The Top Benefits of Choosing Hydroponics
The term "hydroponics" refers to a growing system that relies on the use of water and replicated natural processes that encourage plants to grow. In hydroponics, the growing medium and roots of the plants sit inside a plastic tray that is placed over a reservoir that contains a water and nutrient solution. The water that the plants need to grow is pumped through a pump in the reservoir, which submerges the plant's roots in the reservoir.
These systems differ from traditional growing mechanisms in many ways, but the most obvious is that they do not make use of soil. Most of us are familiar with the principles of growing plants in soil, even if your experience only extends to household plants or a small garden. Many people find this process to be very enjoyable, but if you are more interested in maximising your yields than tending to a therapeutic garden then you might want to learn more about hydroponics as an alternative method.
What are the benefits of hydroponics?
Unlike traditional soil-based systems, plants that grow in hydroponic systems get everything they need right when they need it. This is crucial for the healthy growth of your plants, as soil tends to lock up many of these important micronutrients, or they can be leached out and away from the growing area.
The nutrients that hydroponics provide your plants are more concentrated and more nutritious than those found in traditional soil-based systems, mainly because they are applied in a highly targeted way. Another advantage of hydroponics is that you can control the amount of minerals and micronutrients that your plants get, and can tailor your mixtures to suit the plant species you have chosen to grow.
One type of hydroponic system is the raft-type, which uses styrofoam sheets to support the net pots within the reservoir. This type of system is best for lightweight crops such as lettuce and radishes because the styrofoam will not be strong enough to support large and heavy plants. City water is not suitable for hydroponics, as the concentration of minerals and salts is too high, so most growers will use bottled or distilled water to keep their systems free of buildup.
One of the biggest benefits of hydroponics is that it uses significantly less water than traditional farming methods. This is important for farmers since over 80 percent of the water used in commercial farming goes to irrigation. As the world continues to face increasing water scarcity, using less water will make farming more efficient and profitable while protecting the planet’s resources. Furthermore, this method of optimising water and nutrient use can increase the size of your crop, enabling you to grow more crops in the same space as traditional agriculture does.
Hydroponic systems are ideal for growing vegetables and other crops in greenhouses, but they are very commonly used indoors if you use additional equipment such as an LED grow light. They can be used in areas where water is scarce, and where soil is not in good enough condition or weather conditions are not favourable to grow plants outdoors. Because they are hydroponically grown, they need no soil which is also very hygienic. The roots are also exposed to more oxygen than traditionally grown plants thanks to the inclusion of aeration systems.
Environmental concerns
Several studies have found that hydroponic systems are healthier for the environment and are more productive for growing vegetables. This method has many environmental benefits, such as maximising growth space which leads to less deforestation for plant agriculture. It also reduces the stresses faced by communities living with water scarcity and food insecurity.
There are two main types of hydroponic systems: reservoir style setups and ones that use a wick or membrane . Water-based, reservoir hydroponics systems allow the roots to directly access water. Unlike soil-based systems, this system does not require the roots to spread far in search of resources, so they can focus on growing strong, healthy vegetation instead of growing deep roots.
In hydroponics, the roots are supported by wire mesh, cotton balls, coconut coir, rockwool, or perlite. The water is then circulated throughout the growing medium using the spaces between the media, which is why substrates such as sand and fine gravel are not recommended.
To conclude, the advantages of hydroponics are clear. It allows for more control of the nutrients and prevents soil-borne diseases. In addition to not needing soil, hydroponics also helps you get the most out of your plants and it is a great way to increase the productivity of your garden. It also avoids leaching, a common problem of soil-grown plants.