Human beings have been looking for sustainable alternatives to grow food for decades. That's why, It is not surprising that more and more people are encouraged to grow hydroponically at home. It is a particular way to enjoy fresh vegetables without having to have cultivated land.
Grow without planting? It looks like science fiction, but it's not. In this article we are going to tell you more about this revolutionary technique. and how you can experiment with it in your own home.
What is hydroponic cultivation?
It is a growing medium that makes plants grow without having to plant them in the ground, only based on aqueous solutions that are rich in nutrients.
In nature there are air plants that are not anchored to the ground and grow completely normally. And there are also aquatic plants that do not need substrate to survive. Human beings, always curious, have observed this, and have developed their own soilless cultivation method for species that, naturally, usually require planting.
Basic principles of hydroponic growing
To understand a little better how this system works, it is necessary that we approach its basic principles:
- Liquid substrate. Plant species grown in this way are not planted, but are immersed in a liquid substrate. An aqueous solution that has the specific nutrients that each plant needs dissolved in water.
- Precise control of nutrients. By controlling the exact amount of nutrients that each species receives, and providing only those that it really needs, resources are saved and the plants grow much healthier.
- Saving water. Climate change brings with it periods of drought that can be long, something that poses a risk when it comes to meeting food needs. With this system, much less water is used than with traditional agriculture, so it can be a good solution to guarantee the cultivation of food in places with water scarcity.
- Less space. By not needing soil for plants to grow, the hydroponic growing system can be carried out in small spaces. Hence the possibility of doing hydroponic cultivation at home.
Advantages of hydroponic growing
Why plant plants in water instead of soil? If you are asking yourself this question, here are a series of benefits that derive directly from this system:
- Accelerated growth. This form of cultivation allows plants to grow faster, because they have the nutrients they need at their disposal, they do not have to look for them.
- Higher performance. Precisely because growth accelerates, the space dedicated to hydroponic cultivation gives more yields in terms of food obtained than traditional agricultural land.
- Less use of pesticides. By not putting plants in the ground, the amount of toxins and pesticides they absorb is reduced.
- I grow all year round. When carried out in covered areas, food can be grown throughout the year, no matter what season we are in.
- Environmental control. This way of growing carries out strict control of environmental variables such as temperature or humidity, making the plants grow optimally.
How to make a hydroponic culture at home?
If you have decided to experiment with this form of cultivation, Here are some basic steps that will lead you to obtain good results:
Necessary materials
There are six essential things you need to start this adventure:
- Container for the hydroponic system. It can be anything from a plastic tray to any other container you can think of. The most important thing is that it has enough size to house the plants and the capacity to retain water.
- inert substrate. You can use rock wool, coconut fiber, perlite or vermiculite. These materials are responsible for providing support to the plants, but without retaining excess water.
- Nutrient solution. Whether or not you are successful with this type of cultivation depends on it. You can make it at home, mixing water with essential nutrients for plants such as phosphorus or potassium. Keep in mind what you are going to plant, so you can create the most suitable solution.
- Seeds or seedlings. If you are a beginner, you can start with varieties that are easy to grow in hydroponic cultivation at home, such as lettuce or aromatic herbs.
- Grow lights. If you place the container in a place where there is not much natural light, you may consider installing a grow light so that the plants do not suffer from the lack of light.
- pH and EC (electrical conductivity) meter. They will help you take measurements and prepare perfect nutrient solutions for your plants.
Hydroponic System Setup
Now that you have all the materials, it's time to get going:
- Container preparation. Fill it with inert substrate, making sure you leave room for the roots.
- Preparation of the nutrient solution. You can find a lot of information on this topic on the Internet, but remember to handle chemicals with great care, as well as protect your hands, eyes, mouth and nose. Make sure the pH of the mixture is appropriate for your plants.
- Plantation. Place the seeds or seedlings in the container, leaving enough room for them to grow.
- Add the nutrient solution. Very carefully add the nutrient liquid.
- Monitoring. Regularly check the quality of the nutrient solution with the pH and EC meter. If necessary, make adjustments.
- Illumination. If you have chosen to buy a grow light, place it so that it provides light to all the plants. A timer will help you regulate the light cycles, so that they are as similar as possible to natural ones.
- Supervision. Control the growth status of your plants. If you see that one shows signs of being damaged or diseased, remove it immediately.
Growing hydroponically at home is easier than you might think. If you have a little free space in the garage, or on a balcony, you can dare to live this experience. In no time you could be savoring your own home-grown lettuces. You dare?