The hydroponic grow system is a promising, ingenious development for the future of agriculture. Unlike most other methods of farming, hydroponics grows crops in a soil-less environment, supporting developing plants with a variety of grow media.
In this blog, we’ll discuss how growers can use a hydroponic grow system to cultivate fresh produce, define the pros and cons of hydroponics, and explain how you can find the right hydroponic grow system for your operation.
What is a Hydroponic Grow System?
A hydroponic grow system is comprised of several components. While there are a multitude of different systems, the basic idea is the same:
Plants develop in a soil-less environment and can nourish themselves with a mixture of water and liquid nutrients called nutrient solution.
Types of Hydroponic Grow Systems
Depending on the system, nutrient solution may be idle or circulating. Idle systems, like the Kratky method, work with very little equipment. However, they have some disadvantages when compared with more complex systems, notably the difficulty involved in scaling their operations.
For circulating systems, like NFT and DFT, a hydroponic grow system also includes water pumps and air stones to move and oxygenate the nutrient solution and a reverse osmosis system to purify input water.
While a hydroponic grow system can be used outdoors with natural lighting, the most optimized systems cultivate crops under broad-spectrum grow lights and climate controls. This efficient type of farming is commonly referred to as controlled environment agriculture.
There’s a ton of hydroponic grow systems that have been created since the practice became more mainstream, and because hydroponic growers are continuing to experiment with their systems, leading to new varieties of grow systems that cater to different needs and environments are constantly created.
Each system has its own advantages and can be tailored to specific crop types, climates and space constraints. Here’s some more information about the different types of hydroponic grow system:
1. Wick System
A very simple hydroponic grow system, nutrients are drawn up to the plant roots through a wick. This system has no need for pumps or moving parts, making it very low maintenance. However, because of its compact size, it’s less efficient for larger plants.
2. Deep Flow Technique (DFT)
In this system, plants are suspended above nutrient solution. The roots can reach directly into the water to nourish themselves. The system promotes rapid plant growth and is relatively easy to set up.
However, the system does require aeration to prevent root rot, a potential point of failure that can lead to devastating crop loss if not addressed quickly.
3. Nutrient Film Technique (NFT)
The Nutrient Film Technique is an active hydroponic system that uses pumps to circulate a thin film of nutrient solution through shallow channels, where plant roots can dip to receive nutrients. The result is an incredibly efficient system that can dramatically reduce water usage.
A downside of this system, like most active systems, is that it’s vulnerable to pump failures, which can quickly harm plants.
4. Ebb and Flow (Flood and Drain)
Plants in this system are periodically flooded with nutrient solution, which then drains back into a reservoir.
This system provides efficient oxygenation of roots and flexibly works with many different plant types. However, it has the potential for mechanical issues with the timer and pumps.
What’s The Best Hydroponic Grow System for Growing Fresh Crops?
While the best hydroponic grow system is a subjective measure, there are several options that we prefer here at Pure Greens, and our experience in hydroponics gives us a broad understanding of the most popular systems and their advantages.
If you want more information about what hydroponic grow system might be right for you, contact us, and we can connect you with an experienced grower who can help you find the right system for your needs.
Pros and Cons of Hydroponic Grow Systems
While we’ve covered the benefits of hydroponic farming practices, we haven’t analyzed the pros and cons of the practice compared to traditional agriculture. As with any farming technique, there’s a slew of reasons for and against using hydroponic methods to grow crops.
Advantages of Hydroponic Grow Systems
Here’s just a few of the reasons why so many growers are looking to the practice to grow healthy, sustainable produce, not matter the outside climate conditions.
- Water conservation
- Fresher produce
- Precise control over climate conditions, nutrients
- Bigger yields
- Fewer pests
- No weeds
Challenges of Hydroponic Grow Systems
While hydroponic grow systems are a versatile system that make sense in a lot of situations, they’re not without challenges.
Primarily, these challenges are the other side of the coin as the advantages, as the energy-intensive production method creates an environment optimized for cultivation, but only through a hefty energy need.
Increased energy requirements
More susceptible to power outages
Requires knowledge of operating automated climate-control systems
Requires greater start-up costs when compared to traditional soil-based agriculture systems.
Summary
Hydroponic grow systems represent a forward-thinking approach to agriculture, allowing for efficient, soil-less cultivation of crops. By leveraging various grow media and nutrient solutions, hydroponics offers a sustainable and scalable way to produce fresh, high-quality produce year-round.
Whether you are a seasoned grower or just starting, understanding the different types of hydroponic systems and their unique benefits can help you make an informed choice that aligns with your specific needs. As the field continues to evolve, the potential for innovation and growth within hydroponics remains vast, promising a bright future for this revolutionary farming method.
Reach out to our experts at Pure Greens for guidance and support in selecting the perfect hydroponic system for your operation.
