More Farmers Using Hydroponics to Grow Produce

More and more farmers are creating produce through hydroponics. And why not? Hydroponics produces organic foods faster than traditional growing. As expected, the hydroponics industry is gaining speed through referrals, and word of mouth. More and more people are looking to grow hydroponically for fast, organic, and healthy foods. Here is an article about farmers growing hydroponically.

If the daffodils are blooming then it's a vibrant sign that farmers markets will be sprouting up soon, too.

With the addition of a new Saturday market in New Lenox, every Lincoln-Way community will have something to offer seasonal shoppers this year.

Here's a preview of opening days:

• Mokena's French Market: 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturdays April 25 to Oct. 31 in the Front Street Metra lot.

• Frankfort's Country Market: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sundays April 26 to Oct. 11 in Breidert Green at Kansas and White streets.

• New Lenox farmers market: 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturdays May 16 to Oct. 10, in the village hall parking lot, Haven Avenue and Gear Drive.

• Manhattan farmers market: 2 to 6 p.m. Tuesdays June 2 to Sept. 1 at Round Barn Farm, U.S. 52 and Baker Road.

Merrill Marxman, market manager for both New Lenox and Frankfort, said he had "so many" vendors interested in coming to New Lenox that it had to be moved from the Commons on Veterans Parkway to the parking lot behind village hall. Like Frankfort, the New Lenox market will be adjacent to the Old Plank Road Trail, providing easy access for walkers and cyclists.

A lot of the same vendors will work in both communities.

"They're like my family," said Marxman, who's been doing markets in many towns for many years. (He also handles one on Thursdays in Manteno.)

"I get calls every year from communities that want them. Everyone wants one. There's 250 markets in Illinois," he said.

Here's a sampling of what Marxman is offering around here: multiple produce vendors; Michigan fruit; natural, pasture-raised beef; nitrate-free bacon and other meats; bedding plants and flowers; Wisconsin cheese; kettle corn; and crafts.

New this year will be hydroponic produce, available at both Frankfort and New Lenox. Shoppers will also be able to buy beef and pork in quarters or halves. And the great produce that usually follows later may be a bit later than usual. The market manager is expecting a late arrival for Michigan products due to the delayed growing season.

"There is some concern that the New Lenox market will hurt Frankfort's," Marxman said. "I'm expecting great things out of the New Lenox Market. This is really a growth area." He said he has 25 to 30 vendors interested in trying out this new space.

So likely there's plenty of market to be spread around, and it's nice to have the option of shopping on Saturday or Sunday or Tuesday (in Manhattan.) And each one offers its own little twist.

Frankfort's Country Market offers other events, such as a Munchkin Market with children's activities, chef demos and live music. Its Web site - www.frankfortcountrymarket.org - is boasting its largest roster of spring vendors ever. Marxman expects 20 vendors on opening day, including hanging baskets, bedding plants, baked goods, prepared foods, hydroponics, natural meats, cheese and jewelry.

In New Lenox, be on the lookout for 12-year-old Hope Barry, who is initiating a Green Kids movement and selling cloth shopping bags that she designed herself.

Since 2002, Mokena has offered some cultural atmosphere with its French Market, operated by the Bensidoun Group, of France. According to market master Debbie Engler, there will be perennials, flower baskets, Amish pies, Labriola bread, cheese, produce, Avon and Pampered Chef products.

A new booth this year will be manned by Joe Ranieri of Life Stage Fitness, one of the organizers of the Mokena in Motion program. He'll provide exercise demonstrations for all ages, and healthy recipes using food items from the market.

If you can't make it on the weekends, Manhattan offers yet another alternative. Its farmers market is 2 to 6 p.m. Tuesdays June 2 through Sept. 1 at the Round Barn Farm.

There will be lots of fresh fruit and veggies, plants, handmade crafts and food related items.

More than farmers markets

There are lots of other events to look forward to this spring. Circle these dates on your calendar:

• April 25: New Lenox Library Spring Arts Festival, 6:30 to 10 p.m.

• May 2: Frankfort's German Heritage Celebration, noon to 9 p.m. at Founders Center.

• May 21: Cruisin' Frankfort car show, weekly, 6 to 9 p.m. in the downtown area.

• June 10: Movies on (Breidert) Green begin in Frankfort at 8:30 p.m.

• June 20: New Lenox launches its Triple Play summer concert series with the Gin Blossoms at 8 p.m. in the Commons. Tickets on sale at village hall.

• June 21: Concerts on the Green begin in Frankfort at 6:30 pm.

But wait, there's more ...

Will County officials are promoting recreational opportunities nearby as well. Don't overlook attractions such as the Rialto Theater for arts and culture, Old Plank Road Trail, the I&M Canal and nearby state parks, the historic Route 66 or a Joliet Jackhammers baseball game.

There are also many forest preserves, trails, and parks with great opportunities for educational and cultural programs, in addition to camping, fishing, hiking, canoeing and picnicking.

Susan DeMar Lafferty can be reached at slafferty@southtownstar.com or (708) 802-8805. She also blogs about the Lincoln-Way communities at blogs.southtownstar.com.

