{"id":2935,"date":"2018-10-29T23:20:01","date_gmt":"2018-10-29T23:20:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/weedmaps.com\/learn\/dictionary\/aeroponics"},"modified":"2021-07-23T00:17:10","modified_gmt":"2021-07-23T00:17:10","slug":"aeroponics","status":"publish","type":"dictionary","link":"https:\/\/weedmaps.com\/learn\/dictionary\/aeroponics","title":{"rendered":"Aeroponics"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Aeroponics refers to a cultivation system where plants are suspended and their exposed roots are regularly misted with a nutrient-rich solution. Aeroponic growing systems are more temperamental than other cultivation methods and require careful, consistent monitoring. Because of the expense of starting an aeroponic system and the precision required to maintain it, as well as questions about whether it's an ideal way to cultivate cannabis, aeroponic growing systems may not make sense for the casual or hobbyist grower.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nonetheless, people get very excited about aeroponics for a number of reasons. Cannabis cultivation using aeroponic systems allows the plant roots to have greater access to oxygen, which can lead to faster and more efficient growth than hydroponic<\/a> or soil cultivation. Applying nutrients and water directly to the roots allows growers to use less of those resources, and the run-off is collected and used again, which appeals to conservation-minded cultivators. Finally, the internet abounds with instructions for \u201cquick and easy DIY\u201d aeroponic setups, leading many to believe the canna-harvest of their dreams is quick and easy using storage bins, a few hoses, and a small aquarium pump. (Spoiler alert - it is not.)\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Basics of aeroponics<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Aeroponics systems include an aeroponic chamber with a lid that holds the plants above on the outside with their roots dangling below on the inside, a reservoir to contain the water and dissolved nutrients, a pump that delivers the nutrient-rich solution to misters, a timer that controls the pump, and tubing to connect the reservoir to the misters and the drain at the bottom of the chamber back to the reservoir. At regular intervals, the timer turns on the pump to send nutrient solution to the misters, which cover the roots with nutrient-laden mist. Excess nutrient water drains off the roots and into the reservoir where it waits to start the cycle again. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the first half of the 20th century, aeroponics evolved as a way to study how plants grow, with a special focus on plant roots. Today, this approach is used by some commercial cannabis growers as well as in some forms of food production. Besides cannabis, crops grown in aeroponics systems include leafy greens, tomatoes, and other common vegetables.<\/p>\n\n\n\t\t\t

\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\"Aeroponics\"\n\t\t\t<\/a><\/figure>\t\t\t