Both Dutch Buckets and grow bags are invaluable assets to gardening in less than optimal or smaller spaces. But when both of these are so good, which one would you choose? This blog will help you do just that. Read on to know which one can be your best bet.

What is a grow bag?

The grow bags are those that farmers use to hold a growing medium like coco noir/ cocopeat to produce all kinds of plants. They can be made of fabric or plastic and often have handles so that you can move them. They are cheap, lighter than pots, and you can store, hang or move them quickly. They come in different sizes and materials. But, you have to change them to get a whole new set after the completion of 2-3 cycles. The grow bags range in size from 5 liters to 35 liters, which is the smallest. Thus, you must be well aware of what you will be growing before selecting a grow bag.

How grow bag is used?

To start growing fruits or veggies using grow bags in a polyhouse farming setup, here are the following things you will need:

• Water
• Growing medium (could be perlite, coconut fiber, expanded clay aggregate, vermiculite, or Rockwool)
• Nutrients
• Fertilizer
• Plants or seeds

If you are looking for a space-saving alternative, then you have to have grow bags. That is because they can be placed on a windowsill or a porch. In this post, we will tell you how to use grow bags, and to help you understand better, we will substantiate with an example. We will show you how you can grow tomatoes using grow bags.

Step 1

You have to take a typical 3-feet long grow bag that contains a slab of compressed cocopeat. That means you can grow 3-4 plants per grow bag. Since we want to grow three plants, we will make markings. Cut on the lines you made so that it flips when you open it. Also, you get a square-hole cut-out.

Step 2

The following step is to pass water through these grow bags. A submersible pump will be placed into this reservoir. This pump will pump the nutrients onto the irrigation/drip line to be dropped onto plants through drip emitters.

Step 3

For ideal drainage, make a 0.5-1 inch slit above the bags’ bottom surface. You can make 2-3 slits. It is covered on most sides; the water loss will be significantly less through the growing medium you use. You can finally transplant the seedlings from the pro tray to the bag.

Step 4

If you have not taken any form of hydroponic farming training in India, do not fret because we will tell you how to water your tomato plants. Though you can hand-water the plants for the initial weeks, it can get challenging later. Hence, we suggest installing a drip system and automating it. Here are the things you will need.

• End caps and tee joints
• Spaghetti tubes
• Drip tubes (usually 12mm)
• Reservoir
• Programmable timer
• Submersible pump

What is Dutch Bucket?

If you are a newbie to hydroponics, you may know very little about the Dutch Bucket. A Bato or Dutch bucket is a hydroponics system in which two or more growing containers are connected to the same drainage and irrigation lines. You can quickly get one from a hydroponics equipment supplier in India like Rise Hydroponics. Dutch bucket uses pipes for water supply like NFT. There will be one large reservoir/bucket that will hold nutrients and water. And, from this reservoir, the pumps will deliver nutrient water into the channels sitting at an angle.

How is it used?

Dutch buckets offer the most incredible versatility when you want to grow different kinds of plants. That is because you can use it both for aeroponic farming and hydroponics owing to its arrangement flexibility and customizable features. Building these buckets may be expensive, but they are long-lasting and you can operate them at any scale. Here is how you can install these buckets to grow fruits or veggies of your choice.

Choose a combination of perlite and hydroton to be inserted into 3-5 gallon buckets or bato buckets.

• Place plants inside the buckets and line them up in a row.

• Ensure that a water line runs from the reservoir’s water pump down the system’s length, with water channels coming off the waterline.

• The water line can constantly flow via the channels sitting at an angle. But, in the DWC system, a little bit of water is released every time to prevent the rotting or drowning of the plants.

What can be grown?

Both Dutch Bucket System and Grow bags let you grow a wide selection of fruits and veggies.  You can use them to cultivate young trees or plants with deeper roots that take up more space; those include eggplants, potatoes, squashes, cucumbers, pole beans, peppers, you name it.

Most vining plants like tomatoes are commonly grown with the help of Dutch Buckets and grow bags. In fact, the grow bags and Dutch Buckets are versatile to grow compact plants as well which means shallow roots like microgreens, herbs, spinach, and lettuce, can also be grown effortlessly.

Grow bag versus Dutch bucket

Grow Bags Pros

It can be used anywhere

When you wish to expand your garden space, you can use grow bags. One of the most significant advantages of grow bags is using those spaces you once considered unusable. Thus, if you have a small balcony apartment in your balcony or want to rent a yard, go ahead with a grow bag.

Promote healthier roots

Grow Bags encourage air pruning of the roots instead of root circling. In pots, you will see that plants entangle themselves by growing in circles. This overcrowding enhances the likelihood of water stagnation and aeration issues. As a result, the roots are constricted but grow bags alleviate this problem by air pruning the roots.

Control temperature

Since grow bags are made using breathable fabric, they can shed the excess heat through this fabric, a feature that is missing in pots as plastic pots trap heat and cook your crops.

Better storage after use

Where do you store your pots when you are not using them? Admit it if they become empty eyesores stacked up in the shed or on the back porch. On the other hand, Grow bags can be folded and stored with minimal space when you are not growing anything.

Are versatile

Grow bags come in most sizes and are lightweight. They come with built-in handles; hence you can move them to different locations. You can plant them in the ground directly to prevent transplant shocks.

Watering is seamless

The grow bags are porous. They do require frequent watering, but the bag’s fabric wicks out the excess moisture if you over water.

Some bags are biodegradable

Some grow bags biodegrade, so they will break down in soil if you plant them in the ground.

Grow Bags Cons

• Some grow bags are non-biodegradable
• You will have to water the plants more frequently.
• They are not as durable as the pots. You may have to replace them every 2-3 growing seasons.
• The grow bags can get heavy. Some may even weigh over 25 pounds, and you cannot move them around in that situation.
• The grow bags have to be continuously changed every time after they complete two cycles.

Dutch Bucket Pros

• The Dutch buckets can help grow multiple large plants at once.
• They are easy to set up and do not take up much space.
• They offer less work during water changes.
• The Dutch Bucket System is long-lasting.

• This system is more accessible when you address diseases and pests with individual plants. You can remove the affected plant and plug that water channel hose.

Dutch Bucket Cons

• Pests and diseases can spread quickly
• The water channels can clog
• The Dutch Bucket System is costly.

Final Verdict

With most hydroponic systems, it gets challenging to grow large plants. However, with Dutch Bucket System, that is not the case. We feel this system is very simple and versatile, making it one of the best hydroponics farming hobbyists. Thus, all you growers out there, buy your Dutch Buckets today and grow a lot of farm produce in a small space.

The post Grow bags VS Dutch Bucket appeared first on Rise Hydroponics.

Some of our favorite herb varieties are dwarf Basil, Thai Basil, Genovese basil, classic sweet Basil, and Red Rubin. While many of you may have tried growing them from cuttings and seeds, indoor gardening and hydroponics have made this herb a year-round feature.

