snowgrow19
Well-Known Member
So Ive been thinking about my failures in organic hydroponics, in a DWC and fast recirculating flooded tube system. Both are soilless, and can be done without any media, or with something like rockwool or hydroton. For inorganic salt based fertilizers which are chelated through chemical processes, a system such as these works extremely well. However, if you have tried it, I'm guessing you've come across some deficiency issues and stunted growth and lots of weird symptoms. General Hydroponics has been developing a product called BioSevia, which is supposed to be a hydroponic-friendly organic nutrient which somehow allows for microbial growth in water. Here is water they say about typical organic nutrients:
'In water their life conditions are not very comfortable as they lack of the soil buffering capacity that protects them from sudden changes of temperature or pH. Further more, they need an adequate nesting environment where to reproduce abundantly, with lots of oxygen and humidity. Dry they will die.'
So I understand that soil provides a buffer in case of sudden shifts in EC or pH or whatever. I also understand that good soil provides an airy, porous surface which is suitable for growth of bacteria and fungi, and that this is an essential part of growing organic. What I am wondering is if you were to use an inert growing medium such as hydroton or whatever as a sort of prefilter, where the nutrient solution recirculates from the root zones, through the inert medium, and back into the reservoir where it is aerated through passive methods such as the fast recirculation of water, or active methods such as air pumps. Could an inert medium used in this way provide an ideal breeding ground for microbes in a similar way to soil? Any thoughts on a way to do this?
'In water their life conditions are not very comfortable as they lack of the soil buffering capacity that protects them from sudden changes of temperature or pH. Further more, they need an adequate nesting environment where to reproduce abundantly, with lots of oxygen and humidity. Dry they will die.'
So I understand that soil provides a buffer in case of sudden shifts in EC or pH or whatever. I also understand that good soil provides an airy, porous surface which is suitable for growth of bacteria and fungi, and that this is an essential part of growing organic. What I am wondering is if you were to use an inert growing medium such as hydroton or whatever as a sort of prefilter, where the nutrient solution recirculates from the root zones, through the inert medium, and back into the reservoir where it is aerated through passive methods such as the fast recirculation of water, or active methods such as air pumps. Could an inert medium used in this way provide an ideal breeding ground for microbes in a similar way to soil? Any thoughts on a way to do this?
