Hydroponics, aquaponics and agroponics
#1
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Hydroponics, aquaponics and agroponics
Do any of you grow produce using any of these methods? (Note: I just read up that agroponics comes under hydroponics so please excuse my French! ..... ;-) ). Knowing the climate in Hungary a whole crop can be destroyed due to the weather conditions being far too hot or lack of rain I'm tempted to consider growing produce in a polytunnel (possibily with some shading to keep the polytunnel cooler during the hotter months) using hydroponics or whatever method is best for the produce I want to grow and also for a beginner.
#2
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Re: Hydroponics, aquaponics and agroponics
My wife hadf a different idea:
Over the years we collected more than 40 plastic buckets of different sizes (originally paint or vegetables or ...) and I filled them partly with "good earth" and she added some compost, "viragföld" and "marhatragya" and then we put paprika and tomato plants and also spices in there. We get the plants at a local gardener.
I also built some "polc (between 30 and 80 cm high), just little wooden tables so when watering she doesn't have to go down, it's easier to harvest the things and - very important:
The slugs don't get at the plants so easily!
A side effect is that in summer we can move the buckets into a shadier area ...
We've been doing this for several years - but obviously only for our own consumption, for commercial use that would be too much work ...
Over the years we collected more than 40 plastic buckets of different sizes (originally paint or vegetables or ...) and I filled them partly with "good earth" and she added some compost, "viragföld" and "marhatragya" and then we put paprika and tomato plants and also spices in there. We get the plants at a local gardener.
I also built some "polc (between 30 and 80 cm high), just little wooden tables so when watering she doesn't have to go down, it's easier to harvest the things and - very important:
The slugs don't get at the plants so easily!
A side effect is that in summer we can move the buckets into a shadier area ...
We've been doing this for several years - but obviously only for our own consumption, for commercial use that would be too much work ...
#3
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Re: Hydroponics, aquaponics and agroponics
Do any of you grow produce using any of these methods? (Note: I just read up that agroponics comes under hydroponics so please excuse my French! ..... ;-) ). Knowing the climate in Hungary a whole crop can be destroyed due to the weather conditions being far too hot or lack of rain I'm tempted to consider growing produce in a polytunnel (possibily with some shading to keep the polytunnel cooler during the hotter months) using hydroponics or whatever method is best for the produce I want to grow and also for a beginner.
For beginners (and others) grow what you like and is expensive e.g. cabbage take a lot of water and is usually fairly cheap so put the effort into say sweet potatoes which are easy and usually about 600huf+ per kg. Tomatoes and peppers do well here but salads can be difficult when it gets hot. The list of what works here and when is a bit long so ask about specifics.
#4
Re: Hydroponics, aquaponics and agroponics
Balancing the nutrients correctly and the need for an electric circulation pump are the downsides, as said.
But no weeding, less work and needing much less space, plus since the water recirculates instead of running into the ground the plants only take what they need, add a little for evaporation and you still only use about 10/15% of a traditional garden.
If this is not a commercial venture with high capital involved, then the occasional loss while you are learning to balance the nutrient needs is probably acceptable.
You could also look at aeroponics where the plants are just sprayed with a mist of water/nutrient mix.
But no weeding, less work and needing much less space, plus since the water recirculates instead of running into the ground the plants only take what they need, add a little for evaporation and you still only use about 10/15% of a traditional garden.
If this is not a commercial venture with high capital involved, then the occasional loss while you are learning to balance the nutrient needs is probably acceptable.
You could also look at aeroponics where the plants are just sprayed with a mist of water/nutrient mix.
#5
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Re: Hydroponics, aquaponics and agroponics
Balancing the nutrients correctly and the need for an electric circulation pump are the downsides, as said.
But no weeding, less work and needing much less space, plus since the water recirculates instead of running into the ground the plants only take what they need, add a little for evaporation and you still only use about 10/15% of a traditional garden.
If this is not a commercial venture with high capital involved, then the occasional loss while you are learning to balance the nutrient needs is probably acceptable.
You could also look at aeroponics where the plants are just sprayed with a mist of water/nutrient mix.
But no weeding, less work and needing much less space, plus since the water recirculates instead of running into the ground the plants only take what they need, add a little for evaporation and you still only use about 10/15% of a traditional garden.
If this is not a commercial venture with high capital involved, then the occasional loss while you are learning to balance the nutrient needs is probably acceptable.
You could also look at aeroponics where the plants are just sprayed with a mist of water/nutrient mix.
#6
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Re: Hydroponics, aquaponics and agroponics
This thread is interesting for me, as I am planning to grow as much as possible, but not really sure what will grow well in Hungary & what will fail miserably.
#7
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Re: Hydroponics, aquaponics and agroponics
#8
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Re: Hydroponics, aquaponics and agroponics
Aeroponics looks interesting. Think I need to do more research. We have a tote box but the sides are transparent! Hope it's okay to use it.
#9
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Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 2,094
Re: Hydroponics, aquaponics and agroponics
Balancing the nutrients correctly and the need for an electric circulation pump are the downsides, as said.
But no weeding, less work and needing much less space, plus since the water recirculates instead of running into the ground the plants only take what they need, add a little for evaporation and you still only use about 10/15% of a traditional garden.
If this is not a commercial venture with high capital involved, then the occasional loss while you are learning to balance the nutrient needs is probably acceptable.
You could also look at aeroponics where the plants are just sprayed with a mist of water/nutrient mix.
But no weeding, less work and needing much less space, plus since the water recirculates instead of running into the ground the plants only take what they need, add a little for evaporation and you still only use about 10/15% of a traditional garden.
If this is not a commercial venture with high capital involved, then the occasional loss while you are learning to balance the nutrient needs is probably acceptable.
You could also look at aeroponics where the plants are just sprayed with a mist of water/nutrient mix.
Has anyone found a variety of sweet pea that works here? All the ones I have tried give up when it gets hot.
#10
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Location: Near the Black Forest and near Esztergom
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Re: Hydroponics, aquaponics and agroponics
We even have a fig tree - lovely fruits! Though of course when it gets cold in October the last figs won't ripen ...
And before the winter comes we put some foils around it to protect it from real cold and snow.
Generally regarding plants which like this climate:
We buy little plants or seeds at the market or at local groweries - they know which varieties are best.
And before the winter comes we put some foils around it to protect it from real cold and snow.
Generally regarding plants which like this climate:
We buy little plants or seeds at the market or at local groweries - they know which varieties are best.