Planting has become a popular hobby for so many people worldwide. Whatever you’re thinking of growing, you must be writing down the list of things you need already: seeds, plants, soil, and tools. Of course, if you’re new to all this, you might not know about hydroponics. Essentially, it is the practice of growing plants without soil.
Hydroponics is the cultivation of plants in a nutrient solution rather than soil. So the first thing you must know is that hydroponics doesn’t just use regular old water. The water you use, just like with soil, must be suitable for the plants and rich in nutrients.
This process is no more complicated than growing plants in soil. Growing can get easier with this technique, as the plants absorb more nutrients this way. You can do this for just about any plant, but it works exceptionally well for vegetables and cannabis.
What are the components of a hydroponic system?
You will need to complete a few components to ensure that your hydroponic system flourishes. Take a bit of time to familiarise yourself with a few of them so that once you have everything ready, you should be good to go.
1. Growing Media
Growing media just refers to the substitute for soil. It’s a mixture of components that will provide air, water, nutrients, and support for the plant. When it comes to hydroponics, the growing media is just a support and anchor for the root structure. It does not provide nutrition on its own. It absorbs moisture and nutrients from the nutrient solution and feeds them back to the plant.
2. Air stones and Air Pumps
Air stones and pumps are necessary to prevent your plant from drowning. Since they’re submerged in water, without proper aeration, they can die. Air stones can disperse tiny bubbles of dissolved oxygen throughout the nutrient solution reservoir from an air pump.
3. Net Pots
These basically hold the hydroponic plants in place. They’re mesh planters that you can easily buy from any plant store. The design and the material allow the roots to grow outwards, sideways, and more. This provides more oxygen and nutrients to the plants, and they make draining so much easier.
What are the Types of Hydroponic Systems?
If you look online, you will see that there are almost hundreds, if not more, of hydroponic methods available. However, you should know that most of these are just a combination or a variation of these six systems:
- Deepwater culture systems—plants suspended in aerated water.
- Wick systems—plants are nestled in growing media on a tray on top of a reservoir.
- Nutrient film technique systems—suspend plants above a stream of continuously flowing nutrient solutions that wash over the ends of the plant’s root systems.
- Ebb and flow systems—floods a grow bed with a nutrient solution from a reservoir below.
- Drip systems—the aerated and nutrient-rich reservoir pump solution through a network of tubes to individual plants.
- Aeroponics—suspend plants in the air and expose the naked roots to a nutrient-filled mist.
The Bottom Line
Hydroponics, the term alone, sounds like a lot more work at first. But once you understand the component and care involved to make it thrive, without too much stress or hassle on your end. Hydroponics is on the rise because it’s easy and effective. You can start growing vegetables and cannabis quickly, whether you’re a beginner or a pro.
Browse through our website if you want to find out more detailed information about growing cannabis indoors. We provide great information and an incredible catalogue of products from hemp seeds to oils and more. We offer only the highest quality marijuana seeds for the best results.