By SUSAN DEMAR LAFFERTY

With so many people growing hydroponically, the hydroponic industry is gaining more ground. As this new industry gains popularity, better and more effective grow boxes are coming out every year.

File Cabinet Hydroponic System Now Available

The much awaited file cabinet hydroponic grow system is out! It's affordable, (under $1500) for the SuperFile, even less for the mini file. This system is one of the latest the industry offers and has been discussed in many message boards. The file cabinets are 7 in 1 or 5 in 1 hydro systems. More information can be found on the file cabinet grow boxes here:

Super File

Mini File

Another Hydroponics Store Q & A

Kim and Tom Long are hydroponic store owners in the midwest selling all types of indoor gardening gear and nutrients. Located in the Summit country, Long says that he loves the open space and that his son can simply walk to school. Business is so good for this hydroponic store owner, he can barely catch up with local orders!

Here is the full Q & A article.

Q: What type of business do you operate — what do you sell, or what service do you provide?

A: The Hydro Shack sells everything necessary to start and maintain your indoor garden. We carry full lines of nutrients by General Hydroponics, House and Garden, Roots Organic, Humboldt Nutrients, Botanicare, Fox Farm, Ionic, B’Cuzz and more. For growing media, we offer various brands of soil, rockwool, hydroton, and perlite. Then there’s everything else, we have all sizes of reflectors, bulbs, ballasts, fans, filters, ducting, timers, CO2 trays, pots, meters, air pumps, pruners, hydroponic systems, and many accessories. We are open Tuesday through Friday 10-6 and Saturdays 10-4.

Q: Where are you from, and why did you decide to open your business in Summit County?

A: Funny you should ask. Tom is from North Carolina; I’m from Michigan. We actually met in Summit County 15 years ago through a roommate want ad in the Summit Daily News, and have lived here ever since!

Q: What experience do you have in this field?

Tom was previously employed at another indoor gardening store that closed it’s doors last fall. He saw a customer demand not being met by the Denver-based owners, and after long conversations with them on what needed to be done to keep their store going in the right direction, they decided to focus on their Denver location, and close their Frisco store. Tom is a vegetarian with a passion for indoor gardening, and hated to see the other store close its doors, so here we are! I am the bookkeeper, my green thumb is still under development ....

Q: What sets your business apart from other similar businesses?

We are the only indoor gardening supply store in Summit County. Someone new to indoor gardening may ask, “What does hydroponic mean?” It is simple, hydroponic means gardening without soil. Our customers have all types of gardens, some do use soil, but about 75 percent use other natural media such as rockwool, which is a natural material spun from rock. It has a consistency similar to fiberglass, only very absorbent. Unlike soil, this media has no nutrients in it, so you have to add water and nutrients. The benefits are recycling the water you are using, faster growth, and a higher yield in the end. There’s also aeroponics, deep water culture, drip systems . . . it all depends on long-term goals, and how much you want to invest in your garden.

Q: What types of customers do you hope to reach in Summit County?

A: Anyone who has an interest in gardening. Builders, look at the new high rises in Japan, offering indoor gardening rooms in every unit. Why not create an indoor gardening room next to the wine cellar? Set your green spec home apart from the rest! We have tons of FREE literature, so if you’ve ever thought of starting a garden, please stop by. Everyone who lives here and gardens outside in the summer could also benefit by starting their plants indoors in the spring. It’s easier than carrying all of those plants inside at night when it snows!

Q: Why did you choose to open where you did?

We love Frisco. It is centrally located to all of Summit County. Our son Alec can walk here after middle school. Our landlord is wonderful, and the price was right!

Q: What are your plans for your company’s future?

A: We plan on keeping up with the demand of the local indoor gardeners, and pledge to have everything they might need on a day-to-day basis in stock. We order at least once a week, so all of our special-order wait times are less than two weeks. We are even thinking about offering indoor gardening classes.

10 Questions To A Hydroponic Farm Owner

Check out this interview with Tassioni in Dallas. He runs a hydroponic garden business and sells his stuff in the local farmer's market. Tassioni delivers organic herbs and vegetables to 23 restaurants and hotels. Making money with hydroponics seems to be very profitable nowadays. Read the actual article below:


On Sunday, April 19, the Dallas Farmer's Market Friends will host a roundtable discussion of the "buying local" concept and its challenges.

Tassioni knows these all too well. Since 1997, he and his wife have operated a hydroponic farm (Tassione Farm) near Stephenville, growing specialty greens and herbs. They deliver to 23 area restaurants and hotels, which keeps them busy enough. But they've also tried, with little success, to profit from the Farmer's Market.

The roundtable starts at 4 p.m. on Sunday at the Farmer's Market Resource Center (1010 S. Pearl Expressway). It includes a select panel of top chefs and local farmers--including Tassioni.

He's not shy about speaking out. Just get the kids out of the building if he starts to sing...


1. Is it hard to keep all those chefs happy?
Not as hard as you would think. It's hands down fresher and our product has a good shelf life. The only problem is if I drop it off at the wrong spot. Then they get mad.

2. Ever hear voices telling you to build a baseball field?
[Laughs] I hear my own when I do something stupid like drop off product at the wrong place.

