Pure Hydroponics

Since I started in hydroponics, almost 10 years ago, I have used almost any technique I have read about. Well, if I can get it working at home, that is. Hydroponics has a lot of options and I am the “get your hands dirty” kind of guy.

Anyway, after testing a los of hydroponic systems, substrates, nutrient solutions and the like, I like pure hydroponic systems like NFT and floating raft; both of them because they don’t use a substrate.

Hydroponics without substrate have a lot of advantages; al least for me.

Less work
Using substrate means dealing with cleaning, washing and disinfecting. Getting all that work done, especially with heavy substrates like gravel, can be really hard on your back and your butt. Good if you want to have firm buns but can take the fun out of hydroponics. There are other substrates that are easier on you, but, when the season ends, you have to do it again.

Cheaper hydroponics
This is a little obvious. If you don’t have to buy it, you can use that money on other things. Some substrate can be pricey, so not using them is an alternative worth considering.

You can use your imagination on containers
This does not apply to all of them, but, if you are using a heavy substrate, you are limited in the type of container you can use. Bags, for example, cannot handle gravel very well because of the weight. When you are only using water, new options are available.

Lighter structures
When you have several plants, a structure to hold them properly may be needed. If you are using heavy substrates, the structure has to be ready to deal with a lot of weight; when only water is used, things can get much easier.

Now, I’m not saying that substrates are bad; this is only my choice. There a lots of plants and hydroponic watering systems that require substrates to work. A lot of commercial greenhouses have been using substrates and are doing pretty well.

Using pure hydroponics can save you a lot of work, but it is your choice. This is not a recommendation; is an option. After all, everything will depend on what can you do in your house. Maybe you want to do something but you just can, or you bought a fancy hydroponic system that requires some substrate.

Hydroponics is a versatile technique that only requires a little knowledge and imagination.

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