What is hydroponics?
THE word “hydroponic” is derived from the Greek words, “hydro”, which means water, and “ponos”, which means labour. In translation, therefore, the term hydroponic means “water work”.

True hydroponics is growing plants in water without any type of media, and initially, this concept involved growing plants directly in water.
However, although this method is still common, the concept has been broadened to include any method of growing plants without using soil.
Soilless media or substrate (the material in which the root system of the plant will develop) includes sand, rice hulls (paddy shells), ground clay bricks, coconut fibre dust, charcoal dust, sawdust, ground volcanic stones and water.
The minerals that the plant needs are dissolved in water, which is then fed directly to the plants. So, instead of the plants searching throughout the soil for their minerals, they draw them directly from the water that they are being fed.
Hydroponics is an established branch of agronomy which has led to given higher crop yields, which in turn can be utilized to provide a regular supply of fresh vegetables, even in areas where traditional gardening is not possible, and which has proven to be highly profitable as a commercial venture.

Some crops which can be grown using hydroponics: Lettuce, tomatoes, cucumber, carrots, potatoes, peppers and cabbage.

Is a lot of space necessary?
No! The home-based hydroponic vegetable production system allows persons to grow lots of plants in small spaces around the house and on patios and balconies, and in window boxes etc!. So, this system can be maximally utilized by families living in crowded city areas with small or no yard space. The size of the garden will depend on space available. It can be as small as two square-meters, if necessary.

Some objectives of hydroponics
Some important objectives of hydroponics, particularly in Guyana, are:

(1)    To improve the family’s nutrition and healthy eating without increasing cost and family savings by decreasing expenditures on food;
(2)    to promote an early interest in children for healthy eating and productive activities;
(3)    to increase the family’s income by way of members selling their surplus production;
(4)    to create income-generating opportunities for persons who  cannot access employment;
(5)    to provide elderly persons or persons who are challenged physically or mentally, with the possibility of feeling useful and valuable to their family, the community and themselves; and
(6)    to create micro-enterprises, using low-cost inputs and very little time and to reduce the impact of floods and heavy rain on food production.

Advantages of hydroponics
Some of the advantages noted are:
(1)    Production can be timed more effectively to satisfy home needs or market demand;
(2)    the planter can harvest all year round;
(3)    natural pest control can be employed;
(4)    soil-borne pests (fungi) and diseases can be eliminated; and
(5)    troublesome weeds and stray seedlings, which often result in the need for herbicides and/or increased labour cost, can be eliminated.
There is also reduction of health risks associated with pest management and soil care, and reduced turnaround time between planting, as no soil preparation is required.

Planting in containers
There are many types of containers that can be used or built to start a hydroponic garden. These include old tyres, plastic washing tubs, children’s bath tubs, discarded plastic bowls, broken plastic containers, plastic oil or soda bottles with the tops cut off, and plastic plant pots.

The black plastic bags used in plant nurseries may also be used as containers. Although the most suitable containers are made out of plastic, brick, concrete or wooden containers can also be used,  but must be lined with black plastic or waterproof material.

Locating the Hydroponic Garden
Once you have decided to set up your hydroponic garden, selecting its location is the first step to be taken. Some basic recommendations to consider in choosing a site for your garden are:
•    Avoid heavily shaded and extremely windy places. Your small garden must receive a minimum of six hours of sunlight a day;
•    Keep the garden protected from farm and domestic animals, including pets, and small children or irresponsible persons who can damage the plants;
•    Keep the garden far from contaminated water and anything else that could contaminate the system, e.g. latrines and garbage containers;
•    Keep the garden far from trees and other plants that are affected by plants or diseases.
Next week: Substrates; Nutrients for hydroponically grown vegetables etc!
(Article courtesy of HOME-BASED HYDROPONICS VEGETABLE PRODUCTION MANUAL By Kelvin Craig, Franklyn Harvey, Shaun Francis, Gavin Gounga, Panday Mansaram Sigmund McKenzie, Ryan Nedd, Partners of the Americas (Partners) / Caribbean Self-Reliance International (CASRI)