Start A Career in Hydroponics or Set up Your Own System
- Gain work in a hydroponic farm, hydroponic shop or start a hydroponic business
- Lay a foundation for serious and effective plant production in any climate or location (Hydroponics has been effectively carried out in deserts, the arctic, humid tropics)
- Learn from internationally renowned experts (e.g. Our principal John Mason is a well-known hydroponic author and has been teaching hydroponics since the early 1970's)
- Emphasis is placed on the horticulturally valuable crops such as cut flowers and vegetables.
- Study online, start at any time.
Our Students Say
"Having completed the Advanced Hydroponics Course, I have since gone on to open my own successful hydroponics retail shop, now in it's third year of trading" - Ted, Advanced Hydroponics
Lesson Structure
There are 10 lessons in this course:
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Introduction
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Scope and nature of Hydroponics
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Wick Systems
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Water Culture
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Ebb and Flow (or flood and drain system)
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Drip (with either a recovery or non-recovery process)
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N.F.T. (Nutrient Film Technique)
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Aeroponic Systems
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Hydroponics as a Global Industry
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Comparison with Soil Culture
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Resources for more information
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How a Plant Grows
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Introduction to Plant growth
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Plant Structure
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Biochemistry and Hydroponics
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Biochemical Processes; Photosynthesis, Nutrient Uptake
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Nutrients
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Nitrogen
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Phosphorus
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Potassium
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Calcium and Magnesium
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Sulphur, Iron, Zinc, Copper, Molybdenum, Carbon, Chlorine, Aluminium, Sodium
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pH
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Hydroponic Nutrient Solutions
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Preparing Nutrient Solutions
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Hydroponic Systems
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What makes up a System
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Location, Container, Water and Nutrient Application, Root Media etc
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Two simple systems
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Soil less media mixes
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Rock wool; advantages, disadvantages, manufacture, propagation blocks, rockwool applications, etc.
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NFT Systems
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Solution Dispensation Methods and Techniques
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Nutrition and Nutrition management
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Understanding Nutrient Formulae
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Writing Chemical Names
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What Nutrients Does a Plant Need
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Calculating Formulae
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Mixing Nutrients
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Symptoms of Nutrient Deficiency
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Dutch Recommendations for Nutrient Formulae
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Summary of Fertilisers or chemicals used in Hydroponic Nutrient Formulae
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Managing pH
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Managing Conductivity
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Plant Culture
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Preparing a Flow Chart for Managing a Hydroponic Crop
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Salinity Controllers
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pH Controllers
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Post Harvest Management of Crops; cooling, drying, Canning, Control Atmosphere Storage, Relative Humidity Storage, Freezing, Vacuum Storage, etc.
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Pest and Disease Management in Controlled Environments
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Fungal Problems and Management
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Major Pest and Disease Disorders; viruses, bacteria, fungi, nematode
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Diagnosis of Crop Disorders
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Pests
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Inspecting an Unhealthy Plant
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Difficult to Diagnose Problems
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Integrated Pest Management
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Review of Diseases
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Review of Pests
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Hydroponic Vegetable Production
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Introduction
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Commercial Cultivation of Vegetables
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Propagating Vegetables
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Seed Germination of Vegetables and Herbs
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Optimum temperatures for different Vegetables
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Time from planting to harvest for different Vegetables
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Tomatoes in Hydroponics
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Eggplant in Hydroponics
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Hydroponic Lettuce
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Review of Vegetable Families (groups)
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Fresh Cut Herbs in Hydroponics
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Nutrient Solution for Herbs
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Selected Herb Crops; mint, parsley, thyme, dill basil, chives, etc.
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Hydroponic Cut Flower Production
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Introduction
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Carbon Dioxide enrichment
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Culture of Specific Hydroponic Crops
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Carnation
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Gerbera
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Gladioli
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Rose
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Indoor Plant Crops in Hydroponics
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Solid Media vs. Nutrient Film
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NFT
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Header Tank or Direct Pumping
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Solution Delivery
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Capillary Matting
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Channel Width and Length
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Slope
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Temperature
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Types of Media for Aggregate Culture
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Vermiculite
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Sand
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Perlite
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Expanded Plastics
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Expanded Clay
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Scoria
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Peat Moss
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Coir Fibre
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Composted Bark
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Review of selected Indoor Plants in Hydroponics
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African Violet
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Anthurium
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Aphelandra,
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Bromeliad
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Caladium
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Dieffenbachia
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Ferns, Ficus, Palms, etc
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Greenhouse Operation and Management
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Growing Crops in Greenhouses
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Solar Energy Applications
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Greenhouse Shape, Orientation, Size, etc
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Active Solar Heating Systems
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Examples of Solar Greenhouses; case studies
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What to Grow
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Environmental Factors and how to Control them
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Heaters
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Light Factors
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Managing water with Plants
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Other Cultural Considerations; pollination, fruit cracking, ventilation, temperature, etc.
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Special Assignment
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Planning the Establishment or Management of a Hydroponic Enterprise
Aims
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Explain different hydroponic systems.
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Select appropriate media for specified hydroponic crops.
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Describe the equipment used in hydroponic systems.
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Determine the management of nutrition in hydroponic systems.
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Explain the management of a greenhouse in the production of a hydroponic crop.
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Plan the establishment of hydroponic facility to satisfy specified criteria, both commercial and cultural.
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Develop a management plan for a hydroponic facility.
How to Get More from Limited Space Using Hydroponics
Trellis Systems
Due to the exceptional growing conditions within a greenhouse many plants and vines require assistance to grow to their potential. Crops such as tomatoes, cucumbers, melons, aubergine, capsicums, beans and snow peas require strong support, and the plants must be trained up to an overhead wire or other support system. This is achieved by tying the central stem as in the case of tomatoes or main leaders as in the case of capsicum up to an overhead wire using string, or string hooks which are designed for longer-term production of many crops such as tomatoes which may be layered over time.
Hanging Gardens
An advantage of hydroponic systems in greenhouses is the ability to use overhead space. Hanging systems such as column culture and bag culture have been specifically designed to utilise overhead space. Hanging systems have been used commercially to grow trailing and climbing plants such as strawberries, zucchinis, cucumbers and climbing beans.
Tiered Beds
Tiered beds are used in both outdoor and greenhouse operations. Tiered beds not only provide the advantages of raising plants off the ground, they also allow more plants to be grown in a specific area. A typical system is a tiered rack of PVC gullies in a NFT system.
What Does This Course Offer You?
- Experiential learning - this is not just a theoretical course - it sets practical tasks for you do you get the most from your learning experience.
- Expert tutors - this course was written by people with a very broad knowledge of the field. Tutors are there to help you every step of the way so you get the most from your course.
- A way to start in this exciting field - good basic knowledge is the foundation of most careers. A course such as this will expand your knowledge and set you on the right path to do well in this industry.
- Working through this course will expand your knowledge of the industry and improve your access to contacts within it.
You Can Enrol Today
Start learning from the experts - enrol on Hydroponics I today!
If you have any questions or want to know more you can contact us by -
Phone (International) +44 (0) 1384 442752, or (UK) 01384 442752, or
Email us at info@acsedu.co.uk, or use our FREE COURSE COUNSELLING SERVICE to connect with our specialist tutors.
