Hydroponics provides countless benefits for growing plants, including flowers. This technique allows growers to produce healthier plants at a fast growth rate which is more challenging to achieve in soil.
Here, we will take an in-depth look at hydroponic flowering, and why a lot of gardeners are shifting to this method.
What is hydroponic flowering?
If you have been growing and cultivating plants in your home for quite some time already, then you have probably heard about hydroponics.
But what exactly is hydroponics? And what makes it so popular among gardening enthusiasts?
Hydroponics is a technique of growing plants in water mixed with nutrients. This means you do not need soil to cultivate your greens – you just need a growing medium like rock, plastic, or mulch.
Unlike traditional gardening methods, a hydroponics system does not need a lot of space, because you can stack your plants in a vertical structure. And, since you have complete control over the growing environment, plants grown hydroponically tend to produce higher yields. Although this is actually an ancient method, hydroponic farming has regained popularity in modern times for growing almost any kind of plants, vegetables and herbs.
And here is the good news – you can grow flowers in a hydroponics garden, too! You do not even need to be a professional to do this. Whether you are a novice or an experienced grower, you can start a small hydroponic garden indoors or in your own backyard without very much difficulty.
Benefits of hydroponic flowering
So, do plants flower faster in a hydroponic garden? Well, it depends on the variety of flower, but the answer is generally yes! Hydroponics can grow your ornamental plants faster than their soil-grown counterparts thanks to the following reasons:
- The growing environment is fully controlled, including pH level and nutrient delivery.
- Plant roots can quickly absorb nutrients with minimal effort.
- Your plants are more disease-resistant.
- You do not have to deal with pests and weeds.
- A hydroponics system helps you conserve water – up to 90 percent compared with soil gardening.
- You can grow your flowers throughout the year, regardless of the season or weather.
How to set up a hydroponic flower garden
If you are thinking about setting up your own hydroponic garden, you first need to gather the various tools and materials you will need. There are many types of hydroponics systems, and one method might call for more materials than another. The most common system is the ebb and flow, for which you will need a grow tray, air pumps, air hose, overflow tube, and stones. The other system is DWC, or deep water culture, in which plants are grown on a floating platform.
The key materials for setting up a hydroponic garden are as follows:
- Growing medium to support the plants’ roots. This could be perlite, coconut fiber, or rockwool.
- Grow containers or trays in which your plants will grow.
- Water reservoir to help you keep track of your water usage.
- Air pumps to recirculate the water through the system.
- Grow lights (for indoor setups), hydroponics fertilizer (like the Flora Series), and filtered water with a neutral pH.
Building a hydroponics system is relatively cheap and can be done by a beginner. But, if this is your first time setting up a hydroponic garden, we do suggest purchasing a ready-made hydroponics kit like LAPOND Hydroponic Grow Kit and iDOO to make things easier.
Which flowers grow well hydroponically?
Although almost any type of plant or flower can be grown hydroponically, some flower varieties do better with this method of gardening. We have listed below some of the common flowers that are well-suited for hydroponic gardening:
1. Orchids
Orchids are some of the most popular ornamental plants and are grown both indoors and outdoors. These beautiful flowers are sought after and loved by many because of the calming effect they add to their environment. These colorful blooms can add a touch of the exotic to any otherwise-boring living space.
If you have fallen in love with these gorgeous flowers but do not have enough soil or space for a flower garden, here is the good news – you can go soilless and grow orchids in a hydroponic system!
In their natural habitat, many orchids are epiphytic and grow by attaching themselves to the trunks of trees. They produce aerial roots that breathe in oxygen directly from the air, while taking in some moisture from the rain or mist around them. The organic matter in their surroundings also provides a steady supply of nutrients to help them grow and bloom. Hence, the way these flowers survive in their native environment is quite similar to the concept of hydroponics, making orchids very suitable for soilless growing.
Here are a few tips if you choose to grow orchids in a hydroponics system:
- The optimal light spectrum for orchids is between 400 and 700 nanometers, so make sure to consider this requirement when installing grow lights.
- Try to maintain a pH range of 5.5 to 6.5 in your growing medium.
- We recommend a well-draining medium such as Hydroton pebbles to allow the roots to breathe.
- Orchids prefer temperatures between 60 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit, so try to keep the growing conditions within this range.
2. Hoyas
Hoya plants are well-known for their thick, waxy foliage that has earned them their nickname, wax plants. These classic, evergreen perennial vines produce red or pink, star-shaped flowers that are smooth and soft to the touch. They are also relatively easy to care for, making them a favorite among gardeners.
