While there are other elements to consider as you increase the sophistication of your hydroponic farm (for instance, things like CO2 supplementation), the five listed above are the most foundational elements of any hydroponic system.īy monitoring and adjusting these key variables, you can begin to discover precisely what your plants need to thrive, and replicate those conditions for every grow in the future.Īt Vertical Roots, our systems use up to 98 percent less water than traditional soil-based systems. Each kind of plant will have a different requirement for the amount of light it needs and for the placement of lights (typically referred to as Daily Light Integral or DLI). If you’re growing your plants indoors, you might have to invest in some special lighting. While you can technically make your own nutrient solution, it’s easy to buy mixtures online and in stores. When you’re growing plants without soil, this “plant food” must be included in the water that’s feeding your plants. Your plant is going to need plenty of magnesium, phosphorus, calcium, and other nutrients to stay healthy and productive –– just like plants growing in the ground need healthy soil and fertilizer.
Stay away from materials that might compact (like sand) or that don’t retain any moisture (like gravel). Typical materials include vermiculite, perlite, peat moss, coconut fiber, and rockwool. Even though you don’t need soil, your plant’s roots still need a little something to hold on to. Depending on your hydroponic setup, you will either need to leave space between the base of your plant and the water reservoir, or you’ll need oxygenate your container (think of bubbles in a fish tank), which you can accomplish by buying an air stone or installing an air pump. Don’t drown your plants! In traditional farming, roots can get the oxygen needed for respiration from pockets of air in the soil. You can adjust the acidity of your water with over-the-counter solutions found at your local hardware, garden, or hydroponic store. Most plants like water with a pH level around 6–6.5. Were talking primo, filtered stuff with a balanced pH.
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