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Aeroponics By Hydrocentre
Aeroponic systems by Hydrocentre Hydroponics
Aeroponics is an environmentally friendly way to grow plants both on an industrial scale and in a small scale home aeroponics system. In this blog we’ll look at the differences between aeroponics and other growing methods and explore some of the fantastic aeroponic systems we offer here at Hydrocentre Hydroponics.
What is Aeroponics
Aeroponics is a type of Hydroponic system where a nutrient solution is sprayed directly onto the root system. Unlike Hydroponics or Aquaponics, Aeroponics does not require a growth medium, instead, the roots of aeroponically grown plants are fed using a nutrient-rich mist. Generally, plants get a very quick start and often a cutting of a plant will root directly into the aeroponic system.
What’s the difference between Aeroponics, Aquaponics and Hydroponics?
Hydroponics, aquaponics and aeroponics are all soil-free methods of growing plants. Aquaponics involves a symbiotic relationship between a hydroponics system and an aquaculture system which allows for the production of both fish and plants.
Hydroponically grown plants are either permanently suspended in water or fed using a regular water supply, whereas aeroponically grown plants are not placed into water at any stage. Aeroponic plants are instead suspended in the air and their roots are sprayed with a nutrient-rich mist in place of watering.
While hydroponics and aquaponics both use much less water and resources than traditional geoponic farming (in fact, up to 10 times less water), aeroponics has an environmental edge over hydroponics as it requires around a quarter of the water and nutrients needed to grow plants hydroponically.
What can you grow using an Aeroponic system?
Aeroponic systems can be used to grow a wide variety of plants both commercially and privately. Whether you want to propagate your own herb garden or kitchen garden or undertake a commercial aeroponic farming enterprise there are lots of crops which can be successfully grown using aeroponic systems.
Salad greens and vegetables — leafy greens like lettuces, kale, spinach, cabbage, pea shoots and cress are commonly grown using aeroponic systems. Cucumbers are a popular aeroponic crop which thrives in aeroponic systems with lots of space for vertical growth. Tomatoes, too, are a great crop to grow aeroponically with smaller varieties like cherry and grape tomatoes a popular option.
Herbs — aeroponic systems make great herb gardens with basil, rosemary, thyme, mint, parsley oregano, coriander and dill all thriving in aeroponic growing conditions.
Microgreens — microgreens, or vegetable greens that are in their pre-baby form, are increasingly popular as a nutritious food source as when they’re in this young stage microgreens have the most nutritional value for humans, and the best part is microgreens only need around 3-5 days of growth after germination.
Fruit — Strawberries, melons, blueberries and other fruits can be grown successfully using aeroponics. Watermelons, rockmelons and honeydew take up a lot of water and space but make for delicious eating. Strawberries are a staple aeroponics crop and require extra potassium to help develop their fruits.
Vegetables — Capsicum, beans, peas, radishes, leeks and even potatoes and pumpkins can be grown aeroponically. Potatoes like a lot of oxygen so are in fact well suited to aquaponic growing, however, they do develop long root systems which will need to be accommodated by your aeroponic setup.
Aeroponics crate systems
Crate systems (shown above) are 65 x 45cm and can hold up to 6 plants in Aeroponic Baskets. The nutrient solution is sprayed onto the root system below the lid. Price of the single crate with a tank, pump, timer, filter, and irrigation to the crate. Click here to open catalogue for more pricing details - approx $195 at time of writing. A second or third crate can be added to the original crate approx $90 per crate.
Aeroponic Propagators
Aeroponic propagators are a highly effective method of cloning new plants.
Aeroponics revolutionised the way we clone plant cuttings, making plants that were previously notoriously hard or even impossible to propagate easier to clone. For instance, plants that were prone to bacterial infections in cuttings such as cacti or hardwoods could now be propagated using stem cuttings through aeroponics.
The key to the success of aeroponic propagation is the way it forms an extremely aerated root environment which encourages the healthy development of root hair, plus with the delivery of high levels of nutrients through the aeroponic water solution, the roots were able to develop faster and stronger. The lack of any rooting media (typically used in hydroponics) also minimises the chance of the plants contracting any roost diseases.
