Source: AgroHuerto
Have you heard of aeroponic growing? Do you know what it is? Below we want to present you with a guide so that you know everything you need to know about this cultivation system and especially if you want to implement it in your home.
It can help you, not for all plants, but for many of them. However, you need to consider the features that define it and what you will need to build one in your home. Go for it?
Contents
What is aeroponic culture
Source: Hidroponia.mx
The first thing we want you to understand is that aeroponics refers to a system by which plants are grown without the need for substrate. In reality what is done is that the roots remain suspended in the airalways in a special small growing pot so that they are only sprayed with nutrient-rich water.
In other words, it is a plant that grows with its roots in the air and nourishes itself by spraying water with fertilizer or the like so that it can continue to grow.
In this way, the roots of the plant only touch the water when they are sprayed with it.
To give you an idea, what is done is to put the plants in containers where the plant is lit from above, but from below the roots are placed in a closed container (and usually dark too). This structure keeps the roots intact, without adding substrate or using artificial products.
However, below these are nebulizers that point upwards, as well as conduits that carry the nutrient-rich water. So, when enabled, the nebulizers create a kind of cloud of humidity that reaches the roots and feeds them to nourish the plant.
What plants can be planted in an aeroponic culture
If you are wondering right now if a plant could be planted in this system, the truth is, no. In reality, some have a greater probability of success than others. For example, in the case of leafy vegetables, aromatic plants or strawberries, you could have them like this, but other plants are not so easy to achieve.
Therefore, we must warn you that you will not be able to have the ones you want with this system.
As a flowering plant that could opt for this method, you have the orchid, since it develops best with its roots in the air and feeding on the humidity it receives through the nebulizers (even more so if it is rich in nutrients).
What are the benefits of aeroponic growing?
Source: Green Renewable Energy
Now that you know a little more about aeroponic growing, Can you see what its advantages are? Here are the most important ones to remember:
There are less costs
Imagine not having to buy soil, individual pots, etc. This is a big saving, especially when you have lots of plants.
It is true that the system itself is not cheap to assemble. But the investment that is made at the beginning is amortized since the plants can grow and bear fruit to be replaced by others without having to change the soil every two by three (as would happen with these).
Moreover, neither is spent as much on water or fertilizer.
growth is rapid
We do not say it, there are studies whose conclusions have shown that aeroponic cultivation makes plants grow faster than if they were put on land (or in water). The main reason is that the roots, being in the air, have better oxygenationwhich prevents them from deteriorating (or from being able to suffer from rot, fungus, etc.).
You have a better view of the plant
Although we have told you that it is more complicated to suffer from pests and diseases, they are not exempt from them, which means that you can visually see the state of the roots of the plant. This way you can act faster to save him.
How to create your aeroponic culture at home
Source: Agroislas
If all of the above caught your eye and you want to have a similar aeroponic grow at home, first of all, it’s not as expensive as you might think. And secondly, in just 2-3 hours you can build it.
To do this, you will need the following:
- A water tank. This can apply, for example, to an aquarium that you don’t use. Of course, we recommend covering the walls so that the light does not reach the water inside.
- PVC pipe. You will need about 1 meter (better than more than not missing).
- PVC connectors: to connect and establish the systems. Depending on the number you need, you can put one or the other.
- Water pump. Aim for it to be 275-300 gph to give it enough shape.
- Sprinkler heads.
- Net pots.
- A surface on which to place the pots. It should be the same length and width as the water tank.
To start, you need to make holes in the surface where you are going to place the pots. Make sure you can get them in and they don’t fall.
Inside the water tank, assemble the system with the tube, connectors and heads. Make sure the water pump is working and has enough pressure to push the water out of the buds.
Once you’ve done that, all you have to do is put everything together and seal. Although in this case it is better not to do this so that you can lift often and see how the roots are doing.
Is growing aeroponics worth it?
The truth is that this answer cannot be given by us. It’s a very effective method, but is it worth having at home for your plants? Will you take advantage of it? There is no doubt that it saves money, but it can have some disadvantages, such as being dependent on electricity (since the water pump must always be connected for it to work). This limits where you can put it and sometimes it’s not easy to maintain (especially because the water can rot or you have to change it every few months.
Do you dare to switch to aeroponic culture at home? What plants or cuttings would you try?