Jan 18th, 2009
Take Your Indoor Gardening to the Next Level With a Hydroponic Greenhouse
A greenhouse is an asset to both gardeners using the hydroponic method, as well as those who choose to grow using soil. Generally speaking, a greenhouse has the same advantages for either. Nevertheless, hydroponic gardening is particularly appropriate for a greenhouse setting, as temperature, airflow and light are controlled with greater ease.
Many plants do exceptionally well in a hydroponic greenhouse, among them strawberries, peas, Welsh onions and others. Orchids and other flowers are also well suited for greenhouse gardening.
Controlling light is something many hydroponic gardeners find particularly challenging. Since the plant is grown in water rather than soil, algal growth can be an issue; however, preventing light from getting to the surface of the water is easy in a greenhouse, since light can be controlled with shades and shutters.
Obviously, just like plants which are grown in soil, plants grown hydroponically also need plenty of light. You will not get more light in a greenhouse than you would outdoors. Because the light is filtered and diffused within the greenhouse, the grower is able to provide a more warm and consistent light for growing. The plants are shielded from reduced temperatures, yet given plenty of sun.
In winter, you will get low temperatures in northern climates of course, but the sun will be be full for several hours. Regardless of the outside temperatures and even at 15 degrees Fahrenheit, the wall of a greenhouse (made of translucent polycarbonate) is able to keep its interior’s temperatures at 100 degrees Fahrenheit.
Since a consistent temperature is necessary for plants grown using hydroponics, just like soil grown plants, you can easily use vents and fans to prevent the temperature from rising too high.
Growing plants in a greenhouse allows you to garden in all kinds of weather. If you don’t have a greenhouse, then your only choice may be inside your home – something which is not a possibility for everyone.
Growing plants in the home inhibits the ability to create sufficient light and watering systems for them. Very rarely do homeowners have the room to run irrigation systems, or install LED grow light panels or metal halide lights just for their vegetables.
When you have a greenhouse, these systems can be placed optimally for your plants, making things easier for you as a gardener. This is especially important for hydroponic gardeners, since the water and light are far more important than in soil gardening – a soil garden is typically much better at being self-regulated in this regard.
A feeding system must be in place in order for your plants to thrive and it is easier to install such a system in a greenhouse. Plants will gain most of the nutrients they need easily when they are planted in good soil. Conversly, the keeper of a hydroponic garden must account for the delivery of all of these nutrients by other means.
pH levels are also something to be considered. The pH can shift much more easily in a hydroponic setting. When growing in water, acid and alkaline levels can shift rapidly. A hydroponic garden allows for the gardener to set up a system that has automatic pH controls.
You can build your own greenhouse or buy one which is pre-assembled. Those who are avid hydroponics gardeners should consider these a great investment that will take their indoor hydroponic gardening to the next level. There are a variety of sizes, with modules that allow it to expand as your garden does.
