Are you at a loss as to which hydroponic method will be best for you and growing a high-yield cannabis crop? We know how hard it can be to trawl through the web, looking for information that never seems to get to the point.
That is why we have written this article. We have the know-how and want to make your life easier.
So, if you want to learn about different hydroponics methods and what the benefit of using them is going to be for growing cannabis, this article is going to be perfect for you.
In this article, we are going to go over the best hydroponics methods for growing cannabis and ways that you can grow your weed hydroponically.
So, without further ado, let us dive right in and get started!
Six Hydroponic Methods Of Growing Weed
There are quite a few methods and systems for growing cannabis, and in this section, we are going to go over the best ones.
1. Nutrient Film Technique
This system is also known as a NFT system. It is one which constantly has a current of nutrition water-based solution. This nutrient stream will go across the tip of the roots of the cannabis plant.
When the NFT system is used, it will be constantly tilted at an angle that allows the nutrients to move according to the angle of the system.
This is a great system that allows the roots of the plant to absorb oxygen from the air instead of through the nutrient solution within the system.
The absorption of nutrients through the air is actually highly beneficial for the plant, as it lets them get more oxygen. On top of that, with the nutrients just touching the tip of the roots, it can help the plant to grow faster than usual.
2. Ebb & Flow Hydroponic Systems
If you would rather use a different method, you may find that the ebb and flow hydroponic system is a strong contender.
This hydroponic system is often called the flood and drain system, it is a very good system and perfectly suited to indoor cannabis growth.
This system, in particular, works by completely covering the area where the plants grow. This happens every so often and it is done with the nutrient base. Every once in a while, the nutrient base will slowly drain into the reservoir.
This whole process has to be done over and over again at certain intervals. As such, it would be a good idea to use a timer and attach it to the pump.
This is the perfect system for varieties of weed that are used in times of drought. Certain strains actually thrive more if they go through dry spells. When this happens, for some plants, it can help them to develop stronger roots and more.
3. Deepwater Culture Hydroponic System
This hydroponic method is frequently referred to as the reservoir method. In our opinion, it is one of the easiest indoor hydroponic systems to use. You have to love a no-fuss system like this!
The deepwater culture hydroponic system is one that allows the roots of the marijuana plant to be immersed in the nutrient solution.
This solution is super oxygenated, you can use an aquarium pump to do this. By keeping the solution oxygenated, you can stop the roots of the weed plant from drowning, despite being submerged in the nutrient solution.
If you are going to use this method, we recommend that you make sure that no light penetrates the system, as this can cause the growth of algae. If algae are allowed to develop, the plant may die. So, be vigilant!
This is a fantastic method for those of you that need a good introduction to use hydroponic systems. It is easy to use and there are fewer things that can go wrong with this method.
4. Aeroponics Hydroponic Systems
Otherwise, known as the aerogarden hydroponic system, this method is one where the cannabis plant will have a mist sprayed on it. The roots will be hanging in the air and misted.
This system uses two main ways to get nutrients to the exposed roots of the weed plant.
The first is done using a delicate nozzle which will periodically spray the roots of the plant. The net method is if you use a pond fogger.
If you want to go with this method, you need to get a pond fogger with a Teflon-treated disc, as this will lower the amount of maintenance that will be needed.
There are a few systems that you can buy to use this method, one really good option is the AeroGarden. It is a small but easy device to set up, which makes it perfect for those of you that need something easy to use.
5. Hydroponic Drip System
This method utilizes a simple drip system that has been designed to slowly supply the nutrients your weed plant needs.
If this is a method that you want to go with, it is the preferred way to go about it is to use rock wool, coco-coir, or peat moss. Hydroponic mediums require good drainage too and in this case, there should be a dripping emitter.
This ensures that the nutrients are distributed to the plant at a regular and consistent speed.
One of the main issues with the drip method is the equipment. The nozzles and pipes are renowned for getting clogged, which can cause trouble down the line if you are not careful.
This is not a popular hydroponic system, especially for growing cannabis. But, it can work relatively well if you stay on top of keeping the equipment in good condition.
6. Wicking
Using a hydroponic wicking system is easily one of the easiest and most cost-effective indoor hydroponic systems out there. Wicking works by using a material lick cotton which has been hemmed in by a medium that helps to promote growth.
The other end of the material is then kept submerged in a water-based nutrient solution. With this setup, the nutrients can be wicked all the way up to the plant’s roots.
But, this system can be streamlined to make it more beneficial for your plants. For example, if you were to take the materials out of the equation, all you have to do is use the medium itself to wick the nutrients to the roots of the plant.
You can do this by simply angling the end of the medium into the nutrient solution.
If you want to go with this method, we recommend that you steer clear of rock wool, coco-coir, or peat mediums as they tend to be a little too absorbent. This can cause your plant to suffocate. Which is obviously not good.
What Kind Of Equipment Will You Need For Hydroponic Growing?
Before you start using hydroponic growing methods to cultivate your cannabis, we recommend that you take stock of what you will need.
It is, for this reason, that we have listed the main pieces of equipment you will need for growing cannabis through hydroponics down below:
Hydroponic Nutrients
Pumps
Grow Trays
Reservoirs
Timer
pH Test Kit
Grow Lights
Growing Medium
Bear in mind that you will be able to get different brands and types of these pieces of equipment. As such, we recommend that you make sure that whatever you get will be high quality.
This way, you are less likely to have something go wrong later down the road.
What Is The Best Method Of Hydroponics For Cannabis?
If you are looking for a hydroponic method that will cause your plants to have a high yield, we recommend that you go for the DWC or Deep Water Culture method.
This method is known for helping your plants to have a high-yield crop. The main reason for this is that the roots are suspended over a very nutrient-rich solution, which is directly providing oxygen and nutrients to the plant.
If you want an efficient hydroponic system, we recommend that you go for the Aeroponic system. It is known for using ninety-five percent less water than other traditional growing methods.
On top of that, it also uses twenty percent less water than the other hydroponic systems that we have mentioned here.
As for which method is the best for cannabis, it is entirely up to you. All of these methods are effective in their own way.
As such, it is up to you to decide which one will work for you, where you are growing, what climate it is, and more. So, do your research, and find out which hydroponic system will suit your personal situation.
Final Thoughts
We hope that you have enjoyed reading this article and learning about which hydroponic methods are best for growing high-yield and good-quality cannabis.
All of these methods are good options, but it is up to you to decide which one is going to suit your situation.
If you have enjoyed reading this article, make sure to read some of our other articles. We have a ton of fascinating weed-related articles that you are sure to find educational, useful, or even interesting.
So, make sure to take a moment to peruse our website. You never know what you might find!
Hi, I’m Zack Finch and I work as a Budtender for a Health & Wellness center here, in sunny California. I have been using marijuana recreationally for around 6 years now, and have many a time enjoyed the benefit that weed has to offer.
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