Agri Kultuur Julie / July 2014 | Page 61

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.