Hydroponic Cultivation

In recent years, hydroponic cultivation has evolved from an experimental technique to a true pillar of modern agriculture. More and more growers, researchers, and enthusiasts are choosing soilless systems to achieve greater control, faster growth, and higher yields.

Unlike traditional agriculture, hydroponics completely eliminates the use of soil, providing plants with a balanced nutrient solution directly to the roots. This approach allows for control over every single growth variable: water, oxygen, nutrients, pH, and temperature.

The result is a cultivation method that is more efficient, clean, and predictable, capable of operating in urban environments, indoors, in greenhouses, or on infertile soils. For those seeking precision, quality, and space optimization, hydroponic cultivation represents one of the most advanced solutions available today.

What Hydroponic Cultivation Is and How It Works

Hydroponic cultivation is a soilless growing technique in which plants grow without soil, absorbing mineral nutrients directly from water. The term comes from the Greek hydro (water) and ponos (work).

In nature, plants do not feed on the soil itself, but on the nutrients dissolved in the water present in the soil. Hydroponics replicates and optimizes this process, providing exactly what the plant needs, at the right time.

Roots can be immersed in a nutrient solution, supported by inert substrates such as expanded clay, rock wool, or coconut fiber, or left suspended in the air and misted.

This system eliminates soil-related uncertainties: pathogens, pests, unpredictable deficiencies, and pH fluctuations. Growers achieve total control of the root environment, with growth typically 20% to 50% faster than soil cultivation.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Hydroponic Cultivation

Main Advantages

• Water saving: Hydroponic systems use up to 90% less water thanks to continuous nutrient solution recirculation.
• Accelerated growth: shorter cycles and more annual harvests. Plants concentrate all energy on vegetative growth and production.
• Absence of pathogens and pests: drastically reduces the use of pesticides and fungicides.
• Space optimization: vertical systems and indoor cultivation allow high yields in limited spaces.
• Precise control: pH, EC, temperature, and nutrients can be adjusted for superior and consistent harvests.

Disadvantages and Challenges

• Initial cost: systems, pumps, equipment, and specialized nutrients require significant investment.
• Technological dependence: pump failures, power outages, or aeration issues can quickly damage plants.
• Learning curve: concepts such as pH, EC, and root oxygenation require experience.
• Operating costs: electricity, nutrient replacement, and continuous maintenance.
• Frequent maintenance: cleaning tanks, checking drippers, and replacing nutrient solution.

All Hydroponic Cultivation Systems

DWC System (Deep Water Culture)

Roots immersed in a highly oxygenated nutrient solution via pumps and diffusers. Easy to build and manage, very fast growth. Disadvantages: pH and temperature monitoring, pump failure risk.

NFT System (Nutrient Film Technique)

A thin film of nutrient solution flows continuously over sloped channels. Optimal oxygenation and fast growth. Ideal for lettuce and herbs. Disadvantages: highly sensitive to failures, requires perfectly leveled channels.

Ebb and Flow System

Controlled flooding and draining cycles via timer. Versatile, works with various substrates, and tolerates failures better than NFT or DWC.

Drip System

Constant nutrient solution distribution via drippers. Can be closed or open loop. Scalable and automatable. Disadvantages: filters required, dripper maintenance, drainage control.

Aeroponic System

Roots suspended in air and misted at regular intervals. Maximum oxygenation, faster growth, excellent water efficiency. Disadvantages: requires experience, high maintenance, rapid failure if mismanaged.

Wick System

Passive transport of nutrient solution from the tank to the substrate via wicks. Cheap and simple, ideal for beginners and small plants. Disadvantages: slower growth, not suitable for large plants.

Nutrients, pH, and Nutrient Solution Management

Essential Macronutrients

Primary: Nitrogen (N), Phosphorus (P), Potassium (K). Secondary: Calcium (Ca), Magnesium (Mg), Sulfur (S).

Micronutrients

Fe, Mn, Zn, Cu, B, Mo, Cl. Essential even in small amounts; deficiencies cause chlorosis, necrosis, and stunted growth.

pH Management

Ideal range: 5.5–6.5. Daily control with digital pH meter. Adjustments: pH Down or pH Up.

EC and TDS

EC (mS/cm) and TDS (ppm) measure salt concentration in the solution. Typical values: 0.4–0.8 for seedlings, 1.0–1.6 vegetative, 1.6–2.2 flowering.

