Hydroponic technology can be very confusing for many amateur gardeners. Learning how the technology all works, what system to use, and what crops to grow are all very daunting.
This article will hopefully guide beginners like you about the pros and cons of choosing hydroponic technology in gardening. Do not forget to visit our website, for a more in-depth discussion on hydroponic system.
UNDERSTANDING WHAT HYDROPONIC TECHNOLOGY DOES AND HOW
Hydroponic is often defined as the gardening or farming method that uses only water and nutrients. In most cases, a growing medium is also introduced into the hydroponic system. The term hydroponics is taken from the Greek words hydro”, meaning water, and “ponos”, meaning labor. In this etymology, we can, therefore, conclude that this practice of gardening relies heavily on the water without using soil. Indeed, hydroponic technology is often defined as the gardening or farming method that uses only water and nutrients.
In a nutshell, hydroponic technology is the gardening method that ensures that the plant roots have little to no barrier in their access to water, oxygen, and nutrients it needs. However, in contrary to popular belief that this system relies only on water, the truth is a growing medium is most often part of the system. Instead of soil, hydroponic technology relies on various kinds of growing media. Some of the more common growing media used nowadays are coconut coir (from coconut husks), vermiculite (from earthworms), perlite (a volcanic glass), and more.
BENEFITS OF HYDROPONIC TECHNOLOGY
- HYDROPONIC TECHNOLOGY HASTENS PLANT GROWTH
The most well-known advantage of using hydroponic technology in gardening or farming is a huge increase in the growth rate of most of the crops. From lettuce to strawberry to tomatoes, farmers from all over the world observed that crops planted hydroponically grow as much as 20% faster growth than those plants that were traditionally planted directly on the soil.
- HYDROPONIC TECHNOLOGY INCREASES YIELDS
One of the biggest reasons why many farmers are switching from traditional forms of farming to hydroponic gardening is due to an increase in harvest. The amount that can be harvested for the crops will be typically at least 25% more than those grown on soil.
- HYDROPONIC TECHNOLOGY HAS LESSr CARBON FOOTPRINTS
Plants can be grown organically with less carbon footprints. This is because the plants are usually placed under a controlled environment far away from pests. Therefore, plants can develop without the need for pesticides. As well, hydroponic technology allows plants easier access to nutrients and water they need to grow. As such, they struggle less to find water or nutrition. This allows the farmer to use less amount of fertilizers at even less frequency than traditional soil-based gardens.
DISADVANTAGES OF USING HYDROPONIC TECHNOLOGY
- HYDROPONIC TECHNOLOGY MAY COST A BIT MORE
Buying the hydroponic system to be installed is undoubtedly its biggest downside. However, even though the system itself may cost a bit more, you also need to take into consideration the savings you will make in the cost of pesticides and fertilizers, which as mentioned before, will be needing less. A very good tip for people who wants to save in installing a hydroponic system is to aim to learn how to build a hydroponic system. In most cases, the manpower for setting up the system eats most of the expenses in installing a hydroponic system. You can easily reduce the initial cost.
- HYDROPONIC TECHNOLOGY WILL REQUIRE YOU AT LEAST SOME KNOW-HOW IN RUNNING THE SYSTEM
As mentioned, learning how to build the hydroponic system will save you a lot in setting up the system. However, you need to understand that you will need to learn more than just setting up the whole hydroponic system. Much like in any kind of transition, you need to ready yourself and also to expect that you will have a moment of cluelessness. As such, it is very important that you arm your self with as much information as possible. For many farmers and gardeners, this episode of learning due to transition is often described as the most frustrating period in their transition to hydroponic gardening. There a lot of mistakes. This phase is a trial and error phase and you will need to learn the ropes.
Of course, hydroponic technology is not rocket science. The phase of learning will be frustrating but it is nothing insurmountable. In fact, in the long run, as you figure out the way forward in hydroponic technology, you will realize and experience that this system is in fact easier to maintain than your traditional gardening method. By creating an artificial environment, you are able to provide water, nutrients, light, and everything else the plant requires to grow and thrive. Thus, you will not need to monitor those inputs unlike with your traditional soil-based gardening
CONCLUSION
Hydroponic technology is a system that relies heavily on the balance of water, nutrients, and sunlight without the need for soil as a growing medium. It has a lot of benefits as well as disadvantages. However, as a farmer, at the end of the day, the most important thing is to have a healthy set of crops that will produce a bountiful harvest. If this is your goal, then perhaps hydroponic technology is the best system for you!
