Hydroponics and Alternative Growing Systems

Vocabulary practice flashcards covering fundamental concepts, terminology, system types, and nutrients involved in hydroponics and related soilless cultivation practices.

Hydroponics

The science and production of plants without a soil medium, using water, sunlight, and nutrients delivered directly through specialized systems.

Liquid nutrient solution

A liquid application that replaces the essential nutrients generally found in soil and supplies them directly to hydroponically grown plants.

Macro nutrients

Nutrients needed by plants in large quantities, specifically including nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium.

NPK

The common abbreviation referring to the three key plant macro nutrients: nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium.

Artificial growing medium

A material used to provide physical support and stability for hydroponic plants.

Aquaculture

The rearing and production of fish or sea life, often grouped together with hydroponics.

Aquaponics

The cultivation of plants without soil by utilizing nutrients produced by fish.

Liquid systems

Hydroponic systems that do not use a supporting medium for plant roots and function as closed, recirculating systems.

Closed systems

Systems where excess nutrient solution is recovered, replenished, and recycled within the system.

Aggregate systems

Hydroponic systems that utilize a solid support medium, such as sand or gravel, to provide support for plant roots.

Flooding techniques

Methods used in aggregate systems that reduce water usage and drain downward afterward, allowing plant roots to aerate.

Gravity feed systems

Aggregate hydroponic systems that utilize gravity to deliver nutrient solutions to plant roots, modifiable according to producer needs and available space.

Manual gravity systems

A classification of aggregate gravity feed systems operated manually.

Sub irrigation systems

Are the most used aggregate systems

Pumps a nutrient solution into aggregate beds from a reservoir most after located below the aggregate bed.

Passive systems

Are the simplest forms of hydroponic systems

Uses either

-the plants own ability to absorb water

-secondary absorption “material”, like a wick, to provide water and nutrients to the plant.

Wick systems

Do not require electricity

Are better for small plants and herbs, those which don’t need a lot of water

-position plants into a growing medium with absorbent quantities to transport nutrients and keep the roots wet.

Active systems

Function by using pumps and other mechanical devices to actively pass the nutrients solution to the plant roots.

-water cultivation

-ebb and flow systems

-Drip systems

-Aeroponic systems.