Grow plants quickly and efficiently without soil.
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What is Hydroponics? Hydroponics is soilless horticulture. Although soil acts as a mineral nutrient reservoir, soil itself is not essential to plant growth. Plants can be grown with their roots in an inert medium such as coconut husk (coir). When mineral nutrients are then dissolved in water and added, plant roots have easy, direct access to the oxygen, nutrients and water they need, allowing the plants to spend energy on growth. Essentially, if a plant has exactly what it needs, when it needs it, in the amount it needs, the plant will be as healthy as genetically possible. This is far more difficult in soil. With hydroponics, you are in charge! |
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Save Water with Hydroponics
If two genetically identical plants are grown using hydroponics for one and soil for the other, the difference in plant growth will soon be obvious. Better, faster growth and greater yields, while using 90% less water, are among the key reasons that hydroponics is being implemented around the planet for commercial food production as well as by home gardeners.
How It Works
The Aloha Vertical Victory Garden is a modified hydroponics system combined with vertical gardening, making it easy for anyone from novice to expert to use and appreciate. Six stackable planters sit on top of a water/nutrient reservoir. Each planter is filled with coir, a growing medium that protects and supports the plants and their roots. An outdoor timer triggers the water/nutrient solution to drip through each level of the garden, returning excess water to the reservoir for use in the next timed cycle.
Why We Use Coir
Coir is a natural fiber and by-product of the coconut husk. Coir can also store unused water and minerals to be released to the plant when needed. The hydroponics and horticulture industries have observed that plants grown in coir develop larger roots, stems, leaves and blossoms. Coir provides a perfect oxygen to liquid ratio for plant roots, resulting in a stronger, healthier plant.
Nutrients: Feed Your Plants So They Can Feed You
All plants need to be regularly provided with nutrients to survive. Although the supply of nutrients in soil can fluctuate significantly, with hydroponics, you are in charge and can make nutrients available to plants in a far more precise manner.
Hydrogen, carbon and oxygen are all absorbed by plants from the water and air. Mineral salts are typically purified so they are water soluble and in a form that can be absorbed by plants. Containers of these nutrient salts list the percentages of each of three key elements included, for example: NPK 15-15-15 indicates 15% N (nitrogen), 15% P (phosphorus) and15% K (potassium).
Essential elements for plants fall into three categories based on importance: macronutrients, secondary nutrients and micronutrients. Plants perform the very best when they receive all of the essential elements needed.
Macronutrients
Nitrogen (N) is essential during all stages of plant development, but particularly during the vegetative or early growth period. As a result, high-nitrogen fertilizers are frequently labeled “grow.” Nitrogen has a key role in forming amino acids, the building blocks of proteins, which are vital to plant growth. Nitrogen also promotes rapid cell division, generating robust growth.
Phosphorus (P) promotes early root formation and helps to establish seedlings and transplants. It is a critical ingredient to spur creation of the nucleic acids DNA and RNA, which is the genetic information cells need to divide. Phosphorous also plays a role in the storage and transportation of the chemical energy produced through photosynthesis. High-phosphorous fertilizers are frequently labeled “flower” or “bloom” due to the effect on flower formation.
Potassium (K) is the regulator element in that it helps regulate the flow of carbohydrates throughout the plant which affects the plant metabolism; it helps regulate the opening/closing of the stomata, which regulates how quickly water and oxygen exits and carbon dioxide enters plants. Also, potassium helps to activate several plan enzymes. Adding potassium during the ripening stage can increase the size of the fruit and vegetables.
Secondary Nutrients
Calcium (Ca) is a key structural element needed for the strengthening of cell walls which yields strong plants. Calcium deficiency can result in diminished yields and blossom-end rot in tomatoes.
Magnesium (Mg), a component of chlorophyll, is necessary for photosynthesis. In addition, it activates many plant enzymes. Magnesium and calcium are typically sold together as a fertilizer and referred to as “CalMag.”
Sulfur (S) is a component of the amino acids cystine, methionine and cysteine. It is part of the development of plant enzymes and vitamins. Sulfur is contained is essential oils produced by the plant’s granular trichomes.
Micronutrients
Iron (Fe) is required within plant cells for chlorophyll synthesis. Iron deficiency is typically noticeable in the form of yellowing of leaves while the veins remain a darker green, which is a sign of chlorosis.
Boron (B) is important in the differentiation of meristem cells which can develop into any type of tissue needed by a plant – new shoots, roots or flowers.
Manganese (MN) helps to activate plant enzymes key to creation of DNA and RNA. It works with iron in chlorophyll synthesis.
Copper (Cu) is involved in the pigmentation of chlorophyll and activation of some plant enzymes.
Zinc (Zu) is necessary for the development of the plant growth hormone which is involved in root growth and multiple enzymes.
Chlorine (CI) activates key enzymes during a key part of photosynthesis, the production of oxygen from water.
Molybdenum (Mo) is involved in converting nitrate nitrogen to ammonium nitrogen and is essential for the formation of nitrogen-fixing bacterial nodules on the roots of legumes.
Plants rely on these essential elements for growth, development and reproduction. If you want to achieve optimal growth and yields, all of these elements must be provided in the appropriate amounts.
Organic Versus Hydroponic
In organic gardening, nutrients must be decomposed by micro-organisms and worms in the soil and then absorbed by plants, which is a slower process. In hydroponics, these same nutrients are provided by water soluble mineral salts directly absorbed by plants, which generates an immediate response.
pH and Why It Matters
A pH meter or tester measures the acidity and alkalinity of a liquid or other substance on a scale with a range of 0 to 14, where 7 is neutral, 8 to 14 is alkaline, and 0 to 6 is acidic. The ideal range for most hydroponic crops is 5.5 – 6.5 which allows plants to properly absorb and process nutrients most efficiently. If water is too alkaline, adding a small amount of vinegar can correct this. If water is too acidic, the addition of sodium bicarbonate can solve this.
