Mother's Mini-Manual HYDROPONICS
(Page 6 of 7)
(See Jim DeKorne's article, "Organic Hydroponics," in MOTHER NO. 39, page 32?and the feedback in MOTHER NO. 40, page 30?for directions on how to prepare "manure tea" . . . another useful organic nutrient solution. Perhaps the "Manure Teapot" idea described in MOTHER N0. 33, page 24, could also be used successfully in a hydroponics operation.?MOTHER.)
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METHODS OF OPERATION
Assuming that you now have a container of growing medium in a sunny location, the only remaining essential step between you and a flourishing garden is to put into operation some method or routine which will deliver the nutrient solution to the plants. There are various ways in which this can be done, but the goal of all is the same: TO KEEP THE ROOTS DAMP BUT NOT SOGGY.
When checking for proper moisture, look beneath the top layer of medium, into the center of the bed (where the roots are), and keep a sharp eye on the plants themselves.
Try to keep the surface of the medium dry. In those systems which flood the beds, there should be an overflow tube at a level of 1" below the surface of the medium. This will help cut down on fungi and algae, and will keep from washing surface debris down into the medium.
HAND WATERING. This method requires that some person go to the garden whenever it needs to be watered in order to turn the handle, tip the bucket, or in some way pour, sprinkle, or spray the bed with nutrient solution. This method involves the least paraphernalia, and is the most direct, cheapest, and easiest to set up. It is also the most demanding of personal attention. If you don't want to water once or twice each day, you will have to use some growing medium other than plain gravel.
WICKS. This excellent hydroponic method is the very best thing for small containers such as hanging baskets, window boxes, pots, patio gardens, or any container under about 1?112 by 2 feet by 6" deep. The main limitation on this method is that it cannot be used to grow large plants or those with lush foliage, as it does not furnish moisture fast enough. By the wick method of feeding, the nutrient solution is stored directly under the growing medium, usually in some arrangement of nested pots, and drawn up through wicks made of glass wool or similar material.
The wicks should be long enough so that about four inches hangs down into the nutrient solution and another four inches extends above the level of the bottom of the growing bed.
The wicks are pre-soaked, then drawn into the bed through holes which are just the same size as the wick. Put down about one-quarter or one-third of the medium, divide each wick into four strands, spread the strands around evenly, then cover with the remaining medium. Wicks should be about eight inches apart, and the medium no more than six inches deep. The best medium for this method would be perlite, vermiculite, or plaster sand.
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