Aeroponics: Traditional Hydroponics Systems
Aeroponics is the process of growing plants in air or mist environment without the use of soil. Not to be confused with hydroponics or peeponics, aeroponics is the process of spraying or fogging the roots of the plants with a nutrient solution. The plants are usually housed in troughs, tubes or foam, with the leafy part of the plants separate from the roots. Moreover, the roots are usually fully exposed and constantly sprayed with micro bursts of atomized water.
Why aeroponics are used?
Since plants have access to oxygen 24/7 they generally will experience faster growth than conventional means
Water and nutrient used efficiently
Less need for nutrients and water than traditional hydroponics systems no need to worry about weeding takes up very little space
Can be made as a DIY project
It uses considerably less energy and water than traditional agriculture. systems can be built as a DIY project
Disadvantages of aeroponics you will need to provide nutrients as with hydroponics requires electricity for small pumps and timers as with hydroponics, you will need some form of competency to run system can be an expensive system to buy
In the beginning you need to monitor the water
Root crops and trees are much more difficult to grow
Final words on aeroponics
Aeroponics has been tested to grow cleaner, more consistent herbs like burdock at the University of Arizona’s College of Agricultural and Life Sciences. Research at the Cornell University Cooperative Extension has found that aeroponics is the most efficient means of growing leafy greens. Greens can become contaminated with soil pathogens and bacteria like e.coli, but aeroponics greatly reduces these risks. That is what all the research says. Practically, aeroponics would seem a perfect fit for also growing small potatoes. Hydroponics give more harvest but smaller and fewer tubers than aeroponics. However, from the pitcher one can see how much easier harvesting the potatoes will be over hydroponics
Why aeroponics are used?
Since plants have access to oxygen 24/7 they generally will experience faster growth than conventional means
Water and nutrient used efficiently
Less need for nutrients and water than traditional hydroponics systems no need to worry about weeding takes up very little space
Can be made as a DIY project
It uses considerably less energy and water than traditional agriculture. systems can be built as a DIY project
Disadvantages of aeroponics you will need to provide nutrients as with hydroponics requires electricity for small pumps and timers as with hydroponics, you will need some form of competency to run system can be an expensive system to buy
In the beginning you need to monitor the water
Root crops and trees are much more difficult to grow
Final words on aeroponics
Aeroponics has been tested to grow cleaner, more consistent herbs like burdock at the University of Arizona’s College of Agricultural and Life Sciences. Research at the Cornell University Cooperative Extension has found that aeroponics is the most efficient means of growing leafy greens. Greens can become contaminated with soil pathogens and bacteria like e.coli, but aeroponics greatly reduces these risks. That is what all the research says. Practically, aeroponics would seem a perfect fit for also growing small potatoes. Hydroponics give more harvest but smaller and fewer tubers than aeroponics. However, from the pitcher one can see how much easier harvesting the potatoes will be over hydroponics