Hydroponics

[Tyras]

What would people like to see grown in the hydroponics sphere? It is a large station onto itself and provides a great deal of fresh food for Andromeda. Most of it should be devoted to basic food crops, but a fair portion will be set aside for luxury goods. Numerous environments are represented so feel free to put mention whatever you'd like.

I know now that we have a full olive grove, or its Zeralen equivalent, not to mention apple and orange groves, too. I love groves. We also have berries of every possible variety, vanilla, coffee, and cocoa/chocolate plants. Zeralens also have a specific fruit tree that has bright silver fruit with dark purple interiors. No name yet, but it is a moderately sweet fruit with tart skin that makes a wonderfully complex drink.

[Kelen]

I'd imagine the groves are in the arboretum, though, since trees aren't exactly what come to mind when I think of hydroponics.

Personally, I'd like to see basic salad-type vegetables. The kind you'd see every day. Maybe botanists would grow varieties that end up in a form of popularity contest on Andromeda...

"Did you try Bylan's asperagus?"
"Yeah, but I found it too bitter for my taste."
"But the texture! If only we could combine Bylan's with Gortha's variety."
"Why don't they?"
"Come on, man. They hate each other."

Kelen would get in on the botany action, for sure. Probably more in the medical arena (if she survives/returns from the current plotline):

"Whoa, try this. One bite and you won't feel your tongue for a week!"

[Tyras]

Andromeda One's hydroponics system, which of course includes aeroculture and traditional geoponics, provides the station with a steady source of fresh food (both the necessary and the luxury) and natural medicines. The system is updated with each cycle (a period of seven months). Requests for particular products should be placed with OPS. Senior staff, diplomats, and governmental officials receive priority. Federation goods will be privileged (due to the station's proximity with Zeralanam and distance from the Federation), but numerous Zeralen items certainly will be available. Individuals in need of Zeralen items that are not provided by hydroponics should contact the Ministry of Trade (which has offices on the station) in order to be included on the daily trade route.