Vertical hydroponic systems are excellent for those that require a high production for a limited amount of space. In a home environment, this system could be used to save space, because there is little space or because the system allows for ease of care due to the fact that all the growing tubes can be reached quite easily. This type of hydroponic system is a very effective way to increase return on investment.
Under the system of hydroponics, plants are grown without soil but an alternative medium is used to support the roots. This media could be anything from coconut husk to perlite to gravel or pebbles, or even nonexistent as in aeroponics which uses a water mist to supply nutrients to the plant that are suspended in air.
In a vertical system of hydroponics, plant containers are stacked vertically in order to utilize space most efficiently, and any kind of hydroponics could be used as a means to deliver minerals to these plants; whether passive or active, depending on the scale of operation and size of budget.
Getting It Right
Since a vertical hydroponics system is a host to almost 5 times the plants a horizontal system would house, the need to control the environment around these plants is even more crucial. This could range from controlling the amount of light in the facility, the pH balance of the water circulating and the humidity in the air surrounding the plants. Hence a hydroponics structure is installed inside a controlled facility such as a grow tent, grow cabinet or grow room.
Advantages of Vertical Hydroponics
Because nutrients are virtually delivered on the spot to the roots of the plants, there is less need for the plants to spread their roots in either direction in order to extract food. This means that plants can be grown much closer together as compared to the traditional means of agriculture, grown soil.
As mineral distribution is monitored and adequate with hydroponic growing, the product that results is superior in nutritional composition as well as colour, taste and size. In controlled environment, controlled provision of light and temperature is also a cost factor, but since this is provided to an increased yield, this cost is divided amongst a higher number of units - decreasing per unit cost and making it more profitable for the grower.
Return on Investment
A vertical hydroponics system thus boosts the advantages of a hydroponics system but also combines them with the cost-savings of vertical farming. Vertical farming is a popular method of growing in order to reduce the carbon footprint of farming. Where a homemade hydroponic grower benefits with this system is that they can grow a wide variety of plants but within a small area. They can grow their tomatoes, herbs, lettuce, strawberries, capsicum, radishes and a huge range of other edible items, plus they can grow flowers.
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