Basil stands out from the other herbs because it loses much of its aroma and flavor when dried. Thus, we must use it fresh. It is easy to grow Basil outdoors, but there are few tips you need to keep in mind regarding the herb’s overall quality, essential oils, aromatics, and flavor.

In this blog, we will discuss the wide varieties of Basil you can grow with hydroponics. Besides, we will also discuss the benefits of hydroponically grown Basil.

Types of Basil you can grow

The hydroponics style of crop farming does exceptionally well for herbs like Basil. That is because Basil can be quickly harvested and is also compact. Multiple hydroponics systems are ideal for growing herbs as the hydroponics system uses a sterile medium of growth. If you have clay pellets or rock wool to anchor your herb and keep them upright, you are good to go.

There are no two ways about people considering Basil a beautiful candidate for hydroponics. That is because it takes very well to this system of cultivation and proliferates. With optimal conditions, you can begin basil harvesting in just 28 days using a hydroponics system. But, just like with other plants, some varieties grow better with this soilless farming technique. Some are specialty types, some grow slow, and some grow fast. Let us learn about each of them.

The specialty basils

Many of the specialty basil varieties are ideal for hydroponics farming. These varieties have different shaped leaves, colors and are known for their exciting aromas and flavors.

Greek: Spicy and the Pluto varieties have a spicier flavor. These two have much smaller leaves, are more compact than the Genovese varieties.

Lettuce Leaf: The Tuscany type falls under this category and offers large leaves that resemble lettuce. Plants of this type are complete and compact.

Citrus: This basil type has a mild citrusy and lemony aroma. Leaves have a silvery green color.

Thai/Asian: The Thai/Asian category is a popular one. It is spicier. The basil plant is tall, with large leaves and most of the varieties grow fast.

Purple/Red: these kinds are characterized by purple/red leaves. Dark Opal is known for its ruffled leaves and fast growth, while improved Amethyst offers the classic leaf shape of Genovese Basil.

The large leaf Italian Compact Basil

Rutgers Obsession DMR

This Basil offers excellent resistance against Fusarium and downy mildew. It is compact, features slow bolting, and delivers high yields. The flavor is spicier and earthier than the classic Genovese types.

Slow growing Basils

Improved Genovese Compact:

This one is compact, full, features large cupped leaves, and has the classic aroma.

Everleaf

Everleaf is a highly dense basil variety featuring medium-large leaves. It is known for its consistent growth, cupped leaves, and classic flavor. This type is very slow to bolt.

Prospera Compact

This basil type offers resistance against downy mildew and Fusarium. It is known for its classic aroma, cupped leaves, glossy, and is extensive.

Elidia

This basil kind is a full-plant with consistent growth, features large cupped leaves, and has the classic aroma. 

Most hydroponics gardeners prefer the fast-growing basil varieties because of their high and quick yields. But, if you desire to go out of your comfort zone, have patience, and want to grow different kinds of the popular herb, we say go for it. That is because the specialty and the slow-growing varieties are going to be worth your while.

Steps to grow Basil hydroponically

Growing Basil is not difficult at all. But it does require ongoing maintenance and supervision. Here are a few vital tips for success when you are attempting to grow hydroponics Basil.

Proper air circulation

When you grow hydroponic herbs like Basil, ensure that the atmosphere has humidity in healthy amounts. But, also make sure that the air does not become stagnant as that can cause mildew.

Keep circulating the air around your plants. Get an excellent fan to do that; do not let the humidity percentage get higher than 60 percent in your greenhouse.

Spacing

Space your basil plants at least 5-6 inches apart. Keeping such a distance allows for incredible airflow. We recommend applying neem oil if the greenhouse has high humidity. Using neem oil will prevent fungal problems that may spread quickly.

Propagation

The basil plant is propagated from its seeds that you can obtain in pelleted and raw form. For successful germination, maintain warm conditions with 75 degrees Fahrenheit and use Rockwool blocks for propagation. Ensure that the growing media’s surface is not too wet by taking care of the watering needs in the early phases after germination.

Prune with shears

To keep your Basil in top shape, prune it regularly. We recommend daily monitoring since Basil grows too fast, especially if you intend to sell your Basil in the market. Begin pruning after the development of a second leaf node to start the process of branching. Remove dry leaves that have not received enough light. This step ensures that only the healthiest leaves remain. Continue cutting the branches as young Basil matures to keep the plant’s shape even and compact.

Choose the perfect hydroponics solution

Which hydroponics solution works great for Basil? For the herb to thrive, you need a solution that is high in potassium, calcium, and nitrogen.

Right pH for your hydroponics Basil

Besides optimal growing conditions for your Basil, aim for a pH of 5.8- 6.2.

Daily light integral

Basil performs very well with high levels of heat. Thus maintain 12 μ m2 per day. You can go higher on the light integral as well.

Light

Maintain 14 hours of light each day. For people propagating Basil during the winter, you can support your crops with massive LED grow lights. These lights will help provide sufficient light and control ambient temperature.

Benefits of hydroponics Basil

Reduces anxiety and stress

Basil plants function as an adaptogen, as per multiple reports. An adaptogen helps to enhance mental balance and adjust to stress. Evidence also shows that Basil helps the body to cope with various forms of stress.

Aids digestion

Basil has anti-inflammatory effects that work against gastrointestinal conditions like celiac diseases and lactose intolerance. Digestive inflammation swells inside the intestinal wall, allowing toxins to pass through penetrable barriers into the blood.

Fights inflammation

Basil is an excellent anti-inflammatory herb. Inflammation, as you know, is the root cause of every chronic disease. Essential oils in Basil help in cooling down inflammation.

May fight cancer

This plant-based herb can fight against cancer. Some studies have also stated that the phytochemicals in Basil naturally help to prevent cancer.

It has antibacterial properties

Basil does the trick if you are looking for natural ways to boost the immune system or beat off pre-existing infections. The extract from Basil helps in inhibiting bacteria’s resistant strains that are non-responsive to antibiotics.

CONCLUSION

Hydroponics is a great way to grow this warm-weather crop. And, hydroponics Basil tastes so much better than those that grow in soil; because of the liquid fertilizers that provide the much-needed boost. Besides, it is truly unique how this tiny little herb helps fight health issues. We say never underestimate nature’s power. Growing hydroponics Basil is fun, easy, and quick as well. It is one of the best ways to add the freshest flavor to your meals. So, go ahead, plant your Basil and convert your hobby of gardening into profits. Also, if there is anything you would like us to add, then do not forget to comment down below.

The post Types Of Basil And Its Benefits When Grown With Hydroponics appeared first on Rise Hydroponics.

What’s Indian food without turmeric? It adds a rich aroma and color to Indian dishes – and makes them easy to digest! It’s no wonder that turmeric is an extremely popular crop for farmers. New-age growers love to grow turmeric hydroponically to improve their yields.

