Growing plants in a hydroponic system, in which a nutrient-rich solution with a water base is used instead of soil, is becoming increasingly common. Peat moss, clay pellets, perlite, and rock wool are some of the alternative media used to prop up plant roots. There are literally hundreds of different kinds of hydroponic systems that can be built or used to cultivate plants. There are many different hydroponic growing methods, but they can all be classified into one of just six broad categories.
Since the six different hydroponic systems all function in their own unique ways, you’ll want to carefully weigh the benefits and drawbacks of each one. Knowing the ins and outs of each type of hydroponic system before committing to one is essential for successful plant cultivation. The following provides a detailed analysis of the six major categories of hydroponic systems, with the goal of helping you pick the best one for your needs when planning your Grow Box Central container farm purchase.
Basics of Hydroponics
Hydroponics, in which plants are grown in a nutrient-rich water solution, is an efficient technique for plant cultivation. The plants are grown without soil, with their roots immersed in a nutrient-rich solution. There will be plenty of oxygen for the plants to use, which will speed up their development. The primary benefit of using hydroponics to cultivate plants is that it permits a much faster growth rate than conventional methods. The growth rate can be up to 30 percent faster than soil-based planting methods if the right hydroponic system is designed and the water is kept free of impurities using sensors. The following are the six different kinds of hydroponic systems available:
- Wick System
- Water Culture
- Ebb and Flow
- Drip
- N.F.T. (Nutrient Film Technology)
- Aeroponic systems
Wick System
The wick system is the most elementary form of hydroponics, making it accessible to gardeners of all skill levels. The wick method is unique in that it does not necessitate the use of aerators, pumps, or electricity. In fact, no other hydroponic system can function without electricity like this one does. The plants in most wick systems are set down in an absorbent medium, typically perlite or vermiculite. After being wrapped around the plants, nylon wicks are submerged in a nutrient solution.
If you’re considering a wick hydroponic system for your plant cultivation needs, know that its inherent simplicity will limit the amount of nutrients your plants can take in. This makes it perfect for herbs and other small garden plants. This system works well for growing plants that don’t need a lot of water. Smaller plants thrive in this system, but tomatoes and peppers should be grown elsewhere. It’s important to note that the wick system won’t be able to meet the nutrient needs of these plants because they are heavy feeders. This growing method also has the potential downside of uneven water and nutrient absorption, which could result in the accumulation of toxic mineral salts. Every week or two, run a freshwater flush through the system to remove any lingering nutrients.
Water Culture
Another extremely basic form of hydroponics, water culture systems immerse the plant’s roots in the nutrient solution. The wick system separates the plants from the water, but the water culture system does not. A diffuser or air stone introduces the oxygen that aquatic plants require into the water. Net pots are recommended for securing the plants in place when using this system.
The roots of the plants are immersed in the nutrient solution, making it simple for the plants to take in the essential nutrients. Plants grown using the water culture method will develop rapidly because of their easy access to nutrients and oxygen. The water culture system’s best features are its simplicity of construction and its compatibility with plants of all types. This method will promote rapid growth in any plant, no matter how large. The emergence of root diseases due to unsanitary conditions is the only real risk associated with this hydroponic method of cultivation.
Ebb and Flow
Another common hydroponic technique used primarily in home gardens is the ebb and flow system. Plants in this system are kept in a large grow bed filled with a medium for plant growth, such as rock wool or perlite. After the seeds have been carefully planted, the grow bed will be filled with a nutrient-rich solution until it is just a few inches below the surface of the growing medium.
A timer that controls the grow bed’s water pump turns it off after a predetermined amount of time. This will cause the water in the grow bed to be recirculated back to the pump. It has been discovered that the ebb and flow system is useful for growing all sorts of plants, including some root vegetables like carrots and radishes. However, extremely large plants are not advised for use with this setup. It’s possible that larger plants will require too much room in the grow bed for the necessary amount of growing medium and nutrient solution. When the pump controller fails, the ebb and flow system stops working until the pump is either repaired or replaced.
Drip Systems
Drip systems are versatile hydroponic systems that can be easily modified for new plant species. This makes them an excellent choice for any grower who anticipates making frequent adjustments. With a drip system, the nutrient solution is pumped into a tube and delivered to the plant’s root zone. Each tube has a solution delivery mechanism called a drip emitter at its end. Each plant’s needs can be catered to by adjusting the flow rate.
You can make these systems as compact or as complex as you like. Systems can either have a circulation loop or not. The drip from a recirculating system will be nearly constant. Any surplus nutrients will be returned to the nutrient solution tank. This hydroponic system’s adaptability to changes in plant size and water flow makes it useful for cultivating a wide variety of plants. Maintaining stable nutrient and pH levels, which naturally fluctuate when the solution is recirculated, is the primary challenge of using a recirculation system.
N.F.T. (Nutrient Film Technology)
The N.F.T. system’s adaptability makes its straightforward architecture attractive for a wide range of uses. The nutrient solution in one of these systems is stored in a large tank. In order to recycle the solution’s surplus nutrients, it is pumped into slanted channels. The channel allows the nutrient solution to flow downhill and over the roots of each plant, ensuring that they receive the proper nutrition.
Net pots are highly suggested for use in this hydroponic setup. The N.F.T. system typically does not employ a medium for plant growth. This system works best with plants that have shallower roots, as the channels used in this setup are on the diminutive side. Although this system is not well suited for growing larger plants, it can be easily modified to support the development of a sizable crop. Because it is easy to expand, this system is popular among both commercial and amateur growers.
Aeroponics
While the concept of an aeroponic system is simple, its actual implementation can be challenging. The plants you want to cultivate will float in the air with this setup. Underneath the plants, you’ll find a few mist nozzles. The nutrient solution is sprayed onto the plant roots via these nozzles, a highly efficient hydroponic technique. The water pump is hardwired into the mist nozzles. The solution is sprayed when the pump’s pressure rises, and any overflow runs back into the reservoir.
Almost any plant can be grown in an aeroponic system, provided the reservoir is the right size. If you want to grow bigger plants, though, the reservoir will need to be quite deep. If not, the mist nozzles might miss some of the plant’s roots. Plants grown using an aeroponic system don’t need any additional oxygen because they are already floating in the air. In addition to being more efficient than other hydroponic systems, this one uses significantly less water. There are, however, a few flaws in this system. One problem is the high cost of construction. It can be a pain to clean the nozzles that spray the nutrients if they get clogged.
Choosing the Best Method for You
Knowing the characteristics of each system and having established your hydroponic requirements will help you choose the best option. For instance, if you’re a home grower who wants to use a straightforward system that calls for minimal setup, you should look into the wick or water culture methods. The drip system, or N.F.T. system, could be ideal if you plan to cultivate many different kinds of plants. Grow Box Central’s experts are here to help you set up the optimal setup for your specific requirements.