The Aloha Vertical Victory Garden is a modified hydroponics system combined with vertical gardening, making it easy for anyone from novice to expert to use and appreciate. Six stackable planters sit on top of a water/nutrient reservoir. Each planter is filled with coir, a growing medium that protects and supports the plants and their roots. An outdoor timer triggers the water/nutrient solution to drip through each level of the garden, returning excess water to the reservoir for use in the next timed cycle.
Why We Use Coir
Coir is a natural fiber and by-product of the coconut husk. Coir can also store unused water and minerals to be released to the plant when needed. The hydroponics and horticulture industries have observed that plants grown in coir develop larger roots, stems, leaves and blossoms. Coir provides a perfect oxygen to liquid ratio for plant roots, resulting in a stronger, healthier plant.
Nutrients: Feed Your Plants So They Can Feed You
All plants need to be regularly provided with nutrients to survive. Although the supply of nutrients in soil can fluctuate significantly, with hydroponics, you are in charge and can make nutrients available to plants in a far more precise manner.
Hydrogen, carbon and oxygen are all absorbed by plants from the water and air. Mineral salts are typically purified so they are water soluble and in a form that can be absorbed by plants. Containers of these nutrient salts list the percentages of each of three key elements included, for example: NPK 15-15-15 indicates 15% N (nitrogen), 15% P (phosphorus) and15% K (potassium).
Essential elements for plants fall into three categories based on importance: macronutrients, secondary nutrients and micronutrients. Plants perform the very best when they receive all of the essential elements needed.
Macronutrients
Nitrogen (N) is essential during all stages of plant development, but particularly during the vegetative or early growth period. As a result, high-nitrogen fertilizers are frequently labeled “grow.” Nitrogen has a key role in forming amino acids, the building blocks of proteins, which are vital to plant growth. Nitrogen also promotes rapid cell division, generating robust growth.
Phosphorus (P) promotes early root formation and helps to establish seedlings and transplants. It is a critical ingredient to spur creation of the nucleic acids DNA and RNA, which is the genetic information cells need to divide. Phosphorous also plays a role in the storage and transportation of the chemical energy produced through photosynthesis. High-phosphorous fertilizers are frequently labeled “flower” or “bloom” due to the effect on flower formation.
Potassium (K) is the regulator element in that it helps regulate the flow of carbohydrates throughout the plant which affects the plant metabolism; it helps regulate the opening/closing of the stomata, which regulates how quickly water and oxygen exits and carbon dioxide enters plants. Also, potassium helps to activate several plan enzymes. Adding potassium during the ripening stage can increase the size of the fruit and vegetables.
Secondary Nutrients
Calcium (Ca) is a key structural element needed for the strengthening of cell walls which yields strong plants. Calcium deficiency can result in diminished yields and blossom-end rot in tomatoes.
Magnesium (Mg), a component of chlorophyll, is necessary for photosynthesis. In addition, it activates many plant enzymes. Magnesium and calcium are typically sold together as a fertilizer and referred to as “CalMag.”
Sulfur (S) is a component of the amino acids cystine, methionine and cysteine. It is part of the development of plant enzymes and vitamins. Sulfur is contained is essential oils produced by the plant’s granular trichomes.
Micronutrients
Iron (Fe) is required within plant cells for chlorophyll synthesis. Iron deficiency is typically noticeable in the form of yellowing of leaves while the veins remain a darker green, which is a sign of chlorosis.
Boron (B) is important in the differentiation of meristem cells which can develop into any type of tissue needed by a plant – new shoots, roots or flowers.
Manganese (MN) helps to activate plant enzymes key to creation of DNA and RNA. It works with iron in chlorophyll synthesis.
Copper (Cu) is involved in the pigmentation of chlorophyll and activation of some plant enzymes.
Zinc (Zu) is necessary for the development of the plant growth hormone which is involved in root growth and multiple enzymes.
Chlorine (CI) activates key enzymes during a key part of photosynthesis, the production of oxygen from water.
Molybdenum (Mo) is involved in converting nitrate nitrogen to ammonium nitrogen and is essential for the formation of nitrogen-fixing bacterial nodules on the roots of legumes.
Plants rely on these essential elements for growth, development and reproduction. If you want to achieve optimal growth and yields, all of these elements must be provided in the appropriate amounts.
Organic Versus Hydroponic
In organic gardening, nutrients must be decomposed by micro-organisms and worms in the soil and then absorbed by plants, which is a slower process. In hydroponics, these same nutrients are provided by water soluble mineral salts directly absorbed by plants, which generates an immediate response.
pH and Why It Matters
A pH meter or tester measures the acidity and alkalinity of a liquid or other substance on a scale with a range of 0 to 14, where 7 is neutral, 8 to 14 is alkaline, and 0 to 6 is acidic. The ideal range for most hydroponic crops is 5.5 – 6.5 which allows plants to properly absorb and process nutrients most efficiently. If water is too alkaline, adding a small amount of vinegar can correct this. If water is too acidic, the addition of sodium bicarbonate can solve this.
Sustainability
Sustainability is about using resources in a way that ensures enough for both the present and the future. Hydroponics offers a holistic solution to the shortages of arable land and fresh water while maintaining the ability to grow nutrient-rich food. This means what is good for you is good for the earth and vice versa.
Sustainability is about using resources in a way that ensures enough for both the present and the future. Hydroponics offers a holistic solution to the shortages of arable land and fresh water while maintaining the ability to grow nutrient-rich food. This means what is good for you is good for the earth and vice versa.
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