What you need for this system:
1.
A plastic crate with tight
fitting lid (with solid colours,
preferably dark)
2.
A circular saw (the type you
fit on a drill) (80mm)
3.
Plastic perforated trays to fit
tightly in 80mm holes
4.
1.5 m PVC pipe, a T-piece,
stop-ends and a submersible
pump
5.
A timer switch.
6.
3-4 small sprayer heads (the
finer the spray the better).
7.
Some rubber seal tape to ensure tight seal of the
lid onto the crate
8.
A piece of hose to connect to the tap for topping
up the water from time to time
Method (See Fig A for basic set-up)
1. Using the circular saw and drill bit, drill the number
of holes you need in the lid of the crate, spacing
them evenly.
2. Cut the PVC pipe to fit lengthwise in the crate, making provision for the T-piece and stop ends. Cut it in
half and connect the two pieces with the T-piece,
using PVC glue to ensure proper seal (refer to figure
4 above).
3. Glue the two stop-ends to the open ends of the PVC
pipe (figure 4) and leave to dry.
4. Fit 3-4 small sprayer heads on the PVC pipe as indicated and according to your specific need.
5. Glue the PVC pipe onto the submersible pump as
indicated in figure 4 and leave to dry.
6. Glue the rubber seal tape to the top edges of the
crate leaving a small gap to accommodate the power cable.
7. Pour water in the crate to cover the submersible
pump connect to power and carefully test and adjust as necessary. (Be careful as the little sprayers
will spray over the edges and you may get wet!!).
Also make sure the pump doesn’t run dry.
8. Connect the timer switch to the submersible pumpunit.
9. Fit the lid into place and insert the perforated seedling baskets in the holes.
10.You can now transfer your seedlings to these baskets, supporting them with small stones or clay
balls (available from your nursery of horticulture
dealer).
11.Add some liquid fertiliser to the water making sure
you follow the instructions carefully –you don’t
want to burn your new seedlings
12.You can now switch on the unit and voila, your
own aeroponic system is in operation.
Some pointers:
Don’t ever let the roots dry out. Keep a spray bottle
with a nutrient solution handy should you experience
To get the perfect results, you will have to experipower-failures to ensure the plant roots don’t dry
ment and adjust as and when necessary.
out.
Your plants need plenty of sun and should be placed
Experiment with your timer to get the best results.
in a warm corner. However be careful of harsh sun
as it can harm your plants. Ideally aeroponics should Be careful with fertilisers as you may harm or even
kill your plants.
be kept under cover where the temperature and light
If you’re not successful first time round, don’t be
can be regulated properly.
discouraged, sometimes a small adjustment here and
Remember: A lot of personal attention is required for
there may do the trick.
best results.
Disclaimer: Kindly note that this is a compilation of information from different sources, hence, I do not claim to
have tested the system myself and do not take responsibility for the proper functioning or safety of the end result.