What is Hydroponic Weed? The Pros and Cons of Hydroponics vs Soil

What springs to mind when you hear the phrase “hydroponic cannabis”? Many individuals believe that hydroponic marijuana is plants cultivated directly in water with no other growing medium below them. However, as we shall see soon, this is only one of several methods to grow plants on a hydro basis.

In this post, we’ll examine what hydroponic weed is, how different hydroponic systems may be used to cultivate it, some of the greatest marijuana strains for indoor hydro growing, and the benefits and drawbacks of cultivating cannabis in this way. Let’s go on an excursion to a nearby indoor garden.

What is Hydroponic Weed?

Hydroponics refers to cannabis cultivated without the use of soil. Instead of the natural minerals found in soil, growers will add their own nutrients throughout the growth procedure utilizing a range of growing techniques.

Although hydro systems are generally less prone to pests, if the pump fails or you run out of water, hydroponic setups can harm the roots. Because more things may go wrong in anhydroponics, more monitoring is required than with soil cultivation.

Despite the extra attention, hydroponics allows growers far more control over nutrients added to the plants and permits water that isn’t absorbed by the plants’ roots to be recycled back into the system.

Hydroponic Systems

To cultivate cannabis hydroponically, you’ll need to build an appropriate hydroponic system based on your scale of production, hydroponic expertise, and access to supplies. Hydroponic systems may be basic or complex, and the extent of your expertise determines which one you use.

Simply said, a hydroponic system entails placing the nutrient solution in a reservoir and placing it beneath a growing tray. By creating stems and a root system that penetrate the medium to access the nutrients, the tray holds the inert medium in which the weed will grow by generating stems and roots.

Beginner-friendly Hydroponic Weed Systems

1. Aeroponics

Because no other medium is necessary, the system is unique. Some may be utilized at the start of seed germination or root cutting propagation, however nutrients are delivered to the system by a fine spray via the weeds’ roots that are suspended in the air.

The leaves are allowed to develop in the open air, saving them energy by avoiding the need to absorb oxygen. You must, however, avoid clogging the misting nozzles to ensure that moisture reaches your plants’ roots.

2. Wick System

This is a basic hydroponics technique that utilizes the candle theory. The nutrients in the grow tray are absorbed by the marijuana and carried to the nutrient reservoir via a yarn or cotton wick. Because uptake is gradual, hefty cannabis plants might consume nutrients faster than they’re supplied, which is one of its biggest drawbacks.

3. Ebb and Flow System

This is a difficult but effective technique. It’s a virtually self-maintaining ecosystem in which the roots of the marijuana plants are supplied with both nutrients and air by means of a submerged pump.

The term “nutrients solution” refers to the liquid in which nutrients are suspended. The solution is submerged in grow trays, which are pots that dip into it. Using a firmer media, such as rockwool, will ensure that the plants remain sturdy in the solution and do not float around.

It’s essential to understand how your hydroponics system works if you want to use it correctly. To make sure that the solution does not flood for more than 30 minutes at a time, you need to use a timer. Overfilling the tray would cause nutrients to be delivered in excess of what is required, resulting in starvation of the roots.

4. Deep Water Culture System (DWC)

In this technique, the nutrient-dense solution hangs over the marijuana plants. Place the plants in tiny pots and then place them in larger pots with a large hole in the bottom to suspend them above the reservoir pot. This allows for growth of plant stems from its roots that enter through the bottom and into the reservoir pot to acquire nutrients.

5. Drip Irrigation System

Drip irrigation is used to minimize the amount of water consumed by cannabis plants. Near the roots, small droppers are inserted into the growing medium. The nutrients contained in each dropper are released to the plant on a regular basis. Because the droppers must be filled manually, this approach is time-consuming.

Advanced Hydroponic Systems

6. Top Feed Drip System

This is a change to the drip irrigation method. It allows plants to develop uniformly since they all get the same amount of nutrients. The nutrients are carried via spaghetti tubes throughout the network and dripping into the top of each pot. The amount of nutrients that the roots receive is regulated by a timer-controlled, submersed pump. The system recycles

7. Nutrient Film Technique (NFT)

Because of its significant technical components, the nutrient film technique system is best suited for expert growers. The weed plants are placed in pots containing a medium such as rockwool and then elevated on an inclined channel made of PVC pipe. Nutsrients flow in one direction within the tubes, with any extra flow being recovered via a submersible pump.

