Articles

HYDROPONIC OR ORGANIC

What’s the difference? by Roger H. Thayer I’d like to have a dollar for each time I’ve been asked, “Is it organic?”, since I started in the hydroponics business in 1972, I’d be rich! Is hydroponics organic? Is it chemical? What are the similarities and the differences? These questions have never really been answered to the satisfaction of most people [ read more ]

Out of the Box Lesson Ideas

Let’s Get Creative!!! Do you think your students will laugh at you if you tell them to conduct a scientific experiment that involves talking to plants? Good! If they’re laughing, they’re not bored so for this section, trade in your tasseled cap for your wizard hat and let your imagination go wild. One of our young customers had advanced in [ read more ]

Lighting Basics

Although artificial lighting produces an imperfect spectrum compared to the sun, it does allow control of variables such as duration and intensity. Equipment Overview Artificial lighting requires the use of a ballast (used to ignite then regulate current to the lamp), a shade or reflector (directs light towards the plants and usually incorporates the lamp holder/socket), a timer (controls when [ read more ]

Expanded Curriculum

We found the available resources provided in our links, lacking in diversity. While they teach the basic principles of hydroponics they fail to explore how and why these methods might be superior. Neither do they examine the many possible experiments that explore the countless factors effecting plant growth and yield. Not to worry. We’ve been helping kids of all ages [ read more ]

pH

Although it is perhaps one of the most overlooked aspects, pH is very important in hydroponic and organic as well as regular soil gardening. pH is measured on a scale of 1-14 with 7 being neutral. Acids are lower than 7 and alkalis (bases) are above 7. This article deals with the pH of hydroponic gardening and the availability of [ read more ]

Foliar Feeding

This article is reprinted here with permission of Maximum Yield magazine. An excellent article from an excellent publication! – Professor Hydro Hydroponic Foliar Fertilization By Dr. Lynette Morgan The most commonly used method of hydroponic plant fertilization is through a nutrient solution applied to the root zone of the crop. While plant root systems are in the most part efficient [ read more ]

Basic Hydroponic Systems and How They Work

There are 6 basic types of hydroponic systems; Wick, Water Culture, Ebb and Flow (Flood & Drain), Drip (recovery or non-recovery), N.F.T. (Nutrient Film Technique) and Aeroponic. 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) [ read more ]

Previously Asked Questions

We have just recently added this service to the website so there aren’t a lot of tips on file yet, but as time goes by the file will grow. NOTE: Now you can receive your weekly tips directly in your e-mailbox. The professor will e-mail you his periodic tips FREE. Now you’ll never miss a hot tip! Click Here To [ read more ]

Teacher and Student Resource

Lesson Plan Links Expanded Curriculum Out of the Box Lesson Ideas Beyond the Classroom Careers of the Future: Scholarships, Grants & Opportunities Welcome!!! The planet’s survival depends on the children who will inherit it. At Simply Hydroponics, we value the work of dedicated educators providing the hands on education and project based learning to prepare them for the task. For [ read more ]

Professor’s Tip of the Week

Bonsai Bonsai is a style, not a variety. Simply stated, bonsai means “tree in a pot” and and the methods can be applied to most any tree. To provide proper care, you must understand the needs of the tree if it were in its natural state. While many rules will apply to all bonsai’s, its important to know if your [ read more ]