A hydroponic greenhouse uses hydroponic production method so the plants grow in a nutrient solution instead of the soil. As with the traditional greenhouse, a grower can control environment in a hydroponic greenhouse.
How does a hydroponic greenhouse work?
The way hydroponic greenhouse works depends on the type of flowers that are cultivating and the type of hydroponic system in a greenhouse.
So, what types of hydroponic are there?
There are 6 types of hydroponic systems:
1. Nutrient Film Technique (NFT) – NFT hydroponic system in greenhouse is commonly used to grow herbs, leafy greens and flowers. For NFT to work you need to install rows of PVC growing trays with the rows of holes and removable lids where the plants are going to be.
Plant roots should be hanging in the air beneath the tray so the ends of the roots lay in the base of the tray where water with nutrients flows. The nutrients rich water enters the end of each row, flows over the roots and exits at the opposite end of the row to a tank.
2. Deep Water Culture (DWC) – in comparison to NFT where nutrient solution runs down the row in a thin film and roots are dangling in the air, DWC hydroponic system works by fully covering the roots in oxygenated water solution with nutrients.
To provide oxygen to the solution you can either create air bubbles with air pump and airstone or with falling water. The later is less popular among hobby growers but is widely used in commercial greenhouses.
3. Ebb and Flow or Flood and Drain – it works using the same principal as NFT, so there are growing trays, pipes at each end to flow in and out. The difference is that Ebb and Flow hydroponic system uses growing medium (gravel) inside the growing trays and nutrient solution is delivered to plants periodically throughout the day.
4. Aeroponics – the main principle is that plants grow in air and receive nutrients from a fine mist or fog. Although is it a cost-effective hydroponic system, it can be hard to manage.
5. Wick Systems – it is the simplest system in hydroponics which is easy to set up in a hoody greenhouse. The way it works includes planting seedling into a tray with growing medium like vermiculite, perlite and water reached the plant roots via a couple or more wicks through capillary action. To provide oxygen to the plants you need to install aeration system to oxygenate water.
6. Drip Systems – as its name suggests, plant roots receive nutrient solution via drip irrigation. It works by slowly providing water and nutrients to the roots either by regulating it individually or automatic the system. This is the exact method used in vertical gardening where water is pumped to the top plants and then is distributed to the lower plants.
What is the easiest hydroponic system to use?
DWC hydroponic system is the easiest to use as you just need to submerge plant roots into the nutrient solution. It is very easy to set up, air pump delivers oxygen to the plant roots and it is suitable for water loving plants like lettuce.
How much does a hydroponic greenhouse cost?
A hobby 6’ x 8’ greenhouse with NFT hydroponic system costs around 1,200$ – 518$ for greenhouse itself + 120$ NFT system, 100$ for the nutrient solution. You are expected to pay electricity and water bills every month. Keep in mind that using grow lights increase the electricity bill which includes the use of fans, pumps and heaters in a greenhouse.
Is Hydroponic Greenhouse more efficient?
Hydroponic greenhouse is more efficient in comparison to soil due to the fact that it uses 10 times less water where the plants growth rate is up to 30% higher and the productions of plants is 10 times higher by utilizing the same amount of space.
What is the most profitable hydroponic crop to grow in a greenhouse?
The most profitable hydroponic crops to grow in a greenhouse are leafy greens like lettuce and herbs such as basil. Also, mushrooms are very profitable to grow hydroponically as they do not require much sunlight. Strawberries are also profitable hydroponic crops to grow because they are in high demand pretty much all the time and you can grow them hydroponically all year round.
What are the benefits of using hydroponic greenhouse?
- Lets to grow plants everywhere – apartment or where soil is contaminated or not available
- Utilizes a space in a greenhouse efficiently – no overcrowding
- Every plant can grow hydroponically
- Plants grow faster
- Plants don’t suffer from soil-borne disease and you don’t need to use pesticides
- There are no nutrient deficiencies as nutrients are provided with a nutrient solution directly to the roots
- There is a 100% control of the environment in a greenhouse
- Crops use 10 times less water than soil grown crops
- You can reuse the water
- No weeding or crop rotation is required
What are the disadvantages of using hydroponic greenhouse?
- The initial costs are quite high
- Technical problems can lead to plants death within hours
- Contamination spreads quickly and affects a lot of plants
- You need to invest into a good ventilation system
- Use of grow lights can boost electricity bills
- Hydroponic greenhouse requires human interaction at all times
- System setup requires extensive technical knowledge
Find more information on Pros and Cons of Hydroponic and Soil greenhouse growing in this article.
Do hydroponic plants need sunlight?
All plants need light for photosynthesis, sunlight provides hydroponic plants with the full range of the light spectrum (both red and blue), however, you can replicate sunlight in hydroponic greenhouse by using commercially available grow lights.
During the summer set up hydroponic greenhouse in direct sunlight because plants need at least 4-6 hours of direct sunlight. Also, every hydroponic plant requires up to 14 hours of bright light throughout the day. If you are growing hydroponic plants in the apartment, make sure to set up the hydroponic system near the window.
