Midd-West High School
Landscaping
11/06/14
Mr. Bittner
The definition of hydroponics is the process of growing plants in sand, gravel or liquid with added nutrients but without soil (Destroying the Myths). I don’t know that it could be put any simpler than that. I am talking today to explain how this process works, how it is used around the world in landscaping and as a sustainable food source and also how you can use it in your life, along with the pros and cons of each side. This topic interests me because I wonder what I could do with this process, how I could gain knowledge and spread the knowledge to others. I have researched for a few days and looked at reliable sources. Hydroponics, or growing plants without water, can be a useful process used worldwide in landscape and also for the production of food, to help sustain food sources. First I will discuss, how hydroponics works. Hydroponics is simply the growth of plants without traditional soil. There are many different systems or techniques. Each technique is unique and different from another, but all have one thing in common, no soil use. For example, aeroponics is a method by which the roots are misted with a nutrient solution while suspended in the air. You may have heard of the AeroGarden, a commercialized aeroponics system. Deepwater Culture also known as the reservoir method is considered to be the easiest method for growing hydroponics. The roots are suspended in a nutrient solution. An aquarium air pump oxygenates the nutrient solution and this keeps the plants of roots from drowning. Although you need to prevent light from penetrating your system, otherwise algae could grow, causing disaster to your system. Nutrient Film Technique is a system where a continuous flow of nutrient solution runs over the plants roots. This type of solution is on a slight tilt so that the nutrient solution will flow with the force of gravity. This works well because the roots of the plant absorb more oxygen from the air than from the nutrient solution itself. Since only the tips of the roots come in contact with the nutrient solution, the plant is able to get more oxygen, which accelerates a faster rate of growth. Wicking is one of the easiest and lowest costing methods of hydroponics. The concept to wicking is that you have a material placed in the nutrient solution. The solution is then wicked to the roots of the plant. Ebb and Flow hydroponics system, also known as a flood and drain system (Hydroponic Systems 101). This system functions by flooding the growing area with the nutrient solution at specific intervals. After flooding it slowly drains back into the reservoir. Lastly, the drip system works by providing a slow feed of nutrient rich solution to the plants. A medium is used to help absorb all the water. The downside to this system is that the drippers could easily get clogged. Second, I will describe how landscaping is used around the world and how it is a sustainable food source. Most people have seen a building that has a small pond purposely put into landscaping. Did you ever notice water lilies, water hyacinths, or scarlet flames? Some have, some have not. Ponds are commonly used around the world in landscaping. Some ponds have flowers or other aquatic plants growing in them. This is most similar to the deepwater culture system. This is considered to be aquaponics, which is very similar to hydroponics, and some consider it to be hydroponics. Both aquaponics and hydroponics are growing plants without soil. The ponds systems work especially well if set up correctly. A small pond in landscaping should have goldfish living within along with an air pump. The air pump for the fish will also help the plants growing on above. One disadvantage to landscaping with a pond is the higher electric bill due to the pump constantly running and also the threat of an algal bloom if the pond is not considered before
