Hydroponic Grow System
March 4th, 2010
The simplest hydroponic grow system uses a form of hydroponics called hydroculture.
It has also been called Passive Hydroponics and Pot Culture.
The great thing about hydroculture is that it does not require expensive equipment and you do not need a science degree to be able to use and understand it.
Some types of hydroponic grow system are quite complex and require pumps and that sort of thing to convey water to the plants. In hydroculture nothing more complicated than capillary action is used to get the water or water and nutrient to the plants. The plant is potted in an inert media. This could be any one of a number of materials which include Rockwool, Perlite, Vermiculite or Leca. Leca stands for “Lightweight Expanded Clay Aggregate” These are made from clay which has been fired at very high temperatures leaving very porous and lightweight pebbles which are capable of absorbing a considerable amount of water.
The pot with its inert media is placed inside a second pot which contains water. Capillary action draws water up through the inert media to the plants roots. The principle of it couldn’t be much simpler!
PurLec is a company who have refined their hydroponic grow system and which is based on hydroculture to take out all the guesswork and uncertainty from growing in the home.
The PurLec system has 5 key components:-
1) The Culture Pot
This is a specially designed plant pot which not only holds the plant and the inert media, but is designed to hold a water level indicator. It also has slots in the side of the pot so that as the water is used air is allowed in which ensures that oxygen reaches the plant roots.
2) The Water Level Indicator
This is a device which looks a bit like a thermometer but enables the water level to be seen at a glance.
3) The Outer Pot
This is both decorative and contains the water supply for the plant
4) PurLec Nutrient
This is a slow release fertiliser which has been designed for growing without soil. It contains all the essential nutrients including trace elements which are released throughout the growing season at a controlled rate
5) Inert Media
The PurLec system uses a Leca product called Hydroton. This has a high capacity for water absorption and the shape of the pebbles ensures good air circulation to enable the roots to receive their essential oxygen supply.
The PurLec Hydroponic Grow System takes all the guesswork out of both feeding and watering.
For more information on Purlec the Purlec Hydroponic Grow System and PurLec hydroculture visit:-
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