Aeroponic Weed: What is it?
Aeroponics is a method of growing cannabis plants that involves the suspension of roots in air.Â
The chamber contains misters that spray the roots with nutrients and water. The most common application of aeroponics is to start clones to allow for a healthy root system to establish before being transplanted.Â
However, this method (aeroponics) is not only for clones; it can also produce full cannabis plants.
This growing method first came about in the first half of the 20th century as a way to study a plant’s root system. Originally, aeroponics was only used for scientific applications. However, it has since become a fairly popular way to cultivate cannabis plants.
Aeroponic Weed: What is it? How Does it Work?
Aeroponics grows plants in a water-tight, sealed chamber with multiple misters. These systems are also called “cloners.” They can either be purchased pre-made or built from scratch.
Cloning begins with the removal of clones from mother plants. Then, a foam collar around each clone is applied and placed in the cloner. Once all clones are inside the cloner, nutrients and water are added to the chamber.
Additionally, a planter bed is necessary to grow fully grown plants. Seedlings must be placed in a net pot. Next, a collar should be placed around its base. Moreover, this protects the roots from damage and infection.
Like with clones, water and nutrients are pumped into the chamber through misters, which blanket the roots. Additionally, excess moisture in the chamber drains back into a reservoir, where it can be recycled.
Aeroponic Weed: Advantages & Disadvantages
These systems are well-known for producing high-quality product. Directly feeding nutrients to the roots allows plants to develop large, healthy buds. Furthermore, aeroponics produces high yields and buds ripe with trichomes and resin. Additionally, because of its nature, it is highly lucrative and desirable for growers.
An aeroponics system allows cannabis plant roots to be in direct contact with oxygen, helping grow healthy and thriving plants.
Additionally, nutrients dissolved into water and applied directly to the roots are more accessible for the plants to absorb.
Furthermore, aeroponics saves space because the plants are not competing for soil. This means the plants can be planted closer together. Additionally, the lack of soil significantly reduces the risk of pests or other infestations.
Aeroponics also uses less water than traditional soil growing methods as the water gets recycled back into the soil.
Aeroponic Weed: How To Grow Step-By-Step
To get started, you will need an aeroponic machine or a cloner. You can either make your own or purchase one online.
Clones
To grow successful clones, you must have vegetative light for at least 18 hours daily. Be sure the light doesn’t get too hot, and set up the light 1-2 inches above the clones. A good option is T5s.
Setting up the aeroponic system:
- Make sure to fill up the chamber completely with water and nutrients
- Install the pump
- Set up misters
After successfully taking your clones from a mother plant, the next step is to secure a foam collar around it to hold it in place. Then place it into the cloning chamber. Once you have secured all your clones into the machine, turn it on, and it will begin misting your plants with water and nutrients.
Additionally, you can get a timer that will mist your clones at different daily intervals. You will need to experiment with different timing to get it just right. There is a lot of trial and error to get the right results.Â
Aeroponic Weed: How To Grow – Seeds/Plants
An aeroponic system can be used to start seeds using a net pot, which is a basket filled with clay pellets and other growing mediums.
In addition, when your clones are rooted out, you can transplant them into net pots to finish the growing process in an aeroponic system.
When it comes to aeroponics, you need to keep an eye out for:
- Water levels in the tank- as plants grow, they will require more water
- Nutrients need to be adjusted for each stage of the growth cycle
- Timing of misters
- Height of grow lights need to be adjusted as plants continue to grow
- Be sure to check the filter regularly to ensure it doesn’t get clogged and is running as it should
Aeroponics is a great way to grow high-quality cannabis. Furthermore, aeroponics is a bit simpler than hydroponics. Once you have your machine set up, all it takes is to check that it’s still working correctly.
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