Hydroponics in SMK Negeri 1 Bandung ~ MySouldrenalin

HYDROPONICS IN SMK NEGERI 1 BANDUNG

Source : Personal Documentation

The History of Hydroponics

The word 'Hydroponics' was coined by Dr. W.F. Gericke in 1936 to describe the cultivation of edible and ornamental plants grown in a solution of water and dissolved nutrients. It literally means working water; 'hydro' meaning 'water' and 'ponos' meaning 'labour'. For example, the hanging gardens of Babylon and the floating gardens of the Aztecs of Mexico and those of the Chinese. The first commercial hydroponic unit in the USA is developed by Gericke in 1930. American forces employed this system in the Pacific to produce vegetables during World War II. In 1842 a list of nine elements believed to be essential to plant growth had been made out, based on the discoveries of the German botanists, Julius von Sachs and Wilhelm Knop. Solution culture is now considered a type of hydroponics where there is no inert medium. Today, it is a well know fact that in some parts of the world, plant life does not grow in the available soil. One reason behind the drive to develop hydroponics was the need for growing fresh produce in non-arable areas of the world. Consumption of herbal medicines is widespread and increasing. Harvesting from the wild, the main source of raw material, is causing loss of genetic diversity and habitat destruction. Domestic cultivation is a viable alternative and offers the opportunity to overcome the problems that are inherent in herbal extracts, misidentification, genetic and phenotypic variability, extract variability and instability, toxic components and contaminants. The use of controlled environments can overcome cultivation difficulties and could be a means to manipulate phenotypic variation in bioactive compounds. When it comes to being environment friendly, hydroponics is beneficial over geoponics, mainly because these methods do not promote the use of chemicals fertilizers or pesticides. NASA have a list of 15 plants, grown using hydroponics that will save our life (should the need ever arise).

The great advantages of hydroponics gardening over classic geoponics gardening:

1. Hydroponics gardening can be packed and kept it alive and fresh for longer periods of time

2. Hydroponics gardening does not even use any kind of solid medium.

3. Full control of the plant’s root system and in eye contact always.

4. No need to worry about over watering or under watering.

5. It can be developed in areas where there´s no quality soil present e.g in areas covered with snow or in a space station.

6. An excellent plant research and plant learning tool and can be transferred anywhere without any hassle.

7. In hydroponics gardening there is no soil at all no weeds and no pesticides of course.

8. The use of water to maintain and preserve the plant can be dramatically reduced.

9. A hydroponics garden may be set up with timer systems to automatically fertilize the plants.

10. Healthier because they receive a balanced and controllable portion of nutrients.

The extension of the growing season is not the only advantage contributing to the growing popularity of hydroponics production with both growers and consumers. There are several additional advantages as well including nutritious, healthy and clean produce, improved and consistent vegetable quality and elimination of the use of pesticides and herbicides. Pesticides and other chemicals used in conventional agriculture have an adverse environmental impact; the runoff from these chemicals, contaminates groundwater supplies. Commercial hydroponics systems eliminate these toxic chemicals and contribute substantially to keeping the groundwater free from contamination.

Plants Grown Hydroponically

It is practically possible to grow any types of fruit, vegetable, herb etc. using this technique. Hiercium pilosella, Hypericum perporatum, Arnica montana, Ocimum basilium (basil), Anethum gravel (dill), Chrysanthemum partherium, Aloe vera, Mentha spp.(mint), Rumex officinalis (French. sorrel), Rosemary officinalis (rosemary), St.john’s wort, cucumber, spinach, chili, lettuce, broccoli, pepper, petunias, tomatoes, cabbage, green peas, echinacea, ginseng, thyme, tarragon, spearmint, peppermint, sorrel, sage, oregano, marjoram, mache, leman baln, coriander, chives, chervil, aurugula, potatoes, and many other are the popular choice of vegetables that can be grown using hydroponics. Similarly, fruits such as strawberries, watermelons and cantaloupes can also be grown using hydroponic gardening at home. Flowers show a better bloom when grown hydroponically. Growing plants hydroponically is not only easy but also effective in terms of end product. The entire hydroponic system can be made automated, so that it can be even controlled from another country. Mostly basic systems are preferred. Hydroponics allows us to grow vegetables and fruits inside our apartment.

Source : Personal Documentation

Hydroponics Techniques and Their Classification

One of hydroponics techniques that are used in SMK Negeri 1 Bandung is Nutrient Film Techniques. This system delivers a constant flow of nutrients to the plants with a pump, so no timer is required. This system doesn’t require a growing medium; the plants are simply suspended in a plastic tray with the roots dangling in a nutrient solution.

