic gardeners. One prominent example is the “AeroGarden,” an all-in-one system that can accommodate different plants.
In conclusion, hydroponic gardening offers a greener, healthier, and more sustainable way to grow your favorite plants and vegetables. As a beginner, choosing an easy system will provide a good foundation upon which you can build your hydroponic growing skills. With care, attention, and regular maintenance, you’ll be amazed at just how much you can grow in a small space, without the need for soil.
