The technology of growing greens in hydroponics at home. Greens in flow hydroponics Growing greens in hydroponic method

Is there a hydroponic setup for growing greens at home? Is it difficult to grow herbs hydroponically?

In recent years, a new and interesting technology called hydroponics has gained considerable popularity. The method is based on the system of growing almost any green garden plants without the use of soil substrates and soil. Mineral and other substances necessary for growth and development, which are obtained by crops from the soil, are fed into the root system in the form of special solutions.

hydroponic plant for growing greenery at home

That an indoor hydroponic setup exists and is widely used is a well-recognised fact. Of course, such equipment for growing greens at home is difficult to classify as public and budget. However, if it is impossible to purchase a factory product, such an installation can be done quite easily on your own.

Factory hydroponic setup

The hydroponic plant DG1, popular in indoor cultivation of greenery, is equipped with a support, irrigation and drain systems, a water tank, a special sprouting tray, a pair of end caps, an adhesive, a timer, a pair of work gloves, a level and a brush.

The acquired design allows implementing the following irrigation options for cultivated green plants:

• ebb and flow method;
• backwater method;
• drip irrigation method;
• nutrient layer technique.

The structure assembled in accordance with the attached instructions has a length of 180 cm, with a width of 40 cm, and a height of 48 cm. The weight is about 6 kg, which allows the installation to be placed on a standard windowsill.

Self-made hydroponic installation

To create an installation yourself, you must purchase:

• a plastic container with double walls or two plastic containers of different sizes and the same shape;
• plastic bucket;
• standard aquarium pump;
• the simplest timer;
• drainage pipe;
• coarse expanded clay.

A universal design for growing greens in room conditions is made in accordance with the following instructions:

• make holes in a plastic container to ensure the flow of water to the root system of plants;
• install an overflow pipe 3 cm lower than the level of the tank, which will ensure the flow of the nutrient solution;
• mount an aquarium pump in a plastic bucket;
• place a plastic container on the bucket lid and lay expanded clay drainage in it;
• plant plants prepared for growing greens on drainage in a container.

Using the timer, the necessary mode is set, which will ensure uninterrupted supply of the nutrient solution through the pump. The standard system calls for 15 minutes of pumping followed by forty-five minutes of plant root aeration.

Features of growing herbs in hydroponics

The use of hydroponics allows you to grow not only greens, but also vegetable crops by immersing the plant's root system in nutrients dissolved in water. Mastering the technology of hydroponic cultivation is not difficult. The main growing algorithm is presented:

• selection of plants needed for growing;
• determining the variant of an artificial substrate, which can be used as large expanded clay or high-quality perlite;
• the acquisition of special plastic landing containers;
• sowing seeds;
• selection of the correct concentration of nutrients in the fertilizer;
• regular monitoring of the liquid level.

Hydroponics from improvised materials (video)

As it grows and develops, greens cultivated in room conditions absorb water with nutrients, which implies its timely topping up, and, if necessary, replacing it. It remains only to regularly cut the greens and enjoy fresh, environmentally friendly products from your own home garden.

Industrial installation for growing greenery indoors.

The plant is designed for growing the following crops in plastic pots with a peat substrate: lettuce, dill, parsley, basil, mint, lemon balm, cilantro, celery, sorrel, arugula, onion for greens from seeds, turnip feather, radish, strawberry. All of these crops are grown on an agricultural farm in Krasnoyarsk. It is possible to visit the production.

The unit can also be used for growing seedlings, low-growing tomatoes and cucumbers, hydroponic fodder and other crops.

Installation characteristics:

Crop area 60 sq. m. (6 tiers of 10 m2)
Installed electrical power - 5.4 kW (LED lighting - 90 W / sq. m.)
Water consumption - 4.8 cubic meters. m/month
Overall dimensions 10300X1150X2600
In one month, 3600 pots of green crops can be grown on the plant in the proportion of 50% lettuce, 50% greens (dill, parsley, basil, mint, lemon balm, cilantro, celery, arugula, etc.)
Installation is possible in the performance of a multiple - 2 meters and a height of up to 8 tiers.
The cost of installation is determined depending on the location of the Customer and the number of installations.