3. How does Texas soil compare?
Well, of course we don't really grow in the soil, ourselves. Where we live the soil is terrible. But south of Dallas--around Ennis--it is ideal for growing.

4. Why has the local and sustainable movement become so popular?
There's a few reasons. One, gas prices; shipping just adds to the cost. Plus all the salmonella and e.coli outbreaks from the large farms. There's less of a chance that you will get those illnesses if the farm has good practices. Plus it's just really good business to help out those working in your own state.

5. What's the most finicky thing to grow?
Around here? I haven't tried all of them, but I used to kill quite a few plants when I was learning how to do this. The hardest thing we deal with is watercress. If something's going to happen, it will happen to the watercress first, from fungus to bugs. And some things just flat out won't grow in this area.

6. Is the farmer's market a plus?
My personal take is that it's not really set up for fresh produce grown locally. We took basil down there a couple times and we didn't sell anything. A lot of the stuff is brought in from other states. The farmers that sell squash--seasonal stuff--those farmers sell a lot. We're the only ones down there with lettuce and herbs. We would have to be there everyday to make it work.

7. You don't get to use manure, do you?
We do fertilizer salts. We mix our own batches. You can do hydroponics with organic fertilizer, but it's a little more involved. I've never tried it. But we don't spray any chemicals at all.

8. But with a hydroponic farm, aren't you missing out on wearing bib overalls?
[Laughs]. Growing in greenhouses is great.

9. When you go to a grocery store, do you look at the produce and cringe?
Oh, yes. Definitely. I cringe--and then I think 'I need to get my herbs in here. So there's a lot of opportunity.

10. Ever sing the 'Farmer in the Dell' song?
No, but we do make up our own songs. I can't sing them for you. [Laughs] We get bored out there, so we gotta entertain ourselves somehow.

By Dave Faries

New Hydroponic Supply Store

After almost going bankrupt, Kurtis Houston decided to recreate his brick and mortar store into a hydroponic shop. He set up sample boxes and is doing great after almost going bankrupt. Houston says that it is hard just to keep the items on the shelf!

Here is the original article:

Thursday, April 09, 2009

Karnes Carpet World, with its conspicuous location between a gas station and auto repair shop at 445 Pitkin Ave., had little foot traffic before the owners lit up the inside with hydroponic grow lights and the outside with an eye-popping storefront sign for their new business, Desert Bloom Hydroponics.

Kurtis and Lisa Houston have owned Karnes Carpet World for the past seven years, with steady business doing commercial-sized flooring projects.

Problem was the store, which they purchased from the Karnes family, wasn’t drawing foot traffic despite having a storefront.

“I don’t even remember the last time we had someone in here shopping for carpet or tile,” Kurtis Houston said.

So the pair decided they needed to find a way to put the space to good use. On a trip to Denver for their daughter’s marching band competition, Kurtis spotted a Big Tomato hydroponics store and got to thinking about it. Research on the Internet revealed the closest hydroponics shop was in Durango. By January, the Houstons had rearranged the showroom to open Desert Bloom Hydroponics to stock equipment and supplies.

“We opened up with about half the showroom. Two weeks later, we got all the tile and carpet out of here and expanded,” he said.

The showroom has been transformed into an indoor garden with vegetable plants arranged in plastic storage tubs where their roots can soak up water and nutrients, and the leaves are bathed by artificial lights set to timers.

So far the additional business is booming. Kurtis estimated he doubled February’s sales figures in March, adding, “I’m having a hard time keeping stuff on the shelves.”

The shop’s growth has outpaced what the Houstons expected, and they are excited about the new venture.

“We’re committed now. We’re all enjoying it,” he said.

Kurtis said he had limited hydroponic knowledge when he opened the shop.

“I dabbled years ago, science projects and stuff,” he said.

The shop carries videos and books for do-it-yourselfers and customers who are just getting started. Those curious about hydroponics are welcome to visit the shop and sample some of the fruits and vegetables off the plants grown inside.

The plants are there to give customers ideas about the plants and systems they can set up in their own homes. One benefit to hydroponically grown plants is they can grow fruit all year, providing fresh vegetables such as tomatoes and peppers in the dead of winter.

Hydroponic plants are grown with the aid of a nutrient solution, rather than soil. The roots of the plant may be supported by media, such as plastic, clay or stone. Kurtis Houston said plants grown hydroponically grow 30 to 50 percent quicker than plants grown in soil.

Kurtis said his suppliers have helped ensure he is stocking his shelves with the right products, and he is listening to what the customers want for special orders.

“A lot of people are excited we’re here. They don’t have to drive to Denver or pay freight on the Internet,” he said.

