Hydroponics is a subset of hydroculture, the method of growing plants without soil, using mineral nutrient solutions in a water solvent.

1. HYDROPONICSHYDROPONICS

2. WHAT ISWHAT IS
HYDROPONICSHYDROPONICS
• Hydroponics comes from the Latin language and itHydroponics comes from the Latin language and it
means working water.means working water.
• "hydro" means "water""hydro" means "water"
• "ponos" means "labor"."ponos" means "labor".
Soil less growing!Soil less growing!

3. PLANT NEEDSPLANT NEEDS
What is needed for a plant to survive?What is needed for a plant to survive?
• WaterWater
• SunlightSunlight
• AirAir
• Nutrients (usually soil)Nutrients (usually soil)
• Anchorage (root system)Anchorage (root system)

4. SOIL LESS GROWING?SOIL LESS GROWING?
What is used as a growing media is soil isn’t present?What is used as a growing media is soil isn’t present?
- GravelGravel -Rockwool-Rockwool
- SandSand -Styrofoam-Styrofoam
VermiculiteVermiculite CocopitCocopit
Anything Inert!Anything Inert!

5. HISTORYHISTORY
The process of hydroponics growing in our oceansThe process of hydroponics growing in our oceans
goes back to about the time the earth was created.goes back to about the time the earth was created.
Hydroponic growing preceded soil growing.Hydroponic growing preceded soil growing.

6. HISTORYHISTORY
• One of the 7 wonders of the ancient world.One of the 7 wonders of the ancient world.
• Hanging gardens of Babylon, somewhere in (Iraq)Hanging gardens of Babylon, somewhere in (Iraq)
The gardens were built in 604-562 BC byThe gardens were built in 604-562 BC by
Nebuchadnezzar II for his wife who grew up in theNebuchadnezzar II for his wife who grew up in the
mountains.mountains.

7. HISTORYHISTORY
Floating gardens of the Aztecs of MexicoFloating gardens of the Aztecs of Mexico
A nomadic tribe, Roughly treated by their moreA nomadic tribe, Roughly treated by their more
powerful neighbors, denied anypowerful neighbors, denied any arablearable land, theland, the
Aztecs survived by exercising remarkable powersAztecs survived by exercising remarkable powers
of invention. Since they had no land on which toof invention. Since they had no land on which to
grow crops, they determined to manufacture itgrow crops, they determined to manufacture it
from the materials at handfrom the materials at hand

8. HISTORYHISTORY
• Egyptian hieroglyphic records date back severalEgyptian hieroglyphic records date back several
hundred years B.C. describe the growing of plants inhundred years B.C. describe the growing of plants in
water."water."
Hydroponics is hardly a new method of growingHydroponics is hardly a new method of growing
plants. However, giant strides have been madeplants. However, giant strides have been made
over the years in this innovative area ofover the years in this innovative area of
agriculture.agriculture.

9. WHY?????WHY?????
Q.Q. Why have scientists and horticulturistsWhy have scientists and horticulturists
experimented with different methods of hydroponics?experimented with different methods of hydroponics?
A.A. It is a simple fact that some people cannot grow inIt is a simple fact that some people cannot grow in
the soil in their area (if there is even any soil at all).the soil in their area (if there is even any soil at all).

10. ADVANTAGESADVANTAGES
Faster Growth-Faster Growth- Hydroponics works by automaticallyHydroponics works by automatically
getting the complete nutrient mixture and water to thegetting the complete nutrient mixture and water to the
roots without drowning the plant. Plants getroots without drowning the plant. Plants get
everything they need all the time, so they do not wasteeverything they need all the time, so they do not waste
growing a lot of roots or searching for nutrients.growing a lot of roots or searching for nutrients.

11. ADVANTAGESADVANTAGES
No Weeds or Pests-No Weeds or Pests- Gardening without soilGardening without soil
eliminates the weeds do you do not need weed sprays.eliminates the weeds do you do not need weed sprays.
Also, because there are no weeds, there will be noAlso, because there are no weeds, there will be no
backache from a hoe or rototiller. Since most pestsbackache from a hoe or rototiller. Since most pests
live and breed in the soil, you do not need to uselive and breed in the soil, you do not need to use
pesticides or other toxic chemicals.pesticides or other toxic chemicals.

