Hydroponics FAQ: Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Hydroponics
Hydroponic gardening is a popular system for cultivating and growing plants indoors utilizing water instead of soil. Growing plants hydroponically significantly uses less energy, resources, and water compared to traditional soil methods.
Why does hydroponics work? What are the benefits associated with growing plants hydroponically? Discover why hydroponic growing is gaining traction with our Hydroponic FAQs.
Hydroponic FAQ's
- What is hydroponics? Is it safe?
- What is the history of hydroponics?
- How does hydroponics work?
- What kinds of plants can be grown using hydroponics?
- What are the benefits of hydroponics? Why does it work so well?
- What is the difference(s) between hydroponics versus growing in soil?
- Are hydroponic plants organic?
- What types of hydroponic growing systems exist?
- What are the growing medias for hydroponics?
- What hydroponic supplies do I need?
- What are some common problems growing indoors?
- Are there humidity issues?
- What is the ideal humidity?
- Do you use pesticides?
- How long does it take to grow a plant hydroponically?
- How often should the water in the reservoir be changed?
- What size dehumidifier do I need for a hydroponic grow room?
- Where do you place dehumidifiers in an indoor grow room?
- Is a dehumidifier needed in dry, arid climates for indoor grow rooms?
- Can air conditioners be used to remove humidity?
What are hydroponics? Is it safe?
Hydroponic gardening is the process of growing plants and vegetables via a mineral-rich water solution, whereby the plants continuously draw on nutrients supplied by the water. Hydroponic gardening remains a safe alternative to growing crops in soil, as growing food indoors reduces the need for pesticides. Additionally, soil borne diseases do not present a problem because the systems do not utilize soil.
What is the history of hydroponics?
Hydroponics can be traced back as far back as 2,000 years, with the Egyptians believed to be the first to employ hydroponics. Additionally, hydroponics can also be traced to Asia and the Roman Empire. One of The Seven Wonders of the World, The Hanging Gardens of Babylon, was a hydroponically-grown garden.
How does hydroponics work?
Hydroponics eliminates the use of soil and utilizes a hydroponic growing system and growing media to cultivate fast growth in flowers, houseplants, vegetables, and sometimes marijuana.
What kinds of plants can be grown using hydroponics?
Flowers and vegetables, though, some vegetables grow better than others in hydroponic systems, such as spinach, lettuce, cucumbers, peppers, and strawberries, to name a few.
What are the benefits of hydroponics? Why does it work so well?
Plants with access to ample oxygenated water absorb nutrients faster, resulting in growth that is 30 – 50% faster, with nutrients being delivered to the roots frequently. Additionally, topsoil erosion is eliminated, meanwhile, there are fewer cases of plant decay and wilting, particularly those associated with soil-borne diseases and very little use of pesticides. Finally, the use of recirculated nutrient-rich water through a hydroponic system and reservoir allow plants to draw on the correct amount of nutrients when it is needed.
What is the difference(s) between hydroponics versus growing in soil?
Hydroponic gardens differ from soil based gardens as the plants are using only the nutrients they need from the recirculated water, whereas watering plants growing in soil capture fewer nutrients due to evaporation. Soil-grown plants receive nutrients only when supplied, as opposed to a continuously fed system. Additionally, growers can save on space growing vertically, eliminate weeding, and use fewer pesticides.
Are hydroponic plants organic?
There is a heated debate whether hydroponics is considered organic. To be classified as organic, produce should be grown in soil that not only supports the plants but also other biological processes or organisms that support ecological accord.
The definition of organic was not inclusive of alternative growing systems. However, hydroponic growers are in support of an organic labeling because of the limited use of water, reduced use of pesticides, and reduced soil and land usage.
What types of hydroponic growing systems exist?
There are several different growing systems, but there are six consistent types used throughout the hydroponic industry – Aeroponics, Deep Water Culture, Ebb & Flow, Wick System, Drip Irrigation, and Nutrient Film Technique.
