A SUSPENDED POT, NON-CIRCULATING HYDROPONIC METHOD

Abstract

The suspended pot non-circulating hydroponic method only requires an initial application of non-circulating nutrient solution which must be of sufficient quantity to supply the entire cropping period. Electricity and pumps are not needed. Tanks are filled nearly to the top with 8 cm or more (depending upon the tank depth) of an appropriate nutrient solution for the crop to be grown. Tapered plastic containers (ideally, net pots or forestry tubes with additional apertures in their sidewalls) holding seedlings in growing medium are transplanted such that they are supported by the tank cover. The lower 2 cm or greater of the containers are immersed in nutrient solution, thus automatically watering and fertilizing the plants by capillary action. When the nutrient solution level in the tank drops below the containers, new roots will have emerged from the containers. The lower portion of these roots is immersed in nutrient solution while the upper portion resides in the moist air layer between the cover and the nutrient solution. Raising the nutrient solution level by rainfall or additions above 2 cm after this point may cause plant injury. Plant growth continues until less than 10 percent of the original nutrient solution remains when the crop is terminated and a new crop is initiated. Methods for growing cucumbers (Cucumis sativus L.), lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) and tomatoes (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) are described. This methodology has been granted 2 U.S. Patents and users include hobbyists, educational institutions (no weekend watering is required!), researchers and commercial growers.