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Aeroponics Systems
Aeroponics systems provide a fast, clean and efficient method of food production. Crops can be planted indoors without soil and can be harvested year round. Aeroponics systems are considered an offshoot of the much older practice of hydroponics which is also a method of growing plants in a soil less solution of water and nutrients. In aeroponics systems, plants are grown in chambers with their roots suspended in space and periodically bathed in a nutrient mist. In hydroponics the plants are anchored by their roots in a “grow media” and doused with nutrient enriched water. The media is composed of solid materials such as rockwool, perlite or fired clay pebbles. Aeroponics systems are increasing being used for a wide range of diverse purposes from greenhouses cloning plants, to NASA growing food for long distance space flights, to individuals legally cultivating medical marijuana in some states and not so legally in others.
Advantages of Aeroponics Systems
Many people are unaware of the role that oxygen plays in photosynthesis and plant growth. Traditional gardening methods and hydroponics which bury the roots in soil or grow media, also restrict access to the oxygen supply which is a limiting factor on growth. In aeroponics systems, the plants are secured by a flexible collar and the roots are exposed in an open space so there is plenty of oxygen to be absorbed along with the nutrients. That is one reason that aeroponics systems typically produce yields that are up to 80% greater than gardens and 40% greater than hydroponics systems. Aeroponics systems also uses considerably less water and chemicals than traditional agriculture with reports of savings exceeding 90% in water usage, fertilizer and pesticides. Aeroponics systems can be used to clone the best specimens in a garden by rapidly rooting cuttings for replanting, to more efficiently germinate seeds or for growing plants from seed to harvest. Using aeroponics systems as part of replanting program improves root growth, survival rate, growth rate, and maturation time. Urban gardeners where soil is often scarce or unavailable have found that aeroponics systems suit their needs well by enabling the growth of plants inside their apartments or on rooftops. It is also a valuable alternative for rural locations where arable soil is scarce or the water supply limited.
Disadvantages of Aeroponics Systems
Aeroponics systems are not easy to set up or operate and are not the perfect solution to all gardening problems. The setup costs are high and to be successful in aeroponics requires precise control of nutrients and water. It is more temperamental than traditional gardening or hydroponics since pH changes and nutrient imbalances occur more quickly due to the increased absorption rates of the nutrient solution and the high levels of oxygenation. Furthermore, with no soil or grow media to buffer the roots, the plants react negatively to these changes much more quickly.Aeroponics systems depend almost entirely on high-pressure pumps, timers and sprayers, so power failures and equipment malfunctions can have a devastating effect. Electrical outages can be mitigated through backup generators or a Computer UPS, but those solutions add to the cost. If the system has a pump failure, bad nutrients, dry reservoir or blocked nozzles, the plants can be horribly damaged or killed in just a few hours.
Current State of Aeroponics
While the practice of hydroponics has been around for thousands of years, aeroponics is a relatively new development that was first developed during the last decades of the 20th century. The technology behind aeroponics systems is still evolving and it is a more complicated process than either hydroponics or regular gardening. Aeroponics in its different forms is a really a high-tech growing method that requires expertise, investment, and monitoring. It is growing as a hobby for indoor gardeners and also commercially as an efficient means of propagation and germination.Because of the increased absorption rates of nutrients and oxygen, aeroponics in the hands of a well experienced gardener can yield explosive and here to fore unprecedented growth rates.