(Below follows a one page sample taken from the
book)
Aeroponics
The principle of true aeroponics works by creating a fine mist of nutrients
sprayed inside a tube or container in which the roots of the plants
are suspended. So, in effect, the roots are fundamentally hanging in
the air supported by the bare minimum of medium, i.e. a net pot with
either clay pebbles or rockwool. The roots are then constantly sprayed
with a fine mist via a very powerful pump. In principle, this is the
definitive technique as the mist itself absorbs very high levels of
oxygen plus the roots are hanging in the air, resulting in the absolute
maximum aeration to the root zone. However, in practice, the majority
of aeroponics techniques fail and fail miserably. The reasons for this
are that the basic principle of making mists which have dissolved salts
(nutrients) in it is flawed. Salts precipitate, this cannot be avoided,
so over a short period of time salts build up on the misters restricting
the flow of mist to the roots. If left unchecked, then total blockage
occurs. Again, this effect is amplified if you are situated in a hard
water area, as much of the UK is. The calcification of the water accelerates
the blocking of these misters. The end product is total breakdown or
constant daily management of the system, sometimes even hourly!
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So, in theory, as a drawing
and an idea, it’s unbeatable, but in practice as a workable system,
the conclusion is failure. If this was the first hydroponics technique
that was invented, we would possibly not have hydroponics as we do today.
However, as with all good ideas, the simplification of
them normally results in success and not failure. So that is what was
done. The aeroponics pod system, instead of using a mister, uses a spinning
high frequency sprayer. The sprayer delivers a constant fine spray direct
to the rootball of the plants. As the sprayer is spinning at a high frequency,
the spinning motion stops any precipitation of salts or calcification
of the water on the sprayer, resulting in no blockages. Also, through
its own action, it uptakes lots of oxygen in the process; ok not as much
as mist would but compared to most hydroponics systems, it’s leaps
and bounds ahead of them. The roots hang in the air, which again provides
great aeration to the rootball. This system also incorporates all the
safety features and flexibility of the original pod system. This system
offers good versatility as the lids are interchangeable. These systems
can be used as an automated propagation unit, which can allow you to propagate
up to 8 plants per pod! Or you can use it to propagate and grow to full
maturity, 1-3 plants per pod.
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hydroponic horticulture and gardening. This book contains 110,000 words,
with over 300 diagrams, pictures, illustrations, graphs, tables, 3 dimensional
CAD renderings, and is printed in full colour.