Lesson Structure: Hydroponic Supply and Consultancy

There are 10 lessons in this course:

1   Hydroponics – Nature and Scope

• Introduction to Hydroponics: What’s Needed in Hydroponics?, Advantages of Hydroponics, Basic System Components, Other Equipment, Types of Hydroponics System
• Hydroponics – A Global Industry in the 21st Century
• Hydroponics – Is it as Good as Growing Plants in Soil?
• Directory of Supliers
• International Societies
• Suggested Further Reading

2  Types of Hydroponic Systems

• Introduction
• What Makes up a System?: The Location, The Container or Grow Bed, Watering/Nutrient Application Equipment, Trellising, Root Media
• Two Simple Systems
• Types of Hydroponic Systems: Solution Culture, NFT Systems, Alternative Layouts for NFT, Aggregate or Media Culture, Rockwool Culture
• Historic, Hobby and Lesser Used Systems: Gericke Method, Bengal Method, Wick Method, Sand culture, Bucket and Gravity Feed, Hanging Basket Method
• Methods of Solution Dispensation: Closed System, Open System, Drip Irrigaton Systems, Sub Irrigation and Ebb and Flow Systems
• Techniques: Drip, Slop, Wick, Misting, Dry Fertilisation, Capillary, Injector or Proportioner System, Organic Soil-less Mixes

3    Introduction to Plant Nutrition and Understanding Nutrient Labels

• Inroduction
• Plants: Plant Growth Factors
• How Plants Grow: The Structure of a Plant, Roots, Stems, Leaves, Reproductive Parts
• Mechanisms of Nutrient Uptake
• Plant Nutrients for Growth: Macronutrients (major elements), Micronutrients (minor elements)
• The Role of pH in Plant Growth: What is pH?
• Understanding Hydroponic Nutrient Formulae: Elements, Writing Chemical Names, Nutrient Solutions, What Does a Plant Need?
• Symptoms of Nutrient Deficiency

4    Introduction to Growing Media

• Growing Media
• NFT System Choices: Capillary Matting
• Types of Media (For Aggregate Culture): Vermiculite, Sand, Gravel, Perlite, Pumice and Scoria, Expanded Plastics, Scoria, Expanded Clay, Rockwool
• Organic Media: Sawdust, Peat Moss, Coir Fibre (coconut fibre), Composted Bark, Other Substrates

5    Basic Hydroponic Systems and Components

• Introduction: Choosing the Right Sized System
• Materials for NFT Systems
• NFT Cannel Size and Solution Volume
• NFT Channel Slope
• NFT Delivery and Drainage
• Sizing Tanks and Nutrient Reservoirs
• Materials for Substrate Systems: Concrete, Metal, Timber, Plastic
• Irrigation Design: Pumps and Pipes
• Specific Materials for Use with Aggregate Systems: Sand, Gravel Aggregates
• Materials for Use with Rockwall
• Materials for Use with Sawdust
• Aeroponics

6    Nutrition Management

• Introduction
• Fertiliser Salts for Formulations
• Nutrient Formulations
• Nutrient Formulation Stock Solutions
• Nutrient Formulation: Formulas for different systems, Stage of growth – growth vs. bloom formulas
• Making up Hydroponic Stock Solutions from Fertiliser Salts
• Adjusting Nutrient Solutions Using Electrical Conductivity Measurments: Conductivity, Conductivity and Hydroponics, Adjusting the pH

7    Climate Management Equipment

• Introduction: Greenhouses, Growing Plants in a Greenhouse, Other Growing Structures
• Equipment for Environment Control: Environmental Control, Environmental Factors That Influence Plant Growth
• Plant Needs
• Temperature Control: Heat Loss, Heaters, Principles of Temperature Control
• Light Factors: Photosynthesis
• Artificial Light
• Horticultural Maangement in a Greenhouse: Plants and Water
• Culture and Management of Some Greenhouse Crops: Pollination, Fruit Cracking, Ventilation, Types of Fans, Optimum Growth Requirements for Certain Plants, Greenhouse Benches, Greenhouse Cooling, Fog, Carbon Dioxide (CO2), Plants that respond to CO2, Automation

