If you want to grow healthy plants without soil, hydroponics is the way to go. This process grows plants in mineral-rich water. There are certain types of plants that do well in hydroponics, however. Let’s look at some of them. Chives, Parsley, Tomatoes, Cucumbers, and Marigolds are just a few of the most popular options.
Chives
Growing chives in hydroponics is one of the easiest ways to grow herbs for use in cooking. Although these herbs are not hardy, they can be grown hydroponically. The plant requires a long growing period. A common method is to grow them in vertical towers. The vertical towers work best with divisions, rather than seeds, which can be difficult to grow. If you’re not into vertical towers, try growing chives in clumps in soil.
The chives plant requires a high-quality liquid nutrient. They require at least 14 hours of light a day. You can use liquid nutrients for parsley or cilantro. For a hydroponics grow medium, mix equal parts of soil, water, and a potting mix. The media should be moist, and seeds should be planted half an inch beneath the surface. Growing chives in hydroponics requires the correct amount of light, humidity, and temperature.
Besides being easy to grow, chives also require less space than other herbs. A hydroponics system allows for greater efficiency and yield. The plants will take approximately four to six weeks to grow to full maturity in a soil bed, but they are slightly accelerated in hydroponics. If you start chives in a hydroponics system, they will be ready for harvesting in about 1.5 to two months.
Parsley
Growing parsley in a hydroponics system is easy, and it’s ideal for beginners and experienced gardeners alike. It grows in a variety of soils, including peat moss, organic manure, potting soil, and grow lights. Because hydroponics systems provide dissolved nutrients and water, plants in a hydroponic system receive exact amounts of nutrients and water.
This Mediterranean native is widely used as a garnish in savory dishes and is perfect for growing in a hydroponic system. Parsley comes in many varieties – frilly, bitter, and large. Large-leaf parsley is the most common type for hydroponics, and it grows easily and abundantly 12-18 inches from the face of the media. Parsley grows 30 percent faster in a hydroponic system than in soil.
The parsley plant is easy to grow in a hydroponic system, but it will need to be prepared prior to planting it. Make sure you have good drainage for your hydroponic system, and follow the manufacturer’s instructions. Parsley seeds should be sown thinly across a 25-cm pot. Cover the seed with 1cm of compost. The seeds will germinate in three to four weeks if you keep them moist. The first harvest will be about five to six weeks after planting them.
Tomatoes
The best tomatoes to grow in a hydroponics system are determinate varieties. These types of plants grow without staking, but they tend to bend down when they set their fruit. Because they’re not tied down, they touch the growing medium, which may result in rot. During flowering, tomato plants produce a large cluster of pink to red blooms that may be difficult to spot. In addition, plants must be pollinated by humans in order to produce fruit. In general, tomato plants have a pH between 5.8 and 6. Any higher or lower than this level will prevent the plants from absorbing the nutrients they need.
Once your tomatoes reach flowering stage, you’ll want to change the nutrient solution to one that’s geared towards fruit production. You can find nutrient solutions for hydroponics with as little as one part of organic fertilizer. Some of them will have specific targets for EC and pH levels, depending on the variety you’re growing and the mineral content of your water. Follow the instructions carefully and make sure your tomatoes receive the right amount of nutrients.
Cucumbers
The key to successfully growing cucumbers in hydroponics is knowing how to plant them. You should plant them between two and six feet apart, with the end of the seed facing down. This way, their roots will grow into their full potential. Cucumbers have two flowers, a male and a female. The male flower will produce pollen, which you must rub onto the female flower. If you miss this step, your plants may die.
If you grow cucumbers hydroponically, you should choose varieties that are easily trained vertically. The variety you choose depends on the conditions in which you live and the presence of diseases. For instance, you should choose resistant varieties, such as “Dominica,” “Logica,” and “Marillo.” You should also choose cucumbers that are disease-resistant. For example, “Corona” and “Discover” are excellent choices if you live in a hot humid climate.
Cucumber seeds germinate very easily. You can plant them directly in substrate, or you can buy seed starter plugs and place them on a heated germination mat. Seedlings germinate best when they are at high humidity and temperatures. After three to ten days, cucumbers will be showing green heads. Plant seeds approximately one inch deep. Cucumber plants should be grown three to six feet apart.
Strawberries
Strawberry plants can be grown in different ways in hydroponic systems. During the growing season, they need 8-12 hours of light per day. While the natural light provided by the sun is sufficient, supplemental grow lights may be necessary. Proper water and pH levels are important for successful hydroponic strawberry cultivation. For this purpose, hydroponic systems need a good growing medium, such as coco coir, clay pebbles, or growstones.
Strawberries are in the Rosaceae family, along with other fruit crops such as apples, pears, plums, and cherries. Originally, strawberries were known as strew-berries because their runners were spread across the ground. These berries were eventually shortened to strawberries in English. As such, they are suited to hydroponic systems. But be sure to choose the right type of strawberries for your hydroponic garden.
For optimal hydroponic strawberry growth, choose a variety that blooms during the entire year. Everbearing varieties are ideal, as they can produce a single crop in the spring and another crop in the fall. Several varieties can be grown successfully in hydroponic systems. For instance, the day-neutral variety Quinault strawberry has wide berries, and Mara de Bois is firm, sweet, and firm.
Basil
If you’re a beginner hydroponic gardener, one of your top concerns is choosing the best basil plants for hydroponics. There are many types of basil, so choosing the right one can be difficult. You need to consider several factors, including growth rate, disease resistance, and flavor. Read this article for tips. There’s also a section that goes over the various basil leaf varieties. To help you choose the best basil plants for hydroponics, here are some tips:
Basil is a highly versatile plant. There are many types of basil, from the fragrant lemon-scented basil to the sweet-tasting cinnamon variety. Each variety will produce slightly different flavor. While some basil varieties are suitable for hydroponics, others are better for soil-based growing. Choose the basil varieties that suit your growing conditions and budget. Once you have chosen the type of basil you’d like to grow, you can start growing it in your hydroponic garden.
The best way to grow basil hydroponically is to grow it in nutrient-rich water. Basil does well in nutrient-rich media and requires between 14 and 16 hours of sunlight. It also prefers fertilizers that contain high amounts of calcium, magnesium, and nitrogen. Its optimal temperature range is 70 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit. Ensure the medium is moist and at a temperature between 65 and 80 degrees.
Mints
The best mints for hydroponics can be started from seed, but more commonly, they are grown from clones, cuttings, or rootstock. The growing medium should be pre-soaked to ensure sufficient moisture for growth, as dry media will absorb moisture from the roots and stress them. Pre-soaked propagation cubes are also effective. Mint seeds germinate in a matter of weeks. Mint plants are transplanted to hydroponic systems when they have sprouted.
When growing mint in hydroponics, you will have to change the nutrient solution on a monthly basis. This solution is a mixture of water and the nutrients required for the plants. Mint is not a heavy feeder, so a low nitrogen formula is recommended. High nitrogen formulas will promote lush leaves, but will give substandard flavor. You can also consider a passive hydroponic system.
When choosing the best mints for hydroponics, keep in mind that you must select one with a high tolerance for varying conditions. Mint is an easy-going plant that does well in hydroponic systems. While this means that it will grow in less than ideal conditions, you should consider the lighting requirements of mint plants. Mint needs about eight hours of light a day to produce its dense foliage.