Written by: CARRIE MARFITANO/The Grand Junction Daily Sentinel

This makes me think! Should I open up a brick and mortar store myself? If you think I should, shoot me an email: sales @ dealzer.com - I would love the feedback. Thanks

Green Sky Plants - Growing on a rooftop with hydroponics

At 85, Bert Roper is growing plants on top of his rooftop using hydroponics. Although he is retired, he loves working with hydroponics and he's making a quick buck at of it as well. He seems to enjoy his hobby while "not" being retired. Tim Blank, a hydroponics expert, is assisting him in all his growing ventures. They love the fact that hydroponics only uses 5% of the total water needed to grow on a traditional farm. They also love the fact that they are having fun doing this! Roper has mentioned that he is harvesting every month rather than waiting for 4 months to harvest lettuce. Althrough they are trying to make it hurricane proof, Roper says that even if the hurricane devistated his crops, he could be up an running in less than 4 weeks! The rooftop garden has been so successful, tourists are paying $10 per visit just to see the garden! Wether Roper is doing this for fun, or for a profit, the rooftop garden is a eco friendly, unique, interesting, profitable, and news worthy. Roper is an overnight sensasion and may lead the way in the new hydroponic craze.

Students Grow Plants Without Dirt Using Hydroponics

Summary:
It appears students interested in plant growth are growing via hydroponics - only using water. The students soon learned that growing with water is much better than dirt. It is cleaner and faster with water. They soon realized that all the plant growth took half the time.

Read full article below:

HONOLULU (KHNL) - Students at a local high school are growing plants without dirt, and are achieving great results. High school cafeterias are a thing of the past at Damien Memorial School. Welcome to the habitat, students here work on growing cheery tomatoes and lettuce hydroponically. It's a way of growing plants using mineral nutrient solutions instead of soil.

"Working with plants, wether they are in the ground or in water is a favorite of mine," student Nathan Tehadal said.

Inside these tanks swim sunrise tilapia and Chinese catfish. "Were gonna harvest here and those are going to be sold hopefully for someone to eat," biology teacher Georgia Nguepdjo says, "It's been a wonderful outlet for the boys they come at lunch, they come after school."

It all happens here in the hydroponics garden. Nathan says using water instead of dirt takes less effort and less growing time and it's all great for the environment.

"Normally this kind of lettuce would take a month at least to grow and this only took two weeks to grow to its current size," Tehadal said.

The water contains the same nutrients as the soil, but in greater concentrations, and they put all the green waste in a compost pile. "So many kids are inside videos games and not getting out they don't know what the environment is about and this provides that opportunity," Nguepdjo says, "they are my teacher as much as I'm with them."

Here, nothing goes to waste, especially the lessons. "I'd like to buy a nice piece of land and replicate these results," Tehadal said.

By Tracy Gladden - bio

The great part of this story is that the kids were having fun and being educated at the same time. This is not always to achieve in the classroom.

Idiot's Guide to How Hydroponics Work

Basic Hydroponics Systems and How They Work

There are 6 basic types of hydroponics systems; Wick, Water Culture, Ebb and Flow, Drip (recovery or non-recovery), N.F.T. or Nutrient Film Technique and Aeroponics. There are hundreds of variations on these basic types of systems, but all hydroponic methods are a variation (or combination) of these six. Scroll down this page (or click on the system names) to see drawings and a description of each type of hydroponic system.

WICK SYSTEMS

The Wick system is by far the simplest type of hydroponic system. This is a passive system, which means there are no moving parts. The nutrient solution is drawn into the growing medium from the reservoir with a wick. Free plans for a simple wick system are available (click here for plans).
This system can use a variety of growing medium. Perlite, Vermiculite, Pro-Mix and Coconut Fiber are among the most popular.
The biggest draw back of this system is that plants that are large or use large amounts of water may use up the nutrient solution faster than the wick(s) can supply it.

WATER CULTURE

The water culture system is the simplest of all active hydroponic systems. The platform that holds the plants is usually made of Styrofoam and floats directly on the nutrient solution. An air pump supplies air to the air stone that bubbles the nutrient solution and supplies oxygen to the roots of the plants.
Water culture is the system of choice for growing leaf lettuce, which are fast growing water loving plants, making them an ideal choice for this type of hydroponic system. Very few plants other than lettuce will do well in this type of system.
This type of hydroponic system is great for the classroom and is popular with teachers. A very inexpensive system can be made out of an old aquarium or other water tight container. We have free plans and instructions for a simply water culture system (click here for free plans).
The biggest draw back of this kind of system is that it doesn't work well with large plants or with long-term plants.

EBB & FLOW - (FLOOD AND DRAIN)

The Ebb and Flow system works by temporarily flooding the grow tray with nutrient solution and then draining the solution back into the reservoir. This action is normally done with a submerged pump that is connected to a timer.
When the timer turns the pump on nutrient solution is pumped into the grow tray. When the timer shuts the pump off the nutrient solution flows back into the reservoir. The Timer is set to come on several times a day, depending on the size and type of plants, temperature and humidity and the type of growing medium used.
The Ebb & Flow is a versatile system that can be used with a variety of growing mediums. The entire grow tray can be filled with Grow Rocks, gravel or granular Rockwool. Many people like to use individual pots filled with growing medium, this makes it easier to move plants around or even move them in or out of the system. The main disadvantage of this type of system is that with some types of growing medium (Gravel, Growrocks, Perlite), there is a vulnerability to power outages as well as pump and timer failures. The roots can dry out quickly when the watering cycles are interrupted. This problem can be relieved somewhat by using growing media that retains more water (Rockwool, Vermiculite, coconut fiber or a good soiless mix like Pro-mix or Faffard's).

