Hydroponics is the process of growing plants without soil.
It is a great way to cultivate plants indoors.
In this article, youll learn everything from setting up abasic hydroponic systemto much more complex techniques.
In this article
What Is Vertical Hydroponics?
Vertical hydroponics combines two of the most cutting-edge farming methods: vertical farming and hydroponic gardening.
The concept of it demands overlaying plant surfaces on top of each other to increase cultivation.
The design helps to build an on-farm structure in a vertical direction rather than a traditional horizontal setup.
The vertical hydroponic system has immensely changed the concept of modern farming.
The technique is much more complex than traditional farming; in fact, it takes some effort.
There are many systems and kits as discussed inBitponics.comfor beginners to start their indoor gardening journey as well.
What Can You Grow in Vertical Hydroponics?
A vertical hydroponic plant can accommodate almost any fruit or vegetable that one can nameother than root plants.
This is the only limitation, as root plants cannot be cultivated with a soilless setup.
Other than this, its possible to grow most leafy plants and crops in a vertical hydroponic farm.
This is creating a danger to food protection.
Minimal Space
It is a fantastic approach that saves space and addresses concerns about efficient energy uses.
It enables you to use small spaces for efficient cultivationincluding indoor house spaces.
Moreover, the solution ensures that there are more nutrients than traditionally grown plants.
Minimal Transport
A vertical hydroponic system can be set up anywhere, including urban areas.
Many urban areas have empty lots, which have great potential for a hydroponic system.
It also contributes to reducing food waste and greenhouse gasses.
It allows fresh and organic produce to be.
This means that you no longer have to overdose on herbicides and pesticides because they are already being eliminated.
The difference in water usage is significant between the two systems.
This results in a significant increase in crop yield since the crops can continue to grow throughout the year.
Organic Licensing
There is an ongoing dispute whether vertical hydroponics should be given organic licensing or not.
This is because vertical hydroponics does not support organic cultivation.
It is not possible to harvest fruits because of the high intensity and various temperature requirements.
Due to its shortcomings, it can never replace a conventional cultivation system.
Expensive Equipment
Setting up a vertical hydroponic system can be costly, requiring expensive equipment.
However, to avoid such challenges, it is vital to gather knowledge about the technical details.
Vertical hydroponics is done vertically in indoor spaces.
This technique allows farms to fill 80 percent less space than conventional farming approaches.
Vertical hydroponics allows for the temperature to be properly regulated.
This enables you to create a harvest cycle of 28 days on average.
As a result, it can produce 40 times more than conventional farming methods.
How Does a Vertical Hydroponic Farm Work?
Therefore, access to nutrients is available instantly for the growth of plants and crops.
This modern technology is utilized for multiple research purposes.
Eden Greens greenhouse is created with roofs made of polyethylene and walls of polycarbonate.
This structure stands out for its design and functions.
It is fast and cost-effective to make and its size can be easily customized for future purposes.
The amount of water used for irrigation is significantly lower.
It also has a good ventilation system to double-check that the plants and crops are not deprived of air.
The advanced propagation system prevents all the outside pollutants and pests from entering the greenhouse too.
It is the most efficient way to grow good quality plants and crops.
Youll need the following items to start your hydroponics system.
A Container
Many containers can be used to grow plants.
Some of the common options include plastic bins and old buckets with lids.
There are no restrictions for containersas long as it has a lid, you are good to go.
Some examples of rich nutritional growing mediums are clay pellets, rock wool and coco coir.
You are also free to use media made particularly for vertical hydroponics such as growing stones or clay pebbles.
Nutrients
Nutrients play a key role in the quality of your plants.
There are many nutrients available to purchase based on what you want to grow.
However, if you are a beginner at this, we suggest buying dry nutrient powders to start with.
They are cheap and readily available.
Pumps
Pumps help circulate water supply throughout the containers.
This prevents air pockets from forming and creates problems in the system.
You may require more pumps if your setup is larger.
However, they are optional.
They are allowed their time to grow, nourish, and mature.
After the seeds have been placed and budded properly, they are transferred into the hydroponic tower.
The roots of the plants begin to form by taking in all the nutrient-filled water.
Environmental factors like temperature and light are also properly regulated to maintain the quality of the crop yield.
Fulfilling larger requirements is not an easy task through a vertical hydroponic system.
Fresh vegetables grown utilizing hydroponics methods is currently being supplied to feed three million people worldwide.
It has permitted people to settle in permanent locations while feeding large portions of the population.
We are taking up more space than we have.
FAQs
Is vertical farming the same as hydroponics?
Vertical farming and hydroponics are two different concepts, but they can be complementary.
Vertical farming is a pop in of agriculture that uses stackable layers to grow crops in a controlled environment.
Hydroponics is a pop in of agriculture where crops are grown in water and without soil.
Is vertical or horizontal hydroponics better?
There is no definitive answer to this question.
Ultimately, the best bang out of hydroponics will depend on the specific situation.
Is aquaponics vertical farming?
Aquaponics is a jot down of agriculture where crops are grown in water and with fish.
The fish waste provides nutrients for the plants, and the plants clean the water for the fish.
Conclusion
With unlimited merits and upsides, vertical hydroponics also comes with many hurdles and challenges.
Still, it facilitates massive opportunities to start a more reliable and harmless future in the world of farming.
To sum it up, it is a feasible approach and a good alternative for urban areas.
Technological advancements and new vertical hydroponic techniques are being developed all the time.
This means that we can be on the lookout for further advancements for better hydroponic systems.