But is it a good plant for hydroponics? Let’s find out!

Why Grow Turmeric Hydroponically

Do you know why turmeric is so abundantly found in the subcontinent? That’s because it is a heat-loving plant that’s also perennial in nature. It is also excellent for hydroponics, and most growers prefer to farm it vertically, in stacked layers without soil.

Studies show that hydroponic farming can generate more yields than conventional agricultural methods. You can expect anything between 9.3 and 12.7 times improvement, as long as you provide proper warmth and humidity in a controlled environment!

Do you know the best part? With hydroponics, you don’t need to worry about soil-borne diseases that commonly affect rhizomes like turmeric. Wouldn’t you want to eliminate all problems that can affect the yield – especially after all the hard work you will put in?

Are you planning to go for large-scale production of turmeric? Then a non-soil growth medium is ideal for your plan. The multiple rhizomes produced by turmeric need a lot of room to grow properly – and only a soft medium like rock wool or perlite can provide it.

Soil does not offer the same stability or support. A horizontal growth system with a non-soil medium in a plastic bag and a nutrient solution fed through drip irrigation – that’s what can bring you prolific growth when you grow turmeric hydroponically. 

Best Conditions for Growing Turmeric Hydroponically

When grown properly, turmeric can be an absolute goldmine. But, for that, you need to be extremely careful about the growing conditions. Let’s take a look!

a) Light

For the best growth of your turmeric crops, the light required should be of 400-700 nm spectrum. It is known as Photosynthetically Active Radiation, i.e., PAR. A LED grow light can help you adjust this. But remember to provide this light to the plant for 11 hours.

b) Humidity

The ideal humidity required for the hydroponic growth of turmeric is 70-90%. Otherwise, the leaves of the plants, especially the old ones, develop burn tips. Fun fact: when you grow turmeric plants close to each other, they will create a humid environment for themselves.

c) Temperature

We have already told you that turmeric thrives well in the heat. That’s why it grows so well in the summery months of May and June. For best results, you need to maintain a temperature range of 80-90 F, or 26-32 C – and going below that will result in slow growth rates.

d) EC and pH Levels

For your turmeric plants to grow and thrive, you need a nutrient solution with an EC (electrical conductivity) of 2.2-2.6. On the other hand, the pH level should range between 5.8 and 6, which is considered a good pH balance for hydroponic rhizome farming.   

e) Nutrients    

Your turmeric plants need food just like you do! There are three categories of nutrients that your turmeric crops will need. The plants will derive oxygen, carbon, and hydrogen from air and water. Other nutrients required are –

a)    Macronutrients

• Nitrogen
• Potassium
• Phosphorus

b)    Micronutrients

• Manganese
• Iron
• Zinc
• Copper
• Cobalt
• Molybdenum
• Boron

c)    Secondary Nutrients

• Magnesium
• Calcium
• Sulphur 

In conventional farming, the crops will derive these nutrients from the soil. But don’t forget that your plan is to grow them without soil. So it’s upon you to provide the nutrients through the solutions you’ll feed the plants.

Steps to Grow Turmeric Hydroponically

You now know the basics of hydroponic turmeric farming. Now let’s take a quick look at the steps you must follow.

1. Find a bumpy mother rhizome with at least two eyes.
2. Place it in water for a day in a warm environment to sprout it.
3. Cut it into 5-15cm pieces, each weighing about 5-7g, keeping the buds whole.
4. Put cocopeat and perlite(20%)/clay balls in a metallic trough or grow bags.
5. For sufficient space, provide an area of 2 ft x 2 ft x 1 ft (W x B x H).
6. Plant the pieces in the growth medium, cm apart, with the buds facing up.
7. To accommodate more crops, you can plant them in a zigzag format.
8. Provide 400-700nm light for approximate 11 hours using a grow light.

Also Read : What is Hydroponics, and how is it the future of farming?

Conclusion

Plants are no different from taking care of a dog. Depending on the species or the temperature, they need different conditions. You have to be careful about the nutrients you give them and when and how you feed them.

The same goes for turmeric. You can grow it hydroponically for large-scale production. It’s easy to grow, even for commercial use. All you need is to ensure that you follow the right steps and provide your crops with proper growing conditions in which they can thrive!

The post How to Grow Turmeric Hydroponically? appeared first on Rise Hydroponics.

Ayurvedic herbs have multiple health benefits and they are time-tested. Spices and herbs like sandalwood, turmeric (haldi), basil (tulsi), aloe (ghritkumari), and black pepper (kali mirch) are used to treat boils and sores.

Would you believe that they are at par with allopathic medicines in curing autoimmune diseases and cancer? Well, not many of us are aware, but ayurvedic crops are nutritive and self-contained in nature. They are harmless and non-toxic. 

They have special healing powers and induce no side effects at all. If you want to rejuvenate the entire system instead of just healing one body part, you need ayurvedic herbs in your life.

But, did you know that you can grow them hydroponically? People worldwide are growing medicinal plants on a commercial scale with the help of hydroponics farming at home.  Read on to know everything about that.

Ayurvedic/medical plants that can be grown hydroponically

Have you ever spent time with herbs and plants to understand their nature? Ayurvedic herbs and plants have specific qualities. They have the power to treat different kinds of diseases and ailments. Ginger (adrak), elaichi (cardamom), pepper, tulsi, turmeric, and pepper are used for multiple home remedies.

These ayurvedic herbal plants hold a strong ground not only because they do not pose any side effects but also because they are synchronized with nature. If we choose between synthetic medicines and chemicals, we will choose ayurvedic herbs over any drug.

Today with the help of soilless farming in India, you can grow flavorful spices and various other expensive and exotic herbs. We recommend creating a tropical oasis to grow spices like chili, curry leaf (curry patta), turmeric, lime leaf, lemongrass, cardamom, and ginger.

The long term-plants

With the help of hydroponics equipment suppliers in India, you can grow longer-term plants. These plants are the ones that produce rhizomes. Kaffir lime, turmeric, galangal, and ginger use shallow or deep media beds. Saffron, on the other hand, uses free-draining beds.

Did you know? Most exotic plants and spices can be hydroponically grown in subtropical and tropical climates. They are not fussy about the length of the day, but they do prefer heat. Most species of ginger, cardamom, curry leaf, chilies, and turmeric desire warmth throughout the year.

Spices

If you wish to grow lemongrass, sliced galangal, fresh adrak, and kaffir lime leaves, then you can grow them in a small space. But, you have to keep them compact and trimmed. For those who love their spicy curries laden with chilies, turmeric, and curry leaves, we have good news for you. Yes, you can grow them in containers too, but you need a bit more space than your average herb garden.

The rhizome family

There is nothing easier than ginger when you consider hydroponics farming at home. All you have to do is buy healthy, fresh rhizomes from the store and sow them into a damp hydroponics medium. Use the best quality hydroponics nutrients like coconut fiber at 77-86 degrees Fahrenheit.