DRIP SYSTEMS
RECOVERY / NON-RECOVERY

Drip systems are probably the most widely used type of hydroponic system in the world. Operation is simple, a timer controls a submersed pump. The timer turns the pump on and nutrient solution is dripped onto the base of each plant by a small drip line. In a Recovery Drip System the excess nutrient solution that runs off is collected back in the reservoir for re-use. The Non-Recovery System does not collect the run off.
A recovery system uses nutrient solution a bit more efficiently, as excess solution is reused, this also allows for the use of a more inexpensive timer because a recovery system doesn't require precise control of the watering cycles. The non-recovery system needs to have a more precise timer so that watering cycles can be adjusted to insure that the plants get enough nutrient solution and the runoff is kept to a minimum.
The non-recovery system requires less maintenance due to the fact that the excess nutrient solution isn't recycled back into the reservoir, so the nutrient strength and pH of the reservoir will not vary. This means that you can fill the reservoir with pH adjusted nutrient solution and then forget it until you need to mix more. A recovery system can have large shifts in the pH and nutrient strength levels that require periodic checking and adjusting.

N.F.T.

(Nutrient Film Technique)
This is the kind of hydroponic system most people think of when they think about hydroponics. N.F.T. systems have a constant flow of nutrient solution so no timer required for the submersible pump. The nutrient solution is pumped into the growing tray (usually a tube) and flows over the roots of the plants, and then drains back into the reservoir.
There is usually no growing medium used other than air, which saves the expense of replacing the growing medium after every crop. Normally the plant is supported in a small plastic basket with the roots dangling into the nutrient solution.
N.F.T. systems are very susceptible to power outages and pump failures. The roots dry out very rapidly when the flow of nutrient solution is interrupted.
AEROPONIC

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.

Affordable Hydroponic Systems

If you are looking to buy an affordable hydroponic system, you may be out of luck. Most hydroponic systems cost thousands of dollars. In fact, the lower end systems that are priced at $500 - $1000 are actually considered to be affordable hydro grow systems.

Some examples are:

PC Grow Box
Budget Grow Box
V3 Economy Grow Box

These grow boxes range from about $500 - $900.

There are hydro systems out there for about $150. One example is the Aerogarden. The aerogarden is a hydro system, but it is not a grow box. When dealing with grow boxes, a good rule of thumb is to never buy anything under $500. In fact, a $500 system would still be considered an amauter grow system. Someone wanting to grow 32 plants would never buy a $500 grow box because of size and capability problems. Someone who wants to grow 32 plants would probably go for the flowering chamber which costs about $1800. One thing to be aware of; If you go to a hydroponic shop and someone offers to sell you a tent hydro setup for $500 or less, its probably worthless. You basically get what you pay for. Anyone who is serious about growing hydroponicly should spend at least $800. Also, to grow professionaly, one should expect to spend around $2000. Hydro tents sold for under $500 are usually a waste of time. It would be much better for one to save money and buy a proper hydroponic chamber, than waste it on a $200 grow system and realize they need a $1000 grow box.

Your best bet is to save money, buy a grow system that works, and if you are looking to make money, your hydro system will pay for itself.

Hydroponics | How it works

There are a few different techniques of using hydroponic systems. Most manufacturers of grow box systems are fully aware of the different types and mix/match the different techniques with grow boxes they sell for maximum efficiency. This is one of the reasons it is important to buy a hydroponic system form a manufacturer, because you don't want to buy the wrong parts for your homemade hydroponic system.

The 2 types major types of hydroponics are the solution culture and the medium culture. The solution culture does not use a solid medium for plant growth, rather only the nutrients. The 3 types of solution culture techniques are:

1. Static Solution Culture
2. Continuous Flow Solution Culture
3. Aeroponics

The medium culture solution uses solid materials such as sand, gravel, or rockwool culture. The 2 main variations of this are subirrigation and top irrigation. It is now known that plastic is the best material for the hydroponic container when growing in a hydroponic system.

Static Solution Culture

In this form of hydroponic growing, plants are grown in containers of nutrient solution. Again, plastic is your best bet when setting up a container for hydroponic growth. The solution is usually gently aerated. The solution is also kept low enough that enough roots are above the solution so they get adequate oxygen. Holes are cut in the lid of the container to hold plants. There can be many plants, or just one, in each resorvoir. The nutrient solution in this system should be changed once a week. As the nutrient solution falls below the optimal level, water and/or nutrients should be added to keep it up.

Continuous Flow Solution Culture

In this form of growing, the nutrient solution is constantly passing through the roots. The nutrient solution is kept low enough so that the roots get oxygen as well as nutrients. This solution is one of the more productive techniques when dealing with thousands of plants. Flow rates through the roots should be at a rate of 1 liter per minute for optimum results.

Aeroponics

The aeroponic system is basically a system where the roots are continuously fed nutrients and solution through a mist, aerosol, or fogger. It is not a continuous mist that sprays on the roots, but a periodical mist. Excellent aeration is the main advantage of aeroponics. The aeroponic system is great when dealing with up to 100 plants, but more challenging when dealing in the thousands of plants.

