How to Grow Hydroponic Sunflower Greens

Hydroponic systems allow almost any kind of plant imaginable to be grown without soil. Instead, plants are grown with their roots bathed by a liquid solution rich in the essential nutrients that plants require. Because the plants don't have to expend energy to seek out food in the soil, they grow much more quickly in a hydroponic system. Sunflower greens will grow well using a floating hydroponic garden.

Hydroponic frame, raft and liner -- if needed -- for a floating garden
Nutrient solution
Net pots (1 per plant)
Started plants, grown in rock wool cubes
Silica stones or clay pellets

Instructions

- 1
  Place the frame for the floating garden in a well-lighted spot. Sunflower greens can be grown indoors or outdoors and in most any size of system. If the system includes a separate liner, put that in place. For indoor growing, be sure there is adequate light, or a place to plug in supplemental lighting.
- 2
  Mix the nutrient solution according to the package label. Make enough to fill your hydroponic garden, but no more, as nutrient solution should be made fresh each time it is applied.
- 3
  Fill the garden with the nutrient solution to the system's fill line. If a fill line doesn't exist, fill the garden to within 1 to 2 inches of the top.
- 4
  Float the garden raft on the top of the garden. In a large garden, this often is a piece of foam that fits into the garden frame and floats on the nutrient solution. Smaller gardens may use a raft or a lid that fits onto the bucket or bin that is holding the nutrient solution.
- 5
  Place one rock wool cube with a started sunflower in each net pot. Fill the pot the rest of the way full of silica stones. Put in enough stones so that the rock wool cube is not visible.
- 6
  Set one of the net pots in each of the planting holes in the raft. Make sure the bottom of the pots reach well into the nutrient liquid, so that the plants can grow. Harvest your greens when they reach the desired size.

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