TRACTOR SUPPLY IS PROUD TO SPONSOR THE VEGETABLE PROFICIENCY

HYDROPONIC PLANTS NEED...

FRESH WATER To support plant growth and be the

carrier for essential nutrients

OXYGEN Important for the plant’s root zone to

support healthy root growth and uptake of water and nutrients (this can be achieved

with a pump) and leveling lawns

LIQUID NUTRIENTS

Mixed with water to provide essential nutrition (like Nitrogen,

Phosphorus, Potassium, and Calcium) throughout the plant’s

growth cycle

BALANCED PH Improves nutrient availability - a pH between 5.5 and 6.5 is suitable for

most plant types

LIGHT Can be either natural sunlight

or special grow lights for growing indoors

Nutrient SolutionThe nutrient solution is made up of water and the liquid nutrients you choose for your hydro plants.

Tip: There are lots of nutrients that your hydro plants need, but some of the most important are Nitrogen, Phosphorus, Potassium, Calcium and Magnesium.

The pump circulates and adds oxygen to the nutrient solution.

Without growing media in the way, nutrients can go directly to the hydro plant’s roots giving it the water and nutrition it needs all day long.

The roots of hydro plants need oxygen just like any other plant, so having a pump is important to make sure your nutrient solution stays oxygenated.

oxygenpump

roots

recirculating hydroponicsRecirculating hydroponics is a category of hydroponic growing that focuses on reducing

waste by recovering excess nutrient solution and reusing it over and over again to nourish the plant. This method of growing uses far less water than traditional gardening and can

be used to grow a wide variety of plants, thoughtfully.

other types of hydro systems

drip irrigation

aquaponics

CLEA

N WA

TER N

UTRIENTS

PUMP

PUMP

nutrient solution

Aquaponics is a hydroponic growing method that combines fish, or other aquatic animals, with plants to create a beneficial relationship for both. The fish supplies the nutrients for the plants and the plants, in turn, purify the water for the fish.

It’s a beautiful thing.

Another option for growing hydroponically is drip irrigation. In a drip system, nutrient solution is pumped from a reservoir to drippers positioned near each plant. Excess solution

drips from the plant, is recovered in a reservoir, and then pumped back up to the plants. Waste not, want not.

other types of hydro systems

drip irrigation

aquaponics

CLEA

N WA

TER N

UTRIENTS

PUMP

PUMP

nutrient solution

Aquaponics is a hydroponic growing method that combines fish, or other aquatic animals, with plants to create a beneficial relationship for both. The fish supplies the nutrients for the plants and the plants, in turn, purify the water for the fish.

It’s a beautiful thing.

Another option for growing hydroponically is drip irrigation. In a drip system, nutrient solution is pumped from a reservoir to drippers positioned near each plant. Excess solution

drips from the plant, is recovered in a reservoir, and then pumped back up to the plants. Waste not, want not.

benefits ofgrowing hydroponicallyVersus traditional gardening...

• Grows plants up to 10 times faster

• Produces higher yields

• Uses less water

• Grows indoors, year round - Any climate, any season (with supplemental lighting)

• Ultimate control over your plants

what ishydroponic growing?Hydroponic growing means growing plants without soil using a liquid nutrient solution. This means it’s easier for nutrients to go straight to the plant’s roots. There are many different ways to grow hydroponically and some of them even include growing media like coco coir or peat moss!