Source : (a) www.hydro-industries.com/hydroponic-systems (b) Personal Documentation

Basic Requirements of Hydroponics

Growing Medium

The growing medium for hydroponic gardening is an inert medium which does not provide any nutrients to the plant. It only provides the basis for the roots to grow in. Coco coir fiber, Rockwool, Perlite, Vermiculite, LECA, Expanded clay, Crushed granite, Sand, Scoria, Gravel are the various types of growing mediums available for growing plants hydroponically. A growing medium allows us to add the correct amount of nutrients and also monitor the pH in a hydroponic system. In addition, using a growing medium other than soil has several advantages that include:

1. Prevention of root infestations,

2. Retention of adequate oxygen and water and

3. Increased aeration and draining.

Rockwool Coco coir fiber Perlite
Source : www.reetaj.ae

Mineral Nutrients

1. Macro-nutrients

1. Carbon -Formation of organic compounds, 2. Oxygen- Release of energy from sugar, 3. Hydrogen- Water formation, 4. Nitrogen- Chlorophyll, Amino Acids and Proteins synthesis, 5. Phosphorus- Vital for photosynthesis and growth, 6. Potassium- Enzyme activity, 7. Calcium- Cell growth, cell division and the components of cell wall, 8. Magnesium-Component of chlorophyll, enzyme activation, 9. Sulfur- Formation of Amino Acids and Proteins.

2. Micro-nutrients

10. Iron- Used in Photosynthesis, 11. Boron – Vital for reproduction, 12. Chlorine Helps root growth, 13. Copper- Enzyme activation, 14. Manganese- Component of chlorophyll, Enzyme activation, 15. Zinc- Component of enzymes and auxins, 16. Molybdenum- Nitrogen fixation, 17. Cobalt- Nitrogen fixation.

The E.C. (electrical conductivity) of this formula should be approximately 2.5 and the pH adjusted to 5.5 - 6.5. If the day length is below 11 hours, the E.C. should be increased to 3.0-3.6, but the concentration of nitrogen kept at 210 ppm. Under these conditions, a smaller root system develops and more energy is available for shoot (vegetative) growth. The higher E.C. ensures adequate nutrition even with a smaller root system.

Temperature

Temperature affects plant in two ways. High temperatures tend to accelerate the growth of the plant which increases the plant need for water. High temperatures also increase the plants consumption of water for cooling itself through evaporation.

Air

Wind or air movement has a dramatic influence on the plants consumption of water particularly when combined with high temperature in much the same way as clothes dry much faster on our clothes line on a windy day. In some plants it helps in pollination.

Water

As a general rule, all water suitable to drink or used to irrigate greenhouses is ideal for hydroponics. To be more precise, water suitable for hydroponics should have conductivity less than 500 uS/cm, or a total salt concentration less than 350 ppm. Harmful amounts of sodium and boron can cause problems in some areas. Very soft water should be used with calcium-containing nutrients.

Light

Areas that already get sunlight will need fewer hydroponic lights than a hydroponic garden grown in a fully enclosed room. Remember that sunlight is less predictable than artificial lighting. If greenhouse is used to grow hydroponic garden, it won’t need much artificial light during the spring and summer. Expect to supplement the sun with hydroponic lights once the amount of available light begins to wane. Indoor growers often rely almost completely on artificial light, since limited amounts of sunlight gets to their plants.

Growth Enhancer, Booster, and Fortifiers

Certain commercial products have been developed that can stimulate faster nutrient uptake and speed up stem and leaf growth. Many of these products are best left to the advanced and experienced growers. Novice hydroponics enthusiasts approach such products like growth boosters with caution. There are several products available in the market that claim to work as bloom fortifiers. These formulations act to stimulate flowering and increase essential oils in plants. A bloom fortifier can be selected with an NPK (Nitrogen, Phosphorus, Potassium) ratio of 0-50-30. Such fortifiers have no Nitrogen and are rich in Phosphorus and Potassium. These essential minerals stimulate the formation of super blooms.

Hydroponics farming in SMK Negeri 1 Bandung

The land that we have here on earth is a valuable but rapidly depleting resource. There is no way to recover more once we use all of it up. The only answer to this is to learn alternate methods to do things that take up the majority of our usable land. Farming is that thing and hydroponics is a way to cure the problem. Hydroponics is popular not just as a way to produce larger, healthier, and more flavorful foods on a large scale, but also as a household hobby. Simple hydroponic systems can help people grow herbs, flowers, or vegetables in their basement, in a large closet or even on their kitchen counter.

In SMK Negeri 1 Bandung, we have 4 hydroponics installation systems. The first installation system covers 24 meter², the second installation system covers 9 meter², and two spiral-shaped installation systems. In a time of harvest, from the four installation system can be produced about 25 kg of vegetables. Each 1 kg of vegetables can be sold for Rp. 30.000,00 until Rp. 40.0000,00 depends on the quality of vegetables. So that in one of the harvest time, can yield about Rp. 750,000.00 to Rp. 1,000,000.00.

Many people look to hydroponics as the way the most food may be grown in the future. As the amount of arable land diminishes each year, hydroponics may be the answer to sustaining the world's food supply because of its ability to produce larger yields using a smaller amount of space.

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