An introduction to hydroponic gardening. Learn what it is, how to start growing, and the benefits of soiless farming.

1. Hydroponic
Growing
Guide

2. What Is Hydroponics
And How Does It Work?

3. THE WORD
Comes from Two
Greek words
"hydro" and "ponics"

4. “Hydro” means water “Ponics” means labor

5. Hydroponic can be defined as a subset of
hydro culture and is a way of growing plants,
food crops or flowers in water but without
any soil

6. History Of Hydroponics

7. The scientists however, started their
experiments with soil less gardening back in
the 1950's and there has been progress and
developments in this concept which came to
be known as hydroponic gardening

8. What Are The Benefits
Of Hydroponics?

9. No need for a yard or a garden to grow your plants
Quite affordable
No longer have to be dependent on
seasonal planting
Plants grow faster under this system
Yield of the plants under the hydroponic
system is around 20-25% bigger
Convenient way of
growing plants
Gardening takes up less space than the conventional way

10. Helps to save water
Hydroponic system is better for
the overall environment
Way of enjoyment
Bond the family together
This system only needs about 1/4 of the
fertilizer in the planting
Great form of food source
Produce about the same yeild as compared to the soil gardening

11. Different Types Of
Hydroponic Systems

12. Deep water culture1 Ebb and flow 2
Wicking3 The Drip System 4
Aeroponic5 Nutrient Film technique 6

13. 1
DEEPWATER CULTURE
The Deepwater culture or DWC is also
known as the reservoir method and it is
also one of the easiest way of growing
plants using the hydroponic system

14. 2
NUTRIENT FILM TECHNIQUE
NFT or Nutrient Film Technique is another
system of hydroponics where there is a
continuous flow of nutrient solution that
flows over the roots of the plants

15. 3
AEROPHONICS
This method of hydroponic is where the
roots of the plant are misted with the
nutrient solution while they are
suspended in the air

16. 4
THE WICK SYSTEM
There is a reservoir that is filled with
nutrients and water and above it there is a
container that is filled with the growing
medium

17. 5
EBB AND FLOW
This method works through flooding the
growing medium through a nutrient and
water solution and then it drains it back
into the reservoir

18. 6
THE DRIP SYSTEM
There is a timer which controls a
submersed pump and the timers turns the
pump on and the solution mixed with the
nutrients is dripped on the base of each
plant using a very small drip line

19. Getting Started With The
Hydroponic System

20. Choosing What To Grow
Almost anything can be grown using the
hydroponic system of gardening, but for
the beginners, it is best to start small

21. Lighting
At least six hours of sunlight every single
day and twelve or sixteen hours is even
better for their growth

22. Room Conditions
Air circulation as well as the CO2 levels.
The ideal level of humidity for the
hydroponic grow room is around 40-60%
relative humidity.

23. Water Quality
PH of the water as well as the level of the
mineral salts. The PH level, which is the
ideal level, is around 5.8 to 6.2 (slightly
acidic)

24. Nutrients
The fertilizers or the nutrients which are
used in the hydroponic system are
available quite easily in two forms, liquid
as well as in the dry form

25. Other Equipment

26. Meters Humidifiers Fans

27. Meters
You would be required to have
meters in order to test the pH and
the PPM levels of the water
Humidifiers
Purchase a room humidifier or a
dehumidifier, depending on the
climate
Fans
Invest in some kind of an air
circulation equipment or a fan so
that you can make the air flow
better in your grow room

28. Starter Plants

29. Herbs for example,
parsley, basil,
cilantro, oregano
and mint
Green for example, spinach, lettuce, kale
and Swiss chard
Strawberries Tomatoes
Hot Peppers

30. Pick Your Medium

31. Coconut Coir LECA / Clay Balls

32. Coconut Coir
Husks of coconut and is composed
of micro sponges
LECA / Clay Balls
Lightweight Expanded Clay
Aggregate and it excels with
drainage

33. How To Monitor Your
Hydroponic System

34. Monitor your hydroponic crops regularly
The mechanics of your
hydroponic system
You should
also check
the timer
and the
lights
They should be
monitored at least once
a week
The water needs to be changed in case
there is a sign of any disease
Check the
plants for
disease or
any pests
Check the
nutrient
levels

35. The Future Of
Hydroponics

36. Which is
up by
19% this
year
43 million of American
households are expected to grow
their own fruits, vegetables, herbs
and berries this year

37. With the movement towards the health
conscious society on the rise, this is a
great opportunity for hydroponics and
organic farming

38. MORE INFORMATION
www.Hydroponicgarde
ningcenter.com/Learn-
hydroponics/