creating novel hybrid hydroponic systems
combinations of
multiple growing substrates and
The number of possible
multiple irrigation
methods to boost
growing media becomes
plant growth rates
and maximize
infinite when you begin to
yields. In other
words, newer genmix the diverse materials
erations of growers
are moving beyond
together in various
the archetypical
single-irrigationratios.
method systems
(e.g., flood and
drain, drip, deep
water culture, etc.)
A catchphrase in our contemporary
and embracing relatively new substrates
industry is “hybrid hydroponics.” While
to produce results closer to optimal
I have not found an agreed-upon
yields than previous generations could
definition for what this phrase means, I
achieve. Increased scientific understandbelieve the heart of the concept refers to ing is a significant contributor to this
a growing trend toward the innovative
trend, but an equal or greater amount of
credit belongs to
the technological
development of
new substrates.
Over the past
few decades, a
large number of
materials have
been developed as
potential growing media or
substrate amendments. Diversity
and innovation
reign supreme
in this domain:
raw materials like
peat and pumice,
recycled materials
like glass and tires,
processed materials like expanded
clay and rockwool, as well as
food and agricultural waste products like coir, bark
and hulls and, of
course, water are
“
”
142
Maximum Yield USA | September 2012
all used. Then, the number of possible
growing media becomes infinite when
you begin to mix the diverse materials
together in various ratios.
Although growers can purchase effective commercial systems and substrate
mixes, a lot of people are bitten with the
do-it-yourself bug and prefer to create
their own uniquely blended substrate
from the multitude of possible ingredients. It can be enjoyable to put one’s
creativity to the test by designing a
unique soilless mix, but satisfaction ultimately depends on the yield and quality
of the crops harvested from your mix.
In this article, we will glimpse the
development of a hybrid hydroponics system that has been adapted from
another. Along the way, we will look at a
few significant factors that should affect
your choice of mix components and
discuss a number of practical procedures
that will help to calibrate your fertigation decisions.
Case study:
bio bucket 2.0
My motivation for creating an original
bio bucket system came from reading
an article published in Maximum Yield
called Hybrid Hydroponics With Bio Buckets by Casey Jones Fraser. In the article,
Casey discussed an innovative growing system consisting of a continuously
running drip deep water culture system
that combines four different media in a
mesh basket (rockwool, peat-perlite mix
inoculated with beneficial bacteria, and
expanded clay). For a lengthier discussion of this particular system, I’d recommend checking out Casey’s article on
the Maximum Yield website.
Though imitation is the sincerest form
of flattery, it isn’t in my nature to waste
any opportunity to add personal touches
on any system. Why not experiment
with the infinite combinations of irrigation methods and substrate composition? In general, the systems I prefer to
make and use have multiple irrigation
systems coupled with only one or
two substrates.