The system has a number of flaws. Debris and roots from plants with long growth cycles might clog the pipes, preventing nutrients from flowing. The death of cannabis plants is caused by exposing their roots to light, which destroys them. The pipes’ temperature should be kept below 70° Fahrenheit, and oxygen levels should be maintained at around 8 ppm.

Mediums For Hydroponic Systems

A hydroponic medium is a soil alternative for the hydro grow method. Its goal is to retain water, nutrients, and oxygen. A medium should be nonreactive in order to avoid reacting with the nutrients and generating compounds that could harm the plant roots. The following are a list of common hydroponic marijuana growth media.

1. Air

If you use the proper humidity, it’s simple to grow plants in a jar using air. Aeroponics and NFT systems both utilize air entirely.

2. Rockwool

Rockwool is the most popular medium for encapsulation since it readily absorbs air and water. It, however, needs to be tested frequently because of its high pH levels.

3. Perlite

Perlite is also an option if you want to use a lighter medium. It’s composed of sand or glass, and it doesn’t keep nutrients for long.

4. Hydroclay

These clay pellets, often referred to as hydroton or expanded clay, are used in pottery. Expanded clay is reusable after harvesting by sterilizing it in a hydrogen peroxide-water solution.

5. Vermiculite

The non-construction type of vermiculite, which is often used in hydroponics, has traces of Aluminum, Silicon, Phosphorus, and Magnesium minerals that will help your cannabis thrive even more. It has excellent water and air retention capabilities.

6. Water

If you want to grow your plants in water, make sure they have enough air by using an air stone or pump to keep the roots supplied with oxygen.

Requirements For Growing Hydroponic Weed

Here’s everything you’ll need to produce cannabis in hydroponic gardens:

1. Hydroponic Nutrients

You must give your plants the following minerals or nutrients in addition to water and air.

• Copper
• Phosphorus
• Magnesium
• Potassium
• Nitrogen
• Iron
• Zinc
• Calcium
• Chlorine
• Boron
• Manganese

The most important nutrients in hydroponic solutions are Phosphorus, Nitrogen, and Potassium, all of which should be present at a concentration of 15%. During the flowering stage, potassium levels should reach 20% or higher.

2. Hydroponics Equipment

Water tanks, PVC pipes, timers, reservoirs, submersible pumps, and holding pots are all required for setting up a basic hydroponic system.

Depending on the sort of hydroponic system you pick, you’ll need the following specialized equipment.

• PPM-EC Meter (Parts Per Million Electrical Conductivity Meter – This gadget assesses the electrical conductivity of water to help you avoid overfertilizing and underfertilizing. The higher the conductivity, the more dissolved minerals there are.
• pH Meter (Potential of Hydrogen Meter) – The best hydroponic pH for most cannabis strains is 6.0. To determine the pH of the solution, use a pH meter to measure it.
• PPM-TDS Device – This device checks the amount of plant food in the water. It determines the total dissolved solids (TDS) in a unit volume of water, measured in milligrams per liter or parts per million (PPM). The PPM-TDS instrument aids in determining when there is an imbalance between nutrients and oxygen supply, causing starvation for plants.
• Humidifiers and Dehumidifiers – Both humidity sensors are required to maintain a constant 70 percent relative humidity within a 60- by-40-foot room, which is roughly the size of your average home.

Which Weed or Marijuana Strains Are Best for Indoor Hydro Grow?

If you’re looking for some of the greatest marijuana strains that can be cultivated in an indoor hydroponic system, then this article would be incomplete. These five will get you off to a good start.

1. AK-47

The AK-47 strain is a cross between two sativa strains that was created in 1997. It has a moderate Sativa influence.

2. White Widow

The White Widow strain is a hybrid of Indian indica and Brazilian sativa that is somewhat more difficult to produce than most strains. Its picky nature, on the other hand, makes it an excellent cannabis plant to cultivate indoors under a controlled hydro system. It takes about 60 days from germination to maturity.

