How To Grow Marijuana Using Hydroponics

You’re going to need the following things- and you’re off and running. Of course, you’ll refine your own system over time. Be patient with yourself. You will make mistakes, but you’ll learn and soon you’ll be a pro!

Clones

Know what they are so you can plan ahead. Sativa or Indica dominant? And make sure they are mite free.

A heavy duty tub with a strong lid.

Depending on the size of your grow, the lid will need to support some weight and the tub should be deep enough to have a good amount of water and house your pump.

A small pump for your water/solution and timer

You can find these on Amazon, or at your local hydro store. Don’t buy too big or too small. Don’t overthink this, but err on the side of too big. Make sure you get plenty of small black tubing to fit this, you might decide to change your system from a flood type to a drip type. If you’ve plenty of tubing, this isn’t a big deal at all.

Your lighting system and a separate timer for this.

I’ve never tried LED lights, but if you can swing it, try those. That will cut down on your energy costs and heat issues.

Your nutrients.

I suggest working with one brand- rather than mixing and matching.

Accessories depending on your needs.

These can be anything from fans, exhaust needs to Ph monitors for your water. You’re chosen pots and growing medium. I’ve also built Co2 generators. More on that stuff later- you’ve got the idea now…

What Nutrients Do I Need To Grow Marijuana Hydroponically?

There are many nutrients, supplements and combinations that will help your plants grow from the seedling/clone stage, through the veg stage, well into bloom and finishing.

Ultimately, are you okay using chemical solutions, or do you absolutely need to have an ‘organic’ label?. If so, I completely understand. Also, it’s often that people complain about hydroponic grows having a chemical taste- especially if the finishing of the grow has not completely flushed the plants.

The most common need for a plant is nitrogen, which is a key component for growing cannabis hydroponically. Cannabis needs nitrogen to produce leaves, stalks and roots- and yes, buds.

In the wild, cannabis would get its nitrogen from the dirt it grows in which is rich in nitrates (generally from decayed vegetative matter), but this is not always available when grown indoors or hydroponically- hence the need for nutes.

You will also need a calcium and magnesium supplement that contains calcium nitrate and magnesium sulfate. These two elements help build strong cell walls, promote healthy plant growth, and create proteins for chlorophyll production.

The most important thing to remember is whether you go with chemical, or organic, or a mix of the two (common), always keep your measurements straight and keep a log as to what you’re doing, in what stage. All of this is very important.

That which is not accounted for, can not be refined.

Why Is My Marijuana Plant Growing Tall And Skinny

The quick answer is your plant is genetically predisposed to stretch during its vegetative stage. So it’s probably a Sativa, as they tend towards the tall/skinny side.

Another possibility is that your lights are too high. Keeping an eye on them, of course, is a good idea. Remember that you can burn them, if they grow into the lights, or you have them too close in the first place.

Note: There are full-spectrum lights now that are LED- these reduce heat and will not burn your plant. Additionally, they last longer and save electricity.

I’m not aware of any downsides to using LEDs yet (I do know the technology has come a long way). But if I learn of any, I’ll be sure to share that info here.

Does Topping Increase Yield

While there are arguments on both sides of the topping debate, it seems to be generally agreed that topping (cutting off the top of a plant) will increase yield.

The other upside of topping your plants is to create a more efficient, balanced use of your space and light- while controlling the stretching phase- consider a closet hydroponic grow and you can see how spreading those nodes/bud-sites out, while controlling the height could be of great benefit.

How Do I Get More Bud Sites

As mentioned above, topping will help achieve this.

Does More Light Equal More Yield

Generally, yes. However, just as important is to make sure your timing cycles are in accordance with the growth cycles of the plant.

Technology, with full-spectrum, LED and other lighting types have come a long way. Really, there is no reason to buy two different bulbs as you needed to in the past.

Though this question (and debate) will be further addressed in other posts.

5 Different Hydroponics System Examples

Wick Systems

Water and solution is wicked up from a passive system. I’d be interested in trying this just for the lack of extra equipment required.

Deep Water Culture (DWC)

Plant roots are submerged in the water/nutrient solution, and are fed air through an airstone/pump.

Nutrient Film Technique (NFT)

Which could also be considered a Ebb and Flow system.

Ebb and flow (Flood and Drain)

Plants absorb water up through the holes in the plastic pots. This helps if you’re using rockwool, which I have. This is the system I prefer.

Drip Systems

A top down fed technique, either hand, but usually using a pump. However, some sides of the root structure could dry out, so you must stay on top of that by moving the feeder tubes regularly.

I’ve used numbers 4 and 5. Ebb and Flow (Flood and Drain) being my favorite.

Additionally, you could count aeroponics as a hydroponic system. This is where th roots are hanging down in a dark, or at least opaque tub and are sprayed with a sprinkler like system. I know this works well for many, but seems a little bit silly to me.

In my mind, and experience, it would be better to have the roots fully submerged in your nutrient rich water and then tickled with air bubbles being fed from an air stone- if you weren’t going to go with an Ebb and Flow system…

If you like, here’s a great article on the topic with illustrations.

