Hydroponic plants for growing greenery at home and in the greenhouse

Problems of scarcity of land for the time being do not bother the Russian representatives of the agro-technical complex. Moreover, experts point to a high percentage of unprocessed land. Another thing is that not all potentially culturally suitable regions are territorially accessible for the realization of such tasks. This problem affects both agricultural industries on a global scale, and simple private farmers. In both cases, there are different ways of solving obstacles of this kind. For example, hydroponic plants for growing greenery can be considered as a universal way of organizing an economic unit without the use of soil cover. Using this technique, the farmer excludes dependence on land resources, which expands his agrotechnical capabilities.

General information about hydroponic growing

The technology involves the creation of an artificial environment, under which the plant develops by analogy with the traditional growth process in ordinary soil. As a source of supply of nutrients in this case is not a fertile and provided with microelements land, and a humid-air environment. The main emphasis, from the point of view of supplying the root system, is being done for watering activities. It is these functions that make hydroponic plants for growing green that provide plants with an aerated or solid aqueous medium that stimulates the breathing of the roots. In addition, the technology provides for regular provision of plantations with solutions containing mineral additives. Depending on the specific methodology and technical method of its organization, fillers in the form of crushed stone, natural fibers, porous vermiculite, etc. can also be used.

What is a hydroponics unit?

The simplest hydroponic systems are based on the principles of periodic irrigation of the root system. But in this case we are talking, rather, not about irrigation, but about flooding the plant. The installation itself can have different construction designs, some of which resemble beds, and others - miniature flower beds. The infrastructure of the system is implemented in such a way that the roots receive a sufficient volume of nutrient solution, as well as access to air. In the expanded version, the hydroponic plant for growing greenery and onions allows you to control the parameters of the microclimate, including regulation of lighting. But such systems are more expensive and, as a rule, they are used either in professional agrotechnical farms or for growing plants that are whimsical to living conditions.

Cultivation at home

For these purposes, you can purchase a typical installation, specifically designed for a particular kind of greenery. In the lower part of such a device it is necessary to place a nutrient solution in which all the necessary substances for plant growth must be contained. The composition must include calcium, potassium, magnesium and sodium. It should also be taken into account that water in this case is not just a means of saturating the root system with liquid, but also a second way of feeding. A conventional hydroponic plant for growing greenery at home requires the use of a water circulation system with optimum acidity characteristics. It is desirable to dilute its composition with special fertilizers, having previously cleaned them.

Features of growing in a greenhouse

In essence, this method is similar to home-grown, but on a different scale and with some nuances. Typically, for the implementation of greenhouse systems, multi-stage vegetation plants in the form of pipes are used. The configuration of the elements of the equipment should make rational use of the area of the premises and work on the same principle of aeronautical technology. The advantages of such systems are that they are calculated without restrictions on the growth of the stem. In addition to high onions, it will be possible to plant tomatoes and cucumbers. On the other hand, the hydroponic plant for growing greenery in the greenhouse should be provided with more powerful heating and lighting systems. The technical maintenance of these communications and their subsequent maintenance often takes about 70-80% of the financial investments in the installation.

Solutions for hydroponics

Already a necessary set of elements has been listed, which should be provided for almost any plant, but still it is necessary to focus on a particular variety individually. If we talk about general rules, for example, the cultivation of lettuce, basil and parsley with dill provides food nitrate magnesium, orthophosphoric acid, calcium nitrate and potassium nitrate, etc. Problems with the formation of the content of the supply base problems should arise. Much more significant is another question related to the transfer of plants to the new system. In such cases, the hydroponic plant for growing greenery should increase the concentration of nutrients gradually. For example, every 2-3 days the level of trace elements can be increased by 10-15%.

Which substrate is preferable?

This is a kind of filler, which, in effect, replaces some of the functions of the soil. For example, the substrate elements retain and regulate the air-water ratio, forming an optimal environment for the development of greenery. But, each variety of filler has its own characteristics. So, the sand base is not capable of retaining much air and water, and coarse-grained gravel gives large gaps between its particles, but it does not hold water well. In systems where hydroponic plants are used to grow greenery with a constant circulation of nutrient mixtures, a substrate with a rapid drainage effect is used. In this capacity, inexpensive expanded clay or vermiculite can be used. Eco-friendly fillers are suitable for household conditions, among them - perlite and coconut fiber. Quite popular among private farmers is mineral wool, but it is recommended to use it only in greenhouses because of synthetic origin.

How to build a hydroponics plant yourself?

For the manufacture of the device, an air compressor for the aquarium, a plastic container for placing the plants and a cut from the foam plastic panel will be required. It is important to note that direct light should not fall on the root system, so the walls of the installation should be wrapped in foil or covered with paint. In the foam sheet, it is necessary to cut openings in which pots for greens will be placed. You can also use containers or jars - the main thing is to compare the sizes of containers with niches in foam plastic beforehand. It is necessary to provide and the second set of pots, due to which the hydroponic plant for growing greenery will be realized. With your own hands, you can make containers from plastic bottles. The one-piece bottle is cut into two parts, after which the neck goes to the bottom of the bottle. In the process of the system, the solution and water will supply the lower part of the formed pot, and to the place of direct planting the useful substances will come in balanced amounts.

Growing hydroponic systems as a business

The concept of growing plants with the help of hydroponic devices is similar in its principles to entrepreneurial activity. It also traces the features of optimizing resources in the form of financial costs and areas with the preservation of high productivity. But to use this system for profit, you should first think about what the hydroponic plant will be for growing greenery. Business requires the stability of the supply of products, so you need to count on the organization of work at least in greenhouse conditions. Again, the best option would be a compact arrangement of plants in niches of multi-tier tubular structures. Also, it is necessary to think about the future channels for the supply of greenery, the formation of an assortment and the introduction of quality control and plant selection systems .

Conclusion

Despite the many advantages of systems of groundless cultivation, their comparison with the traditional method of planting reveals and obvious shortcomings. In particular, hydroponic plants for growing greenery require financial investments in the technical provision of a place for planting. But not even this factor stops many people who want to engage in such activities, but the complexity of the organization of the system and the hassle associated with its maintenance. Stable hydroponic construction is quite expensive, and budget and home-made analogues need regular adjustments. But with the correct content of the plant, you can count on getting a rich harvest in the form of ecologically clean and useful greens.