The knobbly buds will grow into new shoots from the rhizome within no time. To get your first harvest of the large rhizomes, you only have to wait for 12-18 months.

Add more growing media to the plant’s base to increase the harvested product’s quality and yield. You can apply hydroponics nutrients solutions at an EC of 2.2-2.6 but using a bloom or fruiting formulation.

You can grow turmeric hydroponically in a similar manner to ginger as well.

Brahmi

Scientifically called Bacopa Monnieri, this traditional ayurvedic medicine helps to treat inflammatory ailments and enhance memory.

A computer applications postgraduate used hydroponics setup to grow this plant. He obtained impressive results. According to him, the venture turned out to be a successful one because instead of polyhouse farming, he used a greenhouse.

After his successful stint with Brahmi, he started growing everything – from coriander to garlic and onions.

Saffron

Most of you have used this delicate, expensive spice that adds both a distinctive color and flavor to many of your dishes. It is commercially grown as an outdoor crop where cheap labor and suitable climate are available. That is because processing and harvesting the flowers is quite challenging.

Today, you can grow saffron, a small-scale, easy hydroponics crop by buying readily obtainable saffron bulbs. The crocus of saffron grows from a corm (rounded bulb), which after vegetative growth and flowering, multiplies by producing multiple daughter corms.

Store these corms in a planted out, dry place when your hydroponics setup is ready. Keep 4-5 inches of spacing and 1.5-2 inches deep in a tray of sterile, free-draining growing media like perlite mixed with coconut fiber.

Use a hydroponics grow room to maintain moisture and temperature conditions for flowering. An indoor grow room will also keep weeds, wind, rain, and moisture at bay.

Aloe Vera

Aloe vera is used to treat scrapes and cuts besides other small injuries on the skin. When you want to grow it hydroponically, you have to use ammonia and nitrate forms in the nutrient solutions. A balance between nitrate and ammonium will favor the growth of the plant.

Growing Requirements

If you wish to have an effective but simple hydroponics garden that grows Ayurvedic crops, follow this step-by-step guide.

Seed mix:

Get a seed mix that comprises macronutrients, micro, cotton, coco peat, and coconut coir. This mix will also have compost in trace amounts to nourish the plants’ growth. Water it continuously so that it does not dry. Once the plants reach the desired height, transfer them to a hydroponics system.

Hydroponic setup:

Get hold of a rectangular tank with two holes. These two holes will have the nutrient solution and water respectively. You have to suspend the plants from the top baskets. The baskets will have to have large pores so that the roots of the plants reach the solution.

Connect the holes with an air pump for aeration. With the help of the supporting medium and external aeration, your plants will get nutrients.

Growth media:

Growth media is the inert media that will not provide nutrients to your plant but will help the plant roots grow. Gravel, scoria, sand, crushed granite, expanded clay, LECA, vermiculite, perlite, and rockwool are some growth media.

• This growth media will increase drainage and aeration
• It will prevent infestations of roots
• It will retain adequate water and oxygen

Support and shelter:

The shelter for your hydroponics system will depend on the cultivation type you will carry out. You will require a large area if you want commercial production. Make supporting arrangements based on the plant type you want to grow and one that helps in increased yield.

Temperature and humidity:

High temperatures accelerate the growth of plants, which further increases the plant’s water needs.  Ideally, turmeric and ginger prefer 70-90 percent humidity in air. If you grow them in densely planted, large clumps, you can create a microclimate for them in the form of humidity. We recommend getting a damp growth medium.

Nutrients

If you are growing turmeric and ginger, then you need nutrient solutions at an EC of 2.2-2.6. Maintain the pH levels around 5.7-5.8 to maximize the uptake of nutrients.

Pro tip: When you switch bloom formulation and fruiting at higher EC, it will intensify the aroma and flavor profile of rhizomes.

Wrapping up

Did this blog encourage you to freshly harvest ayurvedic herbs in your hydroponics garden? Why not? After all, freshly produced crops will pack a powerful punch with their bioactive compounds and flavor. Besides, all of these crops will be super attractive and fun to grow. So let us all shake a few things up this year and give hydroponics farming a try!

The post Benefits of growing Ayurvedic herbs through hydroponics in India appeared first on Rise Hydroponics.

Let us just put it this way: lettuce and hydroponics are a match made in heaven. Ask anyone, and they will tell you that lettuce is the first veggie that comes to their mind whenever they think of hydroponics.

Lettuce and leafy greens especially suit the hydroponics systems perfectly. Are you a beginner at hydroponics farming at home? We recommend starting with lettuce. There is nothing fancy or tricky about growing the incredibly versatile, watery, and crisp vegetable.

With the help of hydroponics in India, it is now super easy to grow lettuce. Once grown, you can use it in salads, top your juicy burgers, and even use it in place of bread. Do you see how we can use it for so many things?

In this blog, you will learn a lot about growing lettuce – from all that it needs for better growth and the best hydroponics system to produce it. If you are all set to learn, read on.

Things to know about how to grow lettuce hydroponically

Naturally, lettuce develops leaves real quick but growing it hydroponically makes it grow even faster. The technique of this soilless farming in India contributes to the faster growth of lettuce. You will achieve high yields and a complete harvest in just 45-85 days.

This leafy vegetable will not reach the flowering stage. Thus, all you require are simple nutrient solutions that you need not change throughout the growing season. Grow them from saplings or seedlings, and believe us when we say that you do not need any hydroponics farming training in India.

With hydroponics farming at home, you can save water by lowering the evaporation. This efficiency makes the hydroponics system one of the ideal ways to grow healthy and sustainable lettuce. There are many other things we are about to share below, so keep reading.

Our top 5 tips

1. Choose the best type

Most varieties of lettuce suit different hydroponics systems. Therefore, you must ensure that the type you choose works well for you.

Go for the loose-leaf varieties as you pick their leaves individually. The leaves will re-grow later, extending the season of harvest.

2. Ensure there is proper lighting

Hydroponics lettuce will not require too much lighting. 10-14 hours of light will do the trick. However, make sure you are not exposing them to excessive sunlight because it could bitter the leaves. The quality of light affects the red leaf lettuce varieties, and you may have to add supplementary lighting.

3. Choose the ideal hydroponics system

Choose the ideal hydroponics system to grow your lettuce. The Kratky Method is considered the best because it is easier and cheaper to set up.

4. Choose the suitable space

Decide on whether you want to grow your lettuce outdoors or indoors. Hydroponics is more common indoors and in greenhouses. Remember that lettuce cannot stand strong light. Thus, if you are growing it indoors and are using led grow lights, you will need blue light in abundance. Space limitations also limit the lettuce growth options.

