Wick-Based Hydroponic Systems
Wick-based hydroponic systems are very simple, basic hydroponics systems. As with other hydroponic systems, they have advantages and disadvantages.
Like flood and drain systems, wick hydroponic systems are “media-based” which means that plants are not suspended directly in water but grow in water-retaining material such as rockwool or coconut coir. However, unlike flood and drain systems, wick systems are “passive” hydroponics systems – energy (electricity) is not used to deliver the nutrient-enriched water to the plants.
In wick hydroponic systems, plants control watering rates. Quite simply, the lower end of a highly-absorbent wick is placed in a reservoir containing nutrient-enriched water. The other is embedded in the growing medium close to the plant roots. As the plants need more water (and the nutrients it contains), it is drawn up the wick and into the water-retentive grow media by capillary action. As the plants absorb the solution at one end, more is pulled into the wick at the other.
Good aeration is also important in hydroponics. In wick systems air is drawn up to the plant roots along with the solution. An appropriate choice of grow medium will also help ensure the plants receive enough air. Some people aerate the nutrient solution with the aid of a pump and airstones, though this is strictly optional.
As the reservoir empties it can simply be topped up by hand. There is no need to use a pump as in flood and drain hydroponics systems.
A key advantage of wick-based hydroponics systems is their simplicity. It is possible to build a homemade wick hydroponics system in very little time and for very little cost. Even children can enjoy building a wick hydroponics systems.
The fact that the grow media receives a constant supply of water makes wick hydroponics ideal for growing water-loving plants such as lettuce.
Disadvantages of wick-based hydroponics is that not all plants thrive on a constant supply of water. Another is that delivery of the nutrient solution via a wick may be insufficient for large and fast-growing plants. In addition, the constantly soaked grow media is an obstacle to aeration, increasing the risk of root rot.
However, wick hydroponics systems provide newcomers to hydroponics with a simple, low-cost way to discover the benefits of hydroponic gardening.
Copyright 2007 Jenny Green