Solution Temperature

Ideal: 18–22°C. High temperatures reduce oxygen; low temperatures slow nutrient uptake. Solutions: chillers or heaters.

Inert Substrates for Hydroponics

Expanded Clay

Fired clay balls, neutral pH, reusable. Excellent drainage and aeration.

Rock Wool

Mineral fiber from melted volcanic rocks. Ideal for germination and cloning. Requires pre-treatment to lower pH.

Coconut Fiber

Renewable and ecological. Excellent water retention, good drainage, promotes root development. Requires specific nutrients.

Perlite and Vermiculite

Perlite: drainage and aeration. Vermiculite: water and nutrient retention, ideal for Wick and germination.

Mixed Substrates

70% coconut + 30% perlite = balance of retention/drainage. 50% clay + 50% coconut works well in Ebb and Flow.

Indoor Lighting for Hydroponic Cultivation

HPS Lamps

Ideal for flowering, high power (600–1000W), high heat, require cooling.

MH Lamps

Blue-white spectrum for vegetative growth. Often combined with HPS.

CFL and T5 Lamps

Low heat and consumption. Ideal for germination and vegetative growth of small plants.

LED Lamps

Full spectrum, 40–60% energy saving, long lifespan. Covers all growth stages.

Photoperiod and DLI

Photoperiod: 18/6 vegetative, 12/12 flowering. Optimal DLI: 20–30 mol/m²/day vegetative, 30–40+ flowering.

Climate Control: Temperature, Humidity, and Ventilation

Ambient Temperature

Ideal: 20–26°C day, 18–22°C night. Day-night differential: 4–6°C.

Relative Humidity

65–75% germination/clones, 50–70% vegetative, 40–50% flowering.

Ventilation and Air Exchange

Removes heat and humidity, brings fresh air, prevents stagnant zones.

Supplemental CO₂

Increasing from 400 to 1000–1500 ppm can boost growth by 20–30%. Requires sealed environment and intense lighting.

Advanced Management, Monitoring, and Automation

Continuous Monitoring

Environmental controllers record pH, EC, temperature, humidity, CO₂. Alerts via app if parameters go out of range.

System Automation

Timers manage lighting, flooding, and misting. Smart systems automatically regulate pH, EC, and climate.

IoT Integration

Remote control via smartphone: real-time monitoring, notifications, historical graphs.

Common Problems and Troubleshooting

Nutrient Deficiencies

Nitrogen: lower leaves yellow. Phosphorus: dark/purple leaves. Potassium: leaf edges burned. Calcium: leaf tips dead. Magnesium: interveinal chlorosis. Iron: young leaves yellow.

Always check pH before adding nutrients.

Root Rot

Caused by Pythium under low oxygen conditions. Prevention: water below 22°C, proper oxygenation. Treatment: H₂O₂, beneficial bacteria/enzymes.

Algae in Solution

Prevention: cover tanks and pipes. Treatment: empty and clean with diluted bleach.

Unstable pH

Solutions: RO water, stabilizing buffers, frequent solution changes.

Salt Accumulation

Prevention: periodic flush with proper water, monitor drainage EC.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Nutrient overdose: start with low doses, increase gradually.
• Ignoring pH: check daily.
• Poor oxygenation: use multiple air pumps.
• Poor-quality water: use filtered or RO water.
• Lack of cleaning: sterilize and clean tanks and pipes regularly.
• No backup: spare pumps, timers, and nutrients.

Commercial Hydroponic Cultivation

Scalability and Business

Intensive production on small surfaces. Vertical greenhouses produce 10–20 times more than open fields.

Certifications and Regulations

Organic certification possible but complex; must comply with sanitary standards and full traceability.

ROI and Profitability

Initial investment €50–200/m². ROI 2–4 years. Key factors: high-value crops, energy and nutrient cost optimization, automation.

Conclusions

Hydroponic cultivation represents the future of sustainable agriculture: less water, more control, higher yield, and superior quality. From small home systems to large commercial greenhouses, it offers scalable solutions for every need.

With proper knowledge, even beginners can achieve excellent results. Investing time in learning about nutrients, pH, EC, and climate management ensures consistent, high-quality harvests.

Disclaimer

The information in this article is provided solely for informational and educational purposes. Always verify the current regulations in your country.