When it comes to their care requirements, hoyas only need a few simple things to thrive – indirect light, humidity, light watering, and a growing medium that allows good air circulation for their root system. Thus, they are the perfect plants to grow hydroponically.
These are some tips for successfully growing hoyas using hydroponics:
- Grow your hoyas in a well-draining medium to avoid root rot issues.
- Do not cut the plants’ long tendrils, as this is where the flowers grow from.
- Keep your hoyas in an area that gets plenty of indirect sunlight.
- Try to maintain a pH level between 5.0 and 6.5 for these plants.
3. Carnations
Another ornamental flowering plant that is popularly grown in hydroponic systems is the carnation. Its crinkly, cheerful petals are pleasing to the eye, making them a great addition to any landscapes or sparse rock garden.
Its sweet-scented petals are edible, too. You can use carnation petals as a decoration for your dishes or a tasty addition to your salads. This stunning beauty is a complete package, so it should not be a surprise that so many gardeners love growing it!
So, how do you grow hydroponic carnations?
Carnations are not fussy plants and are quite hardy, making them perfect for your hydroponic garden. These growing tips should help you get started:
- Carnations do best in either the DWC or the ebb and flow system.
- Make sure to grow your carnations at temperatures between 65 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit.
- To grow seedlings, we recommend using rockwool starter plugs. When the plants reach a height of four to five inches, you can transfer them to their permanent container.
- Place your carnations in an area that gets indirect sunlight. These flowers should receive about eight hours of uninterrupted light every day.
4. Peace Lilies
Peace lilies, also known as closet plants, are renowned for being hardy and easy to care for. Their name is a bit of a misnomer, because peace lilies are not actually lily plants, but rather a type of tropical flower that belongs to the Araceae family.
You can easily identify a peace lily plant just by looking at its foliage and flowers – the leaves should be dark green and the flowers are white and spadix-shaped.
Although peace lilies do not grow well when overwatered, these plants still make our list of best hydroponic flowers. That is because some peace lily plants are actually well-adapted to growing in small aquariums or hydroponic containers.
Here are some tips to help you grow peace lilies in a hydroponic garden:
- For optimal growth, grow your peace lily plants at temperatures between 68 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Try to maintain a pH level between 5.6 and 6.5.
- Peace lilies are sensitive to chlorine. If you are using tap water for the nutrient solution, it is best to let the water sit in a large container overnight to allow the chlorine to evaporate.
- Make sure that only the roots are submerged in the water to protect the stems from getting rot.
5. Snapdragons
The snapdragon, also known as Antirrhinum, is another classic houseplant that can grow well in a hydroponic container. Many growers take great pride in owning these lovely plants due to their unique, vibrantly-colored flowers that resemble a dragon’s mouth. Snapdragons come in 18 varieties, each blooming in different colors such as pink, white, orange, yellow, purple, or bi-colored.
Depending on the variety and the growing conditions, snapdragons can grow up to 48 inches when they reach maturity. Growers highly recommend growing them with some form of support to keep them upright.
Do remember these tips if you are growing snapdragons using the hydroponic method:
- Snapdragons prefer cool temperatures, and grow best between 60 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit.
- To keep your snapdragons blooming, make sure they receive plenty of full sunlight each day.
- Keep the pH level of your growing medium between 6.2 and 7.0.
6. Dahlias
Dahlias are gorgeous flowers related to daisies, chrysanthemums, zinnias, and sunflowers. They come in different colors and sizes, depending on the variety. Dahlias are sturdy plants and can grow up to five feet with the right growing conditions. They are very popular for their spectacular blooms, which grow from two-inch pom-poms to 15-inch dinner-plates!
Here are a few hydroponic flowering tips to achieve maximum blooms and bushy dahlia plants:
- Provide your dahlia plants with at least eight hours of constant light each day.
- Dahlias prefer warmer temperatures to grow and bloom, so try to keep your growing area within 60 to 72 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Make sure that the pH level is between 6.5 and 7.5.
- Dahlias require adequate lateral space, since they can grow both wide and tall. Make sure the container is at least 12 inches deep.
- You can make a dahlia shorter and bushier by trimming its central shoot, which is above its third set of leaves.
- Feed your plants with a balanced 10-10-10 sodium-phosphorus-potassium (NPK) fertilizer.
Conclusion
Hydroponic flowering allows you to grow different varieties of flowers, no matter the season. Setting up a hydroponics garden requires some cost, time, research, and planning. But, once your flowers are blooming beautifully, you will know that all your efforts have been worth it!
Image: istockphoto.com / Agita Prasetyo Adhi