Growing Methods
There are a number of ways in which plants can be successfully grown. Traditional growing methods have been enhanced and changed over many years with new discoveries and ideas emerging every decade.
Whilst the modern idea of hydroponic growing is only a few decades old, people have practicing hydroponic growing methods for thousands of years.
Growing in Soil
Using soil as a growing medium to raise plants has been traditionally used for thousands of years. Gardeners use soil for growing in raised beds and a multitude of pots and containers.
While being extremely versatile, soil does have some associated problems, mainly weeds and pests. Soil can also restrict the level of oxygen available to the plants which, often overlooked, is also essential for healthy growth. An example of when oxygen levels become low is when the soil becomes water-logged from over watering. This is why watering plants in soil often involves some guesswork.
To help you grow successfully using soil, we have a range of self-watering growing kits that ensure the plants receive the perfect balance of water, nutrients and oxygen. No guess work involved. You can even add our Holiday Watering Kit, a 25litre bucket which takes care of weekends and holidays.
Growing in Hydro
Hydro is short for hydroponics, which is growing without soil. This method is used by NASA to feed astronauts on long space flights and was used by the ancient Aztecs to create their floating gardens. It is also used to grow 90% of the greenhouse grown flowers and 65% of the greenhouse grown fruit and vegetables sold in the U.K.
Plants started in compost can be transplanted to Greenhouse Sensation hydro systems.
What is Active Hydro?
This way the plants never receive too much or too little water and nutrient.
NFT Hydro System
In a GS NFT the water is constantly pumped over the roots and back into the reservoir over and over again.
EBB & Flood Hydro System
In a GS Ebb & Flood at pre-set intervals the system floods water and nutrient from the reservoir over
the roots and back into the reservoir over and over again.
Why choose Hydro?
Greenhouse Sensation hydro systems are automatic growing kits for growing plants without soil. Any plant with a root system can be grown in a hydro system from tomatoes and cucumbers to butternut squash and orchids.
Plants grow healthier, stronger and more quickly because they have access to everything they need. The plants are simply placed in the growing container above the reservoir full of water and nutrient solution. The solution is repeatedly pumped from the reservoir, around the plant roots and back again. All the grower has to do is keep the water and nutrient topped up.
Ten reasons why to grow using hydro...
1. Quicker growth - plants get everything they need, when they need it and they can focus all our energy on growing. So you get bigger plants more quickly. This year our cumcumbers grew 50cms in one week.
2. Greater yield – get typically three times as many tomatoes, chillies, strawberries, aubergines – or whatever it is you want to grow. The world's largest tomato plant was grown by us in a Greenhouse Sensation NFT hydro systems (the Guinness World Book of Records lists the plants as 65 feet long but it actually continued to grow after the official measurement and grew to 92 feet!)
3. Stronger, healthier plants – there's no soil so the risk of soil-borne pests and diseases is significantly reduced.
4. Worry-free growing - no risk of under or over-watering or feeding and Greenhouse Sensation greenhouse technicians are available 08:00 – 17:00 Monday to Saturday to answer questions by phone or email, and they love to talk to our customers.
5. Clean hands and feet – no more messy watering of growbags and no more treading soil into your home. So you don't have to blame the cat/dog/children.
6. Less work – no more digging, no heavy lifting and just water every few days or even weeks with the help of an Auto-Top-Up system. So you don't have to bribe friends and neighbours into watering your plants while you swan off on holiday.
7. More cost effective – Hydro systems last a lifetime and all the nutrients and water are used by your plants – not wasted on soil or evaporated away.
8. More spice – they say variety is the spice of life and you can grow up to 5 different plants in a single hydro system.
9. More fun for longer – the heater in the NFT means you can extend your growing season by starting your plants earlier and keeping them going for longer.
10. Receive exciting things in the post – your hydro systems will arrive in a lovely big box full of everything you need to start growing your young plants.
Need more help? Ask our Gardening Angels
If you would like more information on growing methods or simply have a question you would love answering, our Gardening Angels can help.
Give us a call on 0845 602 3774 or drop us an email at info@greenhousesensation.co.uk.