The thing to know: No matter what, keep in mind that lettuce is a fast-growing veggie. It has specific needs. You cannot keep it in hot places or areas that receive sunlight all through the day. Excess light causes the edges to burn.

Wondering why your lettuce tastes bitter? Here is what went wrong:

Lastly, lettuce also tastes bitter when it is aged. When you see this happening, plant and harvest a new seedling.

5. Choose the right temperature

Lettuce will always thrive in cooler temperatures. Warm temperatures cause flowering, and the plant tastes better.

Pro tips:

• If your grow lights are throwing off excess light on your lettuce heads, turn the thermostat down. You can give some space to the plants by changing the grow light’s height.
• Boost the levels of nitrogen – our nutrient solution to fix the problem of bitterness.
• Feed the plant adequate amounts of water so the leaves are fuller and sweeter.

Different types of lettuce and what they need for better growth

There are more than a thousand lettuce varieties being grown today. But, we have some very interesting and popular varieties that you can grow hydroponically.

Lollo Rosso

Lollo lettuce is frilly, has wide leaves with a loosehead.

Little Gem

The Little Gem is a combination of Romaine and Butterhead lettuce. This lettuce type has a thin stalk at the center, is not too crunchy but very juicy.

Romain (classic and red)

Romaine lettuce has long leaves. The texture of this lettuce is crisp and it is mildly sweet in flavour. Mid ribs of the classic lettuce are juicy and crunchy. Because of the higher content of chlorophyll, romaine lettuce is considered the most nutritious. Red romaine lettuce can be grown quickly. This red tip lettuce produces excellent yields in no time.

Butterhead Lettuce

This lettuce variety has slightly ruffled, velvety, and bright green leaves.

Arugula

Arugula is one of the easiest lettuces to grow, and you can use any hydroponics setup to grow it. The plants of the Arugula lettuce add a peppery/tangy flavour to your meals. You can plant this lettuce all through the year using grow lights and hydroponics.

After learning about these varieties, you must be yearning to grow your own. Just take care of the following things.

Light Requirements

The hours of light your lettuce will need will depend on the light you use and how close you keep the lights to your plant. Understand the optimal light requirements of your plant. Daily light integral or DLI measures the light. You calculate your DLI by measuring the photon flux density (photosynthetic). The DLI only indicates how much light plants need at a particular wavelength.

For lettuce, you do not have to worry about the optimum or perfect light cycle but enough lighting that will keep the plant healthy.

Nutrient Requirements

The hydroponics lettuce needs nutrient solutions of high quality to thrive and survive. You can make this nutrient solution by striking a balance between purified water and hydroponics nutrients when mixing both. Lettuce needs nitrogen in abundance to grow as nitrogen helps with leaf or foliar growth.

We recommend getting a hydroponics mix that has all the essential micro and macronutrients. Ensure that calcium levels are also correct in the nutrient mix because lettuce is prone to deficiency of calcium as a result of which the leaf tips burn.

Temperature requirements

Maintain a minimum temperature of 10-20 degrees Celsius, and maintain ventilation temperatures between 16-26 degrees Celsius for cool and warm treatments.

pH requirements

Hydroponics lettuce must be grown in a narrow pH range. Try to maintain a pH of 5.5-6.0 with 5.8 as the optimal value. We recommend fertilizing the hydroponics lettuce with 100-150 ppm N during germination.

Growth medium requirements

The hydroponics lettuce has its root growth directly in the water. Therefore, you need to use a medium that enables the sprouting of the seedlings. You can germinate the seedlings of lettuce in a wide selection of mediums. Phenolic foam and stone wool are some of the most common mediums for lettuce seedlings germination.

Types of hydroponics system for lettuce

The hydroponics setup you will use for the growth of lettuce will solely depend on your growing needs. For large-scale commercial production of lettuce, the most common hydroponics systems used are the Dutch Bucket System, the Nutrient Film Technique, the Deep Water Culture, and the Kratky Method.

Ebb and Flow

Also called the flood and drain system. In this system, you flood the root zone of the plants with nutrient solution and drain it back into the reservoir.

DWC

Deep Water Culture consists of nutrient solution in large amounts. This solution lies inside constructed tanks and ponds. For DWC, you need a pump for water circulation and an air pump for pond aeration. Large volumes of water ensure safety from rapid nutrient and temperature changes.

NFT

Your plants in the NFT system will grow in the shallow channels with constant nutrient circulation in the zone of roots. Channel sloping permits the draining of water back into the reservoir.

Kratky Method

Kratky Method is the simplest method to use and set up. It does not require air pumps, water pumps, or even electricity. This hydroponics system bears excellent results for the lettuce growers.

Best hydroponics system for lettuce

Having arrived at the end of this blog, you must be waiting to know the best hydroponics system for lettuce.

Well, we would like to give the “best” title to the Kratky Method. In essence, it is a pump-less Deep Water Culture method. Though DWC is easy and simple to build, it loses to the Kratky Method in terms of ease and capital

The Kratky Method is way cheaper and more manageable. That is because you do not have to invest money to buy electronic devices requiring electricity to run those devices.

This method lets you “set and forget”. Plants do things on their own until the harvesting phase arrives. The system is entirely passive and requires no wick, pumps or electricity.

Also Read : What are the different hydroponic system?

Another plus of this system is that you do not have to change nutrients in the reservoir as often. So, go ahead with this low-maintenance technique of indoor farming in India that can work for weeks on its own.

Conclusion

Plants that have a fast-growing rate, especially lettuce, can grow best with the Kratky system. Trust us when we say that there is no method as relaxing and simple as this one. If you wish to learn how to set up a Kratky process visually, read our previous blogs. And, if you find this blog helpful, please pin, tweet, and share it with your friends.

The post How to Grow Lettuce Hydroponically? appeared first on Rise Hydroponics.

Fact 1: An Overdose of nutrients can be seen in the form of symptoms such as nutrient burn, salt build-up, and even plant death in a few cases.

I am sure you don’t want these issues to occur. After all, setting up a hydroponics farm in itself takes a lot of effort, and you don’t want your hard work to get disrupted by a simple human error!!

So, what is the solution?

The answer to this issue is the usage of automated dosing systems. They are here to reduce human errors and the manual workload of nutrient management (measuring, dosing, testing pH, temperature, and EC).

Let us now know how it works and what benefits it can reap for you.

How does it work

The automatic dosing system has a brain box with pH, and conductivity meters dipped in the nutrient reservoir. Start by setting the target TDS and pH, and leave the doser to do the rest. The system uses peristaltic pumps for sucking the nutrient concentrate from each bottle. These nutrients are then dripped into the reservoir. There is also a circulating pump that stirs the solution. The conductivity is then again tested by the doser, and the process can be repeated if required. The nutrient solution’s pH is also checked on a periodic basis, and the pH adjuster liquid is dosed as and when needed.

