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Is It Time to Switch to Hydroponics?

Whether you’re a green thumb looking for a Do-It-Yourself gardening method, or an entrepreneur looking to start your own agricultural business, hydroponics is the solution to a simpler, more cost-effective, and hassle-free plant growth. In this article, we will discuss how Hydroponics can do wonders and why you should take advantage of it.

Simply put, hydroponics refers to an agricultural method where plants are grown in soil-free beds nourished by a continuous supply of nutrients and minerals in water – liquid fertilizer.

What Is It?

This is an instructional intended for beginners. Here, we will make use of the simplest, affordable, yet quality, materials in order to make a basic hydroponics set-up. Grow Tray / Hydroponic Tray – This is a vessel used for holding plants Heater Mat –responsible for providing warmth and heat to the grow tray as it nourishes the seeds inside it.

What Do You Need?

Starter Cubes / Starter Plant Plugs – These are usually pots of organic mass or stone wool (inert insulators out of rocks and stones) that hold the seeds in place as they grow inside the hydroponic trays. Ziploc Bag (Optional) – Other people use this to allow seeds to germinate faster, subsequently putting the sprouts inside the trays. Light – This can be natural light or artificially-generated light called grow lights.

How Is It Done?

Preparing the Starter Plant Plugs

1. Submerge your plant plugs under clean water for an estimate of one hour. 2. After the soaking is done, place some seeds inside the plug holes. For other seeds that do not germinate, you may add more. 3. As soon as they grow, you may take out unhealthy ones to give space for the healthier ones to sprout.

Preparing the Hydroponic Tray

1. Place approximately one inch of liquid fertilizer (half potent) or clean water. 2. Position the light source. 3. Arrange the heater mat, if necessary. 4. You may close the lid to let the humidity and warmth stay inside the tray.

How Is It Done?

Preparing the Starter Plant Plugs

1. Submerge your plant plugs under clean water for an estimate of one hour. 2. After the soaking is done, place some seeds inside the plug holes. For other seeds that do not germinate, you may add more. 3. As soon as they grow, you may take out unhealthy ones to give space for the healthier ones to sprout.

Setting Plant Plugs Inside Hydroponic Tray

1. Place the starter cubes or starter plugs inside the hydroponic tray. 2. Put additional water or half-potent liquid fertilizer as soon as the supply in the tray decreases.

As to when this should happen, the rate of growth depends on the kind of plant you are growing. Once they reach a height of approximately three inches and numerous leaves are already visible, your plants are ready for transplant.

When Can we Transplant?

Watering the Plants –Watering the plants from the top down keeps them moist and gives them ample time to grow. Artificial Lights – Do not put your lights too near your plants. This may cause them to burn.

After-Transplant Maintenance

What Are the Benefits of Using Hydroponics?

Hydroponics is known for its approach to a more fruitful and advantageous agricultural undertaking. Year-Round Planting –Because of this method’s need for accessible and convenient resources and materials, growing plants can be done at any time of the day and on any day of the year. Soil-Free Methodology – With the current-world scene’s limited land area, this alternative is preferred by more and more people ...

Space-Saving – Since the materials needed to plant using this system are so minimal and manageable, you won’t require much space – allowing you to use the area more efficiently. Conservation of Resources – Hydroponics gives you the freedom of controlling the variables present in the entire process, thus, resources are conserved and preserved for further future planting. Quicker Plant Growth – Due to the fact that hydroponics makes use of a more focused tactic, evident in the use of a more potent ...

Weed-Free Growth – Because weeds are mostly associated and caused by the soil, your plants will grow healthy and weed-free. Less Pests and Insects –  Fewer Pesticides and Insecticides – Also because of the soil-free approach, your plants now are less prone to soil-originating pests and insects, thus requiring less use of the chemicals to eliminate the said problem.

Time-Saving – Basically, because of the control you have over all the plant essentials as well as its quick hassle-free growth, the hydroponics approach saves you a lot of precious time – thanks to less work and maintenance.

As with every other thing in life, hydroponics has some disadvantages to it. They are somehow rather trivial since most are fixable and preventable.

What Are the Risks of Using Hydroponics?

Expertise Requirement – With all kinds of tools and equipment necessary for optimal planting and growth, knowledge on this approach and preferably. Organic or Not? - Some planters have tried exploring the use of organic growers and introducing them to the existing hydroponic system.

Electricity and Water – you will use mostly electricity and water. Power Source – Because the process makes use of electricity, power shortages or outages can hinder and result in problems with your plant’s growing environment.

Are You Convinced?

Now that you know all the basics of hydroponics – what it is, how it works, its advantages and disadvantages. It is time to decide whether or not this approach is beneficial enough to try. Personally, after examining its risks and benefits, I would definitely say this is worth a shot. Not to mention, it’s starter-friendly! So what’s it going to be?

Hydroponics is the solution to a simpler, more cost-effective, and hassle-free plant growth. In this article, we will discuss how hydroponics can do wonders and why you should take advantage of it.

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Is It Time to Switch to Hydroponics?

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