Traditionally, crops are grown in the ground. Soil gives them nutrients while the sun, rain, and fresh air provide everything else the plants need. Growers do their parts by preparing the soil, planting and tending the crops, and stepping in when Mother Nature falls short.
At the end of the growing season, they’re able to reap the rewards of their work. It’s the way things have been done for thousands of years, and it’ll undoubtedly carry into the future.
With that being said, a few problems have cropped up with the traditional way of cultivating crops. Viable farmland is dwindling as the planet’s population grows. At the same time, the supply of fresh water required to sustain life on Earth and keep soil-sown crops thriving is rapidly shrinking.
All that has left farmers looking for a suitable alternative to the norm. At this point, hydroponics is the most effective solution.
Growing Marijuana the Non-Traditional Way
It’s no secret that growing marijuana outdoors in the soil is the simplest way to go. You’ll have far less preparation and upkeep to worry about, and the fresh air will naturally help your cannabis plants to thrive.
Still, it’s not always practical or possible to cultivate marijuana outside. If you’re going to grow your crop in a greenhouse or indoors in a basement or spare room, a hydroponic growing system could be your best bet.
At Kind Seed Co, we offer a long list of top-quality marijuana seeds that will fit in perfectly with your hydroponic strategy. They’re available in a range of Sativa- and Indica-dominant strains as well as regular, feminized, and autoflowering varieties.
Feel free to browse our selection to see which ones stand out to you. In the meantime, we’re going to give you some pointers on choosing and maintaining your hydroponic system to create the ideal environment for your cannabis plants.
What Is Hydroponics?
First of all, let’s discuss what hydroponics is and why it’s becoming so popular. Hydroponics is the process of cultivating plants with water as the primary growth medium instead of soil. Your plants will be grown in baskets or buckets suspended over trays or tanks of water that has been enriched with nutrients.
As the water flows over the roots of the plants, it gives them not only the moisture they need but the vitamins and minerals they require as well. When you grow plants in soil, the soil is essentially nothing more than a medium that holds nutrients and water. Moisture in the soil actually makes it possible for the plants’ roots to take in the vitamins and minerals.
When you grow your cannabis hydroponically, you’re simply eliminating the middleman, so to speak. Even though you’re using water to nurture your plants, you’ll be using far less water than you would through the conventional farming technique.
Looking at the Different Types of Hydroponic Systems
Several types of hydroponic systems are on the market. They fall into two broad categories: active and passive systems. Active hydroponics systems are more complicated because they run off of electricity and have more moving parts.
Some say active systems are easier to operate because they can be connected to automatic timers, monitors, and other components. Others point out that they’re more difficult to set up and maintain, though.
Taking a Closer Look at Active Systems
Deep water culture, ebb and flow, drip, and nutrient film systems are among the most popular active hydroponic setups. Many experienced growers insist that deep water cultures are the simplest and most effective. In these systems, the plants and their growing medium are suspended in the air, and their roots extend down into buckets filled with nutrient-rich water.
Ebb and flow systems involve planting your marijuana seeds in pots using the medium of your choice. From there, nutrient-enriched water is pumped through the pots and medium, so the plants can make use of the moisture, vitamins, and minerals. From there, the water is pumped back into a reservoir below the pots to be recycled through the system.
With a nutrient film system, only a thin layer of water and nutrients flows over the tips of your plants’ roots. That small amount of water provides plenty of hydration and nutrition for the plants. At the same time, the upper portions of the roots remain above water, so they get ample oxygen and aren’t as likely to rot or succumb to pathogens.
In the case of a drip system, pumps slowly deliver small amounts of water to your plants. They use less water than other types of systems. Even so, they don’t deprive the plants of the moisture and nutrients they need to thrive.
Digging Deeper into Passive Systems
Passive systems, on the other hand, are simpler setups. They’re not powered by electricity, and they rely on you and gravity to keep them going. That means they require more of your time and attention. On the other hand, they have fewer moving parts, so there are fewer things that could potentially go wrong.
Two passive hydroponic systems stand out: the Kratky Method and the wick system. When using the Kratky Method, your plants are suspended above a tank of water and nutrients, allowing the ends of the roots to dip into the water. As the plants grow and their roots get longer, the water level in the tank is gradually reduced to allow room for oxygenation.
In a wick system, the plants are situated above water reservoirs. One end of a wick is inserted into the water while the other end is placed in the growing medium with your plants. The wick simply draws water from the reservoir to the medium, so it’ll be available for the plants to use as needed.
What You Need to Know for Hydroponic Growing
Keep in mind, a range of active and passive systems is available, and no two work quite the same way. Each one comes with different components and specific needs. Some elements are universal, though.
Choosing Your Growing Medium
First off, you’ll need to choose a growth medium. Though not all systems require an additional medium, most do. Some of the most popular growing media are coir, mineral wool, and clay marbles. These media help to strengthen and aerate the plants’ roots while aiding in maintaining proper pH levels among other important benefits.
Providing Nutrients
Cannabis plants need significant amounts of three basic nutrients: nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. They also need several additional nutrients in smaller concentrations. They’d normally get those nutrients from the soil and fertilizers. With a hydroponic system, though, you’ll need to add the proper nutrients to the water.
Maintaining pH Levels
To keep your marijuana crop healthy and maximize your yields, you’ll need to maintain the proper pH levels in the water as well as the growing medium. For hydroponically grown cannabis plants, the ideal pH is between 5.5 and 5.8. It’s okay to drop slightly below or above that range, but drastic changes can affect your plants’ ability to take in nutrients and can even kill your crop altogether.
Taking Care of Your Hydroponic System
No matter what type of setup you choose, taking care of it is essential not only to the system itself but to your plants. You’ll need to clean all the components of the system thoroughly with hot water, alcohol, and peroxide before getting ready to grow your cannabis and periodically throughout the growing process. Be sure to run clean water through the system afterward to ensure none of the alcohol and peroxide are left behind to harm your plants.
Making the Most of Your Hydroponic Growing System
If you’re new to hydroponic growing, choosing a simple setup, such as a wick system, is probably your best bet. Sticking with seeds that are perfect for beginners is advised as well. They’re more forgiving and can tolerate less-than-optimal conditions better than other strains. Keeping things easy will help you make the most of the situation. You can always upgrade and branch out into new strains as your knowledge and experience evolve.
Choosing the Right Seeds and System for Your Hydroponic Grow
As mentioned, several types of hydroponic systems are available. Passive systems are the least expensive, but they’re more demanding. Active systems cost more but can help take a great deal of the workload off your shoulders. Since they’re more complicated, they’re not always the best option for newcomers to the field of hydroponics.
In addition to the type of system, you’ll need to choose the right seeds to get your weed crop started. We have virtually any type of seed you can imagine. From regular seeds that require a certain amount of skill and experience to autofem seeds that are perfect for beginners, you’ll find them here with us. Take the time to find the right seeds and hydroponic setup, and enjoy all the fruits of your labor when harvest time rolls around.