Benefits

It saves time and money

An average grower spends around 15 to 30 minutes a day for testing and correcting the pH, EC levels, and other nutrients. But when you start using the auto dosing system, you can easily save this time. Want to know how much you save? Just multiply that time with the wages being paid to a system manager and add it to the lifetime of dosing unit. That is your ultimate and saving potential!!

And what’s more! Precise dosing also reduces the waste and excess use of materials. You use only the specific amounts as per requirement and thus save on water and plant nutrients.

All in all, you save MONEY!!!

Reduced human errors

When tasks such as pH, EC, and temperature readings, and nutrient monitoring are done manually, then there is a chance of error. The person may over-dose or even underdose the system. But, Auto-dosing systems can prevent costly events like crop loss caused due to human error. And the result will be increased yield.

Fact: Nitrogen toxicity is one of the major issues in hydroponics. It can easily stress your plants and cause issues such as extremely dark leaves, Burning of leaf tips, and their turning into yellow.

Good quality crop

When you start using the Auto-dosing system, then the crops always have a consistent size, appearance, color, texture as well as flavor. This is sure to enhance the grower’s reputation in the market place. What else can you ask for?

Saves space

By the use of Auto-dosing system you can easily mix water with nutrients directly. It thus saves a lot of space as there is no need to store oversized water tanks. Also, there is no need for you to setup a mixing tank as well.

Parting words

In short, Automatic dosing systems are here to power a new generation of hydroponic growers in India as well as abroad. So, what are you waiting for? Reap its benefits and improve your market reputation.

The post 5 Reasons You Need To Invest On Automated Dosing Systems On Your Farm appeared first on Rise Hydroponics.

After all, hydroponic farming doesn’t need soil and acres and acres of land. You can feed your plants by adding nutrients to water solutions. Everything from climate to water will be under your control. But which are the best hydroponic vegetables in India?

Let’s find out!

Best Indian Vegetables to Grow Hydroponically

Do you want to build your own vegetable garden on your balcony? Wouldn’t you love to have a stock of fresh veggies grown in your own backyard to put in your dishes or sell to a local eatery? Hydroponics is the perfect way to do that without the mess of soil. 

Here’s a list of Indian vegetables to grow hydroponically.

a) Spinach

Do you know why there’s an abundance of spinach-based delicacies at home in winter? That’s because it’s a cool-weather crop – and it will respond well to lower temperatures and less light. Spinach is one of the best crops to grow hydroponically, giving you 3 months of harvesting! 

b) Ginger

Contrary to spinach, ginger grows well in a warm and humid environment. It is also well-suited for the protected farming process of hydroponics. Are you planning to be a commercial hydroponic grower? Then ginger might be the right crop for you – with plenty of research materials available to help you.

c) Tomato

Technically, tomato might be a fruit – but in the culinary world, especially in India, it is a vegetable, a flavoring agent, and the base of many curries. With plenty of light and a drip hydroponic system, you can enjoy an all-year yield. No wonder tomato is a commonly grown hydroponic crop! 

d) Basil

Basil is not just a popular herb growing in every Indian house. It’s also an excellent crop for your hydroponic growth, giving you a fresh harvest every week! Plus, it doesn’t demand much space or time. All it needs is a drip hydroponic system – along with 9-11 hours of sunlight for prolific growth.

e) Cucumber

For commercial hydroponic growers, cucumber is a popular crop. It is environmentally friendly and shows rapid growth, giving you high yields when you grow it with a drip hydroponic system. But you will have to provide lots of light and a high temperature to the plant to boost your crop’s growth!

f) Beans

Different bean varieties grow in India, like yardlong beans, French beans, lima beans, etc. They’re extremely productive, without too much maintenance. Once the seeds start to germinate within a week, you need to provide the crops filtered sunlight to begin harvesting within 6-8 weeks. What’s more, you can harvest for another 3-4 months! 

g) Radish

Radish is a versatile vegetable that goes into salads and bread. It’s also one of the favorites among hydroponic growers as it’s easy to grow! You’ll see the seedlings within 7 days of planting, and the plants will flourish in cool temperatures with low light. They grow fast in deep water culture hydroponics. 

h) Kale

Health-conscious Indians swear by kale, a source of nutrients. This makes it a great plant for you to grow commercially – and you can get an incredible yield with hydroponics, even as a beginner. All you need to do is provide cool temperatures – and you’ll see it thrive in the water culture system!  

i) Capsicum

Capsicum is a delicious addition to any dish, making it everyone’s favourite. Naturally, you’ll get lots of takers if you grow it on a large scale hydroponically. You’ll need a combination of warmth, sunlight, and a drip hydroponic system. The temperature must rise during the night and drop during the day.   

j) Peppermint

Mint has a record of growing well in the soil system and hydroponics. This aromatic, healthy herb has roots that proliferate, which is why hydroponics is ideal for it. You will need to give it full sunlight – and the seedlings will appear within 16 days. Mint plants grow rapidly and provide harvests every 3-4 weeks.   

k) Okra

Okra, popularly known as lady finger in India, is another crop that responds well to hydroponic farming. It also has beautiful flowers. It grows well in a warm season and indoor cultivation. The warmer the season, the better okra will grow! It matures within 50-65 days after sprouting and produces pods for 6 weeks.

l) Bitter Gourd

A versatile crop added to the start of Indian meals, bitter gourd is a creeping vine. So your hydroponic arrangement should support this type of crop. Deep water culture hydroponics and nutrient film technique are the best for bitter gourd. The green bitter gourds are ready to harvest 12-16 weeks after plantation. 

m) Cabbage

Cabbage is fairly easy to grow hydroponically. It only needs proper light for good growth. Floating raft beds produce larger cabbage heads than tote systems do. Cabbage is an excellent crop for outdoor growth and can handle drops in temperature quite well. It’s ideal to grow them in the shade during hot and humid seasons.  

Potential of Hydroponics in India

The first thing we think about while discussing hydroponics is the magic of farming without soil. After all, even NASA has been experimenting with hydroponics aboard space stations. It only needs you to direct air, water, and nutrients to the root zone. 

This contemporary technology has shown great promise and is becoming more popular in India. It’s more popular in the urban regions, mainly in the startup sector. Here’s why:

1. It doesn’t need soil – and is the perfect solution to contamination and infertility.
2. It gives you complete control over humidity, light, heat, airflow, etc.
3. It allows recirculation of the water and prevents wastage of run-off water.
4. It allows you to monitor and feed the required amounts of nutrients to plants.
5. It solves the problem of space limitation and works in any location.

Do you know the best part? Since you are fully in charge of the conditions and optimize everything from light to nutrients to air for the best plant growth, you’ll see faster growth! It seems that hydroponics is the answer to the rising demand for food around the world.

Final Words:

There’s plenty of scope to succeed with hydroponics in India. All you need is to start with the right vegetables. Of course, you will need to pay attention to your setup, as well, like the hydroponic system, the solution being used, etc.

