Systems
What is the main difference between passive (bus tubs, floating rafts) and active (bato buckets, NFT) hydroponic systems?
The use of a pump to transport and recycle nutrient solution.
What is EC/what does it represent?
EC (electrical conductivity) measures the nutrient level
What kinds of crops to we most commonly sell to our partner restaurants?
Leafy greens
True or False: Once you spray all visible pests, you do not need to worry about them coming back!
False, very unfortunately false.
Are these beneficial insects? What do we do about them?
No! They are harmful! Spray neem oil, pyganic, or dish soap water on the buggers.
Why do we use bato buckets to grow certain plants?
Provide a larger volume of substrate to anchor roots for larger plants such as our fruiting crops.
What does NPK stand for?
Nitrogen, Phosphorus, Potassium
Which of the following would not be transplanted into the NFT system: lettuce, tomatoes, herbs.
Tomatoes
True or False: Hydroponics uses less water than conventional farming
True!
What's wrong with this plant? What's the cure?
Wilting! Check drip emitters/pump.
What is the difference between hydroponics and aeroponics?
Aeroponics is a more specific kind of hydroponics. Nutrient solution is misted on and off rather than having constant contact with roots.
What is an ideal EC and pH?
EC 1.3-1.5
pH 5.8-6.0
Which of the following grows best in hydroponics: corn, strawberries, potatoes, or raspberries
Strawberries
What is the number 1 challenge with vertical farming?
Energy/light costs
What's wrong with this plant? What's the cure (see slides)
It's flowering! Remove it.
What does NFT stand for?
Nutrient film technique
Order the steps: add water, add part B, adjust ph, add part A
True or false: You can grow kohlrabi in hydroponics!
True
Per land area unit, how much more productive is hydroponics compared to conventional farming?
10x!
What is a plant disease doctor called?
A plant pathologist
Adequate nutrient solution requires 0.1667 oz/gal of Part A and 0.0455 oz/gal of Part B. I need to make 5 gallons of nutrient solution, how much A and B do I add?
0.8335 Part A
0.2275 Part B
Why do we care about nutrient solution pH?
Different macro and micronutrients are more or less available depending on the pH. Improper management may result in nutrient deficiency or toxicity.
Does pruning tomatoes increase or decrease total fruit quantity?
What is the projected total global revenue of hydroponic crop production in 2023? (closest guess wins)
$767 million
What's wrong with this plant? What's the cure?
Tip burn. Remove affected leaves, more calcium, less light, greater air flow.