Hydroponics is a method for growing plants using mineral nutrient solutions, in water, without soil. The main advantage of growing plants with hydroponics is that you can control all the factors involved (light, air, water and nutrients) – they can be monitored and controlled accurately to ensure maximum growth potential.
Hydroponic systems offer many advantages over traditional planting methods because they are not dependent on soil conditions like temperature or pH levels which affect plant growth rate negatively. Tests show that hydroponic growing can result in full-grown crops in 20% to 50% of the time of their soil-based counterparts.
So why do plants grow faster with hydroponics? The simple explanation is that nutrients reach their roots directly and this promotes accelerated growth, but there are also other factors that play an important role
Here are the main reasons why hydroponic growing is faster and more effective than traditional grow methods:
1. Constant supply of nutrients available.
Plants grown in hydroponic systems benefit from an ideal blend of nutrients that gets delivered directly to their root systems via a continuous flow of aerated nutrient solution. Because these nutrients are received directly by the roots, the plants aren’t forced to expend energy in search of nutrients as they would in soil, where plant food becomes diluted. As a result, the root systems in hydroponically-grown plants don’t grow out much and don’t need to expend too much energy and so this growth is now realized in the form of upward growth.
2. pH level can be controlled manually.
The right pH level is crucial because it affects nutrient availability for growing plants. A pH level that is too high or alkaline can prevent nutrient uptake and lead to deficiencies. Iron deficiency causes pale or yellow leaves in young plants, while leaf cupping and tip burn are telltale signs of calcium deficiency-although leaf burn can also be from an overly high E.C. level.
Calcium can also form salts that leave white deposits or scale on reservoir walls and equipment.
Each plant needs certain growing conditions to thrive and with a hydroponic system, PH levels can be carefully monitored and adjusted to ensure for optimum growing conditions
3. Favorable Aeration
The root zone of plants is where all of the action takes place and it’s important that they receive enough oxygen at all times. Without aeration, the roots may become less efficient at absorbing nutrients. Constant aeration ensures that plants have access to nutrients so they can grow quickly and efficiently. Hydroponic systems provide a constant supply of fresh oxygen,an often overlooked and crucial component and this favorable aeration ensures that plants grow faster.
4. Optimal Climate Control.
Hydroponics allows you to create an optimal microclimate in your growing area to facilitate favorable conditions for the growth of your plant. Temperature and humidity are crucial to plant growth and because they can be controlled using hydroponics, plants grow faster and healthier. Because the climate can be controlled you don’t have to wait for seasons to change before you can harvest, in fact one can create the perfect summer day all year round !
5. Absence of Competition
An advantage of a hydroponic system is that there are no weeds to compete with your crops for nutrients and water. As a result, your plants can utilize all the nutrients and moisture provided by your nutrient solution to grow faster than soil-based plants.
6. Limited Vulnerability to Pests and Diseases
Hydroponic systems are much more sterile, mostly being above ground and possibly in a closed environment -at least behind pest resistant special netting, which means there are almost no bugs. That’s a good thing because it allows plants to grow in ideal conditions without being exposed to pest infestations or other dangers. In a hydroponic system, your crops are free to grow and thrive with less energy spent fighting and deterring bugs.
7. Consistent Growing Conditions Caused by Automated Systems
Plants respond best to light energy, atmospheric conditions, and nutrients when they are kept as consistent as possible. A hydroponic system ensures that plants are grown in a consistent and stable environment. Whether it’s day or night or if the weather is sunny or rainy outside, your plants will be able to grow at their strongest because they will be given ideal conditions within their hydroponic system. So in a nutshell, plants DO grow much faster with Hydroponic systems and it’s all about control over the process.
The benefits of growing hydroponically with Growee.
Growee’s all-in-one hydroponics control system that provide the easiest way to grow your own.
All Growee’s systems are controlled via smartphone using our mobile App,or even login from your computer browser with a password, giving you the ability to control your plants environment immediately and from anywhere. Growee is ideal for home based hydroponic systems. We’ve simplified the process for hydroponic gardening, reducing energy and water usage. You’ll harvest fresh produce in just a few weeks , and every few weeks thereafter !
- If you’re tired of the hassle of mixing nutrients, pH-balancing your reservoir, and measuring E.C.-TDS and pH manually, then it’s time to get Growee.
- Growee also replaces manual measurements with live tracking. Stop using a manual TDS-E.C. meter and pH meter; track your hydroponics reservoir from anywhere with the Growee App.
- And best of all? Growee automatically saves your water readings and displays them on the Growee App ,presented as graphs and showing insights and crucial trends- with Unlimited Measurement History!
Interested in automating your hydroponic setup? Click here to check out our home automation
