Water Culture
Water culture is a new method for growing fruits and vegetables that can provide some outstanding results.
This method is accomplished by filling a reservoir with nutrient solution and allowing the roots to bathe in the solution with an air pump supplying air to the water and roots.
The plants are put into holes on top of a chamber that stands them up with the roots suspended in the reservoir.
There is no need for water pumps or sprayers or any extra unnecessary parts.
The ease of putting this system together, combined with the incredible results is what makes this method so attractive.
What can go wrong?
Like the aerogarden, if you have a water culture set-up that is working properly and you turn your back for 1 hour, it is very possible that you will have an entirely different situation when you return.
Since you really only have to worry about 1 piece of equipment, the water culture system is fairly easy to do.
The only problem is that if something goes wrong, then you only have about an hour or so to prevent disaster.
If the air pump stops working or is disconnected for some reason, there will no longer be any air supplied to the roots.
The plants will quickly drown in the stagnant water.
Method #1 5gal Bucket
With this method all parts are purchased separately.
This is a very easy to master once you understand how it works.
Supplies:
drill (optional)
1/8″drill bit (optional)
5 gal. lid with netted center
air tubing
air stone
5gal bucket
air pump
clay rocks or diatomite rocks
1/2″ tee fitting (optional) and/or
1/2″ elbow fitting (optional)
Step by Step
Steps 1 & 2 are optional in case you’d like to try and keep the roots from growing around the air tubing. I usually did this to make changing the air tubing a breeze.
Step 1)
Drill a small hole about 2″ from the outside edge of the lid.
Step 2)
Measure, cut and insert the required amount of air tubing for this set-up into the drilled hole and attach air stone.
Step 3)
Fill the 5gal bucket with nutrient solution to the bottom of the netted center of the lid.
Step 4)
Insert plant into netted center of the lid and fill with clay rocks or diatomite rocks.
Step 5)
Put lid on 5gal bucket.
Step 6)
Attach air tubing to air pump and plug in.
Method #2 20gal reservoir
This method is virtually the same as the one above with just a few more holes for the plants.
Supplies:
drill
2″ or 4″ hole saw drill bit
box cutter
20gal reservoir with lid
scissors/shears
3″ netted pots
air tubing
air stone
air pump
clay rocks or diatomite rocks
1/2″ tee fitting (optional) and/or
1/2″ elbow fitting (optional)
Step by Step
Step 1)
Cut 4″ holes along the lid of the reservoir. Place the holes about 2-6″ apart. The amount of holes will be determined by the size of the reservoir and the amount of plants you wish to grow.
Step 2)
Drill another 1/8″ hole on the center of the lid. This small hole will be for the tubing of the air pump.
Step 3)
Insert plants into 4″ netted cups, place into pre-cut 4″ holes on the lid and fill the cups with medium.
Step 4)
Fill the reservoir with nutrient solution to the bottom of the netted pots on the lid.
Step 5)
Put lid on reservoir.
Step 6)
Attach air tubing to air pump and plug in.
Keys to Success
The key to making the water culture method work is make sure your air pump is always working.
Don’t take anything for granted with this system.
Make sure you have a high quality air pump and that it is working properly.
If you have many plants and would like to make watering easier, then attach a 1/2″ fitting to the bottom of the bucket or reservoirs about 1-2 inches from the bottom, and then connect these fittings with 1/2″ tubing to the other buckets (some buckets or reservoirs will need 2 attachments).
As the plants grow the watering needs will change so you may need to change the nutrient solution more often as they grow.
As with the any system there is no substitute for vigilance.
Pay attention to your plants and you will be rewarded with a great harvest.
How – To Pages:
Return from Water Culture to Homepage
Aeroponics
This is considered to be a superior method of growing plants.
Clones
A worthwhile skill for any gardener.
Drip System
Yet another option for growing great fruits and vegetables.
Ebb & Flow
This is very easy to do and it provides outstanding results.
H2O
Preparing water can be a complicated process.
Hand Water
This method is easier than you might think.
Nutrient Film Technique
A great way to growing high quality fruits and vegetables.
Wick System
A passive hydroponic method for growing fruits and vegetables.