So take a plunge – and enjoy the magic of farming – in your balcony, roof, or balcony!

The post Best Indian Vegetables to Grow Hydroponically appeared first on Rise Hydroponics.

But what is Hydroponics farming? And why is it suddenly so popular around the world? We have all the answers you’re looking for. Read on to understand more about growing plants hydroponically.

How are Plants Grown Hydroponically?

Hydroponics farming simply means growing plants in nutrient-rich water. This might sound unusual. But here’s how it is done:

Why is Hydroponics Farming the Future of Agriculture?

As per the above figure, during 2018, its market size was valued at USD 1.33 billion/ And this is expected to grow at a CAGR of 22.52% by 2025. Also, the Hydroponics market has been segmented into cucumber, tomato, lettuce, pepper, herbs, and others (cannabis, berries, fruits, and leafy vegetables). Tomato covers more than 30 per cent of the total market share.

All the developed and developing countries hold a significant market share, which will continue to grow. TWith a rapidly growing population, the demand for food is also increasing. Conventional farming methods have failed to match this growing demand. This is because over time, as the same soil is used to grow crops, again and again, it turns infertile. Other climatic and logistical issues also often destroy the produce.his makes Hydroponics the fastest growing food cultivation method.

Reasons for this tremendous growth of Hydroponics farming

Reduces dependence on nature

What if your living region has no natural conditions to support a particular crop? Your region’s soil might not be rich enough or of the right type for specific plants. What if the weather turns dreary, preventing you from farming? In India’s Western Ghats region in January 2021, farmers suffered heavy losses due to unexpected rainfall. Hydroponics farming has a solution for all such constraints.

As Hydroponics farming provides artificial nutrients, climate or region don’t affect your choice of crop.  This comes in handy, especially considering the varying climate conditions of India. And with global warming turning nature more and more unpredictable, the Hydroponics technique is a true blessing for farmers.

Can feed a large population

With a rapidly growing population, the demand for food is also increasing. Conventional farming methods have failed to match this growing demand. This is because over time, as the same soil is used to grow crops, again and again, it turns infertile. Other climatic and logistical issues also often destroy the produce.

But Hydroponics farming alleviates those issues. There’s no soil, so the question of it turning infertile due to repeated planting is moot. And since Hydroponics plants depend little on external climatic conditions, you can have plenty of produce at all times. Also, according to the UN, plants in the Hydroponics system have a 20-25% higher yield than those in conventional farming. Hydroponics farming, therefore, can surely meet rising demands all year round.

Fewer Pests

One of the biggest headaches for a farmer is saving his crop from pests. Irrespective of the seed quality, no crop can grow well without pest control. The problem doesn’t end there. Even if you run pest control, they return. Pests alone damage 30-35% of the annual crop yield in India (ICAR).

Hydroponics has an inbuilt solution for this. As it’s done in a neutral environment, the possibility of pests is significantly less. No pests usually survive on root-support mediums used in Hydroponics. So the number of pests that can plague a Hydroponics garden is far less than those that plague the soil. Lack of pests makes sures that the crop is of better quality.

Saves water

Thousands across India lack access to drinking water. So we absolutely can’t afford to waste it. But unfortunately, in India, agriculture uses more than 80% of the surface water. It’s time for our farming to become water-efficient too. Thankfully, with Hydroponics farming, there is a glimmer of hope.

Hydroponics farming is focused on providing nutrients through water. A medium like clay can retain moisture to a large extent. So the use of water reduces automatically. Moreover, a closed Hydroponics system guarantees little to no evaporation. All the water used in Hydroponics farming is recycled, resulting in minimal water wastage.

Space-efficient

The reason farmers need large land spaces is that plants can’t be too close to each other. Plants’ roots need to spread afar to absorb water and nutrients from the soil. But in a world already suffocating due to lack of open space, such traditional farming increases trouble.

Hydroponically grown plants don’t spread their roots because they have all the nutrients they need in their spot. In such a system, therefore, more plants can grow in a compact space. According to the UN, Hydroponics farming increases the yield 2-5 times.

Conclusion

These benefits of Hydroponics farming make it incredibly sustainable. So as a farmer, it’s time you start looking at Hydroponics as an alternative to an inefficient, traditional farming system. Get in touch with us to learn how to get your hands on the latest Hydroponics technology and bring this revolutionary method to your home.

The post What is Hydroponics, and how is it the future of farming? appeared first on Rise Hydroponics.

Thing to know: Hydroponics primarily relies on delivering a solution enriched with nutrients to the plants. Here the plant roots are submerged in the solution. Aeroponics on the other hand, involves growing the plants in an aerial environment in the absence of a growing medium. Plant roots in aeroponics are sprayed with nutrient-enriched water and the farming happens in a controlled environment without any exterior fluctuations, like climate or weather.

Different but similar, how?

Both aeroponics and hydroponics require water, they are different from one another and offer several benefits. Hydroponics is uses an inert medium that helps in holding the plants, when water gushes over the roots. While aeroponics secures the plants making using of exclusive clips.

Thing to know:With aeroponics, you have to suspend the roots in air, gently mist it and fog with spray nozzles for nutrient delivery to the plants. When plants are regularly misted in aeroponics system, they are prone to experience death and dryness. Plant set up for both the systems are substantially different.

Is aeroponics better?

Aeroponics can be your go-to because of the advantages mentioned below.

Less consumption of water

Hydroponics is the most preferred because the system reuses water but aeroponics consumes less water (25 percent less). You also require lesser nutrients as the nutrients are misted and not washed over the plant’s roots.

 Improved health of plants

You can carry out aeroponic farming in an enclosure. This system prevents contaminants from reaching your plants. You will be amazed at how this system is least affected by pests as they are typically grown inside greenhouses. When you garden aeroponically, you pay stern attention to the surrounding environment. This monitoring reduces the possibility of bacterial growth. You are eliminating the chance of bacterial growth and contamination that leads to miraculous health of plants.

Effortless transplanting

Aeroponics lets you remove plants easily from a growth medium. As it is your plants are aerially suspended with the roots exposed hence transplanting hardly involves any effort. Thus, you will also not end up damaging them. Inspecting the entirety of veggies and fruits without disturbing them will also be far easier.

Higher yields

The most notable benefit of aeroponics is that you get a higher yield. Since the plants receive the highest possible level of nutrition, they grow faster and larger. If you want to make profits, consider this expensive system. Not only do you get to harvest more ingredients but plant roots in aeroponics grow better. Hardier plants that grow with this system are resistant to diseases as well.

Is hydroponics better?

A boon for beginners

Hydroponic systems are suitable for beginners because they involve little initial costs. Aeroponics requires you to do research about the fundamental aspects of cultivating plants in water. Hydroponics on the other hand requires least amount of maintenance. You will control the flow of the nutrients your plants eventually receive. A beginner starting out with hydroponics can do without knowing about working with accurate timers or sensitive equipment.

