Aeroponic farming is a method of growing plants without soil. Instead of the plant roots, they are suspended in the air and irrigated with a nutrient-dense mist. They differ from hydroponic systems, where plant roots are regularly submerged in a nutrient-rich solution.
Do you know that aeroponic farming systems nourish plants with nothing more than nutrient-laden mist? The concept is built on the hydroponic systems, in which the roots are held in a soilless growing medium. It includes coco coir, over which you need to pump nutrient-laden water periodically. Find out more about how this system works.
What is Aeroponic Farming?
Aeroponics is the process of growing plants in an air or mist env. In aeroponics, the roots have greater access to oxygen, thus resulting in healthier plants. Significantly it means faster crop growth rates with increased yields.
Aeroponics dispenses with the growing medium. It finally leaves the roots to dangle in the air. In such a position, they are periodically puffed by specially-designed misting devices.
In aeroponics systems, farmers plant seeds in pieces of foam stuffed into tiny pots. These pots are then exposed to light on one end and nutrient mist on the other side. The foam has several functions: it holds the stem and root mass in place as the plants keep growing.
The Advantages of Aeroponic Farming
Did you ever think that bare roots could survive without soil or water? Yes, there are several benefits, as it turns out that eliminating the growing medium is very convenient for a plant’s roots. They get extra oxygen when their roots are exposed, resulting in faster growth.
Additionally, aeroponic systems are incredibly water-efficient. These closed-loop systems use less than 95 percent less water than plants that grow in the soil. And since the nutrients are held in the water, they get recycled, too.
In addition to these efficiencies, aeroponic farming is widespread because of its eco-friendly reputation. It can grow large quantities of food in smaller spaces. Farmers mainly employ this approach in indoor vertical farms. As they are increasingly common in cities.
Cutting down on the env by getting food from field to plate – may cause harm to the env. And because aeroponics systems are fully enclosed, there are few chances of nutrient runoff to nearby waterways. Farmers do not need to treat pests and diseases with harsh chemicals. They need to sterilize the growing equipment.
Interesting Features
Growing Plants With Sound
Did you know that aeroponics commonly uses nozzles to create mist? However, the system does have technical complexities. Moreover, maintenance issues have prevented aeroponics from being successful in larger-scale agricultural applications, especially in greenhouses.
Most systems use ultrasonic technology to create high-frequency sound waves that shake water – until it disperses into lots of tiny droplets creating a mist.
This technique removes the need for nozzles. They finally increase the viability of using aeroponics in much more significant, commercial growing spaces – where the impact is maximized.
Higher Growth Rates
If farmers grow crops with aeroponic systems, they can develop up to twice as fast as hydroponics. It is based on comparing crop productivity between the two systems. However, after several trials, these systems produced higher crop yields.
Drawbacks of Aeroponics
It is important to note that aeroponics systems require a bit of finesse to operate effectively. Note that the farmers should maintain the nutrient concentration of the water with precise parameters. Even a slight malfunction of your equipment may cause a crop loss.
If the misters do not spray every few minutes – maybe because the power goes out, the dangling roots will quickly desiccate. In addition, the misters need regular cleaning. Cleaning is required to keep them from becoming clogged by mineral deposits in the water.
There is also another major drawback. Aeroponic systems rely solely on electrical power to pump water through their tiny misting devices. It is true that they can be employed in the natural light of a greenhouse. However, they are more often used with energy-intensive grow lights. Farmers can harness solar power or other alternative energy sources to eliminate most drawbacks.
How affordable are aeroponics systems?
Most DIY models could be made for less, but good quality professional systems having automated nutrient monitoring and a backup power supply may range higher.
Equipment Needed – For Aeroponic Systems
All aeroponics systems require an enclosure that can hold in the humidity while preventing light from reaching the roots. They are typically plastic bins with holes drilled for each plant. In addition, they need a separate tank to hold the nutrient solution.
Besides these essential components, you should consider a few other things to set up an aeroponic system to suit your needs. You should set up the method according to your requirements.
Some farmers use aeroponics systems which are designed such that they can be used horizontally, like a traditional planting bed. But at the same time, towers and other vertical approaches are increasingly popular. The reason being the roots need to be spread out. This method is a clever way to save space. At the same time, vertical systems are also popular because the misting devices should be placed at the top – allowing gravity to distribute the moisture in the plants.