An example of placing units in a closed room with an area of ​​108 m2:

Calculation of the main economic indicators of Moscow State University - 6 in a closed room.

1. Costs per unit of production:
- a pot - 0.48 rubles.
- peat - 0.52 rubles.
- seeds (for example, dill - 0.54 rubles / pot)
- label 0.58 rub.
- consumer packaging - 2.00 rubles.

Total: 4.12 rubles. / pot

2. Operating costs (per month):
- electricity - 5.4 kW x 16 hours x 30 days x 4.06 rubles. = 10524.00 rubles.
- thermal energy - 1320.00 rubles.
- water - 4.8 kb. m x 23.8 rubles. = RUB 115.00
- ingredients of the nutrient solution - 670.00 rubles.
- the salary of a plant grower is 15,000.00 rubles. x 0.5 pers. = 7500.00 rubles
- taxes on wages (42%) - 3150.00 rubles.
Total: RUB 23,279.00

When growing 3600 pots, one pot accounts for 6.47 rubles.

Total unit cost of production (4.12 + 6.47) = 10.59 rubles. (for greenhouse cultivation, the cost is 14-16.50 rubles)
The average purchase price of one pot of greens in retail networks in Krasnoyarsk is 37.35 rubles.

Net profit of MSU-6 per month (37.35 rubles - 10.59 rubles \u003d 26.76 rubles x 3600 units) \u003d 96,336.00 rubles.

We offer full agricultural support for your business.

The cost is negotiated individually - depending on the consultation (arrival of a specialist, remote consultation)

It is possible to visit the production in Krasnoyarsk.

Launch of a multi-tiered hydroponics project in Anadyr

Installation description:

The installation is assembled from several sections two meters long and one meter wide. Each section can contain up to twelve tiers. The number of sections and tiers is determined by the wishes of the Customer and the characteristics of the premises.

Sections are rigidly interconnected and form a single structure. The installation length is ten meters, width - one meter (the occupied area is 10 sq.m., the sown area is 60 sq.m. - six tiers of 10 sq.m. each). On the upper tier of each section (installation), from 5% to 15% of the total sown area is occupied by seedlings.

Each tier of the section (2 sq.m.) is equipped with economical LED lamps with a special spectrum. Turning the lighting on/off is carried out automatically in accordance with the selected start time and daylight hours.

At the bottom of the unit is a tank with a nutrient solution. Tank volume - 2.5 cubic meters. (Each section accounts for approximately 0.5 cubic meters). Water consumption for the preparation of nutrient solution 4.5 - 5 cu. m / month, depending on the crops grown. In installations watering by a method of flooding is implemented. Watering is performed automatically at the set time. The irrigation system is included in the delivery set, but (at the request of the Customer) it can be made independently according to the attached schemes.

Installation dimensions (number of tiers and number of sections) are calculated individually for each room.

The productivity of the plant depends on the type of crops grown, on their varietal characteristics, temperature and humidity conditions in the room, water quality, compliance with the agricultural technology of cultivation and ranges from 2800 to 5500 pots per month for the plant.

Contents of delivery:

The delivery set includes: elements of construction and equipment (as agreed with the Customer) for growing plants and maintenance of the plant, LED lighting system with a control cabinet, irrigation/drainage system for the nutrient solution, ingredients of the nutrient solution, consumables for the monthly operation of the plant.

Attached equipment for the manufacture of consumer packaging. The equipment allows inexpensive and quick production of consumer packaging, without investments commensurate with the cost of the installation itself, when ordering packaging from specialized enterprises.

Also, a detailed agrotechnological instruction for cultivation is attached, based on practical experience in the use of installations in the agricultural sector of the city of Krasnoyarsk. Consultations are provided on the launch of the plant into production. It is possible to carry out start-up and adjustment works.
Calculation of installation parameters (maximum number of sections and tiers) for a specific room, productivity depending on the crops grown, are free of charge.

