Food security is becoming a prominent concern with the growing global population.
Soil farming may seem like the natural way to grow your crops.
However, hydroponic gardening is a better sustainable system that produces tastier plants and is more efficient!
Historically, hydroponic systems date as far back as the Floating Gardens of China and Hanging Gardens of Babylon.
The concept of general hydroponics, or soilless farming, is somehow the same, but technology has improved these processes and systems for quicker plant growth and healthier crops.
What is Hydroponics?
Hydroponics is a farming method that does not involve using soil, but includes nutrient solutions, and relies heavily on a controlled environment.
In traditional agricultural systems, plants obtain all nutrients from the soil, but in a hydroponic garden, you provide the same nutrients to the plants without sunlight or soil.
There are many advantages of hydroponic farming compared to growing plants in soil.
They are as follows:
- fewer pests, diseases, or weeds
- improved crop quality
- less space
- reduced water use
- environmentally friendly
- less use of herbicides and pesticides
Do Hydroponic Plants Grow Faster?
Certainly! Hydroponic plants grow 30%-50% faster than soil or soil-free-grown plants. An undeniable benefit of hydroponic gardening is faster and more consistent crop growth rates.
In a study by Raneem Gashgar et al., we find that plants growing in a hydroponic system can yield 20-25% more than a comparable soil-based system with a productivity rate 2-5 times higher.
Why Do Plants Grow Faster in a Hydroponic System?
Plants cultivated in hydroponics see a significantly faster growth rate than plants that are grown in soil because the plants in hydroponics are provided with all their inputs at optimal levels and growing conditions.
Below are all the reasons why crops grown in a hydroponic system will have a faster growing rate than crops grown in soil.
Better Nutrient Uptake
The primary reason why hydroponic plants thrive faster than soil-based plants is the grower’s ability to create the optimal pH to allow the plants to uptake nutrients effectively.
Generally, the optimal pH for better nutrient absorption lies somewhere between 5.5 and 6.5.
In soil-based systems, factors like excess rain can dramatically lower the soil pH and impair nutrient uptake.
However, a hydroponic grower has much more control of the pH limits of the hydroponic reservoir, which will always allow for maximum nutrient absorption to the plants.
As a result, optimum nutrient availability to the plant leads to growth that is measurably better than conventional soil plants.
Additionally, since you dissolve the nutrients into the water in a hydroponic system, the nutrients are more readily available for absorption and subsequently are assimilated much quicker in the plant.
There is definitely more time taken and energy exerted by soil plants, as they need to break down the nutrients into small useable parts for absorption, which results in slower growth of the plants.
Effective Energy Utilization
Generally, a grower will distribute nutrients in a soil-based garden on a broad scale.
As a result, plants spend much of their energy growing roots in search of water and nutrients.
However, a hydroponic system has direct access to a nutrient solution.
Consequently, the plant is able to devote its energy to processes that promote plant growth.
Controlled Climate by Automated Systems
Outside crops can suffer from rain, humidity, sunlight, and the elements.
In a hydroponics system, in which you are controlling the relative humidity, the amount of water provided to the system, the temperature, and the amount of sunlight your plants experience for their survival and growth.
Key takeaway, since you are providing all of the optimal growing conditions, your plants will in fact grow faster and more robustly.
Optimal Aeration
Hydroponic systems use growing mediums that provide a maximum of oxygenation to the roots.
A plant requires sufficient oxygen for respiration and to produce energy for healthy plant growth.
Thus, proper root aeration is good for plant growth. Adequate root growth makes for adequate nutrient uptake for rapid plant growth.
Lack of Competition
Dealing with weeds is one of the main disadvantages of growing in soil.
Weeds compete against your crops for the essential nutrients and water your plants need for healthy and fast-growing crops.
Nutrients and water are limited, leading to slow growth in your plants.
Fortunately, there are no weeds in a hydroponics system.
As a result, your plants can optimize and utilize all the nutrients and moisture you give them and will grow rapid.
Reduced Risk of Pests and Diseases
A hydroponic system employs a sterile medium that shields the plants from pests and diseases.
Since a hydroponic system is a controlled environment, you can also generate conditions to prevent pests and slow down plant disease development.
When pests and diseases are absent, the plants are healthy. Healthier plants will grow faster.
What Are the Fastest-growing Hydroponic Plants?
While a hydroponic system allows for climate control, each crop will have different pH levels, nutrients, humidity, temperature, and aeration to promote optimal growth.
Depending on what kind of hydroponic system you have, you can grow herbs, lettuces, fruits, and flowers.
However, some plants grow much faster than others.
So, here they are: the fastest-growing hydroponic plants:
- Lettuce
- Coriander
- Spinach
- Peppers
- Blueberries
- Cucumbers
- Strawberries
- Spring onions
- Mint
- Oregano
- Basil
Conclusion
In conclusion, a conventional hydroponic system is not based on soil, has controlled pH, optimal nutrient delivery, maximum aeration, and is free of pests, diseases, and weeds.
Therefore, creating the best possible growing conditions in a hydroponic garden results in faster maturity of plants, and healthier harvests than producing in a soil environment.