Home Hydroponics - Online Course

Develop a solid grounding in the principles of soil less cultivation of plants.

To grow plants in hydroponics you must understand how the plant grows so that you can control the temperature, water, oxygen, nutrients etc. in the root zone. If you want to have your own hydroponic system for growing healthy food at home, look no further.

This is one of our biggest selling courses, and has been studied by many happy hydroponic food growers. You will learn the theory behind hydroponic culture, as well as receive first hand practical experience as you set up your own basic hydroponic system.

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Course Outline
Course Code: 
AHT107
Duration: 
100 hours - Access for 12 months
Delivery: 
Online
Certificate: 
Statement of achievement
Lesson Structure: 
  1. Basic Chemistry and Plant Nutrition - atoms, elements, nutrient deficiency symptoms
  2. Types of Systems A - classification of hydroponic systems, ingredients of hydroponic systems, rockwool.
  3. Types of Systems B - what makes up a system, 16 hydroponic ideas, NFT, solution dispensation.
  4. Plant Problems in Hydroponics - pests and diseases, nutritional and environmental problems, water and plant relationships, pH.
  5. How a Plant Grows - growth, nutrient solutions, preparing a solution, mechanisms of nutrient uptake, photosynthesis.
  6. Plant Culture - controlling environmental features, post harvest storage.
  7. Hydroponic Vegetable Production - how to grow vegetables hydroponically.
  8. Hydroponic Cut Flower Production - growing flowers in hydroponics, carnations.
  9. Soil Media vs Nutrient Film - berries, indoor plants, types of media, NFT.
  10. Greenhouse Operation & Management - solar energy applications in horticulture, greenhouse management.
  11. Special Assignment - a report on how to improve your present hydroponic venture, or a report on planning a new hydroponic venture.

 

Aims - the learning objectives of the course: 
  • Describe the nature and scope of hydroponic growing in a hobby situation.
  • Explain basic plant nutrition chemistry in order to describe the composition and function of hydroponic nutrients.
  • Differentiate between a variety of fertilisers and hydroponic nutrients, and suggest how these might be used appropriately in the growing of different types of plants in a hydroponic garden.
  • Compare options for media and systems, in order to choose what is appropriate to a specific home situation.
  • Design a hydroponic system suited to a particular home situation
  • Diagnose common ailments in a hydroponic system, make a determine appropriate action.
  • Describe the course of a hydroponic crop in a home situation from initial planting to harvest, and treatment of the harvested crop.
  • Differentiate between solid media and nutrient film hydroponic techniques, and the way in which plants may be treated differently in each.
  • Plan the production of a sequence of vegetable and herb produce for household use from hydroponic production.
  • Determine appropriate methods for hydroponic cut flower production in a home situation.