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FEATURES
MHARQ GHIERZEY T. ABE
When all hope seems lost, a change in routine may be just what your spirit needs. This quarantine period brought forth newfound interests in varying hobbies, one of the most popular being gardening. People find solace in its seemingly mundane nature to connect with, well, nature. Just take a look at Lolo Jose, who has turned to the comforting activity of hydroponic farming to keep him entertained. From a citizen of Marinduque to the captain of a ship, it comes as no surprise that Lolo Jose Malelang, a hydroponic farmer in Bauan, would pick up a hobby that involves water. Through his nephew, he was able to pick up on the different information needed to start expanding his interest and manifesting it as a part of his daily life. Now, he runs his own hydroponic garden in his backyard.
Just Add Water To begin is always the hardest part. It takes a good amount of determination and patience to start one’s own hydroponic garden-- not just water, nutrients, oxygen and sunlight. There are several methods to try out that involve different materials, like the Nutrient Film Technique, which requires a pump for the continuous addition of a nutrient solution to the plants, and the Deep Water Culture, where plants are suspended via a floating platform above a container of water mixed with nutrient solution. Lolo Jose, however, employs one of the simplest styles: the Kratky system. It starts with the preparation of the nutrient solution in a container, the partial submersion of plants in water, and the partial exposure of its roots to air. To continue growing, the steady Jerome Ceralde
Better With Water decrease of water, attributed to the he sells about 60% to 70% to restaurant plants’ absorption of the water, is owners, which amounts to about 2,000 needed for enough oxygen to be pesos per cycle. delivered to the plant. With the recent spike of interest in If you thought that growing plants gardening, it isn’t surprising that without the usage of soil would be hydroponic farming would rise to the impossible—well, you wouldn’t be the spotlight. Hydroponic gardens can be only one to have thought so. However, found scattered all over the country, the main reason why plants grow best such as the Hydrolettuce.ph lettuce in soil is because of the nutrients and farm in Antipolo, and Urban Greens in mineral that the ground contains, and Metro Manila. Without a doubt, one because of how easy it is for roots to can say that hydroponics farming is a be anchored. Through hydroponics, profitable hobby. where nutrient solutions are mixed and plants are suspended mid-air to Why Not Try? provide enough oxygen and water, a For aspiring hydroponics farmers, perfect environment is created. Lolo Jose advised that this method of farming is undoubtedly worth the Reaping the Benefits expense that he’d spent at the start Not only is hydroponics a cure for for the materials he uses. This, he says, boredom, it also benefits whoever is a modern way of farming, one that grows and consumes the crops that doesn’t require any soil. It’s always were grown. Soil-based planting good to try new things, and with the requires the use of fertilizer and recent modernization of most jobs, insecticides, both being harmful it was only a matter of time until this and unsafe for human consumption. method of farming finds its way into However, hydroponics farming calls the hearts of those with a green thumb. for the usage of a greenhouse to create a good environment for the plants, Although costly and a tad bit confusing making the greens inaccessible to bugs at the start, it definitely brings and insects. Since hydroponics farming advantages to those willing to try. The is achieved through placing plants world of gardening is a huge one, with in nutrient-rich water, fertilizer isn’t hydroponics farming being one of the required either, making the plants more many corners that it has. Opportunities natural than if it were grown through to learn are abundant, and for anyone soil-based planting. Additionally, the looking into a new, interesting hobby plants one grows can be profited from. or a new business to start, this activity Lolo Jose, for example, gathers almost may just end up being the one you’re a hundred plants per cycle, from which looking for. So, come test the water and dive into hydroponic farming!
