What is the Best Hydroponic System for Weed?
Looking for information on what hydroponic growers use to grow their weed? In this article, I share the best hydroponic system for growing weed, including the best hydroponic nutrients and an explanation of how hydroponic weed is different from soil-grown cannabis. If you looking for tips on setting up a grow tent, you can check out my post, Grow Tent Setup Guide for Beginners.
Hydroponic Weed Definition
A hydroponic system is a method of growing plants without soil. The literal Latin translation of the word hydroponic is ‘water work.’ Therefore, hydroponics is a technique where a plant absorbs all the required nutrients from a soilless medium.
Even though the definition refers to water, it is not necessary to believe that hydroponic systems only work with water. The hydroponic growers’ method avoids soil cultivation but can apply to growth in absolutely any other medium like sand, gravel, misted air etc.
The primary advantage of growing plants with hydroponics is all the nutrients are directly delivered to the roots, and the plants do not need to search and extract them from the soil, thus resulting in a faster and a higher yield.
How to Grow Hydroponic Weed?
Growing cannabis using the best hydroponic systems has become popular recently as the plants only need light, water, oxygen, carbon dioxide and nutrients to grow. Since cannabis plants can process the nutrients as soon as they absorb them, they proliferate in a soilless situation.
There are different hydroponic systems growers can use. However, the best hydroponic system for growing weed is the Ebb and Flow technique. This is also the most common. Here are the most common:
Ebb and Flow hydroponic system
Ebb and Flow is the best hydroponic system for the beginners because it is low maintenance and yet highly productive. In this system, a nutrient reservoir is used to flood the weed containers. The pots are then drained in 30 mins so the roots can absorb both nutrients as well as fresh oxygen.
Aeroponics
In the Aeroponic system, no medium is needed, since the plants are kept hanging in the air and from time to time the nutrient-rich water is sprayed on the roots.
Deep Water Culture
Deep Water Culture is a lot like the aeroponic system, except the roots are submerged into the nutrient-rich water. Rocks are put in the container for the source of oxygen.
Drip Irrigation
Drip Irrigation is a type of continuous water flow system. In this system, the nutrient-rich solution is applied to the plants from the top, in a drop by drop method. This system gives the plant plenty of time to absorb the nutrients and avoids water loss.
Is Hydroponic Weed Stronger Than Soil Grown Weed?
There are several differences between hydroponic weed and soil grown weed. The three main differences are:
- Hydroponic weed is denser, stickier, more compact, and contains crystals, whereas soil grown weed is drier and fluffier.
- Hydroponic weed has a distinct odor; a powerful smell, that the soil grown weed doesn’t have.
- Though it is not scientifically proven, people who have tried both hydroponic weed and soil grown weed, usually claim hydroponic weed gives a much stronger high.
Best Hydroponic Nutrients for Weed
Cannabis requires several macro and microelements. When plants are grown traditionally, their roots absorb these nutrients from the soil. However, when you use a hydroponic system for weed, it is necessary to create a perfect mixture of all the required macro and microelements and supply the roots with the best nutrient solution.
Macroelements: The macroelements needed to grow weed are – Potassium (K), Magnesium (Mg), Calcium(Ca), Phosphorus(P), Nitrogen(N) and Sulphur(S).
- Potassium – Potassium is needed for photosynthesis, plant growth, longevity, protein production as well as for the transportation of water, nutrients, and sugar in the plant.
- Magnesium – Magnesium is a part of chlorophyll and thus is required for photosynthesis. It also helps activate certain enzymes in the plant.
- Calcium – Calcium is present in the cell walls and helps in food transportation.
- Phosphorus – It converts solar energy into chemical energy in the plant and also provides flavor to the weed.
- Nitrogen – It is the most important element as it helps in the development of enzymes, proteins as well as chlorophyll.
- Sulphur – Sulphur helps in the growth of the plant and in increasing its metabolism.
Microelements: The microelements that are needed to grow weed are – Iron(Fe), Copper(Cu), Zinc(Zn), Chlorine(Cl), Boron(Bo), Manganese(Mn) and Molybdenum(Mo).
Besides these, certain vitamins and amino acids are also required, and even fertilizers are needed.
While it is possible to mix these nutrients yourself, it is far more efficient to purchase ready-made solutions. Here are the best hydroponic nutrients for weed available on Amazon:
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