The cost of commissioning (at the request of the Customer) is determined depending on the location of the Customer, the configuration and the number of installations.

Technological cycle.

The technological cycle consists of several stages. Planting crops, growing and harvesting, seasonal disinfection and preparation for the new season. To ensure daily harvesting, sowing of green crops is carried out daily in accordance with the cultivation technology.

For growing green crops in the total sown area, from 10% to 15% (depending on the crops grown) is occupied by seedlings. Seedlings stay in the seedling compartment for up to two weeks. Then the pots with germinated plants are moved to the working compartment until they reach their marketable condition. The rest of the area is the working section. The density (number per 1 sq.m.) of pots in the working compartment is determined by the type of crop and ranges from 38 (lettuce) to 60 (for example, basil) pieces. The growing season depends on many factors and averages 37 days. Depending on the cultivated crops, sowing proportions, the yield of finished products from 1 sq.m. can make from 47 to 72 pots per month. The proposed equipment and technology make it possible to grow: leaf lettuce, dill, leaf parsley, basil, mint, lemon balm, cilantro (coriander), leaf celery, leaf mustard. The seeds of these crops must comply with GOST 52171-2003.

Room requirements.

!!! Important. Before proceeding with the preparation of the premises for the installation of equipment, it is necessary to determine the possibility of fulfilling the following requirements. All work related to power supply, water supply and sanitation, water treatment, redevelopment and decoration of the premises, installation of the ventilation system must be carried out by specialized organizations.

Ventilation.

The room must be equipped with a forced supply and exhaust ventilation system with at least 10 air changes per hour with filtration, heating of the incoming air and its disinfection with ultraviolet radiation. Exhaust ventilation is designed to maintain the required humidity, supply - to create a temperature regime. The capacity of the heater for heating the incoming air must be determined based on the minimum outdoor temperature and the required room temperature, and exclude the formation of condensate in the room. If the relative humidity of the outside air is high (more than 80%), it may be necessary to install a dehumidifier. The ventilation system must be controlled by a specialized controller.

In accordance with the technological process, the ventilation system must ensure the maintenance of temperature in the range from 12°C to 19°C and humidity from 60% to 80%. It is desirable to take air from the exhaust ventilation system at a height of 1.5 to 2.1 meters from the floor level with gratings or diffusers pointing downwards. Fresh air grilles or diffusers must be located at a height of at least 3 meters and directed upwards.

When designing a ventilation system, it must be taken into account that at least 50% of the electrical power consumed by luminaires is spent on heat generation.

Water supply and sanitation.

The cultivation technology provides for daily correction of pH and EC of the nutrient solution and its periodic change (up to 2 times a month). For the preparation of the nutrient solution, water with parameters pH=7 - 7.5 and EC ≤ 0.2 mS/cm. Water consumption for technological needs is determined by the number and type of MMC installations.

In the absence of a centralized sewerage network in the premises, it is necessary to equip a septic tank.

Power supply. Heating.

For space heating, it is advisable to use electric heaters with automatic maintenance of the set temperature. To ensure the technological process of growing berries and herbs, a three-phase AC network is required. The installed electrical capacity is determined by the number and type of installations. To determine the total power consumption, it is necessary to additionally take into account the power of the supply air heater, the power of heating devices (about 1 kW per 30 cubic meters of room volume), lighting and other electrical equipment necessary for the work of personnel.

general building requirements.

General construction and finishing work inside the premises must be carried out in accordance with SNiPs by specialized organizations. When selecting materials for interior work, it is necessary to take into account the temperature and humidity conditions inside the room. Ceiling, wall, floor materials should provide for regular wet cleaning. Ceilings and walls should be painted with light-coloured water-resistant paint that can be repeatedly exposed to detergents. The floor must be smooth, level and waterproof. It is desirable to use polymer floors.

Infrastructure premises (zones).

Infrastructure premises (zones) are a necessary component of the technological process. These are premises (zones) for changing clothes for service personnel, storing consumables, cleaning equipment, eating, jobs for stuffing pots with peat, sowing seeds, and packaging finished products. The allocation of these zones is possible in the room where the technological equipment is installed.

