Just as hydroponic means growing plants without soil: a vertical hydroponics system is a combination of staked hydroponics in a vertical manner.
The idea of a vertical hydroponic system came about to solve space management. At the same time, there is an adequate system for you to plant as many as you can.
What is Vertical Hydroponics Farming?
Vertical hydroponics farming involves cultivating crops with the use of water rather than
However, the stumbled up levels comes at an extra cost. Vertical hydroponics placed indoors will need to be positioned where there is an equal amount of sunlight for all levels. This can be quite challenging to achieve. However, to make things easier, you can use a vertical grow light to provide optimal growth for all levels.
Also, if your vertical hydroponics is placed outdoors, you need to find a perfect spot for adequate sunlight.
Ideal Plants Grown With Vertical Hydroponics System
You can grow various plants with a vertical system such as herbs, vegetables, and fruits. Examples include:
Spinach, lettuce, broccoli, cabbage, mint, cucumbers, eggplants, collard greens, strawberries, tomatoes, peppers, kale, basil, chives, and so on.
Benefits of Vertical Hydroponics System
Just like the normal hydroponics system, you can enjoy the same benefits with vertical hydroponics, but in a vertical manner. The benefits include:
- Enjoy planting with no mess from the
soil . - You get to enjoy year-round plant production.
- Crop yield will be more increased.
- You can place vertical hydroponics systems both outdoors and indoors.
- You get to cultivate more plants in minimal space.
- Because the vertical system makes use of water rather than traditional
soil ,soil -borne pests and diseases are reduced drastically. - Enjoy the benefits of reduced weed problem.
- With the closed water nutrient system, water remains in the tubes with no spilling.
- Wastage is reduced because the water-filled nutrient is reused in the closed-circuit until no point of use.
Roleadro Grow Light, 1000W LED Grow Light
Check A List of Quality bt Cheapest LED Grow Lights Online
How to Ensure a Successful Running Vertical Hydroponic System
You need to ensure your vertical hydroponics system runs successfully so you don’t regret investing in one. So here are a couple of things to do for a successful running of a vertical hydroponics system:
- You need to ensure water flows optimally at every level of the system. Getting water to reach the highest level might be an issue. You will need to design your vertical hydroponics with a bigger powered pump.
- Take note that the lower level plants do not drown.
- You need to monitor the provision for light. All hydroponic flourishes with light, so it is essential they get optimal light anywhere they are placed. Also, ensure all plant levels receive an equal amount of light for maximum growth.
- Monitor the nutrient mix always.
Adequate Input
You can grow more plants from vertical hydroponic. However, this usually costs additional investments and input for your vertical system to run smoothly.
For instance, grow lights and motors will involve setting up energy bills. Also, the water which is a closed flow system will need to be watched closely.
The good news is that the benefits of a vertical system supersede the limitations. Considering the fact that lands are becoming lesser for gardening. Vertical farming offers you the opportunity of planting as much as you can in minimal space.
Zigzag Vertical Hydroponic System
The design of most vertical hydroponic system is vertical. However, some vertical system design may come in a zigzag pattern.
We have the PVC diagonally staked up in a zigzag vertical system. You can also see the plants sheltered in net cups.
This system might be a bit complex. However, if you can work it out, the operations will become easy. The system has adequate capacity of planting more crops efficiently with higher productivity.
FAQ’s
How do you set up a vertical hydroponic system?
There are several ways to go about setting up a vertical hydroponic system. The most common is the use of a large container with holes drilled in it. Some companies will provide a system like this for you, but they are not cheap. They are generally set up by a company that specializes in hydroponic systems. If you have the space, you can build your own.
The basic idea is to create a large chamber and drill holes in the bottom of the chamber so that the water can drain out. There are some issues with this method. First, it requires a lot of space. It also requires a lot of maintenance. You will need to keep an eye on it so that it does not flood. The holes must be kept clean and you need to ensure that they don't become clogged. Another option is to use a series of plastic containers. These come in different sizes and can be stacked one on top of the other. They are usually made to hold one or two gallons of water. You will need to drill small holes in the bottom of each container, and then run tubing through the holes. The tubing goes into a pump that circulates the water in the containers.
This method does not require a lot of space, but the maintenance is still a hassle. A third option is to use a vertical hydroponic system that is designed specifically for growing plants. These systems are very efficient because they allow the plants to grow directly in the water. This eliminates the need to keep the roots moist. The only problem with these systems is that they are expensive.
Is vertical or horizontal hydroponics better?
What are the advantages of a vertical hydroponic system? The main advantage of using a vertical hydroponic system is that it allows you to maximize your growing space. If you have a large area and don't want to use too much of it, you can grow your plants in a vertical hydroponic system. It is possible to grow up to ten or more plants in a single container. This is the most efficient way to grow plants because the plants can utilize every inch of the container. This means that you will be able to get more product for your money. Another advantage of a vertical hydroponic system is that you will be able to control the amount of light that your plants receive. If you use a vertical hydroponic system you can simply add or remove containers from the system to adjust the amount of light that the plants receive. You can also move them around as needed to ensure that they receive enough light. This gives you the ability to monitor the progress of your plants and make adjustments as necessary. A third advantage is that you can easily move your plants to a different location if you decide to sell them. When you grow your plants in a vertical hydroponic system, it is possible to grow them in different locations. The only thing you need to do is move the entire system. The plants can be moved directly to another container or to the ground. How do you set up a horizontal hydroponic system? The most common way to set up a horizontal hydroponic system is to use a series of plastic containers. These come in different sizes and you will need to determine which one works best for your situation. There are many advantages to using a horizontal hydroponic system. The main advantage is that you can grow as many plants as you want in a single container. This is an efficient method for growing a lot of product. You can even grow plants in several containers if you want. The plants are kept moist, but not too wet. The biggest problem with a horizontal hydroponic system is that you have to keep the roots moist. This requires you to keep the roots in the water at all times. This is a hassle because it means you need to constantly check on the plants. You can solve this problem by adding a pump that will keep the roots moist. The pump is set up so that it circulates water through the containers.
Conclusion
Vertical hydroponics system makes gardening life so much easier and productivity is significantly maximized. It is especially ideal for people that live in an urban environment where there’s no adequate space for gardening.
Even though there are a couple of challenges involved in using vertical hydroponics, it still renders many benefits in farming. You can solve most of the challenges easily with little investment and some work
As of now, you can find various vertical hydroponic kits in the market. This tells us there is an increase in the interest and demands of vertical hydroponics
Eunice is an enthusiastic gardener with a passion for growing beautiful flowers. She loves nothing more than spending time in her garden, tending to her plants and enjoying the outdoors. Eunice has been gardening for over 15 years and has developed a unique style of landscaping that is both practical and aesthetically pleasing. She is especially fond of growing roses and enjoys experimenting with different varieties and colors. Eunice takes great pride in her garden and often shares the fruits of her labor with friends and family. In her spare time, she enjoys reading gardening magazines and attending local horticulture events. Eunice is passionate about her hobby and is always eager to share her knowledge and experience with others.
