The Facts
Hydro
• The biggest advantage of using hydroponics is
having complete control over the growing environment. The flooding and
draining of your hydro setup ensures that fungus/disease does not damage
the root systems, maximizing the nutrient and oxygen uptake.
• Hydroponics can produce a higher yield than standard soil culture.
The plants energy is focused on growth/production rather than growing
a huge root system as seen in potted plants. This is due to the increased
nutrient intake and the increased oxygen absorption by the root systems.
• The nutrient solution is dissolved directly into
water so the plant may receive perfect amount of nutritional needs at
all times.
• Hydroponics takes the desired amount of food
directly to the root rather than making plant wait for the water/feed
to reach the roots.
• The pH of the water is easily maintained at the perfect level
so the plants are never stressed by over or under acidic water.
• Hydroponics increases plant growth by 20%-30% compared to potted
plants.
• Decreases insect infestations and diseases.
• Hydroponics growing mediums are inert and sterile making a very
hygienic environment for the plant and gardener.
• A flavor difference between two of the same strains may be noticed
due to the micronutrient differences. Many people believe that this is
due to unflushed chemicals in the plant tissues.
Soil
• In soil, bacteria must first break down the elements
within soil; the basic elements of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium
as well as trace elements needed to support the plants life. One benefit
is the symbiotic relationship between root systems and mycorrhiza. Symbiosis
is used to describe the intimate association between two distantly, related
species that are mutually benefiting from their association.
• The functions of roots are: to act as support
for the stem; to absorb and conduct water and nutrients from the soil;
and to store food. Soil is not able to produce as much nutrient per area
as the root system is able to take up. This is based on the fact that
some of the nutrients will not be accessible to the root system at the
needed time.
• Soil allows for predictability in regards to watering/feeding
schedules. The simplicity is hard to compare to the laborious duties associated
with hydroponics.
• Soil is very messy. The set up and disassembling
of the garden is hell and requires you wear a mask to filter out the particles
that become airborne.
• Fertilizers build up in the soil allowing for the possibility
of overfeeding or not being fully flushed out of chemicals at the time
of harvest.
• Soil facilitates moulds, disease and insects.
The pests continuously search out fresh new plants to lay their eggs.
The soil creates unimpeded paths from one plant to the next. |
