How to Grow Vegetables Hydroponically
Hydroponics is the practice of growing plants without the use of soil. The plants are anchored in an inert growing medium and housed in net pots. The roots of the plant are then able to grow through the medium and into a reservoir of nutrient rich water. One of the advantages of growing vegetables hydroponically is the absence of soil borne pests and bacteria, resulting in healthier plants. You can use a hydroponics systems indoors, so you can grow fresh vegetables year-round. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Rockwool cubes
- Nutrients
- pH meter
- Access to fresh water
- Hydroponics systems of your choice
Instructions
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1
Determine what type or types of vegetables you wish to grow. What vegetables you wish to grow will determine what type or types of hydroponic systems you need.
For lettuce and greens, purchase a lettuce raft system. For tomatoes, cucumbers and squash, use a Dutch bucket system that will allow you to stake the plant. For potatoes and other root vegetables, you will need an aeroponics system. -
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Start the vegetables from seed. Place two or three seeds in an inert growing medium such as a rock wool cube. Place the cube in a small container with enough water to keep the cube damp but not wet, usually one-half to one inch of water.
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Add an eighth of a teaspoon of general growth nutrients to the water when the seeds have sprouted. Allow the seeds to reach the seedling stage.
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Place each seedling in a two-inch or three-inch net pot. Net pots are available at any hydroponics outlet. Use a two-inch net pot for lettuce and greens. Use a three-inch net pot for all other vegetables.
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Add water and nutrients to your hydroponics system. General growth nutrients will meet the nutritional needs of vegetable seedlings. After you add the nutrients to your system, check the pH balance using a pH meter. The pH should be between 5.5 and 6.5.
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Renew the nutrients in your system every two to three weeks. Empty the system and use the water for your houseplants or soil garden. Refill your system with fresh water and nutrients.
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Adjust the nutrients when your vegetables show signs of flowering or maturing, if necessary. If the leaves yellow and your plants fail to set fruit, there may be too much nitrogen in the nutrients. Too little nitrogen may result in stunted growth. If there are no signs of distress, continue using your general nutrient.
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Monitor the roots of your vegetable plant. The roots should appear plump and white in color. Once the plant has matured, you may see a slight yellowing of the roots. If the roots are thin and translucent, you may need to adjust the oxygenating process in your system to ensure the bubble stone is working properly.
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Harvest the vegetables and greens just as you would in a soil garden. Monitor the water level between renewing the nutrients. If the water level drops add clean fresh water to maintain the appropriate level for your system; plants are very thirsty when they are producing.
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10
When the plant has finished producing and is in the die back cycle, remove it from the system. Replace it with a new seedling.
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