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Hydroponic Wick Systems for Beginners

A beginner hydroponic gardening likely feels overwhelmed by the number of soilless gardening methods, including

Diagram of a wick system which includes the option of an air pump. Image via Christie D’Anna.

How to Build a Hydroponic Wick System

In a hydroponic wick system you will need:

  • A container or support system to hold the plant in place
  • A reservoir container to house the nutrient solution
  • A grow medium that’s conducive to “wicking” such as coco coir or perlite
  • A wick material like a rope, string or strip of felt

Tips for Maintaining Hydroponic Wick Systems

Because hydroponic wick systems are very basic in their design and function, it’s important to maintain them manually. Here are some tips to follow to reduce the chance of damaging plant growth:

  • Set up multiple wicks to provide plants with a greater amount of water and nutrients
  • Keep the water level high in the reservoir so it doesn’t need to travel as far
  • Rinse your growing media regularly to avoid nutrient build up which can be toxic to plants
  • If needed, try adding an air stone to aerate water to provide more oxygen to your plants

Feature Image: DIY individual wick systems made from recycled plastic bottles.

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