Hydroponics Course: Hydroponics I

This hydroponics course belongs to the hydroponic farming training specialization which includes:

• Hydroponics I
• Hydroponics II
• Hydroponics Farm Management

This hydroponics course is the starting point for any serious hydroponic grower. It provides an opportunity to interact with and learn from experienced hydroponic experts.  150 hours (study at your own pace, the average time to complete this module is 4-6 months part time).  

AIMS

• Explain different hydroponic systems.
• Select appropriate media for specified hydroponic crops.
• Describe the equipment used in hydroponic systems.
• Determine the management of nutrition in hydroponic systems.
• Explain the management of a greenhouse in the production of a hydroponic crop.
• Plan the establishment of hydroponic facility to satisfy specified criteria, both commercial and cultural.
• Develop a management plan for a hydroponic facility.

 

COURSE STRUCTURE

There are ten lessons as follows:

1. Introduction

• Scope and nature of Hydroponics
• Wick Systems
• Water Culture
• Ebb and Flow (or flood and drain system)
• Drip (with either a recovery or non-recovery process)
• F.T. (Nutrient Film Technique)

2. Aeroponic Systems

• Hydroponics as a Global Industry
• Comparison with Soil Culture
• Resources for more information
• Introduction to Plant growth
• Plant Structure
• Biochemistry and Hydroponics
• Biochemical Processes; Photosynthesis, Nutrient Uptake
• Nutrients
• Nitrogen
• Phosphorus
• Potassium
• Calcium and Magnesium
• Sulphur, Iron, Zinc, Copper, Molybdenum, Carbon, Chlorine, Aluminium, Sodium
• pH
• Hydroponic Nutrient Solutions
• Preparing Nutrient Solutions

3. Hydroponic Systems

• What makes up a System
• Location, Container, Water and Nutrient Application, Root Media etc
• Two simple systems
• Soil less media mixes
• Rock wool; advantages, disadvantages, manufacture, propagation blocks, rockwool applications, etc.
• NFT Systems
• Solution Dispensation Methods and Techniques

4. Nutrition and Nutrition management

• Understanding Nutrient Formulae
• Writing Chemical Names What Nutrients Does a Plant Need
• Calculating Formulae
• Mixing Nutrients
• Symptoms of Nutrient Deficiency
• Dutch Recommendations for Nutrient Formulae
• Summary of Fertilizers or chemicals used in Hydroponic Nutrient Formulae
• Managing pH
• Managing Conductivity

5. Plant Culture

• Preparing a Flow Chart for Managing a Hydroponic Crop
• Salinity Controllers
• pH Controllers
• Post Harvest Management of Crops; cooling, drying, Canning, Control Atmosphere Storage, Relative Humidity Storage, Freezing, Vacuum Storage, etc.
• Pest and Disease Management in Controlled Environments
• Fungal Problems and Management
• Major Pest and Disease Disorders; viruses, bacteria, fungi, nematode
• Diagnosis of Crop Disorders
• Pests
• Inspecting an Unhealthy Plant
• Difficult to Diagnose Problems
• Integrated Pest Management
• Review of Diseases
• Review of Pests

6. Hydroponic Vegetable Production

• Introduction
• Commercial Cultivation of Vegetables
• Propagating Vegetables
• Seed Germination of Vegetables and Herbs
• Optimum temperatures for different Vegetables
• Time from planting to harvest for different Vegetables
• Tomatoes in Hydroponics
• Eggplant in Hydroponics
• Hydroponic Lettuce
• Review of Vegetable Families (groups)
• Fresh Cut Herbs in Hydroponics
• Nutrient Solution for Herbs
• Selected Herb Crops; mint, parsley, thyme, dill basil, chives, etc.

7. Hydroponic Cut Flower Production

• Introduction
• Carbon Dioxide enrichment
• Culture of Specific Hydroponic Crops
• Carnation
• Gerbera
• Gladioli
• Rose
• Indoor Plant Crops in Hydroponics

8. Solid Media vs. Nutrient Film

• NFT
• Header Tank or Direct Pumping
• Solution Delivery
• Capillary Matting
• Channel Width and Length
• Slope
• Temperature
• Types of Media for Aggregate Culture
• Vermiculite
• Sand
• Perlite
• Expanded Plastics
• Expanded Clay
• Scoria
• Peat Moss
• Coir Fiber
• Composted Bark
• Review of selected Indoor Plants in Hydroponics
• African Violet
• Anthurium
• Aphelandra,
• Bromeliad
• Caladium
• Dieffenbachia
• Ferns, Ficus, Palms, etc

. Greenhouse Operation and Management

• Growing Crops in Greenhouses
• Solar Energy Applications
• Greenhouse Shape, Orientation, Size, etc
• Active Solar Heating Systems
• Examples of Solar Greenhouses; case studies
• What to Grow?
• Environmental Factors and how to Control them
• Heaters
• Light Factors
• Managing water with Plants
• Other Cultural Considerations; pollination, fruit cracking, ventilation, temperature, etc.

Special Assignment

• Planning the Establishment or Management of a Hydroponic Enterprise

9. Practice Assignments

10. Practice Assignments

 

END OF THE COURSE

 

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