By: Charlene Rennick
One of the most widely acclaimed advantages of having a hydroponic garden is that it produces a greater volume of crop at harvest. Hydroponically-based cultivation projects operate all year long, give gardeners an opportunity to start plants way ahead of the outdoor growing season, and can pack more plants into less space.
Recently, another land-saving, space-creating, energy-conserving, hydroponic break-through is the vertical garden. Growing upwards instead of outwards gets the most use out of your lights and saves on your hydroponic hydro bill. Vertical cultivation techniques will double the crop yield that normally requires 2-600 watt lights. This technique is more energy efficient than any other type of light or indoor hydroponic system.
Vertical growing also opens up the variety of crops that can be grown hydroponically. Cucumbers, squash and melons which traditionally require a vast horizontal space to produce fruit have been successfully coaxed to fruition using a cage, climber or home-made support. One of the tricks is to make sure the blossoms have the protective umbrella made up of the big leaves that will shade the growing fruit. This can be done by supporting the maturing fruit from the bottom and the main vine and offshoots from the top.
Cucumber, pumpkins, squash and melons are members of the vine family which gives them the predisposition to become a climber if it weren’t for the weight of the fruit. With braces and cages to counter the weight, these large and tasty treats can be a welcome addition to your indoor harvest without taking up a wealth of space.
Rockwool slabs are among the best choices to support a vertical growth system of hydroponics. The roots will need this kind of anchor to balance the weight of the yield against gravity. Clay, pebbles and other heavier, porous growing mediums provide an alternative to rockwool as a good base, as well.
All of these options for a growing media suitable for vertical systems still require a reservoir, pumps to move the water around and irrigation fittings.