Plants For Hydroponics

 

Now we have introduced you to the basics of hydroponics it is time to consider which plants for hydroponics to use. At this stage I wish to repeat that not all plants are suitable for growing this way and the choice of plants available is tiny compared to those available to grow in your yard, back yard or garden. In the following article I will look at, and list, the most popular types grown using this amazing growing system.

Before I list some of the more popular plants suitable for hydroponics I must warn again that you should always follow any manufacturers instructions and recommendations which may come with your equipment, nutrients, seeds or seedlings. Not all manufacturers produce the exact same products and minor differences can be the difference between success and failure of your crop.

African Violets
Basil
Broccoli
Chilies/Capsicum
Cucumber
Eggplant
Lettuce
Marjoram
Melon
Mint
Orchids (only a few species)
Oregano
Parsley
Rosemary
Roses
Sage
Spinach
Strawberry
Sweet Corn
Thyme
Tomato
Watermelon

There are various other plants for hydroponics which are relatively popular and there are others that are not so popular due to the fact that they can be difficult to grow unless you know exactly what you are doing.

With popular plants you often have the choice of growing them from seed but if you already own a plant of the same species you want to grow it is possible to take a clone. With clones it is necessary to ensure that your clones have developed a root system and that they have been "hardened off" before you transplant them into your hydroponics system.

With seedlings you will need to germinate them before moving them to your system. Seeds will need a different growing medium to start with in which they will remain until they are of sufficient size to be transplanted into the growing medium. A suitable starting medium is coco coir followed by rockwool.

To speed germination you can use seedling heating mats but be careful as different species of plants for hydroponics require different temperatures to grow well (mature orchids like slightly differing temperatures, ranging from 55F at night up to 90F during the day). Some seedlings which are difficult to germinate may do so more easily by presoaking them in a 10% hydrogen peroxide and water solution.

I hope to return to the subject of propagation at a later date when I shall look at seeds and clones in much more detail.

 

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