Re: Organic hydroponics

From: Steve Diver (steved@NCATARK.UARK.EDU)
Date: Thu Dec 26 2002 - 15:20:47 EST


Hi Robert -

Here are some pointers to resources on organic hydroponics,
organic greenhouse production, aquaponics, bioponics, liquid
organic fertilizers, etc. But I'm not saying you "should" do it.
It's like if you want to, here's how you can.

Greenhouse resources at Rhizosphere II | Steve Diver
http://ncatark.uark.edu/~steved/index.html#Greenhouse
http://ncatark.uark.edu/~steved/index.html#Greenhouse Slides

Well, you already know a grower who is producing
commercial hydroponic crops. Can he really switch to organic
and do it well and do it cheaper? Good question. It will take
professional consulting to pull it off, if you want to know what
I think. I am skeptical of big changes to a functioning
hydroponic system.

Some parts of the greenhouse industry is hydroponic, yet
pesticide free, using sophisticated biocontrol technology.
That is a pretty big accomplishment, as is.

Bag culture with a compost-based potting mix is a better fit for
entry level growers. Shallow bed production is another way to
get into greenhouse production, for example, raising greens in
a 2-3 inch layer of potting mix; same thing with wheatgrass,
sunflower, and buckwheat sprouts. Both of these are well
suited to organic production. They rely on composts and
potting mixes and production systems that are familiar to
most organic market farmers.

Hydroponics takes more skill and experience. There is
very little history or research to support hydro-organics.
Some practitioner literature and experience exists.

Aquaponics is a type of hydroponics that is one of the most
accomplished forms of sustainable food production.
Yet I'm not sure if you can get certifed organic.

The most pertinent research that I can point you to is
Dr. Mary Peet's work at North Carolina State University.

In other words, it is good to know that certain soluble organic
fertilizers can be put into solution. But where is the research
that a grower can see what really works. Mary Peet and her
crew has already done some of this.

Organic Greenhouse Vegetable Production
J.A. Miles and M.M. Peet
Southeastern United States Greenhouse Vegetable Growers
Conference and Trade Show Proceedings | May 19, 1999
http://nfrec-sv.ifas.ufl.edu/pro_13.htm

Mary Peet resources at NCSU
http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/depts/hort/greenhouse_veg/topics/organic-production-article.htm

http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/depts/hort/greenhouse_veg/topics/topics-pages/Organic_Production.html

http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/depts/hort/greenhouse_veg/pdf/Vancouver.pdf

Best regards,

Steve Diver
ATTRA


Robert Waldrop wrote:

> I am looking for on and off line sources of info about organic
> hydroponics where the grower mixes his or her own solutions. Thanks
> for any info folks can contribute. This is for a local hydroponic
> grower who would like to go organic and reduce his expenses by brewing
> his own mixtures to feed his plants.
>
> Robert Waldrop, OKlahoma City
> http://www.oklahomafood.org

.



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