Passive Subirrigation

This form of hydroponic growing is a method where plants are grown in an inert porous medium that transports water and fertilizer to the roots by capillary action from a separate reservoir as necessary, reducing labor and providing a constant supply of water to the roots. This method is considered the simplest method in the hydroponic growing industry, but not necessarly a highly desired form when compared to other growing systems like aeroponics.

Ebb and Flow - Flood and Drain Subirrigation

This method involves a tray above a reservoir of nutrient solution. The tray is filled with a growing medium and planted directly. Alternativly, the pots of the medium stand in the tray. A timer causes a pump to fill the upper tray with a nutrient solution at regular intervals, after which the solution drains back down into the reservoir. The medium is continuously flushed with nutrients and oxygen. The upper tray fills past the drain, and then recirculates the water until the pump is turned off, and then the water in the upper tray drains back into the resevoir.

Top Irrigation

The Top irrigation hydroponic method consists of nutrient solution periodically applied to the medium surface. This can be done manually once per day in large containers of some media, such as sand. Usually, it is automated with a pump, timer and drip irrigation tubing to deliver nutrient solution as frequently as 5 to 10 minutes every hour.

Deep Water Culture

In this method of growing, the plants are suspended with the roots dangeling in nutrient rich, oxygenated water. The 2 items of importance are a plastic bucket and a nets to hold the plants up. The net used should be a high quality net capable of holding up to 60 pounds of weight. Most manufacturers use a special type of netting when producing grow systems.

Super Closet

As you can probably see on our website - Dealzer.com - we have an area called the Super Closet Series. In this post, I would like to discuss some of the reasons why I recommend the Super Closet above most other hydroponic systems in our cataloge.

Although, I personally recommend other grow boxes, like the Harvest Master Pro or the Flowering Chamber, the Super Closet has some very positive features and qualities that should be discussed.

I would compare the Super Closet grow box systems to a heavy duty Cadillac Escallade truck. It's big, roomy, and does the job. In fact, I would even say that our pictures online aren't doing it much justice. These units are prestine, perfect hydroponic systems.

Why Buy A Super Closet?

1. The grow box is very roomy. For example, in the Super Closet Deluxe, you can easily, and very comfortably, fit 24 plants. I know what your thinking - Why do other grow boxes fit so many more plants in a single chamber? The answer is because other grow boxes are basically built to hold a large number of plants, just in case. This means that, although you have grow boxes that hold many plants in a smaller area, not all plants will fit. For example, you can't grow 32 tomato plants in a box like the flowering chamber, which holds 32 plants. But, you can grow 32 plants for basil because basil plants take up less space than tomato plants. The Super Closet is built to hold fewer plants, but you will never have to worry about space problems.

2. The Super Closet is built with high quality 16 gauge steel.

3. Along with having a tall growing area, the depth of the cabinet is 2 feet deep.

4. Net Trellis is used to hold your plants in safety. Trellis Netting is a permanent nylon mesh with a 60 lb. breaking stregth for supporting extremely heavy crop loads.

5. All Super Closets come with a 3 year warranty.

6. Super Closets use a combination of superponics ebb and flow AND aeroponics. The diversity is great for producing plants quickly and efficiently.

7. And finally, the Super Closet has been winning awards for their systems from 2003-2008. I would say that is a great sign of great craftmanship.

To view a selection of all Super Closets in our product line, please click here.

Hobbyist, Professional, and Commercial Hydroponic Systems

You may be wonder if your a hobbyist, professional, or commecial hydroponic system user. In this blog, I will explain the differences between the 3 and hopefully this will help you in your endevours.

A hobbyist gardener is one who wants to grow only for himself. Hobbyist hydroponic systems usually hold about 10 plants or less. If you are looking to grow organic vegetables for yourself and family, the hobbyist is just about right for you. The 9 plant economy grow box, for example, is perfect as far as pricing, size, and production for the hobbyist grower. You can grow up to 9 plants, which is enough to feed yourself and a few family members for the month.

A professional grower is one looking to profit off of the hydroponic system. A professional hydroponic system usually holds about 15 - 32 plants. With a Co2 system, harvesting an average of 24 plants, would provide one huge yields at the end of the month. In fact, it would be enough to support a home business such as providing fresh herbs to a restaurant.

A commercial hydroponic system is for extremely huge yields. Commercial boxes usually range from 32 - 80 plants. Commercial growers are usually looking for gigantic profits from gigantic yields. In fact, many commercial growers buy a few commercial size boxes for massive yields. For example, one may buy 4 jumbo stealth hydroponics, each holding up to 40 plants, in order to boost their income.

Wether you are a hobbyist, professional, or commercial grower, the great news is that the system always ends up paying for itself. But it is important figure out what where you stand, and what you are looking to accomplish before ordering a grow box system.

Important Pro's and Cons About Hydroponics That You Probably Don't Know!

Here are some important pros and cons about hydroponic systems that you probably don't know. The reason I am making this post is because many people are shocked to hear all the great points of hydroponic growing.

