The hydroponic method is an agricultural technique that does not use soil as the growing medium, but water or nutrient solution. If you like gardening, you should know the hydroponic tools needed for optimal harvest. 

Aside from being accessible, the hydroponic method also uses used goods, suitable for those implementing zero waste. Not only to save expenses, but having a hobby of hydroponic planting also invites quite tempting profits.

According to Jurnal Mahasiswa Fakultas Pertanian Universitas Tompotika Luwuk, the turnover of hydroponics can reach thousands of millions of rupiah if you manage it earnestly. Amazing, right? 

If you are interested in starting hydroponic planting, but still confused about the hydroponic tools needed, you can read this article to find the answer. So, learn more here!

Hydroponic Tools for Beginners

To start the hydroponic system, you must understand the equipment you need to grow healthy plants. Below are some hydroponic tools you must prepare before starting a hydroponic system:

1. Net Pot

A net pot is a special container in which you can place your plant. The pot has many holes on its side so that the plant roots can absorb the nutrients and water. 

Yet, you do not have to buy a new net pot to start a hydroponic system because you can make it yourself using plastic bottles or cups. You can punch some holes in the plastic bottles or cups using a hot iron.

2. Growing Medium

Since hydroponics does not use soil, you will need an alternate growing medium to support the roots of the plants. Rockwool, hydroton, Malang sand, and cocopeat are examples of common growing media you can use. 

If you implement wick hydroponics, the growing medium must channel the water well to let the plant absorb the nutrients optimally. In general, you need flannel cloths or wick cloths as the absorbers. 

3. Seedlings

Seedling selection is important for the hydroponic system. Thus, always choose healthy and strong seedlings with a high growth rate and free from disease. You can choose vegetables for beginners, such as lettuce, spinach, and bok choy. 

4. Hydroponic Nutrients

It is important to note that hydroponics depends fully on the nutrient solutions to grow. Nutrient solutions usually contain macro and micro nutrients, such as nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, and magnesium. 

There are many hydroponic fertilizers you can find at the market, and one of the most common ones is AB mix. It is quite simple to apply this fertilizer to hydroponic systems. Its powder form dissolves easily and does not clump and block the system

5. Choose the Right System

You can choose the hydroponic systems based on your needs and expertise, such as wick, Nutrient Film Technique (NFT), Deep Flow Technique (DFT), tidal, and floating systems. Here is the complete explanation:

• Wick System: This is a simple system where the plants in the net pot are connected to the nutrient solutions by wicks. 
• NFT System: The nutrient solution is flowed little by little so that the plant roots can absorb the nutrients directly.
• DFT System: Similar to the NFT system, but the nutrients flood deeper, in case there is a pump failure.
• Tidal System: Nutrients are pumped to the growing media until flooding and being dried up continuously. This system increases root oxygenation.
• Floating System: You place the plants on styrofoam floating on nutrients, making the roots soak up nutrients. 

However, if you are a beginner, it is best to start with the wick system because it is simpler and does not need electricity to channel the nutrients to the plants. 

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How the Wick System in Hydroponics Works

One of the simplest hydroponic systems is the wick system. A wick is used to carry the nutrient solution from the water container to the roots of the plants. If you are a beginner and want to try hydroponics at a low cost, the wick system is ideal.

In this system, the water contains nutrients absorbed by the wick and seeps up to the growing medium. Then, the plants will absorb the water. This system works passively, making it more stable and does not require complicated maintenance.

Advantages of the Wick System

One of the advantages is simplicity. You only need a water container, a wick, and growing media to start planting. Here are other benefits you can get:

• Relatively cost-effective. 
• Arrangeable.
• Do not need water or electric pumps. 
• Make you learn the basics of hydroponics. 

Disadvantages of the Wick System

Despite being simple, this system has some limitations. Here are the disadvantages you must consider:

• Limited plant selections (usually lettuce and spinach).
• Only for plants with moderate water needs.
• Plants may not grow as fast as they do in other hydroponic systems. 

Hydroponic Tips for Beginners

Doing hydroponic planting is interesting, but you must pay attention to several things to make your plants grow well. Below are some tips you can follow to help you grow plants in a hydroponic system and gain an optimal harvest:

1. Choose the Right System

Every hydroponic system has advantages and disadvantages. If you are a beginner, the wick system is a good choice because you do not need much equipment and complex maintenance. 

If hydroponics is a hobby to you, you can try other systems like the floating system. This system is similar to the wick system, but on a larger scale and with wider media. 

2. Pay Attention to the Water Quality

As the name suggests, water is the primary component of hydroponics. Thus, you must maintain the water quality. You should use clean, chlorine-free, and chemical-free water. In addition, make sure the pH of the water is in the range of 5.5–6.5 so that nutrients can be absorbed optimally.

3. Set the Lighting

Not only water, but you must also pay attention to the lighting because it plays an important role in photosynthesis. Greens usually need 12–16 hours of light per day to grow well. So, you must ensure that your plants get enough light from grow light lamps or direct sunlight. 

4. Monitor the Temperature and Humidity

In general, hydroponic plants are sensitive to humidity and temperature. Most hydroponic plants can grow well in temperatures between 18 and 25°C. An excessively high temperature might stress the plant and hinder its growth. 

5. Maintain Cleanliness

Cleanliness is an essential factor of hydroponics that people mostly ignore. One of the ways to keep the system clean is by making sure that the nutrient containers, net pots, and growing media are always clean to avoid disrupting fungi and algae.

Read also: 9 Ways to Take Care of Plants, Easy and Effective!

That is the hydroponic tools information you can learn and access easily. If you are a beginner, you had better try the wick system, which can teach you the simple and basic hydroponics. 

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