The key to operating a successful hydroponic system is to supply appropriate minerals at correct intervals. There are a couple irrigation techniques to help growers accomplish this including static and continuous flow solutions and aeroponics.
Hydroponics use mineral rich solution to give minerals for developing crops. Because all the food crops require is in the solution and not much if anything in the growing material proper timing and concentrations of solution delivery are important. A few different methods have been developed by gardeners are static solution culture, constant flow solution culture, aeroponics, and passive irrigation.
Static Solution Culture
- flowers’ root systems are placed on a pool or reservoir of mineral rich water
- solution is constantly aerated or the water level kept just below the root line
- systems must be always monitored to make sure that nutrient and chemical levels remain consistent
- common kind of static water growing is deep water culture gardening
- pumps and timers can automate daily tasks
Continuous Flow Solution Culture
- constantly flowing solution over and around roots
- continuous flow techniques make it simple to make sure they get sufficient air and mineral levels are uniform
- often use single feeder containers with suitably mixed nutrient solution
- simple to maintain the chemical levels and minerals being given to the flowers
- ebb and flow system use tanks and pumps strategically located along with gravity to provide regular irrigation
- growers who focus concentrated mineral solution along little watering channels utilize the nutrient film technique
Aeroponics
- cultivation technique which utilizes only the mist or light spray of mineral rich solution
- roots are suspended normally in an enclosed container
- consistently exposed to minerals and oxygen.
Passive Irrigation
- designs with solid cultivation mediums
- either supply minerals from below in sub irrigation or from above in top watering
- bottom irrigation depends on capillary action to draw solution up from below
- top irrigation techniques are usually used with material which drains well