Here are some positive notes on hydroponic system growth:

1. Your plants will be 100% organic

2. Your plants, herbs, flowers, or anything you grow will grow up to 10 times the speed of traditional growing. Of course, this all depends on the plant type and if you install a Co2 system. The Co2 system itself increases production by up to 50% depending on plant type and the aeroponic fogger increases production by up to 20% depending on the plant type.

3. Your hydroponic system WILL pay for itself

4. You will never have to worry about eating junk foods produced by hormones. You will in fact be a healthier person which should save you a lot of grief in medical bills down the line.

5. You can make money selling organic foods to restaurants and local markets alike. You can also promote the foods in your own retail restaurant or market.

6. Very little effort is put into growing plants in a hydroponic system. Most of the time, all you have to do is set up the system and let it ride, checking back on it about once a week. For TOTAL automation, the hydroponic industry has come out with a Total Automation Package. You can view a sample 3 in 1 SMART Grow Box w/ Total Automation here.

Here are some negative points of growing with hydroponics.

1. Your initial cost is usually over a $1000 to get started.

2. Difficult to mass produce in the millions of pounds unless one has a few million to get started with.

3. Hydroponic Systems usually take up a reasonable amount of space. Although this is not a bother to most, some people have problems with space consuming grow boxes. Ex. Apartments in New York are usually a bit small to hold a large hydroponic system like the Super Jumbo Stealth which measures a towering 8 feet tall and spreads at 8 feet wide.

One final point that you may not know.

Hydroponic Manufacturers like Dealzer.com are fully aware of power consumption problems. Most manufactures are now using low power lights such as TEK lights. This brings power costs so low, you can compare it to a small bedroom TV.

Cloning with Aeroponics - Propagation

Aeroponics is an ideal way to clone your plants. The cloning process works by cutting pieces of your mother plant to create new plants. In the past, this process was much more difficult, especially with plants like cactus. Aeroponics has made cloning safer, cleaner, and fast root development due to a highly oxygenated, moist, and nutrient rich environment.

One important note is that plants must have access to fresh oxygen to increase their growth. In fact, the word aeroponics is derived from the Greek meanings of 'aero' (air) and 'ponic' (labour). Co2 is quite possible the greatest asset of aeroponics. It increases production to up to 50% depending on the type of plant being processed. Websites like Dealzer.com offer 2 forms of Co2. One is the Co2 system itself which releases Co2 on a times basis, and the other is a Co2 w/ PPM controller. PPM stands for parts per million. Depending on the plant, it is a nice function to operate the PPM on a Co2 system. The Co2 functionality is a must to have when using a grow box to grow any type of plant, but the Co2 w/ PPM controller is ideal and will help in having absolute control over your hydroponic system and plant life.

Overall, aeroponics is one of the most common form of hydroponic systems. It is a simple yet effective way to grow plants fast. Other methods of growing plants in a hyrdroponic system include:

Static solution culture

Continuous flow solution culture

Passive subirrigation

Ebb and flow / Flood and drain subirrigation

Top irrigation

Deep water culture

How Aeroponics Work

Aeroponics is used in many hydroponic systems and is in fact a major source of growing plants and herbs in a grow box. Aeroponics is the process of growing plants by taking advantage of the air culture in the grow box. The process of aeroponics is not new. It was discovered in the 1940's and is used around the globe by farmers and indoor gardeners.

In a hydroponic system, the aeroponic system works by spraying the plant's roots with a nutrient rich solution. The main two functionalities of aeroponics is air and water. This allows plants to grow quickly to maturity.

In Aeroponics, water is the only nutrient carrier using mist to feed the roots of the plant. Also, aeroponics are sometimes combined with a traditional hydroponic system for better results.

In an aeroponic system the plant's rootzone is suspended into an environment where the roots protrude into an atomized nutrient solution; the leaves and crown, often called the "canopy", extending above. The roots of the plant are separated by the plant support structure. The lowest stem and root system are sprayed or misted for short durations with a hydro-atomized pure water/nutrient solution.

Aeroponics is very safe, economic, and ecologically friendly form of growing plants and herbs. The conservation of water and energy make aeroponics one of the better choices when deciding to use a hydroponic system.

Stay tuned - More about aeroponics will be covered daily until we fully cover all aspects of this system.

Hydroponic Yields Per Acre

Many may wonder how much yield hydroponics produce. Most hydroponic system owners have already discovered that grow boxes produce larger and faster yields compared to indoor gardening. I have set up some samples of yields a hydroponic system can produce vs traditional agrigulture gardening.

These figures are set at a per acre sample.

Wheat
With hydroponics: 8000 lb
Traditional gardening: 5600 lb.

Rice
With hydroponics: 12,000 lb.
Traditional gardening: 750-900 lb.

Corn
With hydroponics: 8,000 lb.
Traditional gardening: 1,500 lb.

Oats
With hydroponics: 3,000 lb.
Traditional gardening: 1,850 lb.

Peas
With hydroponics: 140,000 lb.
Traditional gardening: 25,000 lb.

Tomatoes
With hydroponics: 180 tons
Traditional gardening: 5-10 tons

Cucumber
With hydroponics: 28,000 lb.
Traditional gardening: 7,000 lb.

