Plants are grown in a water-based system.Some systems are more complex than others.It doesn't have to be overwhelming to get into this type of gardening.There are systems that can be put together by anyone.A simple ebb and flow system can be used to start a garden.Put together the system, plant the seeds, and maintain the garden.
Step 1: A leak-proof pan is needed.
To start a simple ebb and flow system, you need a leak-proof pan.The pan's size depends on how many plants you want to grow, but should be at least 6 to 8 inches deep to offer a growing medium.If you run out of room in the first pan, you can always use more than one pan.A good leak-proof pan is a kitty litter pan.You can find a leak-proof pan at a supermarket, pet store, or gardening store.
Step 2: There are small pots inside the pan.
Purchase small pots that will be placed inside the pan.The pots will be filled with seeds.The holes at the bottom of the cups make empty K-cups good for their size.If you can poke a few holes at the bottom and sides of the pot, it will work.Depending on the material of the pot, you can poke holes with a nail.You will need to drill a few holes if the pot is made of a harder material.
Step 3: The pots should be filled with growing medium.
You can fill the pots with a growing medium once you have lined them.Gravel, clay pellets, vermiculite, rockwool/stonewool, sand, or cotton are some of the growing media that are used to support the plant's root system.Good drainage is needed for flow systems.You can use gravel or cotton batting.If you choose cotton batting, make sure to use an organic brand because cotton is often sprayed with chemicals.In ebb and flow systems, expanded clay pellets work well.They have good drainage and can be used again.
Step 4: The pan should be flooded.
There is a simple flood and drain model.Each day the plants are flooded for twenty to thirty minutes.The tray is emptied.People with ebb and flood systems use a pump to do this.Set up your flood and drain system if you're using a pump.Most people put a growing pan above a bucket.To get the pump to deliver the solution into the tray, you'll need to connect the pan and reservoir with it.An overflow pipe needs to be installed to drain the solution back into the reservoir.If you're flooding manually, use at least one cup of water and pour it over the pan.The water needs to get into each pot.At least five minutes should be enough for the water to soak into the pots.Allow the water to drain into a bucket by tipping the pan.
Step 5: The pan should be drained.
The drain cycle is followed by the flood.This can be done more or less automatically with a pump.The pump can be programmed to work on a timer.After the seeds have soaked for fifteen minutes, remove the pots from the pan.Repeatedly, drain whatever water is left in the pain into a bucket and repeat the process.
Step 6: Find a tray.
Hydroponic systems are usually the easiest to build, as they don't have any moving parts, pumps, or electricity.In other words, it sort of sucks up the liquid from the tray above to the plants, like a sponge.The growing tray will be your basic component.Plants can be held in a leak-proof container.This can be a bucket, tray, or other container.A bucket is a leak-proof container.The container should be large enough to support the growing tray and hold your solution.
Step 7: You can choose a wick.
In an ebb and flow system, the delivery mechanism is a pump or your own hands, whereas in a wick system it is the wick.The most important part is the wicks.Plants don't get the vitamins they need without a good absorbent wick.Rope, wool, cotton, or rayon rope, and strips from old clothing or blankets are some of the materials that work as wicks.To see what works best, you'll want to test it.It's important to make sure that your wick is absorbent and resistant to rotting.It's a good idea to wash the wick before you use it.There is enough material on hand.Unless your system is small, you'll probably need at least two to four wicks.
Step 8: You need to connect the parts.
It's easy to set up a wicks system since there are no pumps or moving parts.Most of the time, people place the growing tray above the reservoir and connect the two with the wicks.It's best to have these parts as close to you as possible, as the shorter the wicks, the more water it can transport to your plants' growing medium.Next, you'll need to punch holes in the bottom of your tray.Put the containers in place by threading in your wicks.The growing tray should be spread evenly with the wicks.If you want to cover the wicks, add your growing medium to the bottom of the tray.It's necessary to have an absorbent medium like vermiculite, coco coir, or perlite.Fresh water should be flushed out of the medium about every two weeks in order to reduce the risk of toxic levels.
Step 9: Put a seed in each pot.
You are ready to plant the seeds once the system is set up.The type of seeds you plant is up to you.You can grow a lot of flowers, herbs, and vegetables.Put a seed in each pot.The seeds will absorb the water that was poured into the pots.In a Hydroponic system, beans grow well.Within eight to ten days, the seeds start to grow.
Step 10: Plants need a certain amount of a nutrients for their growth.
Plants need a lot of food and water.To make sure that your plants are getting everything they need, you'll need to choose a nutrient.This is important to a successful garden.Plants need 16 elements to grow.Poor crop performance can be caused by too much or too little of any nutrients.It's best to look for a commercial solution that has a full profile of vitamins and minerals.Hydroponic solutions can be powered or liquid.If you are a beginner, you may want to start with something that is more error-proof.These don't require mixing and are more expensive.
Step 11: Pull or transplant the plant.
You can wait until the plants are grown to remove them.The time for plants to grow depends on what you planted.Many growers wait until the plants are fully mature and harvest them all at once, because it's not easy to transplant them.Wait until the bed is dry to remove the plant and shake it off.
Step 12: Get a grow light.
If your plants are not placed outside in a greenhouse during the winter, you may need a grow light.A grow light is similar to natural daylight.They can be purchased online.You should research the amount of light required for each plant you are planting.The on/off setting of your grow light can be controlled with a simple timer.An analogue timer will work.There is no need for a digital timer.
Step 13: The pH level should be tested.
The pH level of your garden should be tested on a regular basis.You can pick up Nitrazine paper at many drugstores.Simply dip one of the strips into the solution you're using and compare it to the chart that comes with the paper.Depending on the result of the test, you can add potash or phosphoric acid to the solution to maintain a pH between six and seven.
Step 14: The soap should be used for pests.
Hydroponic gardens are vulnerable to pests.You can use insecticidal soap or pyrethrin based spray to get rid of pests.You can buy both of these pesticides from most gardening stores.Follow the directions on the label of the pesticide you choose to use.
Step 15: If you notice a disease, sterilize the bed.
Plants have some symptoms of diseases.If you notice any of the symptoms, you can either sterilize your garden or use a spray.To sterilize your garden, remove the pots, temporarily move them to another container, and flood the original container with bleach solution.Allow the bleach to sit in the container for 24 hours.You should wash thoroughly with water.