The Urban Farmer: Aeroponics, Stock up!, media suggestions

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The Urban Farmer, Issue #038 * Aeroponics * Stock Up * Suggested Media


July,
2011: 
 

                        
                      
 

“There is no gardening without humility. 
Nature is constantly sending even its oldest scholars to the bottom of the class
for some egregious blunder.”

       
~Alfred Austin

WHAT IS AEROPONICS?

                

 

The aeroponic system is probably
the most high-tech type of hydroponic gardening. Like the N.F.T. system above
the growing medium is primarily air. The roots hang in the air and are misted
with nutrient solution. The mistings are usually done every few minutes. Because
the roots are exposed to the air like the N.F.T. system, the roots will dry out
rapidly if the misting cycles are interrupted.

A timer controls the nutrient pump
much like other types of hydroponic systems, except the aeroponic system needs a
short cycle timer that runs the pump for a few seconds every couple of minutes.

Advantages:

  • Conservation of water and
    energy. When compared to hydroponics, aeroponics offers lower water and
    energy input. When used commercially, aeroponics uses one-tenth of the water
    otherwise necessary to grow the crop.

  • Lush and extremely rapid
    growth- quite possibly the most prolific hydro system out there!

Disadvantages:

  • Complete dependence on the
    aerosol system. When the mist stops, the plants die quickly.

  • Expense- aeroponics setups are
    in general more expensive than traditional hydro setups.
     

Want to get your feet wet on this
fascinating method? This is probably the best compact system (2’x3′) to get you started: