Oganic Hydroponics

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We found that we could get several cans of hydroponic fluid from each batch of organic material. From time to time I would add fresh measures of the organic mix to the liquid . . . relying mostly?I must admit?on when it felt right to do so (that is, when the "vibes" were right!).

At first, I very religiously tested the pH of the solutions (pH being a measure of how acid?or alkaline?anything is). All of the hydroponics books really stress the importance of this, since plants will only thrive within certain narrow pH ranges. Experience has shown us, however, that the pH of our solutions both organic and commercial?is nearly always right about where it should be: between 6.0 and 7.0. So we hardly ever even test the pH of our liquid plant foods anymore. You probably will want to analyze yours (at least in the beginning) if you try hydroponics, however, so a short discussion of the subject is, perhaps, in order.

As anyone who's ever had an aquarium knows, a pH test can be performed with a special "indicator" called Nitrazine paper , available from most any drugstore. When you dip a strip of this paper in the fluid being tested, the strip changes color (the final color depending on the exact pH: yellow for strongly acid, blue for strongly alkaline, or several intermediate hues for readings in between). To find the approximate pH of whatever you're testing, you then simply match the color of the paper against a color chart on the side of the container it came in. (If you're unfamiliar with this very simple procedure, don't be alarmed . . . it isn't any big deal.)

Now, if the solution you've tested turns out to be too alkaline, an acid must be added to "balance out" the pH. Likewise, an alkali must be added if the liquid is too acid. Commercial greenhouses, of course, use pure hydrochloric acid or sodium hydroxide to adjust the pH of their nutrient solutions.

Since both of the above chemicals are extremely dangerous, as well as expensive, we've relied?successfully, I might add—on plain old white vinegar (acid) and baking soda (alkali) to alter the pH of our solutions. (All this chemical talk may sound horribly complex, but I assure you there's nothing to worry about. As I mentioned before, we very seldom have to tinker with the pH of our solutions.)

The results of my experiments indicate that almost any organically derived solution will support plant growth. For example, bean plants raised in a solution containing chicken manure alone grew just as well as the same plants raised in the complete complement of manures.

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