The Wick Hydroponic System

Wick Hydroponics

One of the most basic and simple hydroponic systems is the wick system. Within this system there are zero moving parts which make it probably the most passive of hydroponic systems available to the home grower or commercial greenhouse operator. Using a wick, it is wound in a circular fashion throughout the growing material, which can be: soil, Perlite, Vermiculite, clay granules, or any number of the many growing mediums available today. One end of the wick hangs out the bottom and is submerged in your reservoir of nutrient solution (nutrients and water usually). The nutrient solution is then drawn up the wick naturally and dampens the growing medium evenly as it moves up the wick to the surface of your soil material. A soil medium called Pro-Mix is common, so is coconut fiber, but you
can experiment with different mediums and don’t forget to research your plant first and find out what has worked for others before you. You do not necessarily need to reinvent the wheel ;)

There is one potential issue you may have to consider if you are growing large plants or water happy hydroponic plants the nutrient solution can possibly be entirely consumed faster than the wick can supply it to the plants roots! Knowing your plants and trying different wick materials, some people use simple rope for example, will help you figure out how to setup your wick system that fits your growing project.