Hydroponic Vegetable Production

The word ‘hydroponics’ is derived from two Greek words: ‘hydro’ – meaning water, and ‘ponos’ – meaning labour.

A modern definition of hydroponics: A system where plants are grown in growth media other than natural soil. All the nutrients are dissolved in the irrigation water and are supplied at a regular basis to plants.

In South Africa, hydroponic vegetable production is almost always done under protection.

Our structures are comprised of hot galvanised steel and is planted straight into the ground with base plates. Thereafter prefab galvanised steel pipes complete the buildings. The flooring consists of weed mat, creating a smooth coated surface for ease of runoff of any water and prevention of dust and pests.

Steel pipes for the main construction are 42mm round tube uprights all round, the roof trusses are 42mm sections. Leg and roof struts range from 38mm (primary) to 32mm (secondary) support struts. All steel is specified with a 2mm wall thickness. The plastic for cladding is 200 Micron UVA diffused (3.5 year warranty). All poly is covered in a 20% white shade net for protection of the plastic from hail and excessive wind. The ends will feature a 40% grey shade net cladding with a sliding barn door system on each end.

Our growing solutions consist of two different kits (options), a pure NFT kit or a drip bag system. The pure NFT kit is double stacked grow channels. Your requirement and the desirable crop outcomes will affect your spacing on the grow channels. The NFT kit is designed to grow leafy greens or small herbs and grows between 10,000 – 12,000 plants per 300m2. The Drip bag systems are for berry crops such as cucumbers, tomatoes and peppers. Spacing of the system is crop dependent.

Welcome to Lighthouse Emporium’s self service kiosk. Here you can select different covered farming options. You can choose your package based on what you intend to grow. Please fill out the form below and receive your product cost estimates.

Lighthouse Emporium and its suppliers reserve the right to change prices without prior notice. Lighthouse Emporium reserves the right to substitute any product with an equivalent product in case a quoted item is not available.