A rare hostess did not dream of having fresh herbs always at hand. And if indoor flowers are a common occurrence, then dill and lettuce on the windowsill are not so often found in an ordinary apartment. Nevertheless, there are technologies that allow you to easily grow not only beautiful, but also useful plants. In this article we will talk about - a method of growing greens at home.

Fresh herbs all year round

Hydroponics is an old, though not well-known method of growing plants without soil. The name itself speaks of the specifics of the method: in Greek, it means “working solution”.

Did you know?One of the Seven Wonders, the famous Hanging Gardens of Babylon is the first known application of hydroponics.

What you need to grow greens

To grow dill and other plants in hydroponics, you should prepare all the components of the technology. It consists of two elements.

A hydroponic setup includes planting containers and a nutrient solution supply system. There are many types of such installations adapted for industrial or individual use.
Equipment for hydroponic growing can be bought or assembled with your own hands. If you decide to make the structure yourself, this will require a double container (it can be replaced by two separate containers), a water tank, a tube, an aquarium pump and a timer that will control the entire working system. These details will be enough to start growing greenery on the balcony; You will also need to maintain optimal temperature and lighting.

Did you know?The development of the idea of ​​hydroponics has become aeroponics, where the roots of plants are in the air and from time to time are pollinated by the substrate. Water is not supplied directly to the roots.

If there is no desire or opportunity to assemble a hydroponic plant for growing greens with your own hands, you can buy it by ordering it via the Internet. The principle of operation of factory systems is the same, except that the purchased one will look more compact and easier to use.

Solution and substrate

When the grow setup is ready, the only thing left to do is to take care of the solution and the substrate. The substrate that fills the plant pots serves to support the roots. He himself is absolutely sterile, that is, does not contain any nutrients. It is important that the substrate is not affected by moisture and chemicals dissolved in the water.
The solution is usually bought in gardening stores. This is a ready-made liquid that contains all the necessary trace elements for the growth and development of a certain type of greenery. Since each plant requires an individual nutrient medium, the composition of the solution for different species will vary.

Getting ready to land

Before planting, it is necessary to determine the place where the hydroponic installation will be located. As a rule, this is a window sill or a balcony. In addition to nutrition (which the system provides), plants need sufficient lighting and a constant temperature that is comfortable for growth. These factors must be taken into account.

Substrate selection

As mentioned above, the substrates are divided into organic and artificial. The main property of any of them is resistance to the constant influence of water and chemical elements. They also should not release any substances, since the nutrient medium of the plants is strictly calculated in advance. Here are some of the most common substrates:

Important! The substrate must conduct well not only water, but also air. Breathing is necessary for the roots to live.

Planting seeds

As a rule, hydroponics requires the initial germination of seeds. Seeds are germinated in soil or its analogue (for example, in peat), watering with a pre-prepared solution. When one or two true leaves form, this means that the root system is already quite developed. Such a plant will transfer the planting to the filler without loss.
For transplantation, the grown seedling is taken out of the pot along with the ground and the roots are gently washed. Then, holding the plant, the straightened root system is covered with a substrate.
It is necessary to plant at such a depth that in the future the roots do not touch the solution - moisture and nutrients will rise up the pores of the filler in sufficient quantities.

Important! Immediately after transplantation, plain water is poured into the solution container. Only a week later it is replaced with a solution when the plant adapts.

Some modern hydroponic systems allow you to skip transplanting and sow seeds directly into the plant. But not all equipment manufacturers offer such opportunities.

Solution preparation

The solution is prepared according to the manufacturer's recommendations, observing the exact dosage. For growing lettuce and other herbs in hydroponics at home, take a concentration of 1.25 above average. The solution consists of a complex fertilizer and

The issues of growing greenery in hydroponics have long stepped over the boundaries of amateur interest. Today, this is a good idea for small businesses, so there are a lot of developments and schemes. At the same time, it is not easy for a beginner to understand the topic, because there are a lot of speculations and attempts to make money on those who wish to purchase equipment and materials. Consider all the points, the knowledge of which will allow any beginner to take the first steps and get greens at home, for themselves, and then, possibly, for sale.