8    Common Pests and Diseases

• Introduction
• Pest & Disease Control Measures: Good Hygiene, Integrated Pest Management (IPM)
• Common Pest & Diseases
• Pests: Aphids, Thrips, Whitefly, Caterpillars, Leaf Miners, Mites, Mealy Bugs, Scale Insects, Leafhoppers, Slugs and Snails, Flies, Other Pests
• Common Diseases: Botrytis – Grey Mould, Mildew Diseases, Rusts, Rots, Bacterial Diseases, Viruses, Nematodes

9    Deficiencies, Toxicity and pH Control

• Nutrient Deficiencies & Toxicities: Nutrient Mobility and Deficiencies, Other Modes of Detection, Nutrient Toxicities
• Controllers: Salinity Controllers
• Nutrients & pH: pH Controllers

10   Troubleshooting Systems

• Introduction
• EF (CF) & Nutrient Solution Levels: EC and TDS meters
• Maintaining Nutrient Levels
• Nutrient Solution Management
• Nutrient Temperatures
• Organic Hydroponic Nutrient Solution Problems
• Water in Recirculating Systems
• Water in Run-to-Waste Systems
• Water Treatments

Each lesson culminates in an assignment which is submitted to the school, marked by the school’s tutors and returned to you with any relevant suggestions, comments, and if necessary, extra reading.

This Hydroponic course would be suitable for:

• Hydroponic Shop Managers and Staff,
• Hydroponic Equipment and Materials Manufacturers and Suppliers
• Other working alongside a hydroponic power supply

If you plan on studying this course, ensure that you only study Hydroponics I or Home Hydroponics. The difference is that Home Hydroponics has a less intensive academic load and is geared for more personal use, while Hydroponics I is a more broadly based course.

Excerpt From The Course

Hydroponic Services are a Big Industry Understanding hydroponics is essential to anyone who works in the industry whether in sales, marketing, system design and installation, or growing produce. Even those who sell components online or part time will benefit from a sound understanding of what successful hydroponics involves. Anyone who grows hydroponically, hobbyist or commercial grower, needs to buy equipment and materials not only to build their system; but also to operate it. Hydroponic suppliers are the shops and manufacturers who provide these things that are needed to grow hydroponics. So, what is hydroponics? Hydroponics can simply be said to be the process used to grow plants without soil. It literally means ‘working water’. The grower is taking ‘control’ of the plant’s root environment, and losing the benefit of ‘mother nature’s’ finely-tuned mechanisms which normally control that part of the plant’s environment. A hydroponic grower provides the optimal levels of food and water that plants need for growth in the form of nutrient solutions. They can also control the environment in a variety of ways to influence plant growth, such as by providing artificial light, humidity, or by manipulating temperatures. Hydroponics is not an easier way to grow plants! It is a more controlled way of growing plants! Although all the various components of a hydroponics enterprise can be bought ready made and imported to the site for use, some components such as grow beds or benches for NFT channels, reservoir tanks, sump tanks and crop support can be made on site. It very much depends on the grower’s budget and the availability of materials. Other components such as pumps and pipes will need to be purchased but these can be installed by the grower to save on outside labour costs if required. The choice of materials required will also be governed by the type of system to be installed. A wide variety of different components can be used to create a hydroponics system. These include specially constructed tanks which could suit commercial grade systems as well as small home systems, through to plastic barrels or bottles for introductory and backyard systems. Some growers recycle materials for use in homemade systems but they should not use anything which has been in contact with poisonous chemicals, anything which has been painted, or anything which has corrosive metal parts since these might all harbour harmful residues. Plastics such as PVC which are safe for use with drinking water are best. Other plastics may degrade and break down over time releasing harmful chemicals. Choosing the Right Sized System Obviously, the size of the system a grower chooses will be dictated by factors such as the amount of available space, the amount of produce they wish to harvest, material costs, construction costs, running costs, maintenance costs, and so forth. If they only intend supplying produce for themselves, family, or friends, then clearly a small system is all that is needed. If they are looking to sell produce, then they might need to have a good idea of how much they can realistically offload for profit without having wastage.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Here is a list of the most often asked FAQ’s.