Another difference in aeroponic equipment is the high-pressure versus low-pressure systems. Most low-pressure systems rely on a simple fountain pump that sprays water through the misters. This setup is inexpensive and suitable for your DIY construction.
Many call this approach soakaponics – as low-pressure misters are generally capable of producing only a light spray. You can say it’s like a tiny sprinkler, not an actual mist.
For true mist, meaning moisture floats in the air and for effectively delivering nutrients to the roots – you should use higher water pressure than your ordinary pump can provide.
Therefore, professional aeroponics systems usually rely on a pressurized water tank capable of 60 to 90 psi. In addition, they also need top-quality misters capable of delivering the finest possible puff of moisture.
What Can You Grow with Aeroponics?
Yes, you can grow anything, in theory. But in practice, aeroponics systems are primarily used for the same applications as hydroponics systems. These systems include leafy greens, culinary herbs, marijuana, tomatoes, strawberries, and cucumbers.
One exception that these systems grow includes root crops, which are impractical in a hydroponic system but well-suited to aeroponics. The reason being the roots get plenty of room to grow. Moreover, the roots are easily accessible for harvesting and caring.
Other vegetable crops you may find growing on aeroponics systems – generally have more complex nutrient requirements. Due to the size of these plants, it is essential to note that fruiting shrubs and trees are impractical in aeroponics systems.
In contrast, hydroponics suppliers stock a ful line of aeroponics equipment – which includes nutrients, pumps, pots, timers, and tubing you may need for a DIY system to fully-automated turnkey aero-farms.
Aeroponic Farming – The Wave of the Future
Aeroponic farming is derived from the Greek word for air. It is similar in many ways to other soilless growing techniques like hydroponics.
However, this method still relies on a nutrient-rich delivery system. The aeroponic system is unique because it grows faster, more plentifully, and uses less water. It is a significant advantage compared to other growing methods. But you may ask, what makes aeroponics so unique? And how does it work?
Why aeroponic farming?
In short, aeroponic farming is the method of growing fruits and vegetables without the soil requirement. Some say aeroponic farming was first developed for academic purposes in the 1920s.
Without soil, students could quickly examine root growth in real time. Meanwhile, NASA saw the potential in this modern growing method in the late ’90s. After that, NASA began using it to grow food in space.
However, not many advances have been made since those days. But we humans still continue to degrade the vast stretches of previously fertile soil and attempt to feed the world’s 8 billion population. It is where aeroponic farming is beginning to get a little more attention.
How does aeroponic farming work?
Aeroponic farming delivers nutrients to plants not via soil but through a nutrient-rich mist. Which is distributed to the roots through a pre-programmed mister.
As the plants do not use a growing medium, as you would within a hydroponic setup. Here the roots grow in aeroponic systems which are left floating in midair.
It is important to note that the seeds for such plants, which are grown in aeroponic systems, still need to germinate. Meaning they sprout in a growing medium before being transferred.
Why is Aeroponic Farming Good for the Env?
The reason for aeroponics’ increased popularity is due to its many ecological advantages over other devices or growing systems. According to Living Greens Farm, aeroponic systems take up a remarkable 98 percent less land than the rainforest-destroying farming techniques our species is currently employing. These systems also use about 98 percent less water than other standard farming and are more energy-efficient.
Because these plants are grown indoors, in light, temperature, and water-regulated conditions – such plants grown through hydroponics are much safer for human consumption. Moreover, they are free from the potential soil and pesticide compounds that you can commonly find in traditional produce. Such crops also have a higher yield than outdoor crops and often grow three times faster. This sounds interesting.
Aeroponic Farming – Can It Be Done at Home?
You can quickly build a working aeroponic system with the right equipment at home. These systems are already commercially available, and you can purchase a complete set-up. But you can also make your own with the right know-how and materials, which you can find at the local garden or your hardware store.
You can easily find these aeroponic systems in the market. One such system is designed typically for new gardeners or those looking to explore aeroponics as a hobby. The other design is a more advanced setup for small-scale farmers.
Aeroponic farming at home is quite versatile, and you can quickly grow herbs such as ginger, basil, rosemary, sage, oregano, mustard, or mint. At the same time, you can also grow fruits and veggies like lettuce, eggplant, watermelon, broccoli, beets, onions, cauliflower, cucumber, cabbage, grapes, peas, peppers, potatoes, and radishes.
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