3. Northern Lights

This forgiving marijuana strain endures despite your many blunders while growing it. It is a very powerful plant, and as a result, it is not suggested for beginners. As a result of its 10 weeks or longer flowering period, it becomes an impressive indoor beauty.

4. OG Kush

OG Kush is a beautiful strain, but it may be difficult to grow in small spaces. It develops to tremendous heights and might be inconvenient if you have a limited area. When cultivated in hydroponics, however, it matures faster than when grown in soil.

5. Afghan Kush

The Afghan Kush is resistant to pests, mold, and branch breakage when handled incorrectly. It is recognized for its brilliant bud clusters. Its high medicinal value makes it ideal for treating sleeplessness because it promotes sleepiness. This plant strain may be used by persons who have a weight problem in order to increase their appetite and relieve digestive issues.

Pros and Cons of Hydroponics vs Soil

Pros of Growing Weed Using Soil

• The forgiving nature of soil to negligent growers who don’t keep an eye on their plants is well documented.
• The end result has a more natural flavor.
• It’s also easier to grow cannabis in soil than in hydroponic systems, especially the more sophisticated ones.

Cons of Growing Weed Using Soil

• It’s difficult to pin down the precise nutrient concentration level.
• Pests are a common problem for marijuana plants, especially in continuous operations.
• To ensure optimum development, you must check the soil pH on a regular basis.
• Choosing the best quality of earth for the finest grade of marijuana is difficult.
• Due to constraints in material, soil can only be transformed using crop rotation as a last resort. This technique may not be appropriate for cannabis farmers.
• It takes up a lot of room.

Pros of Growing Weed Using Hydroponics

• Higher-quality marijuana as a consequence of improved management over the growth process
• From a small growing area, production is greater.
• When you personalize the feeding regimens for fainting flowers,
• Pesticides are not required since no soil means there will be no soil-borne pests.
• Growers may produce cannabis up to six times each year by hydro-growing.
• Where every aspect of the system is continually observed, the chance of water-distressed plants diminishes.
• Techniques like deep water culture and bubbleponic are used to produce automation.
• Plants with bigger leaves and broader leaves grow more efficiently in small pots due to their ability to take up less space.

Cons of Growing Weed Using Hydroponics

• Hydroponic systems might be costly for casual cannabis farmers.
• If you want to run sophisticated hydroponic systems effectively, you’ll need specialized technical knowhow.
• Waterborne illnesses are prevalent in hydroponic systems. When they manifest, they are persistent.
• Outages are a problem for hydroponic systems that include timers and electrical pumps.

Tricks, Tips, and Hacks For Growing the Best Hydroponic Weed

What are some of the basic requirements for maintaining optimum conditions for your cannabis plants to thrive?

• To keep the hydroponic garden or greenhouse at an optimum temperature, you must regulate the airflow. To do so, place some fans in different parts of the hydroponic garden or greenhouse. The ideal temperature for hydroponics water is 65° Fahrenheit to improve nutrient absorption. Maintain a growth room temperature of around 75° Fahrenheit.
• To adjust the humidity, use humidifiers to raise it or dehumidifiers to lower it. The optimum humidity level for seedlings and the vegetative stage is 60-70%. At the blooming phase, you should reduce this to around 40%.
• Disinfect all of your hydroponics equipment, including tanks, pipes, reservoirs, and submersible pumps. You may use isopropyl alcohol or hydrogen peroxide to sterilize the gear.
• Maintain the correct pH level as suggested by your hydroponics system. Beneficial fungus grows more easily when the pH is slightly acidic, which is beneficial to plants.
• Increase lighting to around 400 and 700 nanometers by using LEDs (light-emitting diodes) for smaller growing spaces and HID lights for larger ones.
• Keep track of the development of your cannabis plants as they progress through different phases. Also take note of any relevant factors, such as humidity, pH, planting dates, and so on.

Final Thoughts

Maintaining your hydroponic cannabis garden or company should not be an impossible task, based on the various elements we’ve discussed. If you’re just getting started, read through this article as a whole guide to establishing your first hydroponic marijuana garden. Gardening is a relaxing pastime that becomes even more pleasurable when you can make money while doing it.