Although the term “hydroponics” is not always very well known, it is in reality a soilless cultivation method which consists of growing plants without soil but in water enriched with nutrients.
A technique widely used by professionals that can also be implemented at home.
Hydroponics, what is it?
Hydroponics is a way of growing plants that involves
planting them in water
rather than soil.
The plants are supported by a support containing a draining, sterile and neutral substrate.
This can be clay balls, synthetic foam or even pozzolan.
They are then supplemented with a nutrient solution in which their roots soak.
This nutrient solution is composed of water but also of a
liquid fertilizer
which makes it possible to meet all the plants' needs in potassium, phosphorus, nitrogen, trace elements and other mineral salts necessary for their proper development.
Also readOrganic fertilizer: the 8 best to adopt!
What are the advantages of hydroponics?
If hydroponics interests professionals because it allows you to increase productivity, it also has advantages if you want to practice it at home:
This allows you to grow
all types of plants
, regardless of the climate or type of soil present where you are;
Water and nutrient intakes are optimal;
Plants
grow faster;
Yields are higher;
It is possible to grow
vertical plants: an interesting option when you lack space;
It allows you to save water;
This helps prevent
weeds;
The presence of parasites, often present in the soil, is greatly reduced;
Water supplies are well controlled, avoiding any
water stress
for the plants.
Hydroponics allows you to grow all types of plants, regardless of the climate or type of soil present where you are.
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What are the disadvantages of hydroponics?
While hydroponics has certain advantages, it is not without its drawbacks.
The main thing is that it is not
ecological
.
Indeed, the nutrient solution which allows plants to grow well must be renewed often, which involves rejecting water loaded with trace elements and mineral salts, sometimes bad for ecosystems due to their concentration.
Also, the vegetables and fruits produced using this technique are
blander
than others.
Indeed, the fact of having grown more quickly and not having benefited from the benefits of the soil or the sun's rays means that they are less tasty.
What plants to grow hydroponically?
While most plants can be candidates for hydroponics, this is particularly the case for fruits and vegetables such as strawberries, tomatoes, peppers, salads and even aromatic herbs.
It is also possible to grow flowers with hydroponics and in particular orchids which adapt well to this type of culture.
Finally, hydroponics is an interesting technique when you want to create a green wall at home.
Also read: The pitfalls to avoid when creating a magnificent green wall in your home
Most plants can be candidates for hydroponics, especially fruits and vegetables.
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How to try hydroponics at home?
Today, it is possible to try hydroponics easily thanks to commercially available equipment.
Here are the different steps to follow:
Get
a water storage pot.
Add a neutral, sterile and draining substrate to the small basket that is placed in the pot.
This can be clay balls, perlite or even coconut fibers.
Place the plants in this substrate;
Buy a nutrient solution that can be found commercially and mix it with water using the recommended doses;
Change the water regularly
, approximately every 5 to 7 days, although this varies depending on the size of the pot.