Reusing water

Majority of the hydroponic systems are designed to recycle water. That means, you can have a sustainable garden without breaking a leg. With this method, the waste levels are also significantly lower as the system reuses essential nutrients for growth.

Wide variety of plants can be grown

When you are waiting to make a choice between hydroponics and aeroponics, you must know about all the things you can grow. Hydroponics lets you grow everything from celery to lettuce, mint, cucumbers, spinach, stevia and several others. On the other hand, aeroponics only lets you grow vine plants like tomatoes and a few leafy greens.

Lower setup costs

If you are intrigued about the exploring the water world to grow a large variety of plants, then you need to start with hydroponics. Aeroponics may sound a lot more interesting but the set up costs are astronomical. Hydroponics can be your cost-effective solution as you do not require any specialized machinery for producing nutrient-enriched mist.

The verdict

Aeroponics may be incredibly profitable and advanced but you need truckloads of specialized equipment. These include humidity controls, timers, pumps, misters and what not. Everything requires accurate and precise timing that you can do away with, in hydroponics. When contemplating between the two, hydroponics shines and comes out as the clear winner because you do not have to bear exorbitant set up costs.

The post What to choose between aeroponics and hydroponics? appeared first on Rise Hydroponics.

1. Aeroponics System

Have you ever witnessed vegetables grown out of thin air? The aeroponic system we are about to discuss is pretty much that. This system nourishes the plants with nutrient-laden mist and nothing else. The roots are held in a soilless medium of growth like coco coir. Nutrient-laden water has to be periodically pumped for plants to grow.

Yes, the method is quite futuristic and hi-tech, but it has been in function for quite some time now. A pipe system sends out a pressurized solution of nutrients to plants. Roots get the solution through the nozzles of the pipe in the form of droplets. This means that the roots will receive the nutrients and the moisture, besides being able to breathe freely.

INTERESTING FACT: With aeroponics, you have to irrigate for short times but quite frequently. A cycle’s frequency depends on the climate and crop type, besides the pressure you will use in the system.

Things you need for Aeroponics

• A reservoir
• Hoses and pipes with sprayers and nozzles
• Time to set the irrigation cycles
• A durable aeroponics chamber

2. Drip Hydroponic System

One of the most active hydroponic system has to be the drip system. This one uses a pump for feeding the plants with water and nutrients regularly. You may have heard about it by the names micro-irrigation system or trickle system. This hydroponic system makes use of tiny emitters to directly sprinkle the nutrient solution onto the plants. In fact it is a boon for the big problem of aeration as it provides constant watering and nutrition with the hoses, pipes, and growing media.

You can easily understand the system working. The method is all about 2 steps, one being fetching the nutrient solution by using hoses and pipes, from a reservoir. You can send the solution to individual plants. The second step involves sprinkling the solution on a growing medium that will further let out slowly.

Are you aware? Drip system was initially used for outdoor cultivation of plants in Israel to improve water efficiency. It was later adapted for hydroponics.

Things you need

• A reservoir for mixing the nutrient solution
• A water pump attached to the hose and pipe system to irrigate every plant
• Hoses and pipes
• Growing media
• An air pump for sure
• A timer, provided you want to irrigate in cycles

3. Nutrient Film Technique

Did you face an aeration problem with any of the hydroponic system you used? The nutrient film technique or NFT will solve that problem. With NFT, you will present a thin solution film at a tank’s fairly deep bottom. As a result, roots will receive water and nutrition while the upper part gets to breathe. If you see the roots mop-pressed, then do not fret because they are meant to look like that.

The most significant technical feature of this system is that the growing tank must not be perfectly horizontal. Make sure it has a slight angle. The slight tilt of the tank will not stagnate the roots with the solution, and neither will the solution flow away too fast.

NFT system dates back to the 60s. Infact it was pioneered by Allen Cooper at the Glasshouse Crops Research institute, England.

Things you need for set up

• A growing tank that needs to be slightly inclined
• A reservoir that will provide a nutrient solution for the garden
• An air pump or air stone to be placed within a reservoir
• Pipes for bringing the water to the growth tank and then back to the reservoir
• A water pump for bringing the nutrient solution to the growth tank

Also Read : What is NFT (Nutrient Film Technique) in hydroponics farming?

4. Ebb and Flow

If you are a home gardener, the ebb and flow system is for you. With this system type, you position the plants in a spacious growing bed. This bed is packed with a growing medium like perlite or rockwool. Once you have carefully planted the plants, you will flood the grow bed with nutrient solution. This system works on the principle of regularly irrigating the roots and for shorter periods.

In the name Ebb and Flow, Ebb indicates retreating water while flow indicates retreating water. Hence the nutrient flow like the tides in sea.

Things you need for Ebb and Flow set up

• A reservoir
• A growth tank
• Reversible water pump
• Air pump to aerate the reservoir’s solution
• Pipes for leading the nutrient solution from and to the tank
• A timer to switch the pump on and off

5. Wick Hydroponic System

The most simplistic hydroponic system has to be the wick system. It requires no aerators, pumps, or electricity. Among the various kinds of hydroponics systems, this is the only passive system that can do without electricity.

Wick system gets its name as to how a candle wick draws wax or oil lamp draws fuels to light itself. In the same way, the wick system uses a capillary mechanism to feed nutrient solution to the roots.

Things you need for set up

• A reservoir
• A grow tank
• More than one wick (ropes or spongy material)
• A medium for growth (coconut coir, any inter material, or expanded clay)

6. Deep Water Culture

The DWC system works almost for all kinds of plants, but it is a blessing for large plants, especially those with big roots. In this system, the plant roots are suspended in a nutrient solution, and you directly provide the air with a diffuser or an air stone. You will have to place the plants in net pots with a medium for growth to secure them. When you make the plants sit in nutrients with unlimited oxygen being supplied, your plants attain crazy growth.

In Deep Water Culture, the roots are submerged in water 24/7.

Things you need for set up

• A grow tank
• Air pump
• Reservoir filled with nutrient solution
• A water pump

Also Read :What are DWC (Deep water culture) and rDWC in Hydroponics farming?

7. Kratky Method

The most rudimentary hydroponic system has to be the Kratky Method. It is quite an outdated method, and only amateurs use it. This method is a simple one that requires you to plant your plants with their aerial parts outside the solution.

Krafty method is best suitable for fast-growing plants like Lettuce, herbs and spinach. It is also suitable for tomatoes and pepper but you will need a larger container

Things you need

• Mesh pot
• A narrow-necked simple vase
• Grid

Hydroponic System : What is the best method for you?

In order to find out which of these systems is best for you, know the features each one of them has. Identify your hydroponics needs and get going. Our carefully curated list of pros and cons will help you determine your ideal method.

The post What are the different hydroponic system? appeared first on Rise Hydroponics.