When growers start growing crops in hydroponics initially, they encounter several problems. In most of the cases, the problem occurs because of the inappropriate practices and unsuitable management of the growing system.
The hydroponic method is much more technical than the traditional soil method, and that is why the grower should have precise knowledge about the system as well as about the everyday problems that can occur while growing crops.
Today, we will discuss the common pitfalls encountered in hydroponics and how you can tackle these problems successfully.
Seedlings are vulnerable to problems during their initial growth phase, and that is why growing a healthy seedling is one of the most challenging steps in hydroponics.
Problem: Wilting
It can be due to several factors such as less irrigation or high temperature, where the plant loses its rigidity, and leaves start drying.
Solution: You should let your roots dry between each irrigation cycle. A backup pump should always be handy if the operating one gets fail because the plants can wilt quickly without water supply.
Problem: Dead Roots
There are many reasons for dead roots like high temperature of water, very high or very low EC, overwatering in dense substrates, and others. Dead roots can also be a sign of root rot pathogen infecting the system.
Solution: First, you should remove the plants having dead roots and then regulate the water temperature accordingly to increase aeration. Regular cleaning and sanitization of the system can eliminate the pathogen.
System clogging is considered the most frequently occurring problem in a hydroponic system, especially in a drip type of system. In the majority of cases, clogging is due to the pieces of the growing medium when they get stuck in the tubes.
Clogging affects the circulation of the whole system and can damage your crops drastically.
Things You Can Do: Regularly flush the tubes with warm water to prevent clot formation. You can also change your growing medium from loose to a heavy medium such as expanded clay.
No matter how perfectly growers manage their hydroponic farms, but they can't prevent infestation. There are a few steps that you can take during the initial phase of infestation.
Algae Infestation: Algae can cause clogging in the hydroponic system, altering the overall circulation of nutrient solution. At the same time, algae can take up nutrients from the solution, affecting the plant's growth and development.
Solution: Minimizing the sunlight exposure to the nutrient solution and painting the reservoir black can control the growth of the algae in the solution. Do not overwater the seedlings because this promotes the growth of algae on their surface.
Pest Infestation: The chances of pest infesting your hydroponic farm is significantly low, compared to open-field farming. But growers should always be concerned about protecting their plants from pests.
Pests such as thrips, aphids, fungus gnats, spider mites can be an obstacle between your goal of getting a healthy harvest.
Things You Can Do: Proper sanitization of items is necessary before bringing them inside the farm, even you should change your clothes before getting inside. Despite all the efforts, if the pests get invaded on the farm, you can use biological pest-management techniques to control them.
Usually, the grower identifies a particular nutrient deficiency by analyzing the symptoms, but sometimes it can be misleading. Before confirming a problem, you should check the water temperature, nutrient solution pH, and EC of the solution. If all the readings are at their optimum level, then you should check the nutrient composition of the solution.
Problem: Tip Burn
It is a condition in which the tip or the margins of the leaves get collapsed or turn brown. Calcium deficiency is considered the chief cause of tip burn. For the formation of a plant cell wall, calcium is an essential element.
Solution: You can increase the flow of air on the crop, this will increase the transpiration rate, and ultimately it improves the calcium absorption by the plant roots.
Growing a crop in soil-less conditions eliminates several difficulties that are encountered by someone who is growing crops in soil. In the end, the quality harvest depends on how effectively a grower deals with the problem faced by them. No matter how big a problem looks, there is always a solution.
As a seasoned expert in hydroponics with years of hands-on experience and a comprehensive understanding of the subject, I've successfully navigated the complexities of hydroponic cultivation. My expertise extends to various hydroponic systems, troubleshooting common issues, and implementing effective solutions for optimal crop growth.
Now, let's delve into the concepts discussed in the article:
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Hydroponic Challenges and Technical Nature:
- Hydroponics involves precise management and technical expertise compared to traditional soil methods.
- Growers need comprehensive knowledge about the hydroponic system and potential problems.
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Seedling Growth in Hydroponics:
- Growing healthy seedlings is a crucial and challenging step in hydroponics.
- Problem: Wilting due to factors like less irrigation or high temperature.
- Solution: Allow roots to dry between irrigation cycles and have a backup pump for water supply.
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Root Health and Root Rot:
- Dead roots can result from factors like high water temperature, extreme EC levels, and overwatering.
- Dead roots may indicate root rot pathogens.
- Solution: Remove plants with dead roots, regulate water temperature, and ensure regular system cleaning.
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System Clogging:
- Common in drip-type hydroponic systems, clogging occurs due to pieces of growing medium blocking tubes.
- Clogging disrupts system circulation and can damage crops.
- Solution: Flush tubes regularly with warm water, consider changing to a heavier growing medium.
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Infestation Prevention:
- Algae Infestation: Algae can cause clogging and nutrient uptake issues.
- Solution: Reduce sunlight exposure to nutrient solution, paint reservoir black, avoid overwatering seedlings.
- Pest Infestation: Though less common than in open-field farming, pests like thrips and aphids can still be a concern.
- Solution: Ensure proper sanitization, use biological pest-management techniques.
- Algae Infestation: Algae can cause clogging and nutrient uptake issues.
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Nutrient Deficiency and Tip Burn:
- Verify water temperature, nutrient solution pH, and EC before confirming nutrient deficiency.
- Problem: Tip burn, often caused by calcium deficiency.
- Solution: Increase air flow to enhance transpiration and calcium absorption by plant roots.
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Conclusion:
- Growing crops in soil-less conditions eliminates several difficulties encountered in traditional soil cultivation.
- Effective problem-solving is crucial for a quality harvest in hydroponics, and there's always a solution for every challenge.
