Hydroponic growing is one of the most popular methods of growing plants as it does not involve the use of soil, instead relying on growing mediums such as perlite, clay pellets, rockwool, and peat moss. The idea behind hydroponics is that the root structure of plants is in direct contact with a highly concentrated nutrient solution while still having access to oxygen.
Advantages of Hydroponic Growing
Hydroponic gardening is environmentally friendly as it is a closed system and requires less water than traditional soil-based grows. Hydroponic growing also has the benefit of reducing waste and pollution from soil run-off.
Hydroponic growing also leads to an increased growth rate in plants as well as increased yield. Plant roots are in direct contact with the nutrient solution and therefore do not have to work as hard to produce canopy growth. With the appropriate set-up, hydroponically grown plants will mature faster and yield more than their soil-grown counterparts.
Disadvantages of Hydroponic Growing
Hydroponic growing can be expensive. The initial set-up costs far exceed that of its soil counterpart, but it’s important to remember that you get what you pay for. Hydroponic systems produce greater growth and yield as compared to soil mediums.
The initial set-up of a hydroponic system can also be difficult for novice growers. It is extremely important for the health of the system that pH and nutrient levels are monitored daily and the system components are checked to ensure they are in working order.
For example, a water pump failure in a hydroponic system can cause plant death within hours of failing. Hydroponic growing depends on a fresh supply of moving water to produce optimum results.
Types of Hydroponic Growing
There are several different types of hydroponic growing including drip systems, ebb and flow systems, nutrient film technique and deepwater culture. Each technique has its own set of advantages and disadvantages and growers should take adequate time to understand each before selecting a hydroponic growing method.
Deepwater culture is perhaps the easiest method of hydroponic growing but requires a large initial cash output for equipment and requires the system to operate in near dark conditions. A drip system setup requires far less expensive equipment but is prone to clogging and difficulties with the drip nozzles providing a consistent supply of water and nutrients.
The Quad Nutro Advantage
Quad Nutro Fuel, Foliar Feed Supplements and Aqua Water Treatment are specifically designed to work with hydroponic and aeroponic growing systems. Our products offer a unique formulation with the highest carbon solubility allowing for a clean application that prevents build up in hydroponic systems.
Carbon molecules bond to “toxins” in the nutrient solution to help plants respire out unwanted elements such as heavy metals and salts. Additionally, Quad Nutro additives cause increased nutrient uptake in plants as well as increased water retention. Therefore, less water is required when using Quad Nutro products.
Power up the effectiveness of your nutrients by combining Quad Nutro to your regular hydroponic growing routine.