A lot of people are concerned about how to grow their food. They’re not too sure about what to do or if it’s even possible for them.
However, with the advancements in hydroponics, you can now have a garden that will offer you food that you can eat and enjoy.
If you’re a starter, this blog might be helpful for you. It will take you to know some of the benefits of the hydroponic system and why it is a beneficial technique to use in growing plants.
Contents
What is Hydroponic System?
Hydroponics System is a technique in growing plants using a nutrient-based liquid that doesn’t use soil as the substrate.
Many gardeners have been using this technique in their greenhouse to produce good quality and higher yields of crops, fruits, and vegetables at the end of the season.
Nutrients in the water in a hydroponic system are Phosphorus, Nitrogen, Calcium, Potassium, and other micro-nutrients that depend on the nutrient needs of plants to grow fresh and healthy.
Hydroponic is not that new today since it was experimented within the late 1920s to early 1930s by Dr. William F. Gericke of the University of California that works on plant nutrition.
In doing so, he termed these nutriculture systems “hydroponics” as one of the newest techniques in growing crops without soil.
Difference between growing plants from soil-based to water-based
When gardening, growers have been using soil as their substrate to grow and produce plants.
It is a common and convenient way for other producers to produce more crops for food consumption.
We all know that soil plays a vital role in food production. It provides an environment for the plants to grow by collecting nutrients under the soil.
It also cleans out water by filtering it and preventing runoff that causes flooding. In short, soil can also help regulate the climate of our planet.
To easily understand the difference between the two techniques of gardening, we categorized and summarized the following subjects:
- Plant produced
- Water Consumption
- Space Used
- Techniques of Growing Plants
- Quality Produced
- Growth Rate
Plants Produced
Study research shows that the hydroponics system helps increase the yields of the plants rather than the soil.
Though growing plants in a soil-based can also reach a possibility of having higher yields of crops, to have proper taking care of the plants, hydroponics can surely give you a higher result because of the nutrients they received from the water they used.
Aside from that, gardeners may also save their time, money, and effort when using the hydroponic system in their gardens.
Water Consumption
Since gardening always utilizes water to feed the plants, it is also essential to the gardeners to know how much water they consume for their daily watering.
Hydroponic, in terms of its words and meaning, use water with nutrients for the growth of plants.
It may seem so impossible to understand, but growing plants in water without using soil cannot use an excessive amount of water every day rather than growing plants in soil.
The hydroponic system uses redistributed water that allows the plant to absorb the nutrients they need and return the rest to the system.
Contrastingly, even though there are some tips on saving water when growing plants from soil-based, the soil is terrible at holding moisture and might evaporate quickly.
Hydroponics, on the other hand, did not.
Space Used
While both hydroponics and soil-based gardening can be done in a greenhouse, using space for the saplings is also required.
Hydroponics, however, uses less space rather than soil gardening. It allows gardeners to position the plants, resulting in less space used vertically.
Process and Techniques of Growing Plants
Gardeners are not now concerned about soil because, in hydroponics, they can grow so much more crops using water rather than soil-based.
Gardeners can also control the environmental factors that might affect the growth of a plant by having a controlled greenhouse in hydroponic techniques.
There is no need for insecticides or pesticides application, resulting in more labor for the gardeners since it’s applied in a controlled environment.
Quality Produced
Did you know that fruits that ripen naturally have more nutrients and have better taste than those harvested from the storeroom?
Hydroponics System is beneficial and needed for those farmers or gardeners who like to have fresh and healthy fruit at the end of the season.
Hydroponic gardens contain microbiomes that can help develop the fruit and pick at the ripeness peak.
Growth Rate
Plants in a hydroponic system more easily absorb nutrients than grown soil-based.
The growth rate for a plant that grows hydroponically can be considered 30-50 percent faster than a plant grown in soil.
Since the farmers can control the light, heat, nutrients, pests invasion, hydration, and all other environmental factors in a hydroponic system, growing plants are faster with a higher yield than soil.
17 Best Plant to Grow Hydroponically
There are many different plants that can be grown hydroponically, but some plants are better suited for this type of gardening than others. These plants tend to be easy to grow and produce a high yield in a relatively short amount of time.
Additionally, they are relatively forgiving if mistakes are made in the gardening process, which can make hydroponic gardening a great option for beginners.
