Differences In Hydroponic Systems

Hydroponics (growing plants and food without soil) is gaining a lot of traction among consumers, as more people take an interest in it. There are a number of hydroponic systems out there, designed to help grow different plants in various quantities. Sometimes, these methods are pre-designed and sold as a unit or kit (a great option for beginners); more experienced growers usually buy components and design their own systems. This article shall discuss few of the more common hydroponic applications and their respective functions.

Ebb and Flow (also called Flood and Drain)
In this most common method of hydroponics, plants are placed in a growth tray over a nutrient container, and a pump is utilized to “flood” the tray(s) with the nutrient solution. Excess solution unabsorbed by the roots “drains” back into the reservoir and is recycled. A variation of this is the Drip System, which utilizes a pump to create a continual drip of nutrient solution into the growth tray.

Nutrient Film Technique (NFT)
Here, the roots of the plants are suspended in a constant “film” of nutrient solution; a pump sends this flow into one end of the tray, and empties it out to the other end into the reservoir. This method is great at nourishing roots but this is also seen as super technical and high-maintenance since the roots are not anchored in a medium.

The Water Culture System
The oldest hydroponic systems, and one of the simplest, a platform of planters simply floats in the nutrient reservoir while the plant roots dangle in the solution. Often, an air pump is introduced into the system to oxygenate the solution. The Water Culture System is certainly an easy as well as inexpensive way to start a hobby in hydroponics.

The Wick System
This is one of the few methods that doesn’t use a pump. A wick (such as an oil lamp wick or candle wick) simply draws the nutrient solution from the reservoir to the growth tray, where the plant roots absorb it. This more passive system is low-maintenance, but it can often over-soak the roots, resulting to a smaller yield.

Aeroponics
This is probably the most effective, and the most technical of the hydroponic systems. The plant roots have no anchor or medium; exposed to the air, they are continually sprayed with a vapor-mist of solution, allowing for quick absorption and lots of oxygenation. When done correctly, this method can generate large, quick-growing plants and lots of fruit.

These hydroponic systems are proven methods of growing plants without soil. As you can see, some are more complicated than others, and some more efficient. Choosing the system for you largely depends on your time, budget as well as overall needs.

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