When you want to grow crops, the first thing that comes to mind is the soil space you will use for that purpose. You will think of making holes in the soil, dropping your seeds or seedlings, and covering them. But do you know you can grow your plants without using soil?
Hydroponic technology is a game changer in the agriculture sector in Kenya and beyond. This farming technique eliminates the need for soil to grow plants. Instead, you use water and mineral nutrient solutions to grow your crops. You can also add an inert medium such as rockwool or perlite to provide mechanical support to the plants. Hydroponic farming is an innovative approach that is becoming popular in Kenya with more farmers adopting the technique and enjoying its benefits.
How Does Hydroponics Work?
A plant requires oxygen, moisture, and a suitable temperature to germinate. During the plant growth stage, the plant will need carbon dioxide, water, and sunlight to make its food through photosynthesis. The food manufactured during photosynthesis will be converted to energy through respiration provided there is oxygen and other factors such as temperature are optimal.
None of these plant’s physiological processes require soil. The soil only serves as a pantry storing water and nutrients for the plants and offering them mechanical support. Therefore, if you can come up with a way of providing water, nutrients, and supporting the plant, you can successfully eliminate the need for soil.
The hydroponic farming technique allows you to provide the plants with the water and nutrients they need. Further, the system allows you to control environmental factors such as temperature, light, and pH.
Crops You Can Grow through Hydroponics in Kenya
Examples of popular crops grown through hydroponic farming in Kenya include spinach, kale, lettuce, tomatoes, peppers, melons, parsley, basil, mint, and strawberries. Some farmers are also growing fodder for their livestock through hydroponic technology.
Types of Hydroponic Systems
There are several types of hydroponic systems including:
Wick System
This hydroponic system involves a reservoir housing water and nutrient solution, a wick i.e., a string or rope, and growing media-filled tray or pots that hold the plants. The wick facilitates water and nutrient transfer from the reservoir to the growing media. Plants can then obtain food and water from the media.
Deep Water Culture System
This hydroponic system involves suspending the root system of plants in an oxygen-rich nutrient solution. Net pots hold the plants over a deep reservoir of aerated solution. A diffuser or an air stone connected to an air pump supplies oxygen to the entire system from the bottom of the reservoir.
Nutrient Film Technique (NFT) System
This system involves a slightly sloping tube or channel that allows the flow of nutrient solution into a reservoir before flowing back to the channels. The plants’ rooting system contacts the nutrient solution as it continually flows along these channels. Unlike the deep-water culture system where roots are immersed in the nutrient solution, the stream of nutrients and water in the nutrient film technique only flows over the tips of the roots.
Aeroponics
An aeroponic system delivers nutrients and water to the plant roots in the form of a mist. Plants suspend in the air and a couple of mist nozzles atomize the nutrient solution and deliver it as a fine mist to the roots. Any excess solution falls back into the reservoir.
Ebb and Flow System
In an ebb-and-flow system, plants are grown in a grow bed filled with a growing medium such as perlite or rock wool. The nutrient-rich solution is directed into the grow bed until it reaches a certain point typically a few inches below the top surface of the medium to avoid overflow. The water solution drains back into the reservoir leaving the grow bed dry.
Drip System
This system involves a network of tubes fitted with drip emitters that deliver tiny drops of nutrient solution to individual plants. The solution drips down into the growing medium around the plant roots, providing the plants with water and nutrients.
A drip system can be a recovery one whereby excess water delivered to the plants go back to the reservoir for use during the next drip cycle. It can also be a non-recovery systems whereby excess water that drains out of the growing media would go to waste. However, growers who use drip systems are conservative in water usage and thus won’t allow wastage. In fact, they ensure the drip system provides the plants with the exact amount of water and nutrients they need at the right time.
Why Invest in Hydroponic Farming
Here are six benefits of hydroponic farming in Kenya:
- You can Achieve Faster Crop Growth and Have More Yields
Hydroponic technology allows you to harvest crops faster than other farming methods. Each plant has optimal growing conditions, receiving nutrients, water, oxygen, and temperature needed for growth. Therefore, it can grow faster and larger.
When plants are growing in the soil, their roots must expand constantly to look for nutrients and water. A lot of energy is used up in the process. However, since hydroponics delivers food and water directly to the plant root system, more energy can be diverted to plant growth. Therefore, the farming technique promotes quick growth and higher yields.
Further, a hydroponic system avoids crop losses that often occur through problems such as diseases and pests. You have more control over what your crops feed on and the environmental conditions around them. At the end of the growing season, you will have more crops to harvest.
- You Have Control Over the Growing Environment
Hydroponic technology allows you to create perfect conditions for each type of crop you grow. Different crops have varying requirements. You can control the conditions in a hydroponic greenhouse and grow a crop you wouldn’t grow in the open field within that area.
For instance, you can use various technologies to increase temperatures in your hydroponic greenhouse in the cold Limuru region in Kenya, and comfortably grow watermelon. A hydroponic system will also allow you to provide the nutrients and pH balance necessary for the crop to grow.
- Hydroponic Technique Helps Conserve Water
When practicing traditional farming techniques, water losses occur through inefficient irrigation systems, evaporation, soil erosion, and other ways. Hydroponic systems use recirculation techniques to reduce water wastage. Further, the systems enable you to use the exact amount of water required by the plants thus ensuring there is no excess water delivered to the plants.
- You Can Produce All Round the Year
Hydroponic farming allows continuous production. Crops can be grown and harvested year-round without worrying about the changing seasons. Therefore, you have an increased supply of food.
- You Can Reduce Chemical Use
Properly maintained hydroponic systems discourage pests and diseases. Further, there is no use of soil that may harbor pathogens. Therefore, there is little reliance on chemical pesticides to manage pests and diseases in hydroponic systems. Further, weeds are not a major problem in well maintained hydroponic systems thus reducing the need for herbicides.
- The Technique Helps Utilize Your Little Space Optimally
If you have a small space, you can utilize it maximumly using a hydroponic farming method. Hydroponic systems allow you to have crops planted closely together since root growth is limited. The plants are situated in a space that accesses the needed nutrients and water and thus won’t have to spread out. Therefore, you can have a higher plant population within your little space. You only need to ensure there is room for your yields, especially for the leafy vegetables.
Hydroponic farming is an effective technique of growing plants and has immense benefits over farming using soil medium. Growers can produce nutrient-rich plants much faster and all year round. Further, people in the over-populated urban regions can grow their own food on rooftops, balconies, and basements.