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Home Hydroponics

Smart Solutions : Episode SSL-761 -- More Projects »
If you have no space for plants or vegetables outdoors, try growing them inside hydroponically. Plants use 90 percent less water this way than when planted in the soil. Gardening expert Jamie McMurray explains how to set up and maintain a hydroponics system in your home.

* Note: Almost any plant can be grown this way. Check with your local plant nursery for the specific nutrient needs of the plants you choose.

Materials:

plant
pot or container
culture pot (to hold the plant)
absorbent clay pebbles
nutrient mix
bucket of lukewarm water

Steps:


  1. Remove the plant from its pot and wash the dirt away from the roots in lukewarm (not hot or cold) water.
PHOTO

Figure A
PHOTO

Figure B
PHOTO

Figure C
  • Fill a culture pot with clay pebbles and place inside decorative container (figure A).

  • Place the plant in the center of the pot and fill with more pebbles (figure B).

  • Add water to pot. To check the depth, insert a wooden spoon handle to see how high up the moisture goes on the handle(figure C). There should be at least two inches of water.

  • Wait two weeks before adding nutrients to the water.

    Vegetables can also be grown hydroponically. For this, you will need the following:

    fish tank
    air pump
    tubing (available at fish-supply stores)
    air stone
    mesh (fine gauge, very soft and pliable)
    plastic cup (large size to hold a mature plant)
    pH kit
    polystyrene
    a mixture of half perlite, half vermiculite
    a light with full spectrum bulb

    Steps:

    • PHOTO

    Figure D

    1. Cut the polystyrene to fit the opening at the top of the fish tank. Then cut three holes in the top (figure D).

    2. Cut holes in the bottom and sides of the plastic cup.

    3. Cut a piece of mesh large enough to fit down to the bottom inside the cup and drape over the top edge. This will prevent the potting material from coming out of the bottom of the cup. Push the mesh into the cup.

    4. Put a little of the potting mixture in the cup and add the plant. Fill the rest of the cup with the mixture. Prepare all plants this way (steps two through four).
    PHOTO

    Figure E
  • Prepare the fish tank: Insert one end of the tubing to the side of the air stone and place stone in the bottom of the tank (figure E).

  • Attach the other end of the tubing to the air pump.

  • Fill the tank with water and turn on the pump.

  • Add plant food to the water.
    • PHOTO

    Figure F
  • Place the polystyrene across the top of the tank and insert the plants (figure F).

  • If the plants are not in a spot where they get sunlight, suspend a shop light about 10 to 12 inches above them. Be sure to turn off the light at night so the plants can rest.

  • Check the water occasionally with a ph testing kit.

  • Leave the air pump running all the time.

  • Wrap the sides of the tank with black plastic to keep the sun off the water.
    • Guests
    Jamie McMurray
    Landscaper/Owner
    Simply Green Landscape Design and Installation
    Phone: 310-403-1925
    Fax: 310-388-1019
    E-mail: smplygrn@aol.com
    Website: www.simplygreeninc.org
    Also in this Episode
    Smart Solutions : Episode SSL-761
    •Seashell Arrangements
    •Roasting Foods
    •Home Hydroponics
    •Smart Solution of the Day
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