Some of The Benefits of Growing Marijuana in Hydroponics

Hydroponics offers many benefits over growing marijuana in soil. It is less expensive, simpler to use, and a more controllable medium for those inexperienced with gardening. Also, since you control the environment, you can start your grow at any time of year.

And one of the biggest benefits is that everything seems to grow and definitely reacts much faster than when growing in dirt.

This can be a double edged sword, especially if you’ve miscalculated your nutrient measurements. So always be careful and track what you’re doing!

As mentioned: I’ve grown in soil, mixed soil mediums and hydroponics. I, personally, prefer it (Ebb and Flow)- but have always wondered about aquaponics… More on that here.

5 Of The Best Reasons To Grow Marijuana Using Hydroponics

A Hydroponics System Uses Less Water Than Soil

Plants tend to be healthier in a hydroponic system because the environment is controlled by factors such as temperature and humidity. However, plenty of growers will swear on dirt and argue the point to exhaustion.

Grow what, where and how you like- preference is key here and that will only come with experience.

A hydroponics system uses less water than soil because the roots of the plants are suspended in a solution, or fixed in a potted medium. This means that you just need to replace the water as it evaporates, as opposed to replacing both soil and water which is necessary in a typical garden plot.

Hydroponics systems work well in areas with poor soil and drought conditions, so that’s a bonus as well. Also, depending on the size of your grow, how much dirt do you want to lug around?

*Remember your pump to flood the grow tray, could also be used to drain your reservoir tub when it’s time to add fresh water, or change your nutrient cycle.

A Hydroponics System Uses Less Energy Than Soil

A hydroponics system uses significantly less energy than soil.The main advantage of a hydroponics system is the fact that it does not require as much space as a traditional soil system, which saves up on transportation costs and energy input for heating and cooling.

This process eliminates the need for soil because all nutrients are supplied in solution. The hydroponics system uses much less energy than a traditional soil based farm. The hydroponics system can use up to 90% less energy in heating, cooling, and lighting when compared with a soil based system, making it much more environmentally friendly.

A plant garden using hydroponic systems can produce food up to 2-3 times faster than an outdoor garden, and it also has a higher yield.

A Hydroponics System Enables More Control Over Nutrients And Temperature Than Soil

A hydroponics system is great for people who are looking to grow plants indoors, but don’t have the space. A hydroponics system allows for more control over nutrients and temperature than soil, resulting in higher yields.

A hydroponic system can provide a solution for those who want to grow an abundance of plants, but lack the space. This system utilizes wate, so there is no need for pesticides, herbicides or weeding. However, mites and gnats can still be an issue, so beware.

The plants grow in small containers so they can be moved easily to other areas if needed. I used 6” square plastic pots over and over again. This was great as a 4” rockwool base would fit perfectly in the bottom and then stacked with a second one.

All the way around I used clay pebbles to fill in the side. To be able to shuffle around your plants is a huge benefit!

A Hydroponics System Produces A Larger Yield Per Square Foot

One of the advantages of hydroponics is that it uses less space than traditional gardening. A hydroponics system provides plants with nutrients dissolved in water continuously, feeding them more precisely than soil does.

This enables plants to grow faster and produce higher yields per square foot of space.

Hydroponic Systems combine liquid nutrients with an inert growing medium such as clay pellets or pebbles that holds the plant’s roots in a moist environment. The hydroponic system can also use drip irrigation to distribute water evenly to the roots of the plant, eliminating much of the water waste that is associated with traditional farming.

A Hydroponic Marijuana System Has A Reduced Risk Of Pests, Diseases And Contaminants

As alluded to above, a hydroponic system has a reduced risk of pests, diseases and contaminants.

This is because the plants are grown in bedded trays with constant access to clean, balanced, filtered water and nutrient solutions. The plants are also grown in controlled environments that eliminate or reduce the chance of outside pests and diseases from infecting the plants.

However, this method still has risks as there is a possibility of contamination from inside sources such as bringing in clones that have a mite problem.

Nowadays, many people are turning to hydroponic marijuana systems in order to produce their own medical cannabis. These systems allow for higher plant density and decreased pest problems; because these plants are grown in water, it is not likely that pests will bother the growing plants.

Pests that feed on plant leaves are less attracted to these hydroponic marijuana systems than they are to soil-based systems where there is root contact with the ground.

It also contains nutrients that are often more beneficial to plants than soil. Plants never come in contact with any outside pollutants. They are not exposed to dangerous bacteria or harmful fungi that can contaminate the plant or reduce its shelf life.

Growing cannabis in hydroponics is advantageous for any grower. Unlike traditional soil-grown marijuana, hydroponic plants are grown with help from their roots in a nutrient-rich solution known as a growing medium. This solution is typically water and a special nutrient mix designed to provide your plant with everything it needs to flower and grow properly.

*Remember to enjoy the process. You will make mistakes, and that’s okay. Most of the time, your plants can recover.

Finally, one of the most often complained about issues with plants grown by using hydroponics is a chemical taste- this is usually because the plants weren’t sufficiently ‘flushed’ with pure water at the end of the grow, during the final weeks of the flowering stage.

Watch this, plan for this and implement, you’ll be happy you did!

Here’s a great educational video on hydroponics from Growers Network on YouTube.