By: Bakri Baharom @ Koboi Tunjang

We must keep pace with progress. Now, everyone is talking about Hydroponic System to grow vegetables. While it is best to have it in glass houses, let’s try with open-air first. As you gain more knowledge and experience, you might like to go into commercial scales – such as Vertical Farming. Quality vegetables are most welcome by consumers. Among the experts, hydroponics is defined as a type of Horticulture and a subset of Hydroculture which use water-based nutrient solution to grow suitable plants and herbs. But, do not be scared of the big words used.  

Why hydroponic? Many are now living in Metropolitan areas or housing estates, known as Taman. In Jitra, there are easily 30 Tamans which Koboi Tunjang has lost count of for quite some time. The lower-cost terrace house may limit your space compared to Semi-D or Bungalow lots. But, it is the more reason that you should go Hydroponic. As long as your vegetables get some sunlight, you are in business.  

The easiest to start Hydroponic is to buy ready-made Automatic Hydroponic Sets with different configurations as you wish; 2 Tier with 10 holes, 4 Tier with 28 or 36 or 40 holes, 2 Tier with 54 holes etc. Since it is factory-standard production, the pipes (UPVC) are perfectly cut and secured with strong glue. Leakage is the last thing you want to be bothered with. Moreover, the various designs and ergonomics are most suitable for the locations that you may spare.  

What constitutes your simple Hydroponics System? First, the Reservoir which sits at the bottom. It contains water mixed with fertilisers to be a nutrient-rich solution for the plant. Second, is the pump that pumps up the liquid to the top row of your Grow Tray. As the water level reaches its limit, it will flow through the vertical pipe on the left/right side down to the second row. Again, the second Grow Tray is filled up. Once full, the excess will flow back to the reservoir to complete the cycle. The pump is non-stop, and the water flows in the cycle continuously. Every now and then, check that the reservoir is not empty, due to evaporation.  

The Grow Tray contains a few Net Cups. Basically, they are slotted containers with holes for your seeds (inside polystyrene cubes) and to secure your plants. The plant roots will grow through both polystyrene and cup holes to access water and nutrients. As the water level is constant, there is no risk of your saplings being neither drown or dried up.  

It is a good idea to keep a growth record as the followings:  

9.4.23 – Sun – Install – sow seeds 16.4.23 (7)- Sun – Saplings (mm)

1st Row: 43,56,50,40,42

2nd Row: 38,30,28,47,40  

On Day 1, you install the system. Place one seed in every Net Cup. Make sure the pump is running well. After a week, you will notice the small saplings. Measure its height and record them. You will see that the growth rate is not similar. Some are growing fast, and some are slower. The average height is 41.4 mm. Continue doing it for the next three or four weeks.  

To grow well, your vegetables need nutrient-rich soluble to reach its root; especially Nitrogen. It is also responsible for the bright green hue of your foliage. One of the most popular fertilisers used in hydroponics is so-called A and B. Both A and B are mineral salts, Part A is mostly Calcium Nitrate & Iron and Part B is Epsom Salt & Monopotassium phosphate respectively. A and B come separately in the form of powder or liquid. For example; add 5 ml of A and 5 ml of B with 1 litre of water. Stir to mix well. The 5ml:5ml:1 litre is the ratio for small saplings. For bigger plants; 10ml:10ml:1 litre of clean water.  

Look at the pump again. It is of submersible type which can be installed underwater. The other type of pump, on the ground, is called a centrifugal pump. It is for extracting water from such wells. Should your reservoir in a hydroponic system runs dry, it may cause the motor and mechanical seal to be damaged. The other place you normally find a submersible pump is your fish aquarium.  

One of the seven wonders of the ancient world is the Hanging Gardens of Babylon. Presently, it is in Iraq, the centre of civilisation then. The hanging garden refers to elevated series of tiered gardens with remarkable engineering application during King Nebuchadnezzar II (605 – 562 BC). It is said that it was for his wife, Queen Amytis as she missed the hills, valley and green, green grass of her homeland. Could the hanging garden be built using the concept of hydroponics?  

Hydrophonic gardening offers some added advantages. Let’s say, you have one with 40 cups arranged in 4 rows. You may have one type of vegetable for each row; hence you have Pak Choy, Lettuce, Basil and Coriander. You may like to grow 10 cups of lettuce each week, for 4 weeks. After a month, you may harvest the first 10 cups and replace them with new seeds. Your supply of lettuce is practically continuous. The system still runs the same.  

With hydroponic, you have all-season favourite vegetables. It does not too dependent on the weather as you grow on soil in the open space. Too much rain may cause a flood or it may soak and rot your vege. You may control any disease or pest better by using hydroponic. You need no tools like a wheelbarrow, shovel, garden fork, hoe, watering can or hose. Probably, all you need is a knife or pair of scissors to harvest your produce.  

If you start to read about hydroponics, you will be surprised to learn that there are many other techniques apart from Deep Water Culture (DWC) as described above.

There are:  

a) Drip System

b) Kratky Method

c) Wick System

d) Ebb and Flow (or Flood and Drain) System

e) Nutrient Film Technique (NFT)

f) Aeroponics  

Take the last one, Aeroponics. In aeroponics, the plant roots are suspended in the air. It is irrigated with nutrient-dense mist. Using specific tools, the mist is administered with the correct quantity and timing as per required by the development of the plant growth stage. Precision is the name of the game. It is almost becoming rocket science now.  

The most optimal pH range for hydroponic growth crops is generally between 5.5 to 6.0 where a value of 7.0 is neutral. It means it is best with a little acidic rather than alkaline. Rainwater is probably the best choice as it is filtered by nature through evaporation, condensation and precipitation – natural Reverse Osmosis (RO) process. The actual PH value of rainwater is 5.0 to 5.5. But, due to Sulphur Dioxide and Nitrogen Oxide in our environment, rainwater becomes more acidic.  

You also like to make sure the water in your hydroponic is not too hot or cold. The ideal range is 18 – 25 degrees C. Check with a thermometer. As Malaysia is a temperate country, steady sunlight for your hydroponic is not much of an issue. Should you grow it indoors, then you need to install some Fluorescent or the more expensive LED light.  

With hydroponics, you are bringing your fresh and tasty vegetables closer to your kitchen. That is a breakthrough that you may feel proud of. Give it a try, learn, unlearn and relearn the techniques to hit them right. Should you fail, always remember Thomas Edison.

At Koboi Tunjang’s (BB Electronics) Shop, we have customised Hydrophonic System of different sizes. The parameters can be observed whenever and wherever the internet is available through the application of IoT – with sensors and video cameras.