Aeroponic propagators (such as the Seahawk Clone station, pictured above) are fast producers of roots and do not require the use of rockwool cubes every time. Insert the cutting into the multi-coloured Neoprene Collars, add some Clone FX seedling nutrient to the reservoir and turn on the sprinklers. Usually, roots will occur within 2-4 days, and planting out can be done by as soon as 5-10 days. Often the cutting starts growing in the propagator as the roots grow that fast! Pricing is at a low $110* for the full Clone Station system and $150* for the Clone Station Package featuring everything you need to get started including cloning gel, scalpel and more!
(*at time of writing)
Aeroponic Propagation Maintenance Guidelines.
Aeroponic Roots need to be sprayed often, however, some time without spraying is indicated as the roots grow. Ask for personal advice first time through, however, as a guide, use continual spraying until roots appear out of the collars, wait about 5 days and then reduce pump spray times to 15 minutes on and 15 minutes off. When roots become very dense, and/or reach the bottom of a crate system, the roots are beginning to retain their own water, and less watering may be indicated. Reduce to 15 minutes on and 30 minutes off. If very hot or directly in the sun in the middle of day, then increase watering during this time to compensate, as the sprayers have a natural cooling effect on the roots. Check roots regularly for any sign of discolouration, and call us for advice
At Hydrocentre Hydroponics we stock two types of Aeroponic Propagator — our Clone Station Package and our Turbo Klone cloning units.
The Turbo Klone Revolution
Turbo Klone is an advanced system that we highly recommend - we get roots within 3-5 days. We also know a massive way to double roots (or more) from 4 to 8 days - ask when you buy one off us for a great tip for these propagation machines.
It's a fresh idea that's putting a new spin on cloning! We were tired of fighting with high temperatures that were killing our roots. We needed a way to clone without having to use timers, chillers or other expensive accessories. The Solution: TurboKlone!
A streamlined cloner that gives you more sites, keeps temperatures low and provides more oxygen. The central technology behind TurboKlone is simple: A fan that offers a one-two punch!
1. The fan blows fresh air into the growing chamber
2. The cool air from the fan keeps temperatures low
The air from the fan mixes with the fine spray of water from the manifold, maximizing the concentration of dissolved oxygen. High levels of dissolved oxygen create ideal conditions for roots to flourish.
As the fan spreads cool air across the reservoir it combats any excess heat caused by the pump. In the past, growers were forced to either put their pumps on timers or risk killing their roots due to excess heat. But TurboKlone's technology lets you keep those pumps running all day long and your roots growing super strong.
The TurboKlone Revolution gives you what other clone machines on the market aren't giving you.
SITES: Why have less when you can have more? TurboKlone gives you up to 60% more sites in the same amount of space than other machines. Why pay more when you can pay less? It'll cost you just $6.25 per site with the T48 and nearly $10.40 per site for a machine of similar size.
STRUCTURE/CLEANING: Instead of having flat walls like a Tupperware tub, the TurboKlone is curvy and has rounded edges giving you a stronger, more durable product. Bonus! Those sexy curves also let you clean the system quickly and easily. You don't have to worry about unwanted root-killing bacteria hanging around in tight corners.
CONVENIENCE/FUNCTIONALITY: Each Klone site has a finger recess that makes it easy to remove and replace Klone Collars. And we've taken the guesswork out of water measurements by adding a fill-line inside the tub so you always know how much H2O you need to add. You're welcome!
CONTROL/OPTIONS: Seems like there are two camps when it comes to using a humidity dome: some say it isn't necessary, others say they wouldn't clone without it – especially in the first five days. We let you make the call. You can purchase our cloning systems with-or-without a humidity dome. And if you have buyers remorse, you can always buy the dome by itself later. It's nice to be in charge!
SIZE: Waste not, want not. Especially when it comes to space. The TurboKlone has a dimensional footprint equal to if not less than other machines. BUT in that same amount of space, you get way more klone sites!
Stock up on all your aquaponic systems and supplies with Hydrocentre Hydroponics
At Hydrocentre Hydroponics we stock a comprehensive range of aeroponics supplies including pots, propagators, wall gardens and more. If you want to learn more about aeroponics or ask about our aeroponics supplies visit us in-store at our Gold Coast hydroponics centre in Nerang, give us a call on (07) 5527 – 4155 or email us at info@hydrocentre.com.au. Our expert team is passionate about all things hydroponics and aeroponics and we’d be delighted to help you create your ideal aeroponics setup.
