Hydroponics is a production method where plants are grown in a nutrient solution rather than in soil. Based on the advantages that hydroponics offers gardeners, it’s understandable why it’s becoming such a popular method of cultivating plants.
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AeroGarden Black Harvest Indoor Garden |
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Check Price On Amazon |
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iDOO Growing System |
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Ezorkas 12 Pods Hydroponic System |
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Check Price On Amazon |
Utilizing hydroponic systems, gardeners can nurture numerous variations of produce – fruits and vegetables – and even herbs! If you’re here, you are probably on a hunt to find the best hydroponic system for your produce and plants.
Keep reading to find the best hydroponic systems on the market, key features they offer, and the pros and cons of each one.
Also included in this article is a buyer’s guide that gives you a handy list of what to consider before making your final purchase. With the information laid out in this guide, you will be able to make an informed decision on which hydroponic system will best suit your needs.
Hydroponic System Reviews
This hydroponic system can grow up to 6 plants at a time and up to 12 inches tall. It grows in water and no soil which means no mess.
It has a control panel that tells you when to add water and reminds you when to add plant food, which is included in the kit. The LED lights are high-performance and a full spectrum of 20-watt efficiency for your herb garden to grow to its best potential.
Pros:
- Control panel to tell you when to add what
- Automatically turns lights on and off
Cons:
- Only for moisture-loving plants
- Max plant height is limited
2. iDOO Growing System
This iDoo hydroponics system is a popular pick for its high performance. It comes with an independent water pump which forms a water circulation system and increases oxygen.
Your plants will grow faster in the nutrient water than in soil. It has 24-watt LED lights that stimulate the sunlight spectrum promoting photosynthesis in any weather.
On the iDOO Growing System, there are three smart modes for different growth stages – normal mode (14h-on-and-10hoff-cycle), grow mode (16h-on-8hoff-cycle), and enjoy mode (12h on-and-12hoff-cycle).
This indoor garden gives you total control over the weather all year round!
Pros:
- Adjustable height
- 2 water pump circulation modes
- 3 smart modes depending on growth stage
Cons:
- Some timer issues
- Buttons tend to be confusing
3. Ezorkas 12 Pods Hydroponic System
The Ezorkas Hydroponic System has 12 pods and 21 inches of growing height. The control panel tells you exactly when to add plant food solution and water. It’s designed with a water circulation system, increasing the oxygen in the water.
It has two modes to control the lighting. “Veg mode” contains all the light while “flower mode” contains more red light. It has a full spectrum of 36 watts LED lights for high-efficiency growth.
Pros:
- Height can be adjusted for different growth stages
- Sturdy and durable
- Easy to assemble and start using
Cons:
- Doesn’t come with seeds like some other systems
- Light may adjust very high
Buyer’s Guide
You’re probably wondering “what should I consider when buying a hydroponic system?” We’ve got you covered! In this buyer’s guide, we’ll detail the advantages of this hydroponic gardening system and what factors you should consider before buying one!
Hydroponic farming has slowly started becoming more popular in the past few years – as it can grow plants during any season indoors. Due to this, there are quite a few benefits.
Advantages of Hydroponic Farming:
- Saves Water
Compared to field farming, you’d save your water for growing your plants. A lot of the water you use to garden outside ends up being lost to evaporation, but hydroponics requires less water because it’s delivered straight to the plants in a controlled method. - Optimizes Space
When you plant in soil, you need quite a bit of space so that your roots can branch out to find the water and nutrients they need. However, with hydroponics, the roots don’t spread since the water is delivered straight to them.
It means you can grow more plants in the same amount of space compared to soil farming!
- Nutrient Control
Since you control what goes into the system, you can better control the amount and what type of nutrients your plants will absorb. Your plants, your wish! - Faster growth
It’s estimated that on average, hydroponic plants grow up to 50% faster than soil-grown plants. This is the case because these plants receive the right amount of water and nutrients and aren’t exposed to any harsh chemicals, fewer pests, and don’t have to deal with weather extremes.
Now that you know the benefits and the best hydroponic systems available on the market, how do you choose the right one? The one you go for should depend on your specific needs. To narrow down your options to the best stand-out hydroponic system, consider the following factors.
Factors to Consider:
- What do you want to grow?
This is an important question to consider because some plants grow better using only certain types of hydroponics. Before you make your purchase, read up on which type of plants the hydroponic growing system you want works best for. This will yield the highest quality plants.
- Which type of hydroponic system do you want?
There are 6 main types of hydroponic systems. Here are a few to give you an idea:
- Wick
This growing system is the most simplistic and doesn’t need any electricity or pumps. It’s used for small plants with short roots. Wick systems are not effective when it comes to big veggie plants.
- Nutrient Film Technique (NFT)
This technique is used for growing crops that are sloped. The nutrient solution is pimped directly into the channels. It ensures that it flows through, over the roots of the plants, and back into the supply. The NFT is typically ideal for plants that have a smaller root system like spinach and other leafy greens.
- Deep Water Culture (DWC)
This DWC system is an alternative method to grow salads and other small, fast-growing, moisture-loving plants. The roots of the plant hang in a solution of nutrient-dense oxygenated water. This type of system can be a good option for people getting acquainted with hydroponic farming.
- Ebb and flow
It is known as a flood and drain system – which means the system first fully submerges the roots into liquid and then allows it to get drained back into a tank through holes. A pump is used for an automated supply of the nutrient solution on a scheduled basis.
Although a fully automated system can seem ideal for many, the pitfall is that if there ever was a power outage, it could negatively impact the cultivation process of your plants.
- How much do you want to grow?
Consider how much produce you want to harvest before you buy your hydroponic system. If you want to harvest a lot, go for a larger system. But most hydroponic systems are cleverly designed and since the roots won’t take up too much space, you can plant a lot more in a little space.
If you only want to grow a handful of crops, the smaller, more popular hydroponic systems will work great!
Final Thoughts
Hydroponics systems allow you to grow fresh greens and vegetables throughout all seasons indoors. These systems can be handled in better conditions thanks to the features. You are in total control of the growth of your produce.
The best hydroponic system should come in a durable design and the number of plant spaces should meet your needs. The best hydroponic model should have the features you deem important for your farming requirements – LED lights, pumps, and auto control system.
Every farmer and gardener have their unique set of demands and choosing a hydroponic system depends on just that.
If you’ve made up your mind and what to give hydroponics a try, this guide should help you in making an informed decision in choosing the right system that will cater to your specific needs! Happy planting!
