03
Mar
2016

SNAP Hydroponics

Hydroponics is an alternative system of growing plants without soil. Instead of soil, an inert media is used into which a nutrient solution containing essential elements is added for a plant’s normal growth and development.

Existing commercial hydroponics systems vary in terms of form, size, and type of materials. They need electric driven pumps for aeration and irrigation. During a power failure, these systems encounter water logging and consequently lead to the death of plants. Thus, a Simple Nutrient Addition Program (SNAP) (Fig. 1) was developed. This system does not require electricity or aeration, is low cost, and uses simple methods.

The SNAP hydroponics system is appropriate in urban areas where soil or space for growing crops is not adequate. It may be done in apartments or townhouses where small terraces can be used in growing crops for home consumption. The small space is easy to protect against rain and strong sunlight. The system requires covered containers or pots that can hold about 2 liters of water, SNAP fertilizer, and seeds of chosen heat-tolerant vegetables.

Adaptability

Vegetables like lettuce, sweet pepper, cucumber, and celery were successfully grown using the SNAP hydroponics system. The use of this system can improve household income and increase the per capita vegetable consumption.

Effectiveness

In the trials conducted during the cold months on lettuce, the vegetables performed better in SNAP culture than in the field. Economic analysis of adopting SNAP hydroponics for commercial lettuce production in a 200 m2 area showed that it requires an initial investment of P66,925 and an annual production cost of P65,555.83 ($1=P56). Assuming ten croppings per year at the average lettuce price of P50/kilo, the return on investment will be 51%. The investment cost can be recovered in less than 2 years.

How It Is Done

Prepare materials like seedling plugs (Fig. 2) and culture pot. For seedling plugs, use 6 oz styrofoam cups with the center bottom (2.5-cm diameter) cut off. Place a garden net in the cutoff portion of the cup. Place 1.5 cm thick coir dust and 1.5 cm sand at the bottom of the cup.

For culture pots, use recycled styrofoam grape boxes (Fig. 3). Make holes big enough to hold the seedling plugs by their necks. Line the bottom with polyethylene plastic sheet (0.02 mm thick) to prevent the solution from leaking. Place the culture pots inside the greenhouse.

Prepare the seedlings. Sow seeds in seed boxes. Transplant seedlings in seedling plugs 2 weeks after seedling emergence. Place in shallow trays with 1 cm nutrient solution. If root length grows from 1-2 cm, transfer to culture pots. The bottom of the seedling plugs should be submerged by about 1 cm in the culture pot.

After two weeks, replenish the water with nutrient solution. Allow the nutrient solution to go below the bottom of the cups from 1-3 cm to enhance passive aeration.

Index of Images

  • Figure 1 A Snap Hydroponics Setup
  • Figure 2 Seedling Plug
  • Figure 3 Grape Fruit Styrofoam Box Used to Hold Seedling Plug and Nutrient Solution

Download the PDF of this document.

Source: Food & Fertilizer Technology Center

Cooperating agency for this topic:
Philippine Council for Agriculture, Forestry and Natural Resources Research and Development
Los Baños, Laguna, Philippines 4030
Fax: (63 49) 536-0016
E-mail: pcarrd@pcarrd.dost.gov.ph

* You can buy SNAP for hydroponics at UPLB’s Institute for Plant Breeding or IPB.

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25 Responses

  1. Freda Estrella says:

    Where can I buy snap a & b?

  2. reywin says:

    where can we buy this snap a and b. thanks

  3. Joel Bedrejo says:

    Please pm me
    Order by COD

  4. Flor Rabanal says:

    In SNAP hydroponic nutrients some labels on the bottle indicate 25ml of the nutrient concentrate/10 liters of water while others indicate 75ml of nutrient per 10 liters of water. i got confused as to which is correct. i need a clarification please….thanks

  5. Maribe Ricaborda says:

    I want to try hydrophonic garden, where can i buy snap A & B solution and how much the pair solution? I live in Marilao, Bulacan

  6. Sandra Lim says:

    Hi! Im from Cebu and interested in hydroponics . Where can i buy the SNAP Solutions A&B?

  7. Norman Cosio says:

    Good morning, I want to try hydroponic gardening, where can I buy SNAP solutions? I’m in Calauan Laguna.

  8. Abraham rizada says:

    Hi..I’m from bacolod. Wer can i buy that snap solution?

  9. Placido alcano jr says:

    Good day!
    Very interesting.. i want to try it in my own backyard but im from negros and i dont know any shop her selling snap.. can u pls help me wer to buy that SNAP? Thnx a lot and more power…

  10. Jeffry Halili says:

    Greetings!

    I’m Mr. Jeffry N. Halili of Angeles City National High School. The school would like to put up a project that has something to do with vegetable production. With this regards, as the Agriculture coordinator of the school, I would like to purchase SNAP Solution for our Hydroponics Project. Please inform me on how to avail the said solution. I would like to give you my contact number for any information you could extend to us. This is my contact number. 09195216850 or 09365540352.
    Good day and Thank you.

  11. bernie hernandez says:

    where can i buy the solution? i from malolos bulacan.

  12. Where can I buy your Snap Hydroponics solution? I live in Pasig City.

  13. aubrey says:

    Hi, we are currently selling LED grow lights as lighting to your hydroponics system. Lesser electric cost and higher production!

  14. zoraida s.buenavista says:

    i am interested to use the snapA and snapB.so this coming month i will order.if GOD WILL this is my chance to have a great income someday.

  15. Rhoda says:

    Sir, I am interested in doing hydroponics. How much is the nutrient solution and where can i buy it, i live 56 km of Davao City. Thanks

  16. Anonymous says:

    Hydroponic gardening is one of the most successful way of gardening is today’s time. The plant is comparatively free from diseases.

  17. Anonymous says:

    hydroponic has been successful in allover the world

  18. Anonymous says:

    This one is really looking one of the most informative post. And I am really the great follower of hydroponics. And I am totally crazy about this type of gardening because of this one is totally soil less gardening. And the products of this type of gardening are totally free from pesticides. And the existing post information really increases my amount of knowledge.

    High Pressure Sodium Grow Lights

  19. Hydroponic Systems says:

    In my experience, your findings are right on the spot. Also, it’s easy to get into hydroponic gardening.

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