Frequently Asked Questions

What is hydroponics?
What is aeroponics?
What plants can be grown hydroponically?
What are the advantages of hydroponics?
What equipment do I need to start growing hydroponic plants?
How much does it cost to get started in hydroponics?
Are there different types of hydroponics?
What are some problems to watch out for with hydroponics?
Why is pH important?
Why is aeration important?
What different growing media can be used in hydroponics?
What is net pot?
Do hydroponic plants have problems with insects?
Do hydroponic plants get diseases?
Can you grow xeric plants like cacti hydroponically?
What nutrients do hydroponic plants require?
How much time does a hydroponic garden require?
Can I grow hydroponic plants indoors?
What should I use for a light source?
Do hydroponic plants grow faster than the plants in soil?

What is hydroponics?

Hydroponics is commonly referred to as the cultivation of plants in water. However, study shows that various media can support the growth of the plant, so the definition was broadened to the cultivation of plants without soil.

What is aeroponics?

Aeroponics is classified as a hydroponic method where roots of the plants are continuously or discontinuously placed in an environment soaked with fine drops such as a mist or aerosol of nutrient solution.

What plants can be grown hydroponically?

Theoretically, most plants can be grown hydroponically, but in practice, some are easier to grow than others. Among the easier ones are lettuce, basil, mint, tomatoes and peppers. Plants like watermelon, squash and strawberries are harder to grow.

What are the advantages of hydroponics?

The most apparent advantage of hydroponics is its manageability in controlling the plant-growing environment. Other benefits of hydroponics are:

- Less water used
- Lower labor costs
- No need for expensive soil fertilizer
- Certainty of plant production

What equipment do I need to start growing hydroponic plants?

Necessary equipment should be prepared before you can start hydroponics. The equipment can be purchased at most nurseries or garden centers.

You will need:

- Gallon buckets
- A small pump
- Drip emitters, hose and connectors
- Rockwool (absorbent type)
- Geolite, lava rock or stone pebbles

With this equipment, you can proceed with your hydroponics planting project.

How much does it cost to get started in hydroponics?

Starting with your hydroponics is quite expensive if you purchase costly equipment. However, you can go for low-cost hydroponics with the use of less expensive equipment. Likewise, you can go to the local nursery to find a good nutrient solution at a lower cost.

Are there different types of hydroponics?

Actually, there are many different types of hydroponics. The major divisions are either media-based or water-based. Under media-based hydroponics are the following:

- Flood and drain
- Drip system
- Wick Feeding

Water-culture hydroponics involves:

- Raft Cultivation
- Nutrient film and other techniques

What are some problems to watch out for with hydroponics?

One of the main concerns in hydroponics is how to balance the pH of the nutrient mixture. Pest control also creates some difficulty, but there are now some improved pest control products on the market.

Why is pH important?

It is essential to have constant monitoring of the pH in your hydroponic plants because the pH maintains the level of nutrients in the plant. The pH is one of the determining factors for good growth and production.

Why is aeration important?

Sufficient aeration of the root is vital in hydroponic plants. It is essential for obtaining the fuel that the plants need in order to grow.

Adequate aeration will promote fast-growing and healthy plants. It enables the plant to get more oxygen for its use and diffuse the excessive carbon dioxide.

What different growing media can be used in hydroponics?

The different growing media used in hydroponics are:

- Expanded Clay - enables nutrients to be controlled by the water
- Rockwool - made from basalt rock
- Coco Coir - made from the husk of the coconut
- Perlite - very lightweight volcanic rock
- Vermiculite- often referred as light pebbles
- Oasis root cubes - suitable for large-scale nutrient film growers

What is net pot?

Net pot is one of the tools used in hydroponics. It is available in various sizes. Net pot is usually made up of heavy gauge plastic netting. This is perfect for any kind of hydroponic system such as the ebb or flow system.

Do hydroponic plants have problems with insects?

Yes. Hydroponic plants, especially those that are grown outdoors, experience problems with insects. Most insects grow rapidly which can affect the growth of the plant. However, there are pesticides and sprays that will help prevent insects multiplying in your hydroponic garden.

Do hydroponic plants get diseases?

Yes. The diseases that can attack your hydroponic plants will depend on the type of plants you are growing and their environment. The common causes of plant disease fall into three categories:

1) fungus,
2) bacteria, and
3) viruses.

Typical signs of plant disease are spotting, swelling on its stems and leaves, death of foliage and flowers, and discoloration of bark and stems.

Can you grow xeric plants like cacti hydroponically?

Yes, xeric plants are characterized by thriving in an extremely dry habitat. However, like any other plants, xeric plants such as cacti can also be cultivated using hydroponic systems.

What nutrients do hydroponic plants require?

Nutrients are needed by the hydroponic plants in order to grow and promote production. Basic nutrients consist of the following:

Water - There should be an adequate amount of water for optimum growth.
Oxygen - It is necessary to bubble air around the roots of the plants to supply sufficient oxygen.
Carbon Dioxide - It is required along with hydrogen for producing carbohydrates.
Minerals - Including potassium, nitrogen, calcium, magnesium and sulphate.

All of these nutrients must be present for a hydroponic plant to grow.

How much time does a hydroponic garden require?

Starting a hydroponic garden requires time commitment and dedication. It needs plenty of time if you want to make sure that the plants are in good condition at all times. At first, it will also take you longer to mix the nutrient solution. From time to time, it is necessary that you check on the pests or diseases that might attack your plants.

The time involved in setting up your own hydroponic garden also depends on how big and complex it is, as well as the type of plants you decide to grow.

Can I grow hydroponic plants indoors?

Growing hydroponic plants can definitely be done indoors. You just need to maintain a temperature that ranges from 60 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit. Of course there must also be a sufficient supply of water to maintain the nutrient solution that you will apply everyday.

What should I use for a light source?

Light is, of course, one of the principal requirements for plant growth in a hydroponic system. Most cultivated plants need sunlight. However, when you grow plants indoors, artificial light is usually necessary.

The intensity of the light that you are going to use must be high but make sure that it does not increase the temperature. Fluorescent lights offer indoor plants a type of light most similar to sunlight.

Do hydroponic plants grow faster than the plants in soil?

It will depend on how you manage the techniques that you are going to use in hydroponics. If the methods are followed properly, the growth of hydroponic plants will be faster than those planted in soil.

It will also depend on the type of plants. There are plants that grow faster with hydroponics but there are also those that do not.

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