Probably in recent days marijuana has awakened an interest in you that goes far beyond consuming it and at this point you are looking for all the information available to start getting into the world of cannabis cultivation.
Looking for how to start growing at home, you stumbled upon hydroponic weed for the first time and the truth is that you’re not at all clear what it’s all about.
You already know that there are several ways in which you can grow weed at home, but which one is the best? Will hydroponic weed have better benefits?
In this article, we’ll take a closer look at hydroponic weed and its benefits, why it’s becoming increasingly popular, the different types of hydroponic systems available today, and how you can get started growing weed indoors!
Hydroponic weed: What is it?
Hydroponic weed is basically any cannabis that is grown in highly oxygenated water where instead of the natural nutrients found in the soil, growers will apply their own nutrients throughout the growing process.
Hydroponic cannabis is considered more efficient than traditional soil-based, as the open root system allows for direct absorption of nutrients and oxygen.
However, it should be noted that hydroponic marijuana also requires more care, lack of water for a while or a slight change in pH levels can destroy the crop.
This technique for growing cannabis has become a very popular method because of the problems associated with soil use. It is also a much better option for indoor growers facing pest problems or simply the inability to recycle soil.
Fun fact: The hydroponics technique dates back to years before Christ, when the cultivation method was used in the Hanging Gardens of Babylon. Later, in the 10th century, the Aztecs also used hydroponic techniques to cultivate in Lake Texcoco.
Types of hydroponic weed systems
There are many different types of hydroponic growing systems that vary in complexity and offer their own benefits and drawbacks, so it is important to understand the various techniques used by successful growers.
These systems are nutrient supply methods that function as a substitute for the natural plant food found in the soil and are applied by methods known as active and passive.
Active methods: These are methods that require more attention, since it is necessary to apply nutrients on a regular basis and they allow recycling of nutrients.
Passive methods: They make use of media (soil substitute products) in which nutrients, oxygen and water necessary for the cannabis roots to flourish without problems are found.
There are many hydroponic systems to choose from, but let’s look at just the three most popular:
Aeroponics
In this technique no media is generally used, however some growers believe it is best to use a small amount to germinate the weed seed.
It consists of leaving the roots of the marijuana plant suspended in the air inside a 100% humid chamber in which a fine spray full of nutrients must be used.
Using this, the weed can grow much faster than it would in the soil, thanks to the fact that it loses practically no water due to the evaporation phenomenon.
Deep Water Culture (DWC)
Possibly the simplest of all hydroponic systems and therefore the most popular among beginning growers.
It is only necessary to put the plants in separate containers and place each one in a growing tray that is suspended in water.
The water tank should have an air pump to ensure that the water remains oxygenated and helps the roots get the nutrients they need to grow.
Nutrient Film Technique (NFT)
It is one of the most complex systems. It involves planting cannabis inside netpots with a specific medium. In this system, the pots sit on top on an angled channel, so that nutrients flow in one direction only.
It is certainly not something for beginners as the system is extremely susceptible to pump failure and power outages. In addition, it is important to protect the exposed roots from light, as this can damage or destroy the roots.
How to set a hydroponic weed growing system?
Regardless of the method you want to use to plant your hydroponic herb, the procedure is quite similar for all of them, where the secret is in the reservoir with a good nutrient solution.
Follow these steps to create your own hydroponic growing system:
- Use a good reservoir with a high quality nutrient solution.
- Place a tray with the growing medium of your choice.
- Use a pump with a timer to fill the bottom with nutrients.
- Set the watering time to turn off the timer and drain the reservoir.
However, you can get “plug and play” hydroponic system kits on the market created to save you headaches and start growing the hydroponic marijuana you like.
Best weed strain for hydroponic systems
Amnesia Haze: Famous for its citrus flavors and its ability to concentrate and do the task at hand. It produces large amounts of THC, giving you a high that helps you socialize and maintain your mood.
It works well in hydroponic growing systems, especially in deep water systems due to its medium size and ease of cultivation.
Skunk XL: It is easy to maintain and care for, growing to over a meter in height. It is undoubtedly the most popular among commercial growers due to its high yield per plant, not to mention the fruity flavor that everyone would like to taste.
Purple Queen: One of the most beautiful strains of cannabis, with vibrant purple leaves. It does not usually grow more than one meter in height, completes a growth cycle in eight weeks and can withstand pH fluctuations without major problems.
Of course these are just some of the best cannabis strains for hydroponic growing, there are many others you could use, however these are in our opinion the most resistant!
The pros & cons of hydroponic weeds
| Advantages | Disadvantages |
| Hydroponic weed matures faster. | Complicated process requiring knowledge. |
| Less risk of water stress. | Quality systems can be expensive. |
| Enables higher returns. | Exposure to waterborne disease. |
Conclusion
You may have already realized that hydroponic marijuana can be one of the best options when starting to grow your own weed.
Without having to have a large physical space, you can have plants that grow much larger per year and where you don’t have to worry much about large pests.
However, you should keep in mind that there is a learning curve to master this skill, it is not something you learn overnight and the initial costs can be quite expensive.