One of the best advantages of hydroponic farming is that it saves space. In traditional agriculture, plants are required to search for nutrients in the soil, due to which plants grow deeper roots. In hydroponics, on the other hand, the nutrients are directly supplied to the roots, so they don't have to search for them.
However, cons may involve higher initial setup costs, the need for technical expertise, and a reliance on artificial lighting and climate control. Also, many argue that hydroponically grown produce may lack certain flavors or nutrients compared to soil-grown crops.
When Compared To Traditional Soil-Grown Crop Production, Hydroponics Has the Following Advantages: Up to 90% more efficient use of water. Production increases 3 to 10 times in the same amount of space. Many crops can be produced twice as fast in a well managed hydroponic system. Hydroponics can be an expensive hobby.
Higher yield: they produce between three and ten times more food than conventional agriculture in the same space. The plants also grow in half the time. There is no need for herbicides or pesticides: they are safe from weeds and insects, making unnecessaries the use of these products.
Ultimately, both aeroponics and hydroponics give better results than soil-based growing. Aeroponics grows faster, yields more and healthier produce, and has lower ongoing running costs, while hydroponics is easier and cheaper to set up as a DIY system.
Large plants, such as fruit trees (e.g., apple, pear, and citrus trees) and large shrubs (e.g., blueberries and raspberries), are generally unsuitable for hydroponic systems due to their size and long growth cycles.
The hydroponic farming system relies heavily on electricity to continuously work its various components. If there is a power outage, the entire system is at risk of failing, which can negatively impact the plants.
Hydroponics uses less water than traditional soil-based systems. Hydroponic growing allows for faster growth and higher yields than traditional soil-based growing systems. To grow hydroponically, you need plants, a container, water, a way to anchor the plants, nutrients and a light source.
For commercial growers, it's recommended to choose the hydroponics system because it is more efficient and allows for higher crop yields. However, if you are a personal grower, you may prefer soil cultivation because it is simpler and requires less equipment.
Ongoing Operational Costs
Nutrients: Hydroponic systems require specific nutrient solutions to feed the plants. Depending on the scale of the operation, these solutions typically cost up to $1,000 per year. Energy: Grow lights, pumps, and climate control systems consume energy.
While it may sound intimidating, it doesn't take a rocket scientist to grow an indoor hydroponic garden. This no-fail indoor gardening method works so well that it may turn even the brownest thumbs green. Hydroponic systems make growing year-round fresh vegetables, herbs and fruits into a simple project.
The reputation for Sterility. Hydroponics has a reputation for being sterile. This may include real consequences for farmers who use these techniques to make a living. The danger is that a failed bid for organic certification could set a dangerous precedent, leading to a large scale devaluation of the industry.
The most common root disease in hydroponic systems is root rot caused by the fungal-like organism, Pythium. Other fungal diseases that are occasional problems include Fusarium root and crown rot, Phytophthora, and Rhizoctonia.
Leafy greens like lettuce are the most profitable crops to grow in hydroponic systems because they have some of the lowest operation costs. One square foot of lettuce costs about $20 to maintain. All hydroponic flower growers reported having profitable farms.
The wick system is the simplest hydroponics technique, so it's perfect for beginners. Plants are stacked on top of a closed tub full of nutrient solution, and a wick is run from the solution to the plant roots. This system works best for low-maintenance plants like herbs or leafy vegetables.
Most of the vertical farms that failed produced too many baby greens and microgreens. Most of the stacked trays used in vertical farming are designed to produce small vegetables. In many cases, the market was not ready for such high production of baby greens and microgreens.
Hydroponically-grown foods are some of the most nutritious foods someone can eat or buy. Since hydroponic fruits and vegetables are grown in protective environments, they suffer less from natural stress factors.
Hydroponic plants require a specific pH to be able to uptake nutrients. When your pH is too high or too low, it will cause your plants to stop uptaking specific nutrients. This leads to changes in flavor due to stress induced by nutrient deficiency.
If your water quality checks flag problems such as smelly water, improper EC, pH and temperature levels, and the presence of algae and sediment, it's time to change your water. Even if you don't notice any obvious issues, as a general rule of thumb hydroponic water should be typically changed every two to three weeks.
Lettuce (and most other leafy greens) should be your first plant to try with a hydroponic system. These plants have a shallow root system that matches their short above-ground height. That means there's no need to tie stakes or set guides for the plant.
Perhaps the largest drawback for Hydroponics is the excessive amount of energy it requires for indoor operations (like vertical farming).