3 Considerations When You Want to Adopt Hydroponics
Posted on: 22 November 2017
Many farmers are shifting from traditional soil-based agriculture to hydroponics. In this case, there is no need for soil and solutions with the right nutrients are used. While this approach can increase your yields significantly, you need to conduct proper research to avoid incurring losses. Below are some considerations when you want to adopt hydroponics.
Select the right crop wisely
The particular type of system that you want to install will determine the crops you can successfully grow. Some of the available options include a medium and a solution system. If you have a solution system, you should avoid large plants because the solution cannot support their weight. An example of a plant that is ideal when using this system is lettuce. However, if you are planning on getting the medium system, there is sufficient support for slightly bigger plants. You can then grow tomatoes without any problems. If you skip this vital step, the heavier plants can damage the system which can be very costly to repair.
Get a backup power supply
A hydroponics system requires power to ensure that water is continuously supplied to all the plants. Do not make the mistake on relying on only one source of power. This can be a huge inconvenience when the power goes out, and the plants require water. In this case, you will be forced to water all the plants manually. Doing this is not only tiresome but also time-consuming. To avoid this problem, it is advisable to install a backup source of power which can be a generator or a solar system. A solar system is preferred since there are no additional costs after installation. You can, therefore, have peace of mind that the hydroponics system is always operational even when you are not around.
Ensure you get the right skills
There are numerous tutorials available on the internet regarding hydroponics. While these provide useful information, you should seek expert guidance from people using the same approach in your area. This is because the conditions of the farmers in these tutorials can be completely different from your area. Once you have identified an expert in the field, ask for lessons and most importantly, visit their farms to see how they are working. It is better to learn from a first-hand experience instead of watching YouTube videos.
Setting up a hydroponics system is quite costly. You should, therefore, take these precautions to ensure that your money does not go to waste and your efforts are fruitful.
Share