Author: Aqua Gardening

How To Grow Hydroponics For Beginners

Growing plants in a hydroponic system isn’t as complicated as it sounds at first. If you understand the basics and keep an eye on the health and condition of your plants, you will be able to successfully grow all kinds of plants. A hydroponic system provides the plants with all the support and nutrition that it needs without the use of soil. This allows you greater control and minimises the chances of failure. You can purchase a complete hydroponics kit and assemble it at the desired location with very little effort. Here’s a brief introduction to how you can grow hydroponics:

1. Know the Components

Different hydroponics systems have different components but most systems will have a nutrient reservoir, a pump to circulate water and keep it fresh, spaces to hold the plants and grow medium, etc. You will receive a full set of instructions along with the components of your hydroponic system so all you need to do is read them before attempting to assemble them. You can also consult with experts and the seller to understand your hydroponic system better. 

2. Understand the Growing Medium

Growing medium is an essential component of the hydroponic system. It is a replacement for soil but doesn’t provide nutrition. The main role of the growing medium is to provide the roots with aeration and an anchor, and help support the weight of the plant. This media can be porous or non-porous, depending on your hydroponic system.

You will have to water the non-porous medium more often to ensure the roots receive adequate amount of moisture and don’t dry out. The most common types of media are perlite, clay balls, coco, etc. All of these options have their advantages and disadvantages so it’s a good idea to do some research before you choose a medium.

3. Set a Watering Schedule

The watering schedule depends on several factors so you need to customise it according to your requirements. You should set the watering schedule based on your plant type, size, the type of growing media, and the location of the plant. For example, a larger plant that consumes more water, placed in ample sunlight, will require more water. Consider all these factors carefully before you determine the watering schedule. With some hydroponics systems you will need to adjust the watering cycle as the plants grow.

4. Add Nutrients to the Water

In ordinary gardens, soil provides the plants with nutrients to grow. In a hydroponic system, this nutrition is provided separately by a nutrient solution that you need to mix with water and pour into the media. Make sure you mix precise amounts and add only the recommended levels of nutrition.

5. Light

Plants can’t survive without light and the best source of light is the sun. Make sure you store your hydroponics system in a location with good amount of sunlight. You will need to take the plant species into consideration before you choose the location.

Once you have all the elements in place and understand how the system works, you can assemble it and choose which plants you want to grow. We recommend starting out with herbs because they’re useful in everyday cooking and easier to manage.