We have all seen beautiful pictures of hydroponically grown plants. Most of the time they are under big grow lights and surrounded by fans and other electronics. But hydroponics is not limited to indoor growing. In fact, hydroponic weed can flourish just as well outdoors as it does in the ground.

 


Hydroponically grown cannabis offers many advantages !

This technique allows for fast growing and high yields while promoting a more efficient use of water and offering full control over the nutrients offered to your plants. While many growers who choose hydroponics grow indoors, you don't have to limit yourself to it. Just like soil-grown plants, hydro plants also thrive in the sun.


However, there are a few factors to consider if you want to get the best possible results from your outdoor hydroponic growing.

Growing cannabis hydroponically vs. in the ground
The difference between hydroponically grown and soil grown cannabis
Before we dive into the main topic, let's recap the differences between hydro and soil grown weed.

Whether you use organic or chemical fertilizers, soil-grown plants rely on their growing medium for the assimilation of nutritional inputs. In other words, you are feeding the soil and not your plants directly.


This is not the case in hydro !

In this case, the plants are watered by a nutrient solution that comes in direct contact with the root system. Instead of spreading their roots in the soil, hydro plants send their roots either in the air or in the water. Those permanently immersed in water receive oxygen through a bubbler, while those in air are watered intermittently as is the case in tide table systems.

At first glance, you might think that hydroponics requires an incredible amount of water. But upon closer inspection, it is discovered that hydroponic growing techniques use up to 10 times less water[1] than soil-based techniques. Methods such as DWC and the Kratky method store the majority of the water for 1 crop in a tank and others such as recirculating DWC keep the solution in constant motion within the confines of a pipe system. Growing in soil is more water intensive due to runoff and evaporation.

Hydroponics is not new, in fact, it goes back thousands of years. Today, farmers are using it to grow more than just cannabis, including cucumbers, leafy greens, strawberries, herbs and even peppers. The ability to stack hydroponic systems on top of each other is paving the way for growers to grow more food using less space while saving a lot of water.

 


The difference between hydroponic and soil-grown cannabis
Indoor vs. outdoor hydroponic systems


Just like growing in soil vs. hydro, there are several variables that distinguish outdoor from indoor growing. To give you a basic idea of what to expect, below we will compare the processes of indoor and outdoor hydroponics.

Costs
Outdoor hydroponics requires a smaller initial investment, especially if you choose a basic setup. Most hydroponic growers invest in grow tents and have no choice but to use high quality grow lights, which can seriously increase the electricity bill. Additional tools and equipment, such as dehumidifiers and fans, also add to the total cost of growing.

In contrast, hydro growers need little equipment and none of these extras. Techniques such as the Kratky method also bypass the need for a pump and thus the use of electricity.

Space
Growing outdoors tends to offer growers more space (as a rule). In addition to allowing you to grow more plants if you wish, having more space generally simplifies the whole process and makes it much more enjoyable. It also helps prevent problems like overcrowding and mold.

KEEP GROWING !