Is it possible to grow herbs hydroponically?

Many types of herbs can be grown using hydroponics. Far from a complete list of green crops that grow well not in ordinary soil, but in a nutrient solution:

• dill,
• parsley,
• basil,
• cilantro,
• Melissa,
• mint,
• watercress.

Of course, the correct organization of the hydroponic installation is necessary, for example, onions on a feather do not like excessive moisture - the flow method is not suitable for it. But this method is good for dill, lavender, basil and many other spicy annuals.

One of the simplest schemes for organizing a flow hydroponic plant for greenery consists of two buckets, a pump, hoses and several troughs with filler.

The parameters that need to be considered when growing greens are described below. If an ordinary gardener is interested in lighting, temperature, soil, watering, temperature, then a hydroponist is interested in equipment and a nutrient solution. These are two whales that will provide automated cultivation of the desired crop.

How to grow greens in hydroponics: equipment selection

Examples of purchased installations:

1. Installation "Home garden" - compact and visually attractive. This is a completely self-sufficient device for growing greenery. The kit includes: soil for plants, phytolamps, seeds, fertilizers. Cost - 13 thousand rubles.
2. Hydroponic bed "Onion happiness" - the simplest compact plant for forcing onions on a feather without fertilizers. From 20 bulbs - 1.5 kg of fresh herbs. It is unlikely that the unit will be of interest to those who successfully expel onions on a feather in ordinary jars filled with water. This installation differs only in the presence of a compressor that saturates the water with oxygen. It is suitable for those who are faced with rotting bulbs or midges and do not have the ability or desire to independently install an aquarium compressor in a suitable container. Cost - 1.9 thousand rubles.
3. Aquapot plants are compact and convenient for those who only need one or more greenery pots on the window. Cost - from 1.5 to 7 thousand rubles.
4. GHE systems are more diverse than Aquapot. Suitable for those who are limited by home conditions, but still prefer to see larger plantings, for example, 30 pots. The cost depends on the size of the installation - from 9 to 100 thousand rubles.

Photo gallery: homemade and industrial devices for growing greens in hydroponics

The compact 20 liter Aquapot is suitable for growing one bush of greenery GHE AeroFlo 28 hydroponic plant holds 100 liters of solution and has a capacity of 28 seats The GHE Rainforest 3 hydroponic plant holds 45 liters of solution and can grow 18 bushes Compact Home Garden hydroponic plant - a complete device for growing greenery The simplest flow hydroponic installation made of handicraft plastic pipe can be placed on the windowsill

Flow method step by step on the example of dill

The most popular for growing greens in hydroponics at home is the flow method. The solution is not just poured into a special container, but circulates through pipes, periodically saturating the plant with nutrients.

Dill is a versatile crop for a fresh table or blanks. In addition, it is the most unpretentious, pests do not like it, it is not affected by diseases, it grows well in flow-through installations. On his example, you can familiarize yourself with the entire sequence of actions.

1. Pre-sowing seed treatment significantly accelerates the harvest.
   1. Dill is soaked in warm water for 1-2 days, the water is regularly changed every 8-9 hours.
   2. The liquid is drained along with the floating seeds - they will not sprout, it is better to throw them away.
   3. The remaining seeds are filtered through cheesecloth, allowed to dry.
2. Prepare pots with large holes in the bottom, pots for seedlings are suitable. Hygroscopic filler: expanded clay + vermiculite moistened with ordinary water. Other loose, well-permeable materials are also suitable:
   • quartz sand;
   • pumice;
   • slag;
   • perlite;
   • ordinary gravel or crushed granite.
3. Sow the seeds in pots and cover the crops with a film. The number of dill, parsley, lettuce seeds per 1 container is from 3 to 6 pieces, lemon balm and mint have smaller seeds - their number per pot can be more.
4. After the seedlings have appeared, the containers are placed in the pipes of the hydroponic installation (more on its arrangement below).
5. Dill shoots will appear on the 5th day, the first week is allotted for the formation of the root system. There will be no noticeable growth of the ground part.
6. The culture loves warmth and abundant light, so they provide lighting for 15 hours. With shorter daylight hours, the plant will bloom quickly.
7. Since several plants were planted in one pot, their growth will be uneven. The leaves of the strongest and most active specimens are cut for seasoning, making room for the growth of weaker ones.
8. If the plants began to stretch, the lamps are lowered - 10-15 cm is acceptable.
9. The dill plant is removed, when it gives umbrellas, a new one is planted in its place.

