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Hydroponics. Lesson #1 Introduction to Hydroponics. Objectives. To describe how hydroponics differs from traditional agriculture. To identify the advantages of hydroponics over soil based agriculture. Read the Introduction. 1. What is hydroponics?.
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Hydroponics Lesson #1 • Introduction to Hydroponics
Objectives • To describe how hydroponics differs from traditional agriculture. • To identify the advantages of hydroponics over soil based agriculture.
Read the Introduction
1. What is hydroponics? • Growing plants in a solution of the nutrients necessary for plant growth rather than directly in the soil (growing w/o soil)
2. What are the major parts of a typical hydroponic system? • Growing tank – the tank that contains the plants growing media
2. What are the major parts of a typical hydroponic system? • Nutrient tank – the tank that contains the water and nutrient solution • Catch basin – the tank that catches the nutrient solution after it has drained through the growing tank
3. What is the difference between passive and active hydroponics systems? • An ACTIVE system doesrecirculate the nutrient solution with a pump. • A PASSIVE system does notrecirculate the nutrient solution with a pump.
Active Systems… Nutrient Film Technique (NFT )
Passive Systems… Wick/Air Gap
4. What is the difference between an “open” and a “closed” system? • In an open system the nutrient solution is distributed from the reservoir to the plants and is then “drained to waste.” • In a closed system, the water is collected and reused.
5. What are the advantages of hydroponics over traditional soil based growing systems? • No cultivating • No digging • No weeding • No soil born pest and diseases • Less water and fertilizer is needed • Closer plant spacing is possible • Fact – 10 to 13 tons of tomatoes per acre/yr vs. 350 tons per acre/yr with hydro (Eurofresh)
Objectives • To describe how hydroponics differs from traditional agriculture. • To identify the advantages of hydroponics over soil based agriculture.