A Beginner’s Guide to Aeroponic Cannabis Growing

You may already know about aeroponic cannabis growing but it is now becoming far more popular.

Cannabis farming is changing. Advanced growing methods like hydroponics, formerly reserved for specialists, are now being used by amateur gardeners worldwide. Aeroponics allows expert gardeners to take their grow operation to the next level. Let’s define aeroponics and discuss its advantages and disadvantages. Then, we go through how to build your own home aeroponic system and some advice for getting the greatest results!

History of aeroponics

Aeroponics was employed to examine plant root systems in the early twentieth century. In a 1911 publication, Russian botanist V.M. Artsikhovski describes a method he created and successfully used. More botanists used “air culture” in their studies in the 1940s. The name “aeroponics” was invented by a Dutch biologist Frits Warmolt Went, in 1957, when he was employing the approach to cultivate tomatoes and coffee plants. The “Genesis Rooting Device” from GTi was the first commercially marketed aeroponic system in 1983.

Understanding aeroponic cannabis cultivation

Aeroponic cannabis may be thought of as a type of hydroponic growth. It is usually employed when growing on land is not possible due to environmental concerns or as an alternative in indoor gardening. This approach may be used with cannabis, although it is more commonly utilized with other plants such as tomatoes, lettuce, and other popular vegetables. As the name implies, oxygen usage is an essential aspect of the system (the main difference between aeroponics and hydroponics). This is meticulously planned, so the roots are drenched with a nourishing solution from 30 seconds to 15 minutes. The wide area inside the chamber will give the air to roots freely hang in between spraying, stimulating air pruning and a fish-bone look.

Cannabis aeroponics vs. hydroponics

So, what’s the difference between aeroponics and hydroponics? A hydroponic cannabis system would often enable roots to grow directly into a nutrient solution (Deep Water Culture cannabis) or into an inert growing medium like a Rockwool, coco, or hydroton clay balls. Aeroponics differs in that the roots are allowed to dangle into an open chamber while sitting inside a net pot with hydroton (or a cannabis cut rooted in a small Rockwool cube). One of the benefits of cultivating cannabis utilizing aeroponics is the reduced consumption of growth media.

The advantages of aeroponic cannabis growing

1. First and foremost, the cannabis plant’s roots remain in touch with oxygen throughout the growth cycle. Furthermore, the nutrients contained in the water are sent directly to the roots, giving your plant rapid access to them.
2. Aeroponics allows your plants to grow close to one another. As a result, there is no issue with plants starving for soil territory. Consequently, you can produce more cannabis in less area than you could previously.
3. One of the most serious difficulties confronting agriculture is insufficient water. Did you realize that irrigation uses up to 70% of the world’s water? We can profit from quick and effective crop growth without depleting the planet’s vital water sources by fully embracing aeroponics.
4. You may harvest your cannabis crop sooner because you are not utilizing soil. Another benefit is your cannabis plants are less vulnerable to insect or disease infestations. Essentially, you are no longer reliant on soil quality or agricultural acreage.
5. Aeroponics is undoubtedly the most effective form of plant cultivation. It utilizes up to 90% less water than conventional farming, for starters. It also needs 40% less water than a hydroponic system.

The disadvantages of aeroponics cannabis growing

Aeroponic cannabis growing offers both advantages and disadvantages. Some of the most significant disadvantages of cultivating aeroponic cannabis are as follows:

1. It’s highly hands-on: Running an aeroponic grow requires attention to detail, which may be intimidating for new growers.
2. Because the initial setup expenses are significant, aeroponics is unsuitable for growers on a limited budget.
3. Running an aeroponic grow takes some understanding of nutrition and feeding. For beginners, over-or under-feeding can rapidly become a problem.
4. Extremely volatile: If any component of an aeroponic system fails (misters, pumps, or timer), your plants will perish soon.
5. Aeroponic systems must be cleaned and sterilized regularly to avoid the growth of bacteria, fungus, and other diseases near a plant’s root zone.

What are the requirements for a cannabis aeroponics system?

• Net pots to sit the cannabis cut inside.
• Reservoir tank.
• Pump.
• Nutrients.
• Spray nozzles.
• Timer.

The process of aeroponic cannabis growing systems

Misting provides water and nutrients to the roots, floating in the air. These nutrients and water interact with CO2 (carbon dioxide), sunshine, and oxygen to ensure your plant’s health. That is, as long as the roots are kept wet. An aeroponic cannabis system is made up of the following components:

1. Planter bed: This is where your cannabis plants will grow. It typically contains three systems: drainage, misting, and a system that supports and isolates the cannabis plant’s roots.
2. The water supply is kept in a reservoir. You must inspect it regularly for nutritional levels and quality.
3. Pumps: These link the planter bed to the reservoir and exchange water continually.

Procedure

1. First, plant a cannabis seedling developed in a non-soil growth media (such as coco coir or Rockwool). After that, segregate the inside and exterior of the planter bed with different pots.
2. Install a collar around the stalk’s base to keep the mist from molding or evaporating. The collar is also an efficient way to keep your plant’s roots from becoming injured or diseased.
3. The roots should emerge swiftly from the growth media and through the container. Meanwhile, the plant will grow away from the bed vertically.
4. To supply the water, you will need to utilize spray nozzle attachments. The water emitted by the nozzle is a fine mist that covers the root systems of the plants. Any extra moisture is collected on the bed’s bottom and discharged into the reservoir.

Quality of cannabis cultivated with aeroponics

Aeroponic systems are well-known for producing high-quality results. Growing within and giving nutrients straight to the roots enables the growth of large, healthy buds. Aeroponic flowers are known to bloom with mature trichomes on cannabis and in significant quantities, resulting in a profitable and appealing final product. However, they may not always have the subtle tastes of growing in soil.

More cannabis businesses using aeroponics systems assist the cannabis industry become more environmentally friendly while also generating higher quality products in bigger quantities. As a result, because cultivators’ overhead expenses are reduced, aeroponics may even aid drive down the cost for end-users. Aeroponics is unquestionably a win-win-win situation for producers, users, and the ecosystem. Moreover, growing in aeroponics, like hydroponics, has several advantages and can result in higher overall quality than growing on soil. This approach is comparable to hydro and employs nearly all of the same equipment as a hydro setup. Aeroponics is expensive and requires specialized knowledge. It has a high initial investment cost and requires extensive upkeep.

If you’re interested in cannabis aeroponics but aren’t fully sold on it, why not take a look at cannabis aquaponics and bubbleponics.