12. ADVANTAGESADVANTAGES
Great Plant Quality and Taste-Great Plant Quality and Taste- Since the plantsSince the plants
get everything it needs, all the time, it will reward youget everything it needs, all the time, it will reward you
with great taste, strong and fast growth, and overallwith great taste, strong and fast growth, and overall
plant quality.plant quality.
Grow in Any Condition-Grow in Any Condition- Systems may beSystems may be
constructed and used in any location from space toconstructed and used in any location from space to
under water exploration.under water exploration.
Smaller Growing AreaSmaller Growing Area

13. DISADVANTAGESDISADVANTAGES
• Cost of initial investment on hydroponic systems is high.Cost of initial investment on hydroponic systems is high.
• Hydroponic production is management, capital and laborHydroponic production is management, capital and labor
intensive.intensive.
• A high level of expertise is required.A high level of expertise is required.
• Daily attention is necessary.Daily attention is necessary.
• Specially formulated, soluble nutrients must always beSpecially formulated, soluble nutrients must always be
used.used.
• Pests and diseases remain a big risk.Pests and diseases remain a big risk.
• Some water born diseases can spread rapidly in recirculationSome water born diseases can spread rapidly in recirculation
system.system.

14. PASSIVE VS ACTIVEPASSIVE VS ACTIVE
• Passive systemsPassive systems (no moving parts) are great for(no moving parts) are great for
beginning hydroponics gardeners because they arebeginning hydroponics gardeners because they are
inexpensive, portable, and simple to set up.inexpensive, portable, and simple to set up.
• Active systemsActive systems employ pumps and other devices toemploy pumps and other devices to
deliver nutrient solutions to plant roots.deliver nutrient solutions to plant roots.

15. NUTRIENTSNUTRIENTS
Basic Nutrients C, H, OBasic Nutrients C, H, O
Macro NutrientsMacro Nutrients Micro NutrientsMicro Nutrients
MoMo
PrimaryPrimary SecondarySecondary MnMn
NN CaCa ZnZn
PP MgMg CuCu
KK SS FeFe
BB
ClCl

16. PLANT TISSUE CULTURINGPLANT TISSUE CULTURING
PROCESSPROCESS
Capillary System (passive)Capillary System (passive)
The capillary or wick system do not use pumps orThe capillary or wick system do not use pumps or
timers. Water and nutrients are drawn up to the rootstimers. Water and nutrients are drawn up to the roots
by capillary action. These systems may be importantby capillary action. These systems may be important
when designing a system to operate in a space stationwhen designing a system to operate in a space station
where gravity is nonexistent.where gravity is nonexistent.

17. PLANT TISSUEPLANT TISSUE
CULTURING PROCESSCULTURING PROCESS
Flood and Drain System (active)Flood and Drain System (active)
Most versatile. Each time the water floods from theMost versatile. Each time the water floods from the
lower reservoir into the upper growing tray, the roots arelower reservoir into the upper growing tray, the roots are
bathed in the fresh nutrients. When the nutrient drainsbathed in the fresh nutrients. When the nutrient drains
back to the reservoir, fresh air is drawn through the rootback to the reservoir, fresh air is drawn through the root
system refreshing oxygen to the roots.system refreshing oxygen to the roots.

18. PLANT TISSUE CULTURINGPLANT TISSUE CULTURING
PROCESSPROCESS
Nutrient Film Technique (NFT)Nutrient Film Technique (NFT)
The NFT systems provide a constant film of water andThe NFT systems provide a constant film of water and
nutrients along the bottom of a channel. In effect, partnutrients along the bottom of a channel. In effect, part
of the roots grow down in the water/ nutrients andof the roots grow down in the water/ nutrients and
parts of the roots above the water line getting fresh airparts of the roots above the water line getting fresh air
and oxygenand oxygen

19. LIGHTINGLIGHTING
Lightening determines what you can grow. Some plantsLightening determines what you can grow. Some plants
such as vegetable require direct sunlight. Plants suchsuch as vegetable require direct sunlight. Plants such
as violets need indirect sunlight.as violets need indirect sunlight.
High Intensity Discharge (HID)High Intensity Discharge (HID)
Most cost effective to operate and have an extremelyMost cost effective to operate and have an extremely
long life.long life.
--High Pressure SodiumHigh Pressure Sodium Provides more of theProvides more of the
red/orange spectrum, great for flowering and fruiting.red/orange spectrum, great for flowering and fruiting.
--Metal HalideMetal Halide Provides more blue/green spectrumProvides more blue/green spectrum
for vegetative growthfor vegetative growth
FluorescentFluorescent very inefficient and must be kept close tovery inefficient and must be kept close to
the plants.the plants.