ABSTRACT
Sand culture was the most common form of hydroponics in areas of the world having an abundance of sand. Two methods of utilizing sand as a growing medium have proven satisfactory. One is the use of plastic-lined beds; the other involves spreading sand over the entire greenhouse floor. Construction costs can be reduced in areas where lumber is expensive or difficult to obtain by lining the greenhouse floor with black 6-mil polyethylene and filling it with 12–16 in. of sand. A drip irrigation system must be used with sand culture. The best method of eliminating diseases and nematodes in the sand is to use steam sterilization. If the greenhouse is heated with a hot water boiler, the boiler should be assembled with a steam converter, which can produce sufficient steam for sterilization of the growing beds.
