The Different Types of Hydroponics Systems and How They Work
There are several ways in which plants can be grown without a soilless base these days. Hydroponics systems come in different varieties including aeroponics, ebb and flow, wick systems, drips, and nutrient film technique. It might be pretty confusing for someone new to hydroponics to figure out these varied systems. So let’s get the basic understanding of some of the main systems.
Drip System and Ebb and Flow Hydroponic System
The Ebb and Flow system can be seen most commonly and the same goes for drip system. Most hydroponic gardens in the world utilize these systems. The basic working of this system is that a nutrient container has a growth tray attached on top of it. A pump is used to flood the growth tray with nutrients and the plants absorb the required nutrients. The excess is then drained out and recycled for future use.
Wick Hydroponic System
This is a very simple system, totally passive with no movable parts. Nutrients are absorbed from the reservoir and drawn into the growth tray. There is hardly any need for effort from your part as the process unfolds automatically.
Nutrient Film Technique
The roots of the plants are continuously washed with a flow of nutrients thus enabling them to absorb as much as required. This system is low on the maintenance factor and provides scope for better oxygenation. This is largely because there is no growth media involved in the process. Similar to the ebb and flow/ drip systems the growth tray, that contains the plants’ dangling roots, is flooded with nutrients with the excess being drained into the reservoir. This kind of a system allows recycling of nutrients but it can also lead to pH imbalance in the water. This could lead to further complications.
Water Culture Hydroponic System
Water culture is the earliest form of hydroponic systems based on very simple and basic principles. There is a reservoir containing nutrient solution and on top of this reservoir the gardener will place a floating tray. This floating tray will contain a number of planters resembling cups. Plants will be placed in such a way that their roots will fall into the nutrient solution while the body of the plants are held up in the planters.
Aeroponic System
Aeroponic systems essentially differ from hydroponics but apply some of its basic principles. The procedure does not involve water for soilless plant growth, instead air vapors are used. Plants are suspended on a reservoir in a tightly sealed container. A certain mechanism is used to create vapor from the nutrient solution and this vapor is sprayed in the reservoir. The plant roots absorb the nutrients quickly and oxygenation quality is superior.
There is lots more one can research and learn about hydroponics. Merseyside has a number of gardeners practicing these systems of soilless plant cultivation.
Hydroponics Merseyside – Are you new to the systems of hydroponics? Merseyside is served by Greenleaf Systems Ltd where you can find out all that you need to know and also buy quality products and growth systems.
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