Here are some of the 17 best plants to grow hydroponically from your garden:
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Tomatoes
In Hydroponic System, you can grow any variety of tomatoes. If you’re sick of eating commercially grown tomatoes, consider growing your soil-free tomatoes at home.
Although the tomato is technically a fruit, most sellers or customers regard it as a vegetable.
It’s important to remember that tomatoes demand a lot of light. If you want to grow it inside, you’ll need to invest in some growing lights.
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Cucumbers
Cucumbers are a popular vining plant variety primarily grown in commercial greenhouses.
They multiply in the right conditions, resulting in very high yields.
Because cucumber is a warm-weather plant, ensure you provide it with plenty of light and warm temperatures.
A pH level of 5.5 to 6.0 is ideal for these plants.
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Beans
Beans are used in almost every meal, so growing them hydroponically at home will ensure that you have access to the vegetable whenever you need it.
You can choose from string, green, pole, and even pinto beans in terms of types.
Keep in mind that you’ll need a trellis if you want to plant pole or string beans in your Hydroponic garden. It will ensure that the plants receive adequate support when most need it.
Germination takes 3–8 days on average. After 6–8 weeks, harvesting occurs. The crop can then be continued for another 3–4 months.
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Radishes
Radishes are another vegetable that pairs well with other vegetables for flavor.
These are some of the most simple vegetables to cultivate, whether in the ground or a hydroponic system.
It’s best to start with seeds, and seedlings can be seen in 3–7 days. Radishes grow best in chilly conditions and don’t require any additional lighting.
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Spinach
Spinach is another fast-growing plant that might work well in a hydroponics system.
Compared to a home garden, Spinach will require substantially less water than any other form of Hydroponics Farming.
Furthermore, you can start growing them from scratch as soon as they are seeds.
Spinach is a cool-weather plant, so it doesn’t need much light. You either harvest everything at once or take off a few leaves at a time.
Spinach is known to develop in one month or 40 days in most cases. Ascertain that the pH is between 6.0 and 7.5, and the temperature is controlled correctly.
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Blueberries
Another excellent choice for your Hydroponics Garden is blueberries. However, it takes a long time to grow. It may take months for them to bear their first fruit in some situations.
Blueberries grow best in NFT systems that are kept at a warm temperature and have a pH of 4.5 to 6.0. We recommend transplanting them because growing them from seeds is not an essential choice.
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Grapes
Though grapes can be grown hydroponically, they require much attention and upkeep.
Grapes thrive in a bucket system, and because they are vine-based, they will require a trellis for additional support. Ensure that the root does not rot and the pH is adjusted correctly.
The optimal pH level is between 5.5 and 6.0, and make sure your grapes have plenty of water while you’re growing them.
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Mints
Mints have been widely grown in both soil and hydroponic systems.
Mints’ fragrant components are both refreshing and aromatic, indicating that they can be used to flavor food and beverages.
Its roots spread rapidly, making it suitable for hydroponic cultivation.
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Kale
Kale is a healthy and flavorful plant that may be used in home and restaurant recipes. It’s an excellent vegetable for a healthy individual who wants health benefits.
It has been grown for years in hydroponic systems, so you can rest assured that it will thrive in your home or water garden.
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Chives
Growing chives from in a hydroponic system are straightforward.
It takes six to eight weeks to reach full maturity under normal growth conditions. Then you can pick it up regularly, and it will fully regrow in 3–4 weeks.
Chives do not require a lot of water, but they need a lot of light, about 12 to 14 hours every day.
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Lettuce
Lettuce is perhaps one of the most commonly cultivated vegetables in a hydroponic system.
They grow fast, and caring for them is a breeze.
Because lettuce is so easy to care for, it may be one of your first selections if you’re new to hydroponic farming.
They can also be cultivated in any hydroponics system, such as NFT, Aeroponics, Ebb & Flow, and so on.
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Strawberries
Strawberries grow nicely in hydroponic systems. These fruits are, in fact, one of the most often grown plants in commercial hydroponic cultivation.
For decades, commercial farms have grown them in large-scale NFT systems.
On the other hand, Strawberries require about two months to grow (60 days), and they seem to thrive at a pH of 5.5 to 6.2.
EndNote
If you are looking for a great way to garden, a hydroponic garden system may be the perfect option for you. They are easy to set up and use, and they can be adapted to fit any space.
Plus, they allow you to grow a wide variety of plants, making them a great choice for both beginning and experienced gardeners alike.
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