Chemistry of Hydroponics

Jeff Bracken

Westerville North High School

ACT2 Conference June, 2010

Source of Grow Lights

What to Grow?

• Basil

• Oregano

• Peppers

• Cherry tomatoes

• Lettuce

• Citronella

Chemistry Concepts

• Percent composition

• Solubility equilibria

• pH

• Solubility rules: “nutrient lockout”

• Soluble forms of iron

• Ammonium: Nitrate Ratio

Nutrient Solutions

$45 per gallon

Construction Process

Aeroponic Cloner

• Mist onto stems.

• Roots in 6-21 days.

• Root growth

visible.

• Holds 48 plants.

• Our version <$50

• Math collaboration.

Graph of Root Formation

Sweet Italian Basil

• Fresh harvest

• Thrives indoors

• Propagates easily

• Enhanced Flavor

• Revenue

$50/week

Styrofoam Basil Rafts

Drilling the holes Raft of new clones

Access to Entire Plant

Moringa: Miracle Plant

• Native to India

• “Drumstick tree”

• Peace Corps

Moringa: Nature’s Miracle!

• 7x’s the Vitamin C of oranges

• 4x’s the Calcium of milk

• 4x’s the Vitamin A of carrots

• 3x’s the Vitamin K of bananas

• 2x’s the Protein of milk

Hydrangeas: Pink or Blue?

Hydroponic Hydrangea!

Hydrangeas: Pink & Blue

Hydroponic Lettuce

Hydroponic Lettuce

• Weekly planting

• 28 day cycle

• Fluorescent lights

• Access to full

plant

• Amazing taste!!!

Lettuce Expansion

ESL Students Autistic Students

LED Grow Lights

Grow light Comparison

T-5 Fluorescent LED Grow Light

Guidance Classroom

Grow Light Comparison

Pink LED Blue LED

Peppers & Tomatoes

One Day’s Harvest

Salsa Fest May, 2008

Auto Shop Locker Room

New Cherry Tomato Patch

Cherry Tomato Harvest

Stockroom Nutrients

• Chemicals from stockroom

• Growth comparison with

commercial

• Cost effective

• Scientific method in action

• No “universal” nutrient solution yet

Catnip Extraction

Catnip Project

Stevia: Natural Sweetener

Future Efforts

• Dwarf Blueberries

• Stevia Plants

• Sales of Herbs

• Plants with a Purpose

• Self-funded program

Financial Support

• Toyota TAPESTRY Foundation $10,000• Ann Sherry Foundation $2,500• Captain Planet Foundation $2,500• Martha Holden Jennings $2,000• Hach Scientific $1,500• Hooked on Hydroponics Award $1,500• Westerville Education Foundation $1,000• Science Education Council of Ohio $500

Donations

• Westerville Police Dept

• Livingston Seed Company

• ProSource Worldwide LED

Acknowledgements

• Mr. Kurt Yancey, Principal

• Mr. Kyle Campbell, Biology Teacher

• Ms. Jessica Waites, Chemistry Teacher

• Mr. Jon Wing, Biology Teacher

• Dedicated student lab assistants