Oganic Hydroponics

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In previous articles I've given what I consider to be sound ecological reasons for why I am an organic gardener. (The fundamental consideration being that the natural approach offers the only way I know to maintain continuous sod fertility without disastrous side effects.) In my greenhouse gravel tanks, however, I have no reservations about using hydroponic chemicals . . . for one thing, because I've proven to my own satisfaction that there are no nutritional differences whatsoever in vegetables grown by either sod or soilless methods.

The only criticism of hydroponic gardening that I accept as valid is the complaint that hydroponics relies (for the most part) on the use of chemicals which are derived from fossil fuels, or which use vast amounts of these fuels in their manufacture. For that reason, I've recently been working with various organic hydroponic solutions, and have been both surprised and delighted with the results of my very first efforts.

The hydroponic method of growing produce was originally developed as a scientific tool to determine the mineral requirements of plants. Consequently, in its commercial applications, hydroponics has always relied upon pure chemical salts for nutrient solutions. Very little research, however, seems to have been done with organically derived plant food formulas.

Perhaps the most notable work that has been undertaken along these lines was carried out in India. James Sholto Douglas, in his book Hydroponics: The Bengal System ($5.25 from the Oxford University Press, 200 Madison Ave., New York, N.Y. 10016), describes something known as the "Sharder process" which was developed at the Hydroponics and Fish Investigation Unit in Bengal:

Normal beds of aggregate are employed for raising plants, but to supply essential nourishment to crops, manure shells or pots are placed at appropriate intervals along the trough. These consist of earthenware vessels, lined with some kind of sieve or screen, and pierced by a number of tiny holes at the bottoms. The pots are filled with a nutrient sludge or semi-liquid manure, a typical formula for which would be:

Fresh or dried dung, one handful.
Matured oil cakes, four teaspoonfuls.

Alternatively, such materials as hoof-and-bone meal, shoddy (wool waste), and similar plant foodstuffs can be utilized, the exact quantities depending upon their analyses. Dried wood ashes are also fairly good for the purpose . . .

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