Depok-Family Women’s Association (IWK) Vocational Education Program, Universitas Indonesia (UI) carried out hydroponic plant harvesting activities at the UI Vocational Green House on September 13, 2023. The hydroponic plants that were successfully harvested were caisin, lettuce and red spinach. This hydroponic harvesting activity is a follow-up practical activity from hydroponic training at the Organic Agro Eduwisata Village, Mulyaharja, Bogor in 2022 with other members of the UI Vocational IWK.
(Photo: UI Vocational IWK while harvesting hydroponic vegetables at the UI Vocational Green House)
Head of UI Vocational IWK, Dewi Anggraini, said that the aim of holding the hydroponic training activity was to provide basic knowledge of hydroponic plant cultivation techniques, various hydroponic systems, hydroponic nutrition, as well as analysis of hydroponic vegetable cultivation businesses. “After this, UI Vocational IWK members can cultivate hydroponic plants in their respective homes. Planting using hydroponic techniques can not only be used as a hobby and fill free time at home, but also as an opportunity to do business,” said Dewi.
Meanwhile, Riana Widiastuti, Deputy Chair of the UI Vocational IWK, who led the hydroponic practice activities, said that water use is the main need that supports plant growth. However, the water requirement for hydroponics is less than the water requirement for soil cultivation.
(Photo: Riana guides the hydroponic vegetable harvest at the UI Vocational Green House)
She explained, “Hydroponics uses water more efficiently, so it is suitable for applications in areas that have limited water supplies. The minerals contained in the water must be stable, because minerals that are too high are not suitable for growing hydroponic plants. Minerals that are too high can inhibit the ability of plant roots to absorb the nutrients needed by the plant. A good mineral content is in the range of 0-50 ppm, because low minerals will make the nutrients more optimal. A good water pH for hydroponic plants is in the range of 5.5 – 6.5. If If the water pH is not appropriate, it can inhibit the roots’ ability to absorb nutrients.”
Plants grown using hydroponics usually have a faster harvest time with large yields on a smaller amount of land compared to conventional farming. The results planted using hydroponics are more resistant to pests, so they rarely use pesticides and minimize contamination from pesticides.
