Hydroponics

Lee Mandell7/26/2009

Hydroponics[f. hydro (water) + Gr. πουος (work)]

The process of growing plants without soil, in beds of sand, gravel, or similar supporting material flooded with nutrient solutions. Hence hydro{sm}ponic a., hydro{sm}ponically adv.; hydro{sm}ponicist, one who practises hydroponics; hydro{sm}ponicum, the building or garden in which hydroponics is practised.

1937 W. F. GERICKE in Science 12 Feb. 178/1 ‘Hydroponics’, which was suggested by Dr. W. A. Setchell, of the University of California, appears to convey the desired meaning better than any of a number of words considered.

Many thanks to the OED

The hanging gardens of Babylon

The floating gardens of the Aztecs

• 1860 – Sachs and Knop– Nutriculture (today called water culture)– Nutrient Solutions

• 1925 -1935 – The greenhouse industry starts– Soil turned out to be a headache

• 1930’s – W.F. Gericke at U.C. Berkley– Experimented with large scale nutriculture– Coined the word Hydroponics

• 1970’s – Things start to take off– Plastics– High oil prices, root pathogens and pests slow progress

• 1990-present – Things really start to take off– NASA, growing in Arid climates, urban farming, vertical farming …

A Very Abbreviated History

Methods

PassiveFlood and Drain (ebb and flow)Nutrient Film Technique (NFT)

Deep water/Raft cultureDrip FeedingAeroponicsAquaponics

Passive

Flood and drain (ebb and flow)

Nutrient Film Technique (NFT)

Deep water/Raft culture

Drip Feeding

Aeroponics

Aquaponics

Nutrients

Macro Nutrients– Nitrogen - (N) is primary to foliage plant growth. – Phosphorus - (P) Phosphorus helps build strong roots and is vital for

flower and seed production. – Potassium (K) - Potassium increases chlorophyll in foliage and helps

regulate stomata openings so plants make better use of light and air

Secondary Nutrients– Magnesium (Mg), Calcium (Ca)

Trace Elements– Sulphur (S), Iron (Fe), Manganese (Mg), Zinc (Z), Copper (C), Boron

(B), Molybdenum (Mn)

Electronical Connectivity (EC) and PHElectronical Connectivity measures the amount of

disolvedsalts in the nutrient solution.pH is measured on a scale of 1-14 with 7 being "neutral".

Acids are lower than 7 and alkalis (bases) are above 7.

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