What are the growing medias for hydroponics?
The most common growing medias include rockwool and perlite; however, other popular medias consist of bark chips, fibers, sand, and rock.
What hydroponic supplies do I need?
Commercial growers need access to large greenhouses as well as a growing media and system. In addition, growers need an elaborate, large-scale system composed of computers for regulating lighting, ventilation, heat recovery, irrigation, dehumidification, and more. Automated technology is essential for reducing overhead costs – both fixed and variable.
What are some common problems growing indoors?
The water-based growing system is not without its problems. Growers should watch out for algae growth, which will make it difficult for the plant to receive nutrients from the water, reducing growth.
In addition, other common hydroponic problems include high humidity, which can lead to mold growth on the plants; incorrect or improper lighting strategies; and over-production of bubbles inside bubbler systems, which can harm delicate roots.
Are there humidity issues?
Humidity, temperature, and moisture should always be monitored within any hydroponic grow room or warehouse. Plants breathe by expelling water and oxygen, a process called transpiration, which allows them to draw nutrients up through the roots.
Warmer air holds more moisture than cooler air, which can make it difficult for the plants to expel water and oxygen into the air, reducing its ability to draw on nutrients from water and suspending growth. When the grow room cools down, that water will condense, leaving plants vulnerable to mold growth and the structure susceptible to damage.
What is the ideal humidity?
Indoor grow rooms should maintain a humidity level between 45 - 55% relative humidity. This range will deter pests and spore germination while allowing the plants to grown and thrive.
Do you use pesticides?
The use of pesticides is very small; however, pesticides are used considerably less than in soil-grown plants and beneficial pests can be used to combat harmful pests.
How long does it take to grow a plant hydroponically?
Hydroponics allow plants to grow in considerably less time, as the need for intricate and elaborate rooting systems are unnecessary without soil. Plants receive nutrients as needed provided by the nutrient-rich water, allowing for growth to be accelerated almost 30 – 50% or in just a few weeks for some plants.
Finally, plants expend less energy absorbing nutrients – because of the availability of nutrients in the water as opposed to soil – and use the additional energy for growth.
How often should the water in the reservoir be changed?
While there is no definitive answer, the water in the reservoir does need to be changed to minimize the occurrence of pathogens that could form in the water. Growers should also pay attention to the plant’s water consumption, changing water as needed.
What size dehumidifier do I need for a hydroponic grow room?
Since plants expel as much water as they consume for breathing and feeding (transpiration), it is important to remove that same amount of moisture from the air.
To determine the right dehumidifier for your grow room, first determine how many gallons of nutrient rich water is used in a 24-hour period. Multiply the gallons used in one day by 8 (8 pints to a gallon). For example, 50 plants using a half-gallon of water a day needs 200 pints of water extraction a day.
Where do you place dehumidifiers in an indoor grow room?
To combat humidity in indoor grow rooms, consider placing the recommended amount of dehumidifiers as high as possible in your indoor grow rooms. Commercial and industrial overhead dehumidifiers work best in this scenario.
Is a dehumidifier needed in dry, arid climates for indoor grow rooms?
Even if the outdoor climate is dry and devoid of humidity, the humidity indoors will accumulate from the water used in hydroponic gardens. In this case, it is important to have dehumidifiers to extract the moisture out of the air from transpiration.
Can air conditioners be used to remove humidity?
In theory, air conditioners can remove moisture from the air, but this solution fares worse than installing and running a dehumidifier.
Commercial and industrial-grade dehumidifiers are designed to run more efficiently, reducing long-term energy costs and waste and are expedient at removing moisture without drastically cooling the room.
Additional Questions?
Hydroponics remains a popular gardening system because of the growing efficacy and minuscule use of space, pesticides, and water. Should hydroponics be considered an organic, viable gardening system?
What are some recommendations would you make for dehumidifying? Let us know in the comments. Give us a call at 1-800-934-9194.
