Manifold construction
The final step in completing your system is to assemble the manifold. The 4 and 6 systems differ here as the injection manifold for the larger system is located at the same end as the drains whereby the smaller manifold is located at the opposite end. Shown at right is the 4 system's manifold which is assembled from the parts on page 19. It is a good idea to dry fit these parts together before you cement them with PVC glue. Many people opt to modify these parts slightly to accommodate differing...
Theory of operation Ytr
The rapid cropping systems that have evolved from simple PVC piping are truly unique and exceptional hydroponic gardens. Extremely cost effective and durable, they are the leading means of high yield rapid cropping using hydroponics. The systems operate by circulating a deep flow of nutrient solution within the PVC pipes whereby the plants are suspended in baskets which protrude into the PVC pipes at specific spacing depending upon crop type and the roots grow down into the circulating nutrient...
Getting started with seeds
Most plants primary means for reproduction is the seed. The seed is formed inside the female flower after pollination by the male plant. All seeds begin as an egg within the carpel of a female flower. After male pollen is introduced to the female flower by wind or insect, the egg becomes an embryo and forms a hard coating around itself. When development finally stops, the seed is released and carried by wind, rain, bird or bug to its final resting place and if all conditions are right, it will...
Indoor lighting for horticulture
Nothing beats the Sun when it comes to growing, however, new types of High Intensity Discharge lighting have made growing indoors a viable alternative. Many of you are familiar with fluorescent grow lights designed to grow plants indoors. These products are fine for low-light plants where limited results are expected. But what if you want to achieve the ultimate growth potential of your favorite plants indoors or supplement sunlight in your greenhouse Your answer is to use Horticultural High...
Types of hydroponic systems
A hydroponic system should be designed to fulfill the specific requirements of plants with the most reliable and efficient method s of nutrient delivery. The three major plant-requirements that a hydroponic system must satisfy are 1 Provide roots with a fresh supply of water and nutrients while avoiding stagnation. 2 Maintain aeration to the root zone to refresh the supply of oxygen and remove built-up CO2. 3 Prevent dehydration of the roots by maintaining close to 100 relative humidity....
The PVC Pipe Gardens
These designs were inspired by the many commercially available hydroponic gardens that utilize PVC pipe as a main design component. PVC pipe is relatively inexpensive, easy to work with and extremely durable. These designs allow easy expansion owing to their popularity among commercial growers and family farmers. Perfect for producing large harvests of rapidly growing crops such as salad greens, culinary and medicinal herbs and decorative flowers. This garden requires a bit more skill and some...
Aeroponics
The most recent technology to be developed in agriculture is Aeroponics, a method in which a plant's roots are grown suspended mid-air. The plants are generally suspended from baskets similar to those in which strawberries are packaged at the top of a closed trough or cylinder. With the plants suspended in this manner, all essential nourishment can be provided to the roots by spraying them with a nutrient solution. Since the roots are suspended in mid-air, they receive the maximum amount of...
Ein Gedi system
First developed in Ein Gedi Israel, hence the name, the Ein Gedi System EGS introduced a revolutionary new method to hydroponics. The system is comprised of fully enclosed rectangular growth chambers, inside of which, nutrient solution is circulated 1-6 inches below evenly spaced mesh baskets that contain the plants. The air gap between the baskets and solution is misted by sprayers residing along the upper inside of the chamber. Roots growing into the mist zone are subjected to intense...