Not only dill is hard to germinate - mint and lemon balm seeds also contain essential oils that make sprouting difficult. But unlike dill, it is difficult to soak them - they are too small. Be prepared that mint and lemon balm will germinate up to 8 days. You can speed up the process with the help of stimulants: Epin, Zircon.

Equipment required for growing greens by the flow method:

1. Plastic pipes, square in section. Holes of the desired diameter are cut in the upper part. Length - 2 m, width - 10 cm.
2. Plugs with holes for hoses designed to drain the nutrient solution are installed at the ends of the pipes.
3. The nutrient solution itself is located in the tank, to which a pipe with a pump is connected.
4. The compressor is installed. The solution must be enriched with oxygen in a fine spray. Lack of oxygen or stagnant water causes suffocation of the roots, provokes root rot, plants quickly weaken and die.
5. Since the liquid must be warmer than it can be in a room with a normal temperature, a heating element is also installed in the solution tank. The optimum solution temperature is 24–28 °C.
6. To automate processes, you need a timer.

A schematic representation of the main functional blocks of any hydroponic installation demonstrates the principle of operation of the unit: the pump creates a flow of solution through the roots of plants

The pump start period is 1 time per hour for 20 minutes - at this time the plants are saturated with nutrients. The hydroponic system can be open and closed (growbox). For the latter, you can safely use an old chest of drawers or a wardrobe - very convenient to save space. In addition, it solves the problem of increasing humidity in the room.

Fertilizer for greens in hydroponics

For beginners, fertilizing plantings is especially difficult. Ordinary mineral substances intended for feeding plants in the ground are not suitable. It is necessary to purchase specialized mixtures, for example, Flora Nova Grow concentrated liquid fertilizer (2036 rubles for 473 ml). The advantages of such mixtures:

• Saturate the nutrient solution with minerals.
• They contain special substances that exclude overfeeding of plants (humic acid, fulvic acids).
• Remove accumulated salts in the hydroponic system or substrate.
• Activate rooting.
• Strengthen the immune system.
• Stabilize pH.

Underfeeding and overfeeding leads to a rapid death of the plant, because in hydroponic installations, all processes proceed faster.

As for preparing the solution yourself, the necessary concentrations of nutrients are indicated in hydroponics manuals. There are a lot of recipes for solutions, for the same culture there may be several of them. Combinations of substances vary depending on the method of supplying the solution (drip, periodicals), on other growing parameters (greenhouse, natural light, artificial light).

Table: an example of a combination of chemical elements for any herbs

Other indicators:

• pH: 5.5-6.0;
• EC: 2.0-2.5 mS.

Power Supply Method:

• drip;
• periodicals.

• greenhouse;
• natural light;
• illumination.

The hydroponic method allows you to create an impressive vegetable garden in a small area.

One of the examples of calculation is given by the partnership of entrepreneurs TP "AKT". They developed GUVOSIT equipment - multi-tiered structures for any premises, designed for growing greenery in automatic mode: from seeds to harvesting. Production from 2.5 sq. m. for one production cycle - 14-15 kg of dill or parsley at the cost of electricity for one cycle of 1400 rubles. (4 rubles per 1 kWh). Profitability is about 7 thousand rubles. (14 kg = 700 bunches of 20 g each, the price of a bunch is 10 rubles).

Hydroponics is still perceived as a business for enthusiasts or fans of custom gardening. However, it must be admitted that the very idea - to get fresh, environmentally friendly greens all year round without any hassle - is fully consistent with the modern lifestyle, when time and health are more valuable than money.