Hydroponics is the growing of plants without soil. It is a more efficient way to provide food and water to your plants. Soil provides nutrients and serves to anchor a plant's roots. Hydroponics uses an inert medium to serve the same functions.

In soil, plants must grow a large root system to find food. In hydroponics, food and water goes directly to the roots. This enables the plant to spend more energy growing the part above the surface. Plants grow up to two times faster with larger yields. Also, because root systems are compact, plants may be grown closer together. Add to this the fact that there is no weeding, fewer pests and less wasted water, it's easy to see why commercial growers around the world use hydroponics.

Hydroponics can be used anywhere as long as sufficient light is provided. Outdoors much of the work associated with gardening can be eliminated. Add the proper growing lights and you need not be limited by seasons.

Our hydroponic systems range from shelf-size to room-size. Every system we offer is complete and may be set up in minutes with the easy-to-follow instructions. Maintenance is simple; just add water and nutrients periodically. With a little experience, you can enjoy fresh herbs, vegetables and flowers year round.

Hydroponics systems are classified by the way the nutrient solution is made available to the plant's roots. Aeroponics, Drip Systems and Ebb and Flow or Flood Systems are the most common. In Aeroponics the roots are suspended in the air without the use of a medium. Although the gardener may avoid the cost of the medium, these systems must be closely monitored. If there is an electricity failure or a pump malfunction, the plants will die quickly. A Drip or Flood System utilizes a medium with nutrient-holding capability that gives the home gardener a margin of safety. This permits weekend trips without worrying about your plants.

Drip Systems are the best for areas over 2' x 4'. Since the nutrient solution returns to the reservoir at the same rate it is pumped out, you can maintain large growing areas using a relatively small reservoir with less work, and less waste of nutrients and water.

We manufacture Ebb and Flow and Drip Systems from 2'x 2' to large room-size systems. As our Jet Stream Drip Systems are modular, they can be configured to fit almost any area.

Ebb and Flow Systems fill the growing container with the nutrient solution for a specified period of time, usually one-half hour. Then the pump shuts down, which allows the container to drain. These flood systems are especially effective when propagating many cuttings in Rockwool or when irrigating plants in pots. Flood systems eliminate the need for a dripper for every plant and allow the cuttings to be trans planted. These systems are popular with orchid growers because potted plants may be moved in and out of the system at will. However, this method requires the reservoir to be almost the same size as the growing container. A 10' x 10' growing area would require a 33-cubic-foot reservoir!

GROWING MEDIUMS

Over the years growers have used many different materials as hydroponic growing mediums. The mediums we offer have been selected because of their superior capacity for holding nutrient solution while retaining an excellent balance of oxygen for optimum plant growth.

Ceramic Rock is a special lightweight aggregate that is formed into pebbles and baked at high temperatures. The hard outer shell will not damage plant roots while the porous interior retains moisture. It ensures excellent aeration and is reusable. Ceramic rock is recommended for Ebb and Flow systems and potted plants. It readily accepts seedlings started in Rockwool cubes or soil-started plants with the soil washed from their roots.

Horticultural Rockwool is made from molten rock spun into cotton candy-like fibers, then compressed into seed cubes, propagation blocks and slabs. Rockwool was designed by the Dutch for commercial use. It absorbs large amounts of nutrient solution while retaining plenty of oxygen for maximum plant growth. The different shapes and sizes of Rockwool are designed to carry a plant from the seed stage through harvest.

Rockwool Seed Cubes are used for starting seeds or cuttings. After inserting seeds or cuttings into the pre-made holes in the cubes, the cubes may be placed into common propagation trays. Once rooted they may be transferred into Rockwool propagation blocks, soil or ceramic rock.

Rockwool Propagation Blocks are pre-drilled with a hole sized to accept the seed cubes. They will support small short-term plants, such as lettuce, to finish. Larger plants, once rooted through the block, are transferred to the Rockwool slab.

Rockwool Slabs are recommended to support long-term crops such as peppers, tomatoes or cucumbers. The propagation blocks containing well-rooted plants are placed on the slab where the roots then grow quickly into the slab. A 2.5" thick Rockwool slab will support virtually any vegetable crop.

Bulk Rockwool is the choice for filling any size or shape of container. A mixture of absorbent Rockwool for nutrient solution retention and non-absorbent Rockwool for oxygen retention is typical.