What do you hate most about gardening? Is it bugs? Drought? Unpredictable weather? Dirt? If so, science has a solution: hydroponics.
Steve Sevener, owner of Atlantis Hydroponics, began gardening as a hobby. His enthusiasm grew into a business.
"As we come into the new millennium, I think people are becoming more aware of efficiency, environmental conciousness and the dangers of pesticides," he says.
"Hydroponics addresses all those issues, and that's the attraction," Sevener says. "Given the fact that our world population is expected to double by 2030, we must consider new methods of food production."
Hydroponically grown plants don't depend on soil, but on a liquid nutrient solution. The plants may be anchored in a solid such as rockwool or baked clay stones, but these offer only structural support. Roots extend into a water and nutrient solution that is circulated by a small pump.
Roots extend into a water and nutrient solution that is circulated by a small pump. Plants use their roots as wicks to draw up the water and nutrients.
"Aeration is critical to a successful hydroponic design," Sevener says. "Plant roots must have oxygen."
Proponents are impressed with the fact that hydroponic plants can achieve higher yields and faster growth than those grown with traditional methods. Figures of 30 percent to 50 percent time and yield improvement are typical.
Commercial growers appreciate the environmental control open to them. Most hydroponic operations are indoors where climate can be moderated and light adjusted to optimal levels.
Old-fashioned dirt gardeners are often suspicious of the artificiality of hydroponics. They fear that some yet uncataloged plant requirement existing in the soil may not be met hydroponically. Concern about puny plants with low nutritional value is often voiced.
"I have to disagree with that idea," Sevener says.
With this water-based system, seeds can be planted or an existing plant from soil can be used. Just wash off all the dirt on the roots, place it in the hydroponics pot and fill in media around the roots.
Hydroponics allow for complete fulfillment of macro-nutrients: nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, sulfur and magnesium along with micro-nutrients iron, boron, manganese, copper, zinc, molybdenum and chlorine.
"I think the testing and dosing of plant nutrients is very scientifically complete. We can provide exactly what a plant needs," he asserts. "Plants that have their needs filled perfectly grow better."
Nutrient density and pH balance are tested regularly to keep them correctly adjusted. High-intensity discharge lights operate on timers to provide ideal "sunlight" exposure.
Premixed nutrients are available, but many growers, like Sevener, prefer to formulate their own recipes from components to achieve specific goals or nourish particular plants.
Organic gardeners can try hydroponics, too, using nutrients from bat and seabird guano, liquified seaweed and fish-based fertilizers.
Hydroponics allow for complete fulfillment of macro- and micro-nutrients. Some growers prefer to formulate their own recipes to achieve specific goals or nourish particular plants.
What about everybody's least favorite garden visitors: disease and insects?
"They are less of a problem than you might expect," Sevener says.
"The nutrients are sterile, so right away we have avoided soil-borne disease. The leaves are never wet by overhead water. That, plus the high intensity lighting, cuts down on fungus diseases," he says.
"Insects tend to be less of a problem indoors. We find that less dangerous controls, such as insecticidal soaps and beneficial insects, do the job quite well."
A 4-by-4-foot hydroponic setup that houses 24 plants costs about $500. Sevener estimates that such an apparatus would replace a 20-by-30-foot garden spot in terms of production.
It is possible, however, to try out hydroponics for a much smaller investment. Sevener's first attempt involved 2-liter soda bottles stuffed with rockwool and placed upside down into the nutrient solution.
"You can cut holes in the top of a plastic storage box to hold the bottles and aerate with a simple fish pump," he says.
"Ideally you do want an opaque container to keep light away from the nutrient solution. This whole thing can be set up for just a few dollars," Sevener says.
TheWeb site, www.atlantishydroponics. com, offers comprehensive information on making hydroponics work at all levels of involvement.
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