General

Q. Why should I enrol with the Academy for Distance Learning?
A. Here at ADL, our students are our priority – we treat everyone as a unique individual.

Q. Do I need to buy text books?
A. No, as each module has been written by highly qualified industry professionals. The content of the material is presented in such a way that text books are not required. However, if you require additional reading your tutor will be able to supply a list.

Q. What happens if I have to stop studying for a while? (eg. become sick, go on holidays, have a baby, move house, etc)
A. It’s OK to take a break and start up your study at a later point in time. Just let us know.

Q. Is there an age limit?
A. There is no maximum age limit. We do however, have a minimum age limit of 18 years. Below that age parental consent would be required.

Q. Are your courses up-to date?
A. Our courses are revised and updated on a rotation system.

Q. Do you have a Cancellation policy?
A. Yes. We have a cancellation policy that is fair and equitable. For further details please click here.

Q. Will I have any opportunity to engage with other students?
A. We have a Student Community group based on facebook! If you don’t have a facebook account already, you could make one just for talking with fellow students on the group.

Enrolment

Q. When can I enrol/start?
A. You may enrol and start at any time of the year – it’s all self- paced.

Q. Can I study from anywhere in the world?
A. Our courses are available to anyone, anywhere in the world from the comfort of your own home. The course content is relevant to any country, culture or economy.

Q. How long do I have to complete the course?
A. You complete the course at any time that is convenient for you.

Q. Completing a 100 hour module – how long will it take?
A. For some students a 100 hour module will take approximately to 3- 6 months to complete. Others take less time and some even longer.

Assessment

Q. Assessment – how does it work?
A. For each 100 hour module you are assessed by assignments (at the end of each lesson) and a final one and a half hour exam (or you may elect to complete a Project, instead of sitting the exam) – the choice is yours – you sit for the exam in your own location.

Q. I don’t cope well with exams – what can I do?
A. You may elect to undertake a Project (set by your tutor) instead of sitting the exam. Projects are completed from your home and can usually take a couple of weeks to complete.

Q. If my assignment is not up to standard is there an opportunity to resubmit my work?
A. Yes –

Q. How many assignments do I need to complete for each module?
A. At the end of each lesson, there is an assignment – so if a course has say, 10 lessons, there would be 10 assignments.

Q. I am having difficulty attending workshops/industry meetings, what can be done?
A. If your course requires attendance at workshops, conferences, or industry meetings; alternative arrangements can be made in your country.

Qualifications

Q. What qualification will I receive?
A. For individual modules, you would be awarded a Certificate endorsed by TQUK (Training Qualifications, UK), providing you complete all assignments and the exam. If you just want to complete only the assignments and not sit for the exam or finish a Project, then a Letter of Achievement would be awarded. For more details on qualifications available please click here.

Q. Can I customize my diploma/higher qualification?
A. Not all educational institution’s certificates /diplomas meet everyone’s needs. The opportunity to Design Your Own Diploma at the Academy (subject to our approval) is an added bonus, not found at other colleges. You choose modules that you think will help you in achieving your goal.

Q. What do I get when I complete the course? Will I receive a transcript?
A. At the completion of all courses and providing all assignments and exam requirements have been met, you will receive your Award and a Transcript.

Tutors

Q. Our tutors – who are they?
A. We appoint Tutors and require that they must be currently active in their industry, with at least 5 years’ experience in their chosen profession.

Q. Can I contact my tutor at any time?
A. Yes – you have unlimited access to your tutor via email through our Online Classroom. You can always leave a message with ADL requesting your tutor to contact you. You decide on how much or how little contact you wish to have.

Q. Practical work – How is this done?
A. To find out more about this part of the course please visit the section on How Our Courses Work here.