The term ‘aeroponic greenhouse’ may seem like a reference right out of Star Trek but it is more science than science fiction. It refers to a glass or plastic structure with apparatus to grow plants in an air/mist environment. Aeroponic conditions refer to the air culture environmental parameters for bolstering rapid plant growth. Some might even refer to it as a root system grown in air culture.
Because it uses no medium for the roots, aeroponics can also be described as a form of hydroponic gardening. The roots remain suspended in the air as nutrients and water are sprayed on by a mist delivery system.
This method was initially developed as a way to understand the growth-patterns of roots better, but over time it became known as an ergonomic and environment-friendly way of cultivating plants.
When it comes to cannabis, dissolved nutrients in the water in combination with sunlight (artificial or real), CO2 and oxygen are enough to keep the plant healthy and thriving as long as the roots continually receive moisture.
Aeroponic systems have a very specific and precise setup. It can be roughly split into two main components - the reservoir and the planter bed.
The reservoir is where the water supply is stored and is checked for quality and nutrient levels. The planter bed is where the plants are grown. They can come in many designs but most of them will feature a misting system, drainage system, a system for supporting and separating the roots from the plant. Connecting these systems are two pumps that are used to continuously exchange the water content
Water used to feed the new plants is delivered with a spray nozzle attachment that is embedded right into the planter bed. The water from the nozzle comes out as a fine mist that covers the root systems of the plant. Excess moisture collects on the bottom of the planter bed and drains back into the reservoir to be recycled. Some systems are designed to use the bottom of the planter bed as the reservoir and then pump the water directly back into the water lines. However, they make it more difficult to check the reservoir without disrupting the roots in some way.
While there are many benefits to growing cannabis using aeroponics, this method is not an easy one - particularly for beginners. With aeroponics, growers need to have a vast knowledge about cannabis plants and the aeroponic process because it requires close attention to detail. And this in itself, becomes a problem area for many.
Since aeroponic growing systems rely on a continual application of mist to the roots, it requires the system to stay active 24x7. Anything from power outages to broken pumps to clogged nozzles to empty reservoirs can destabilize your entire system. Roots without moisture will start dying within the hour. Failsafes and backups must be in place to alert the grower of possible malfunctions. They will also require a repair-person who knows the system in and out to be on stand-by. All of this makes aeroponics a generally costly method of growing cannabis.
One more thing to keep in mind is the possibility of mold collecting in the planter trough and how to figure out the optimum feeding periods for your plants.
But it’s not all doom and gloom. The upside is that aeroponic systems are known for their consistent high quality produce. The combination of setting up an indoor grow room and applying nutrients directly the roots allows for the development of large, healthy buds. Flowers grown with aeroponics are known to blossom with ripe trichomes and in high yields, which make for a desirable and moreover lucrative end product. But consistency comes with a caveat. Some complain that they can lack the complex flavors that soil grown cannabis tends to have. However, everyone agrees that research on the plant becomes a whole lot easier given the many points of access provided in an aeroponic setup.
For more information:
Frontier Botanics
Lindsay Gayman BScN, Medical Cannabis Educator
+44 (0) 203 993 8250
info@frontierbotanics.com
frontierbotanics.com