Hydroponic

If you are wondering about the setup cost of a hydroponics system, I’ll share with you a rundown of factors that can make it an expensive or a cheaper investment. Hydroponics is financially worth it as studies on medium-size scale systems show a paid back time of 2 to 4 years. Hydroponic, despite the higher…

Hydroponic nutrients are the bread and butter essentials of any hydroponics setup since, after all, how will our green friends survive without sustenance? We take these modern miracles in a bottle for granted. There’s a lot to them starting with how they are made! Hydroponic nutrients are made from either organic or inorganic sources that…

We’ve tackled how flexible hydroponics can be and its wide application – from deserts, flooded rivers, to your kitchen countertop. But can it operate in a place man has never conquered – the seas and oceans? Building a hydroponic system on a boat is possible. Active hydroponics systems can operate on a boat given the…

Hydroponics systems can be made with every possible combination of materials and techniques – the only limitation is the engineering skill of the gardener. Despite saying this, can a hydroponics system be made on a river on or near a river? A hydroponics system on a river or natural body of water is possible. There…

Hydroponics relies solely on water as both a nutrient carrier and growing medium. However, should we submerge all the roots to make sure it’s getting all that nutrient-rich water? Not all the roots in hydroponics should be submerged because the unsubmerged roots act as “air roots” which absorb oxygen which is necessary for aerobic respiration…

Hydroponics is the next step in sustainable and high-efficiency agriculture. However, the promises and benefits of hydroponics are coupled with a steeper learning curve and a higher barrier to entry which some people may not be ready to try. Hydroponics is difficult to learn and start because 1) it is an uncommon way to grow…

After weeks of growing hydroponic lettuce, you ended up with a bunch of bitter leaves. Why does hydroponic lettuce get bitter? It is probably your fault but the good news is that you can avoid such mistakes! Hydroponic lettuce may taste bitter due to: 1) too much nutrients, 2) high calcium content, 3) growing in…

Black spots are a worrying sight to see on your meticulously raised hydroponics vegetables. Are these normal, a disease, or a symptom of something much more complicated? Black spots on hydroponic vegetables are due to 1) fungal infection 2) bacteria infection 3) root rot and 4) nutrient burn. Bacterial/fungal infections and root rot can be…

Hydroponically growing trees is not so much an issue of whether you or cannot, but more of an issue of why would you? Is having the fruit of a tree within arm’s reach enough to overcome the challenges of growing one hydroponically? In theory, any tree can be grown hydroponically. However, only smaller tree species…

In hydroponics, one needs a constant supply of water, electricity, and nutrients just to maintain a system. But how do these seemingly miniscule costs add up in the grand scheme of things? The utilities cost of hydroponics are given by electricity and water bills, nutrients, eventual real estate, and heating costs. Usually electricity and heating…

Hydroponics is a 17th-century creation but seems as if it’s only a 21st-century novelty. Why is it that hydroponics has not reached mainstream acceptance even after centuries of development and use? The 5 reasons why hydroponics is not popular are: 1) the lack of organic certification; 2) the complexity of hydroponics; 3) high initial startup…