How A Continuous Flow Hydroponics System Can Help You Grow Better Cannabis

When it comes to growing cannabis, can you really have it all? Is it possible to do away with lugging large soil bags into your home? Is getting mature plants in a short time while also producing yields bigger than your expectations asking for too much? If you don’t believe this is possible, think again. Because continuous flow hydroponics has come to make the impossible a reality.

Hydroponic systems provide cannabis growers with amazing perks that the conventional soil systems can’t boast of. We’ll discuss them below.

 

What’s Continuous Flow Hydroponics About?

As the name implies, continuous flow hydroponics involves constantly exposing the roots of your cannabis plants to a nutritious mixture instead of soil. In other words, with this technique, your plants will get all the nutrients (water, dissolved oxygen, macro and micronutrients) they need from the solution and reach maturity without soil.

Continuous flow hydroponics is different from other hydroponics systems because it doesn’t completely submerge plant roots in the nutrient solution or bathe them in it once in a while. Instead, this approach focuses on giving them access to a steady stream of nutrients to keep them healthy and boost productivity.

 

Overarching Concepts of Continuous Flow Hydroponics

Despite sharing the same foundational concept, continuous flow hydroponic systems have significant characteristics that set them apart. For example, one grower’s continuous flow hydroponic system will require using a synthetic nutrient-filled holding reservoir to pump continuous water streams into growing channels. Meanwhile, others involve producing the much needed nitrogen using an external fish tank. There are also others that don’t need water streams at all. Instead, they keep the air moisture-filled by leveraging misting systems.

Despite having clear distinctions, each of these systems benefits from the constant supply of nutrients/water that feed plant roots before being collected and introduced into the system again. Surprisingly, compared to soil growing techniques, this method consumes roughly ten times less water. They also utilize similar equipment including nutrient reservoir, air stone, net pots, pumps, plant trays or channels.

 

Pros and Cons of Continuous Flow Hydroponics

Despite their apparent brilliance, cannabis inventors have not yet created the ideal cultivation method. Every strategy offers enticing benefits as well as inescapable downsides.

 

Here are some of the advantages growers who use the continuous flow hydronic system enjoy:

 

Increased Yields

The continuous flow hydroponic system is characterized by an abundance of nutrients, reduced pest infestation, and zero soil pathogens. As such, growing your cannabis plant with this technique is one of the surest ways to get higher yields.

Reduced Water Use

Contrary to general opinion, the continuous flow hydroponic technique needs significantly less water than soil-based systems. This is a big plus if you were already wondering how to address water shortage.

 

Speedy Harvests

Unlike soil systems, plants don’t have to send their roots deep into the soil for nutrients. Instead, the nutrients are applied directly to the roots, thereby eliminating time wastage and ensuring that they grow faster.

 

Improved Oxygenation

Oxygen is necessary for cannabis roots to undergo respiration and support their physiological functions. When this all-important resource is scarce, they become more predisposed to diseases. With a nutrition mixture rich in dissolved oxygen, continuous flow hydroponics keeps roots hydrated, promoting their overall health and resistance to illness.

 

Unfortunately, this technique, also has its disadvantages and they include:

 

Regular Maintenance

While using hydroponic systems means that you don’t have to deal with the huge mess associated with soil systems, it still requires maintenance. For example, you’ll have to scrub your pipes every now and again to avoid buildup of organic matter and algae.

 

Easy Malfunctioning

It’s pretty easy for hydroponics systems to malfunction. From ill-functioning air stones to failed pumps, power cuts and everything in-between, this technique will likely require repairs more times than you bargained for.

 

Noise

The noise of trickling water from the continuous flow hydroponic system can be upsetting. That’s especially if you choose to grow your plants in a quiet, indoor place like your bedroom.

 

Energy Intensive

Are you buoyant enough to invest in quality solar systems? If your answer is no, the next best alternative is to rely heavily on electricity to run your system.

 

Types of Continuous Flow Hydroponics

There are different types of continuous flow hydroponics to explore if you wish to try this technique. Here are our favorites:

• Nutrient Film Technique (NFT) hydroponic system
• Continuous drip hydroponics
• Aerophobic continuous flow setups
• Aquaponic continuous flow setups

 

Wrap Up

Continuous flow hydroponic systems ensure that your cannabis plants never lack the nutrients they need to stay healthy even for a second. This guarantees increased harvest, impeccable assimilation of nutrients and expeditious growth. If this sounds amazing to you, try this method and thank us later.