Hydroponics III 100 Hours Certificate Course

There are eight lessons in this course as follows:

1 Options for Managing Plant Culture

• Introduction
• Hydroponic Crops Versus Organic Crops: Similarities between Hydroponic and Organic Approaches
• The Feasibility of Organic Hydroponics
• Organic Certification for Hydroponic Systems
• How Organic Hydroponics Operarates
• Organic Hydroponic Substrates and System
• Organic Pest and Disease Control
• Organic Hydroponic Problems
• Hydroponic Food Health
• Types of Hydroponic Systems
• Solution Culture
• Nutrient Film Technique (NFT) and Deep Flow Technique (DFT)
• Pond, Raft, Float or Raceway Systems
• Aeroponics
• Aggregate or Media Culture
• Deep Irrigation Systems
• Sub Irrigation and Ebb and Flow Systems
• Growing Substrates for Hydroponic Systems: Rockwool, Sawdust, Coconut Fibre (Coir), Perlite, Pumice and Scoria, Vermiculite, Sand and Gravel, Composted Bark, Other Substrates
• Historic, Hobby and Lesser Used Systems: Gericke Method, Bengal Method, Wick Method, Sand culture, Bucket and Gravity Feed, Hanging Basket Method

2 Planning a Hydroponic Operation

• Introduction
• Site Appraisal
• Climate: Temperatures, Frost and Snow, Humidity, Light, Dust, Wind
• Water Supply
• Other Resources
• Site Preparation
• Site Layout: Growing areas, Propagation Area, Service Buildings
• Matching a System with a Crop
• Types of Greenhouse Structures

3 System Design Components

• ​​Introduction
• Materials for NFT Systems
• NFT Channel 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 Rockwool
• Materials for Use with Sawdust
• Others: Aeroponics

4 Managing a Hydroponic System in Hot, Humid Conditions

• Introduction
• Water
• Chilling
• Humidity and Temperature
• Pest Control
• Types of Tropical Culture: Sand culture, ebb & flow system, Modified dynamic root floating (DRF) system (AKA Deep Flow Technique), Deep flow and chilling, Tropical lettuce production

5 Water Management

• Introduction
• Water Sources: Mains water, Rain water, Underground water, Surface water
• Water Quality: Hard water, Water pH, Water EC, Sodium Chloride, Turbidity, Smell and colour, Iron content, Carbon dioxide
• Water in Recirculating Systems
• Water in Run-to-Waste Systems
• Water Treatments
• Obtaining a Water Analysis for Hydroponics

6 Nutrient Formulation

• Introduction
• Fertiliser Salts for Formulations
• Nutrient Formulations
• Nutrient Formulation Stock Solutions
• Nutrient Formulation: Formulas for different systems, Stage of growth - grow vs bloom formulas
• Making up Hydroponic Stock Solutions from Fertiliser Salts
• Nutrient Deficiencies & Toxicities: Nutrient mobility and deficiencies, Table: Observablw plant symptoms in response to nutrient imbalances, Other modes of detection, Nutrient toxicities

7 Controlling Nutrient Levels

• Introduction
• Nutrients & pH
• EC (CF) & Nutrient Solution Levels: EC and TDS meters
• Maintaining Nutrient Levels
• Nutrient Temperatures

8 Pest & Disease Control

• Introduction
• Pest & Disease Control Measures: Integrated pest management (IPM), Nutrient solution management
• Common Pests & 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

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