As you can see, the technology of hydroponics makes a pretty big difference compared to traditional growing. If only we can figure out low cost methods of creating an entire acre (or acres) of hydroponic equipment to grow healthy yields and maybe use all the excess food for good causes. For now, it seems the biggest hydroponic system out there is the Super Jumbo Stealth. Until we can figure out more cost effective ways to mass produce hydroponic systems, the most one can grow with one single system appears to be 80 plants. On a final thought, it is important to note that the 80 plants in the Super Jumbo Stealth would produce much higher yields at faster rates than traditional growing.

Homemade Hydroponics Vs Buying A Professional Grow Box

Although one can build their own hydroponic system by purchasing a few parts and putting it together, it is important to note that grow boxes are very complex and need a building procedure that works like a cake. What I mean is that anyone can put a cake together, but unless the recipe is followed perfectly, it won't come out the same or produce the same results. Although a cake is a very simple example, grow boxes are much more complex. The grow boxes sold by companies like Dealzer Hydroponics are built by specialists who have been in the hydroponic business for many years. In essence, what this means is that the "cake" is baked by a professional cook (for example). Although a cake is a simple example, I can use others examples as buying a car vs building your own, a home, a motorcycle, ect...

So here's the deal. Hydroponic systems are ecosystems that have the perfect combination of effects, if built possibly, for maximum yield and minimum problamatic events. The fans, timers, ballast, lights, and type of materials used are all working together to give you the perfect growing experience. If the recipe is not done correctly, one may have problems with overheating grow boxes, exess power usage, low yields, burnt plants (from the lights source), and/or even a complete piece of junk. It is much safer to buy a professionaly built grow box from a valued hydroponic system provider to avoid all these problems, and even save you from wasting time and/or money.

What do we recommend? We recommend buying a grow box from a well known grow box provider and not wasting any time trying to build your own. Many posts online will teach you on how to build your own hydroponic system, but won't tell you what problems you may encounter along the way. And if your worried about dishing out a few grand on a professional grow system, keep in mind - you are more than likely to make your money back by growing your own herbs and vegetables with the high speed, monthly harvests.

Final recommendation in buying a grow box:
1. Don't take a risk in building your own unless you are a veteran of the hydroponic system industry.
2. Call a professional company who knows what they are doing and ask for a recommendation. Tell them what you are looking to achieve, and what your budget is.
3. Obtain your grow box. Call tech support for some initial training, and begin your growing process.
4. You may also want to calculate how much money you have saved from harvesting your own plants. Remember, the grow boxes always end up paying for themselves.

How Do Hydroponics Work?

Hydroponic systems are a form of indoor gardening ecosystems that provide the user with a space to grow essentially any plant type they wish. The way it works is by using a complex combination of effects that help raise the plants from a baby to adult plant. Hydroponics is also knows for speeding the plant growth to up to 10 times the speed of traditional gardening. Hydroponics is also known for growing organic plants because of the lack of hormone injection.

In the hydroponic industry, we provide ecosystems to help grow your plants in a controlled envirement. As complicated as this may sound, the grow boxes are very user friendly. The way a grow box is built is very important. For one thing, all plants need light. Most manufacturers place a combination of lights ranging from a tek light, to a 1000w light, and even flourescent lights. Although, there are many lighting systems (such as UFO lights), these are the primary lights usually placed in a grow box. Also, the size of a grow box usually determines what kind of lights will be placed inside of it. Another important aspect of a grow box is the DWC hydroponic system. This "bucket" is where all the magic happens. Since there is no need for soil in a grow box, this bucket is comprised of mostly nutrient and water. Of course, the user would have to post the nutrients manually. Since the roots are dangled in the water below it, and the lights are shining on the plants around it, the plant itself is fully fed at all times for optimal growth. In essence, only the light and the hydroponic bucket are the key ingredients for organic plant growth right in your home.

Of course there are other parts that comprise a well rounded grow box. These parts include, but are not limited to, fans, a ballast, the outer shell of the unit, ect.. There are also luxury upgrades that may be purchased with each grow box. Some of these include the Co2 system (sprays Co2 to plants for rapid growth - up to 50% faster), an aeroponic fogger (releases nutrients in the air for rapid plant growth), air conditioning, a total automation package, sea of green, a remote control security system, ect...

Most hydroponic systems are also considered automated. There are also many low cost (under $500) tents that are not automated. For example, Dealzer sells only automated, 'plug and play' grow boxes. Although many grow boxes are automated, the industry has came up with something called a total automation package. The total automation package actually has light movers, tops of nutrients automatically, and has a low water alarm, amongst other features. The total automation package is therefore considered a thinking piece of equipment, or a "Smart" system.

In essense, hydroponics will grow any plant, herb, flower, ect.. faster and organically. As Albert Farajian, owner of Dealzer.com says, "Hydroponics are exploding on the world market because of the organic food craze". He also mentioned, "People realize that they can now grow organic foods right in their own homes saving them money and stopping themselves from eating hormone infested foods." Hydroponic system owners report full harvests of fresh, organic foods at a shocking rate of 30 day harvests! One may wonder - How will traditional gardening compete with the speed of growth and health benefits hydroponic gardening offers in todays market?