Step-by-Step Aeroponics

In aeroponics, plants are suspended in the air above a misting system that repeatedly sprays the roots of the plants with a nutrient solution containing all the essential nutrients. An aeroponic system is a closed system, and excess solution drips back into the nutrient reservoir to be reused in the next spraying cycle. Although some of these systems can be quite expensive, you can make one yourself from readily available materials.

Large plastic bin with lid, minimum 50 quarts
Submersible pump
1 PVC, 14-inch section of ½ inch PVC
2 PVC, 6 ½-inch section of ½ inch PVC
3 PVC, 4-inch section of ½ inch PVC
4 PVC corner pieces, ½-inch
1 PVC "T" piece, ½-inch
9 Aeroponic misting nozzles, ¼-inch, threaded
Drill with 3-inch keyhole saw attachment and ¼-inch bit
Box knife
Silicone sealer
Cement for PVC
1 PVC connector, ½-inch pipe to pump, 3-inches long
Liquid nutrients, mixed
8 hydroponic net pots, 3 ½-inch, planted with seedlings in clay pellets
Timer, digital

Instructions

- 1
  Drill a series of ¼-inch holes in the PVC pipes. Keep them all on the same side of each piece. Make two holes in the top of each 6 ½-inch pipe and five holes in the 14-inch pipe. Keep about 1 ½ inches from the ends of the pipes. Screw one aeroponic nozzle in each hole.
- 2
  Connect one corner piece to each end of the 14-inch pipe, and cement in place. Ensure the nozzles are pointing up and the corner pieces are pointing down. Cement a 4-inch pipe to each of the corner pieces, and cement another corner piece to the end of each of the 4-inch pipes. The openings on the corner pieces should point toward each other.
- 3
  Fit one of the 6 ½-inch pipes into each of the corner pieces, with the nozzles pointed up toward the 14-inch pipe, and cement. The 6 1/2-inch pipes will be below and parallel to the 14-inch pipe.
- 4
  Cement the "T" piece to the ends of each of the 6 ½-inch pipes to complete a rectangle. The open end of the "T" should point down.
- 5
  Insert the last 4-inch pipe in the opening of the "T" and cement it in place. Place the pump connector on the other end of the pipe and cement. Allow the entire assembly to dry overnight.
- 6
  Cut a small hole near the top in one end of the bin. Clean up any bits of plastic that may have fallen into the bin so that they don't clog the system.
- 7
  Attach the spray assembly to the outlet on top of the submersible pump. Set the pump into the center of bin and feed the power cord out the hole. Seal around the cord with silicone and allow it to dry.
- 8
  Cut two rows of four holes on the bin lid, keeping at least 2 inches from all edges and allowing at least 2 inches between holes. These holes will hold the plants.
- 9
  Pour 3 to 4 four gallons of fresh nutrient solution into the bin. Use only solution labeled for aeroponic use, so the nozzles don't clog. Place the lid on the bin. Fit one plant into each hole on the lid. The roots must hang down below the pots for the nutrients to reach them.
- 10
  Set the timer to turn the pump on for 10 seconds every 10 minutes. This will keep the roots fed without wasting power.

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