DIY Garden Pot Design

Wick system

The Wick system is the simplest type of hydroponic system. It is a passive system as there are no moving parts. a Wick is used to draw the nutrient solution from a reservoir into the growing medium This system can use a variety of growing medium. Perlite, Vermiculite, Pro-Mix and Coconut Fiber are among the most popular.

The draw back of the wick hydroponics system is that larger plants use large amounts of water. This causes the nutrient solution to be used faster than the wicks can supply it.

Water culture system

This is the simplest and most economical of all active hydroponic systems. Small to medium sized plants will grow best in a deep water culture. It is ideal for growing lightweight, leafy vegetables like lettuce, herbs and small peppers. You can use a bin or fish tank as a reservoir. The water culture needs to supply the roots of the plants with enough oxygen, to act as suitable growing medium. Your plants needs the appropriate amount of access to water and nutrients.

Styrofoam is needed to hold your plants. a One inch thick piece will be adequate. Poke holes through it to place your net pots into. The Styrofoam with pots will be placed at the top of the reservoir, floating in the water. You the have to mix the appropriate amounts of nutrients into the water. These nutrients contain nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, calcium and other elements and minerals. You can purchase premixed solutions. These nutrients contain all of the needed properties similar to soil which allows for your plants to successfully grow.

To accurately measure the pH levels in your plants you will need a pH test kit. This is very important in hydroponic gardening. Monitoring of these plants are needed as the pH of a nutrient solution reads the outcome of an electrical encounter that happens between the plants roots and everything that surrounds them. An air pump is also a important part of a hydroponic system. It supplies air to the air stone. The air stone (or bubbler) which will be placed at the bottom of your reservoir will bubble and supply oxygen to the roots of the plants.