The Advantages of Hydroponic Grow Boxes

Hydroponic Systems Using Water

• Hydroponic systems that suspend plants in water make it possible for plants to take in nutrients directly from the water, leading to a faster uptake of necessary growth nutrients and faster growth. Hydroponic systems are under the complete control of a gardener, which makes it easier to adjust the flow of nutrients to the plants and keep them growing. The major disadvantage to a water-based hydroponic grow box is the large amount of water necessary.

Diseases

• Hydroponic systems are much less likely to have any of the soilborne disease problems that affect traditional garden plants. Fungi and insects that live in the soil will not be present in the growth medium of a hydroponic system, which reduces the amount of chemicals necessary for a healthy plant, and makes it less likely that a gardener will lose crops due to disease interference and problems. Keeping the growth medium free of soil keeps plants healthy.

Pest Problems

• As with fungal diseases in the soil, pests are less likely to be present on hydroponic grow box plants. This is especially true of hydroponic plants grown indoors, where it is easier to identify pest problems before they become a serious issue. Indoor hydroponic systems protect the plants from harmful pests like aphids, whiteflies, mites and caterpillars. However, it also prevents plants that don't self-pollinate from being exposed to beneficial insects like bees and butterflies.

Portability

• One of the major advantages of a hydroponic grow box is that it acts as a portable garden. As long as the plants receive adequate light from sunlight or artificial grow lights, get the nutrients they need and are not uprooted, they can be moved to any location inside or outside the house for growing purposes. This makes hydroponic gardening a good option for those with limited space, as the grow box can be placed anywhere.