Hydroponics systems and kits
Growing hydroponic vegetables with DIY and ready made growing systems is increasingly popular with home gardeners. We provide some ideas on how to grow hydroponics vegetables and plants, hydroponic equipment for vegetable garden kits, hydroponic nutrients, growing mediums, pumps, trays, reflectors, hydroponic lighting, homemade or DIY systems, liquid fertilizer, indoor water gardening, indoor gardening supplies, watering and grow lamps.
Hydroponics is a system of growing plants in a nutrient solution rather than soil. The concept is based around plants not needing to constantly develop root systems to seek nutrients. It also allows indoor growing and controlled fertilizer release. Many hydroponic systems are available to the home gardener in convenient kit form, online retailers also provide a wide range of hydroponics supplies including basic hydroponic systems or kits, grow lights hydroponic nutrients, pumps and heaters.
Many commercial food crops are grown using hydroponics systems. In the home garden hydroponics is a great way to grow green leafy vegetable such as lettuce, basil etc. Many tomatoes crops are grown using hydroponics.
Hydroponics systems and kits at a glance
Flood and Drain Hydroponic system.
Used mainly for pots. Also called ebb and flow. The system is flooded and then drained at set intervals.
Nutrient Film Technique (NFT)
Plants are in a environment without a growing media, used widely for lettuces and tomatoes.
Hydroponic Drip System
A slow drip system controlled to provide a constantly damp growing medium
Self watering Hydroponic systems
Pots with reservoirs that allow the plants to soak up water through a ‘wick’
Feed and Drain ( the basic hydroponic system)
Basically plants growing in a soilless medium that are watered 2-3 times a day.
Growing Hydroponic Vegetables
Growing Hydroponic vegetables at home is not as difficult as it might seem. Kits or systems are a great way to start and are easy to operate and install and are available commercially from online from horticultural suppliers, from some nurseries and of course from hydroponics specialists. We provide a brief guide on growing hydroponic vegetables and what to grow.
The hydroponic vegetable garden
A hydroponics system for growing vegetables is basically a system where plants can be grown without soil or supported in a soil less growing medium, through which nutrient rich water is passed.This is usually achieved through a system of tubes which are filled with hydroponics medium such as perlite. Nutrient rich water is passed through the tubes (flowing through the bottom 1/4) and plants are suspended through holes in the top of the tube with their roots in the growing medium.
The theory behind hydroponics is that
- because hydroponic systems recycle all water in a closed system they use less water.
- hydroponic systems allow you to grow vegetables in areas that may not be suitable due to poor or rocky ground.
- a soil less medium means no weeds (and less pests)
- application nutrients can be controlled and monitored easily.
- hydroponic systems can be automated easily.
- hydroponic growing needs less space as root systems do not need to be large.
- plants grown this way need to spend less effort growing and establishing a root system and therefore grow and fruit more efficiently.
Nutrient Film hydroponic technique
A nutrient film hydroponic system is one of the most popular systems for the home gardener. This system uses a specially designed channel to support plants, a small pump provides a constant flow of nutrient rich solution to the plants, the solution is collected and recycled by the pump.
Where to set up your hydroponic system
A flat area will be the easiest, although hydroponics systems can be established running across the slope if needed. To gain the full benefit of a hydroponic vegetable growing system a sunny position is best for most crops. Poly tunnels or green houses are a real advantage as these can extend the growing season and allow you to control the amount of sun on extremely hot days.
The system shown below is fantastic for growing green leafy vegetables. This system was constructed by Bob Campbell from Sage Horticultural
Complete hydroponic systems that include a home fish farm are being developed. These are systems that allow fish to be grown as well as vegetables, in these systems you feed the fish and the water used to feed the fish is used to feed the vegetables. More information on these systems coming soon………
Hydroponics kits, systems and other hydroponic supplies for sale Online in Australia
NATURAL HYDROPONICS PTY Ltd – phone: 0895311972
99 Alderson street Pinjarra Western Australia 6208
Natural hydroponics applies the principles of hydroponics and aquaponics to landscape gardening.”
RICHMOND HYDROPONICS – phone: 02 45885826 fax: 02 45782089
Unit 3/84 Bells Line of Rd North Richmond NSW 2754
We carry most major brands and have a huge selection of nutrients and additives.
THE HYDROPONICS SHOP – phone: 1300 542 069
Unit 5 147 Boniface Street Archerfield: Queensland 4108
Australia’s premeir supplier of hydroponic systems and supplies such as grow lights, ballasts, reflectors, nutrients, carbon filters and much more
HOME GROWN AQUAPONICS – phone: 02 4028 6388 fax: 02 40286 399
8a-8b 13 Hartley Drv Thornton NSW 2322
Dedicated and original, we are the Hunter Valley’s first Aquaponic retailer and the authorised distributor of Backyard Aquaponics kits for the Hunter region.
CASEY HYDROPONICS
78 Spring Square Hallam 38032-4 The Arcade Junction Village 3977
R & D AQUAPONICS – Phone 02 97561833 Fax – 02 97562207
Unit 4, 13-14 Hallstrom Rd Wetherhill Park NSW 2184
R&D Aquaponics specialize in Hydroponics for both commercial users and the hobbyist. Wholesale supplier to nurseries of a wide range of goods and services.
NUTRIFLO HYDROPONIC SYSTEMS – Phone/Fax – 02 43231599
19/5 Daintree Place West Gosford NSW 2250
Suppliers of Quality Hydroponics Equipment, Garden Kits Horticultural Lighting, Propagation, Nutrients, Hormones, Growing Medium, Pumps, Trays