Ask Erik

If you are looking for a hydroponic system with the greatest potential for yield and growth rates, aeroponics is likely the best choice. It sounds like you have had your hands wet with hydroponics for a while, as typically aeroponics does not come recommended for beginners.

In aeroponic systems, a fine mist that has been infused with plant available nutrients and high levels of dissolved oxygen is intermittently sprayed on the roots. Careful monitoring of the nutrient solution and the types of nutrients you apply are critical. There is no growing medium to buffer the nutrients to the roots, lending to accelerated growth rates, but increasing the potential of mishap. Basically, it’s like driving a high performance car at top speeds. You can get to where you want to go fast, but mistakes can be disastrous.

There are a variety of aero systems to choose from. However, for the biggest yields possible in your floor area, consider vertical aeroponic gardening. You can make use of your available vertical height to increase the number of flowering sites you can effectively illuminate in your growing space. A simple way to do this is using a tiered “V” system. The next step is to have a true vertical garden, where planting sites are filled from the floor to the ceiling, encasing the light source(s) 360 degrees around.

The bucket system you describe is relatively forgiving and allows you to use a wide variety of nutrients, additives and beneficial microbial inoculants. In aero, you will want to run your solution a little thinner to prevent clogging of sprayers and to keep a high degree of hygiene in the root zone. An inline filter before the spray manifold is a must, along with regular maintenance and cleaning of sprayers/nozzles.

Cheers, Erik Biksa