Get started with hydroponics! We've selected 4 hydroponic systems suitable for beginners

Hydroponics is a modern way of growing plants without using soil, which allows for rapid growth and higher yields. Whether you have limited space for growing or want to use water and fertilisers efficiently, hydroponic systems are the ideal solution. In this article, we will look at the best hydroponic systems for beginners.

Hydroponics consists of growing plants without using soil and is an excellent solution for those who do not have access to an outdoor garden. Instead of soil, plants grow in a nutrient solution or inert medium, such as expanded clay, coconut fibres or rockwool. In a home hydroponic garden, you can grow plants all year round and they will grow faster than when grown outdoors. For beginners, the most suitable are 4 types of hydroponic systems: passive (AutoPot), capillary (Atami Wilma) DWC (PLANT!T) and ebb and flow (ebb and flow). Systems for more advanced growers include NFT and aeroponic systems.

Main advantages of hydroponics

• Higher yields: Plants always have access to nutrients and water, grow faster and produce larger fruits.
• Better control of conditions: In hydroponic growing, it is easy to regulate the pH and EC of the nutrient solution and achieve optimal growing conditions.
• Lower water and fertiliser use: Compared with traditional growing in soil, hydroponics uses up to 90% less water and makes better use of fertilisers.
• Fewer pests and diseases: Growing without a soil substrate significantly reduces the risk of attack by pathogens or insect pests.
• Ability to grow all year round: In a hydroponic garden, your plants will always have everything they need, regardless of the outdoor weather.

AutoPot

AutoPot is a passive hydroponic irrigation system that works without electricity or pumps, thanks to the patented AQUAvalve, which automatically regulates the supply of nutrient solution to each plant. As soon as the plant uses up the available water, the valve opens again and replenishes it from the reservoir to the optimum level. Suitable growing media for the AutoPot system are coconut substrates and expanded clay.

• Without electricity or pumps: Ideal for places without access to electricity.
• Automatic regulation: Plants always receive exactly as much watering as they need.
• Quiet operation: Thanks to the absence of pumps, AutoPot operates completely silently.
• Easy growing: Once the tank is filled, you hardly need to look after the plants.
• Modular system: You can easily adapt AutoPot to the number of plants and the size of the growing space.

Atami Wilma

Atami Wilma is an active hydroponic system that works on the principle of drip irrigation. Plants are placed in separate pots filled with inert medium, and the nutrient solution is supplied to them by a pump through capillary tubes. Excess solution flows back from the tank and is used again. Suitable growing media for Atami Wilma systems are expanded clay, coconut substrates, perlite or rockwool.

• Optimal plant nutrition: Drip irrigation allows even and precise dosing of the nutrient solution.
• Efficient recirculation: Excess nutrient solution returns to the tank, which reduces fertiliser waste.
• Flexibility: Atami Wilma is a modular system and allows different types of plants to be grown in the same space.
• Suitable for larger plants too: The pots are also designed for medium-sized and larger plants, so you do not have to be limited in any way.

PLANT!T

PLANT!T hydroponic systems use the DWC (Deep Water Culture) method, in which the plant roots are submerged in a nutrient solution that is oxygenated by an air pump. Thanks to the high availability of oxygen and nutrients, plants in DWC grow very quickly and develop a branched root system. When growing in PLANT!T hydroponic systems, the plants are held in hydroponic baskets instead of a growing medium.

• Maximum root oxygenation: Oxygenating the water with bubbles provides the roots with the perfect environment for rapid growth.
• Efficient use of nutrients: Plants absorb nutrients directly from the nutrient solution.
• Easy maintenance: With PLANT!T systems, it is enough to check the pH and EC of the nutrient solution and occasionally top up water and fertilisers.
• Suitable for larger plants too: PLANT!T systems are designed for growing larger fruiting plant species, such as tomatoes or chilli.

Ebb and Flow

The Ebb and Flow system, also known as Flood and Drain, works on the principle of regularly flooding and draining the growing container with nutrient solution. The plants are arranged on the bottom of the flood tray, where a pump brings water from the tank at regular intervals. After the tray is flooded, the solution is gradually pumped back into the tank, bringing fresh oxygen to the roots. When growing with the ebb and flow system, the plants are planted in an inert substrate, for example in rockwool cubes, expanded clay or coconut substrate.

• Natural balance: Thanks to alternating flooding and drying, the roots always have enough oxygen and moisture.
• Water and nutrient savings: Excess solution is drained back into the irrigation tank.
• Flexibility: In flood trays, you can grow any number of different plant species and handle them easily.
• Easy maintenance and reliability: Thanks to their simplicity, ebb and flow systems are very reliable.

If you would like to learn more about hydroponics and other gardening techniques, visit our blog and discover more tips and tricks for successful growing.