The increasing population density has made green open land convert into residential areas. It is also a threat for farmers to continue cultivating crops. The presence of a hydroponic farming system can be a small solution to continue to support the movement to green the earth. In this article, we will review the hydroponic system that is very easy to run and can be a potential business.
Definition of Hydroponics
Hydroponics is a system or way of farming where the media used is other than soil, one of which is water. Plant growth and development in the hydroponic system strongly emphasizes the fulfillment of nutrients or nutrients.
Then, what are the conditions that must be met in the hydroponic system so that plants can grow well until harvest?
Hydroponics Terms
- Water Availability
Water is the main requirement that must be present in the hydroponic cultivation system. Eits, but not all types of water can be used in hydroponics. Some water criteria that must be considered include clear groundwater with a low PH (close to 0). You can also use water that has been filtered through reserve osmosis (OS) with EC 15-60.
- Sunlight
Sunlight is also a mandatory requirement so that hydroponic plants can grow perfectly like plants planted in the ground. Every day, hydroponic plants must at least receive sunlight intake for 8 to 10 hours. Therefore, make sure that your hydroponic plant is placed in an open room that can hold direct sunlight.
- Hydroponic Media
One of the factors that determine whether plants in the hydroponic system can grow optimally is the planting medium used. The main planting medium is water, but there are also plant support media that can be used such as rockwool, husk charcoal, coconut husk, sand, gravel, and others.
The requirements for a good planting or buffer media include being loose, being able to dispose of and store water properly in sufficient levels, not having sea salt content, normal or neutral PH, having good air circulation, and quality.
- Nutrients
Like humans, hydroponic plants also require daily nutrients that must be met in the form of six macronutrients and thirteen micronutrient elements. The nutritional needs of each plant are different, so you have to adjust to the needs of your plants. Not only that, you also have to regularly change the contents of the nutrient reservoir for 14 days so that plants can grow optimally and get quality results.
- Temperatures
The temperature required for cold plants to grow optimally is 16-28ºC, while plants with hot temperatures, on average, can grow at a temperature of 20-32ºC. In addition to temperature, you should also still ensure that the circulation of oxygen and carbon dioxide in your hydroponic plants is sufficiently met.
Advantages of Hydroponics
- Save Land
Hydroponics can be a solution to the problem of narrow land because hydroponic planting media can be attached to the wall or can also be placed in the yard of the house which does not need to take up a lot of space or land.
- Does Not Pollute the Soil
To grow its plants, the hydroponic cultivation system uses a liquid that is rich in nutrients, so it does not require the use of fertilizers as in conventional systems, especially chemical fertilizers that can pollute the environment
- Environmentally friendly
You can use some used items such as coconut husk, cork, used plastic bottles, and others as a choice of planting media or plant containers in the hydroponic system. So that it can be used as a step to reduce environmentally friendly plastic waste.
- Save Water
As already mentioned earlier that in hydroponic systems, plants need less than in plants grown using soil.
Hydroponic Techniques
Hydroponic systems have several different types of techniques. The following are some hydroponic techniques that can be easily tried by young people at home
- Sistem Deep Water Culture (DWC)
This system is relatively easy and suitable for you as a beginner. In the DWC hydroponic system, the roots of the plant are immersed in a container such as an aquarium or other and there is a pump that will serve to drain oxygen in the nutrient solution as long as the roots are submerged.
- Wick System
In the wick system, plants are placed in a container such as an old bottle with a capillary in the form of a cloth or rope that is able to absorb and drain water to the plant to meet its nutritional needs
- Drip System
Hydroponic cultivation with this drip system uses a hose with a time dripper that serves to drain nutrients (nutrients) that will be received by the roots or stems.
- EBB Hydroponic System and Flow System
This system is also often called a tidal hydroponic system and is usually placed or used for home gardens. In this system, plant roots will be inundated with nutrient solution for a certain period of time so that plants can absorb it and grow optimally
Requirements for Plants that Can Be Grown with Hydroponic Systems
The criteria for plants that can be grown using a hydroponic system include the following:
- Plants of small or medium size are not trees that can grow large and towering tall.
- Is a plant of annuals
- Plants are prone to short planting and harvesting times, only a matter of months not up to years.
- The plant has a small stem
- Easy-to-care plants
Tips for Choosing Potential Hydroponic Plants
- Observe the Land You Own
Although hydroponic systems require less land than conventional systems, the area of land you have must still be taken into account, especially if you are going to enter the business world. The area of land you have can be a consideration of how many types of plants will be planted and what are the types or variations.
The more land you have, the more plants you can cultivate to get more profit.
- Seeing Market Opportunities
Observing market needs or opportunities can also be a consideration. What kind of vegetables or fruits are in demand or needed by the market and consumers you can grow with a hydroponic system. Choose a type of plant or plant that has a potential and has a high selling value.
- Choose Plants That Suit the Climate of the Region Where You Grow Crops
Plants can grow and produce an optimal harvest, one of which is due to the climatic factors of the planting area. Therefore, to avoid crop failure due to an inappropriate climate, you should only grow fruits, vegetables, or flowers that are suitable for the cyclone and weather where you live.
- Pay Attention to the Hydroponic System Used
Hydroponic systems can be a consideration of the type and size of plants that can be grown. It is also related to the absorption of nutrients to be optimal and evenly distributed.
Types of Hydroponic Plants Suitable for Cultivation
Plants that are suitable for planting with a hydroponic system of various types ranging from vegetable plants, fruits to flowers or ornamental plants, including:
- Spinach
- Mustard
- Water spinach
- Tomato
- Sealed
- Beside
- Paprika
- Melon
- Watermelon
- Strawberry
- Orchid
- Betel Ivory
- Iris
- Aglaonema
- Aloe Vera
- And so on.
That’s a little review of the current hydroponic system ranging from understanding to potential plants that can be cultivated. What are you waiting for? Yuk! Green the earth while earning money starting from your home. Hope it is useful.