Fogponics anyone? (ultrasonic aeroponics)

[rick84]

I am a very experienced hydroponic farmer and my preferred method of nutrient delivery is HP Aeroponics. The same pumps and filters and nozzels that you would get from our sponser MIST KING, but with a minimum of 200psi and super ultra fine .008mm fogger nozzels. With this you can produce an atomized nutrient solution, with a droplet measuring in around 20-50 microns. Plants immediately take in the nutrients /h20 /02 /c02. Water droplet size is crucial, too large a water droplet means less oxygen is available to the root system too fine a water droplet such as those generated by the ultrasonic foggers (5-15 micrometres) produce excessive root hair without developing a lateral root system for sustained growth. High Pressure Areoponics makes mist of 5-50 micrometres micro-droplets which are necessary for long-term growing.
I have done extensive research on the pros and cons of fogponics I want to compile all the data I can and put it into a clear and concise all-encompassing manual for growing using fogponics. These are my findings so far for Fogponics

Pros for Fogponics:
-Uses less water and nutrients, 70% less then hydroponics which already uses 70% less then traditional farming
-High Yield
-Growth speed on roots is amazing, large mass and very fuzzy; growth of stems is very quick as thus high turnover rate
-Versatile in how you want to set up you grow op (i.e. vertical, buckets or just in Tupperware)
-Just one unit to clean instead of many heads like Aeroponics

Cons for Fogponics are:
-Foggers heats up which can destroy the nutrients and hurt the roots
-The frequency at which foggers currently vibrate create droplets 5-15 micron range which is great for seedlings as they only require water but as plants get older they require nutrients so the droplets need to be bigger (say 50 microns) to carry the nutrients.
-Ultrasonic foggers can't handle anything lager then 500 ppm because it will clog them and kills them. This information is the basis of my idea.

Now lets look at a comparison between S/H used in orchid culture and NFT (nutrient film technique) used in commercial horticulture. Both methods require nutrient solution to be present at all times, a shallow resivore some say. NFT the water is always flowing in the bottom half of the root bed. The upper half is in a very humid and highly oxygenated environment, thus providing a multi-layered root zone. This root zone will be explosive and very productive. LOL- if you reading this then I'm sure your familiar with the benefits of orchids S/H. Both use hydroton as the media and both have a wicking effect.

Think back to the aeroponics for one moment........
this has to be sprayed at the root zone--not very practical for a orchid since they will be in a net pot and in hydroton. Remember the ultrasonic fog carries air, nutrient and water with it. Route the fog into a 4"x4" pvc post with the plants in net pots, the fog would blow thru the hydroton and fill the root chamber. fogger/pump shut off and the fog eventually condensates and falls to the bottom. This 1min on/5min off is all controlled by a interval timer. The plants have a wicking system, recirculating so it eliminates daily/weekly watering. Overwatering/underwatering, nutrient deficiencies and toxicities, and lots of oxygen. Plus 1 10ft pvc rail can hold 20+ orchids all being fed, watered and nurtured at the same time.


Your thoughts please

---------- Post added at 02:53 PM ---------- Previous post was at 02:43 PM ----------

I want to add that I have had a bare root orchid in a 2.5 gallon aquairium with ultrasonic fogger on the bottom. The orchids roots produced this super fine fuzz (root hairs) that were 3"+ long. Not lateral growth or roots, just the hair. This is where the hydroton comes in. The fog will fill any and all available space. Between the leca it will form larger condensations and any excess will fall to be recirculated. I believe this varied condensation with high levels of air will produce an optimal root zone and increases vigor. Any any excess fog that excapes the chamber(and it will) helps to matain RH. This does work, I just haven't assembled the parts yet for the system described above. Pictures of the chamber will come in the next week.

---------- Post added at 04:07 PM ---------- Previous post was at 02:53 PM ----------

For more information on gardening with fog and equipment used.....nutramist.com