Hattori's Hydroponics on local news
A kitchen garden without soil
Web posted at: 2/6/2010 2:0:18
Source ::: The PENINSULA / BY RAYNALD C RIVERA
DOHA: A Filipino resident here has converted a small space by the entrance to his flat into a home to over a hundred plants as he turns to hydroponics for a hobby.
A nurse by profession with a strong passion for planting, Angelo Ramos has been growing vegetables here for over three years now as he finds it an interesting and productive pastime.
Using hydroponics as a method for cultivating edible plants is ideal in Qatar considering the country’s arid climatic condition thus providing very limited opportunity to breed plants in soil, according to Ramos.
He found the answer in hydroponics, a soil-less way of planting where mineral nutrient solutions are used to nurture plants. The method dates back to the 19th century when researchers discovered that though soil acts as a mineral nutrient reservoir, soil itself is not essential to plant growth and that plants absorb essential mineral nutrients as inorganic ions in water.
When the mineral nutrients needed are introduced into a plant’s water supply artificially, soil is no longer required for growth. Almost any terrestrial plant will grow with hydroponics.
Getting inside Ramos’s residence is like seeing a ray of sunshine as abundant greenery consisting of broccoli, strawberry, tomato, sweet pea, bitter gourd, bell pepper and pak choi are grown outside his dwelling.
One will also be surprised to see a wide range of lettuces namely — Batavian, Chinese, lollo rosso and butterhead — grown in the small area.
Unlike the conventional hydroponics method, Ramos considers the system he adopts much better being much cheaper and ecologically friendly as he converts environmentally hazardous styrofoam fruit crates, food trays and cups into a breeding ground for vegetables.
“Compared to traditional way of farming, hydroponics is advantageous, not having to spend on pesticide and herbicide, requiring very small area to use and less labor,” he explained.
In terms of yield, using hydroponics can produce two to three times than traditional way of farming making it a possible lucrative business, Ramos added.
Another benefit of hydroponics is that plants can thrive even during hot weather since they can be set up conveniently inside the house, with the help of light bulbs to replicate adequate sunlight needed by the plants.
Vegetable seeds are available here including the nutrients used; other materials however are all improvised.
Ramos said he finds fulfillment in watching a plant grow from a lifeless seed to a full grown vegetable to provide nourishment to people and he wants to share it with fellow green thumbs and others who wish to take the same leisure path. For this, he holds seminars at his home.
“Hydroponics is generating a lot of positive response from those interested and so far I have already conducted six sessions since late last year,” he said, adding some of those who attended the sessions have taken it seriously while others could not because of busy schedules.
“Some wanted to learn hydroponics because they wanted to set up businesses in the Philippines when they go back for good,” he said.
He also expressed willingness to share his knowledge and interest by conducting sessions with the assistance of other groups such as teaching distressed Overseas Filipino Workers.
Apart from seminars, he also gives out plants for adoption, and so far around a hundred plants have already been given away since late last year.
“Taking care of plants gives a certain satisfaction to a person as he witnesses the growth of the plants every day under his
care,” he said.
He observed much of the vegetables here are sourced from other countries and it would be beneficial if hydroponics is adopted here.
Recently, Qatar National Food Security Programme (QNFSP) Chairman Fahad Al Attiya announced the country is looking into adopting hydroponics to augment its agricultural output.
What is hydroponics?
Hydroponics, more popularly known as soilless gardening, comes from two Greek words meaning ‘water’ and ‘work.’
First developed in the 19th century, this growing method is becoming more common among commercial growers and is gaining popularity with home gardeners. To take up hydroponics, one needs water, containers, tubes, sponges, lights and a
hydroponic plant.
An established branch of agronomy, hydroponics has proved to be practical and of more benefits over conventional way of farming such as higher crop yields and can be used in places where in-ground agriculture or gardening is not possible.
Hydroponics has proved to be a boon to humanity since people living in crowded city streets without gardens can grow fresh vegetables and fruits in window-boxes or on rooftops. In addition, deserts, rocky and stony land in mountainous districts and barren areas can be made productive at low cost.
