The Best Plants for Hydroponics Systems
Hydroponics is the process of growing plants without soil and in a water-based solution that contains the minerals and nutrients needed for the plant to thrive. Hydroponics systems use water more efficiently than soil-based growing methods, and the crops can be produced much faster. Many people choose to set up hydroponics systems in their homes with grow lights in order to grow plants all year round. This hobby is perfect for gardening enthusiasts. In this article, we take a look at the best plants for hydroponic systems.
Lettuce
Lettuce is a great plant for beginner hydroponic growers; lettuce is fast-growing and easily adapts to a hydroponic environment. In addition, it doesn’t grow very tall, so you won’t need to worry about supporting it as it grows. The roots of lettuce plants aren’t very deep, which makes things easier for hydroponics. Depending on the type of lettuce, you can have something you can eat within four to six weeks. There are many different types of lettuce plants you can choose to grow; bibb lettuce is great for a complete beginner, tom thumb is ideal if you haven’t got much room, and romaine also works well but takes a bit more time.
Strawberries
Having access to freshly grown produce all year round is one of the greatest things about hydroponics systems. Strawberries are an ideal fruit for a beginner hydroponics grower. Many strawberries you buy in the supermarket will actually be grown using a hydroponics system; with the right set-up, you can replicate the same results at home. Strawberry plants take a long time to grow from seed, so you’re better off buying a young plant and transferring this to your hydroponics system. Strawberry plants need around 8-12 hours of light a day which can be kept constant throughout their life. With strawberries, like many other hydroponic plants, you need to keep a close eye on the water quality and PH levels.
Basil
Another easy plant to grow hydroponically is basil; this plant is quick to grow and compact during its growth, meaning it won’t take up too much space in your hydroponics system. If you want to increase the speed of your harvest, choose a basil variety that’s quick to grow, examples include; Aroma 2, Genovese and Prospera. You can grow basil from cuttings or from seed; both methods are great for growing this plant. One thing to note is basil thrives when it has a lot of light, so ensure you invest in a good light source for your hydroponic system; LED hydro kits are a great choice as they’re cheap to run and last for a long time.
Bell peppers
Bell peppers are a very versatile crop that can be used in a variety of dishes; growing them at home yourself is a great way to ensure you always have a fresh supply for salads and other delicious dishes. Bell peppers aren’t the easiest plants to grow hydroponically because they need lots of growing room and extra support; however, the plant itself adapts well to being grown hydroponically. Bell peppers need support systems to keep them upright during growth so the plant doesn’t tip over or break. In addition, they should be placed around 18-24 inches apart from each other, so you will need a medium to large grow space if you want to grow several bell pepper plants at once. Like basil plants, bell peppers need lots of light in order to thrive and produce plenty of peppers.
Growing plants at home using your own hydroponics system can be incredibly rewarding, especially if you have enough crops to make a whole meal without needing to rely on supermarkets or other farmers for produce. When you first start out growing plants hydroponically, take things slowly and start with just one or two plants. You can then scale up the number of plants when you work out the best hydroponic methods. You’re likely to make mistakes at the start and might lose a few plants on the way; if this happens, don’t get discouraged. Once you get the hang of hydroponic growing, you’ll be hooked and will want to try all kinds of plants.