Aeroponics is a special method of growing plants that uses a specific type of hydroponics and doesn’t require soil. Aeroponics can be referred to as soilless gardening. For centuries now, people around the world have used soil as the primary foundation to grow all kinds of plants. From staple cereals and vegetables to special plants or herbs, we have always used soil and tried to nourish the soil adequately to produce the specific species of plants. Aeroponics involves all the effort and science to grow any plant but without the soil.
There are quite a few aeroponics pros and cons. In addition to the technical differences, there are personal reasons or preferences as well that influence people to choose aeroponics.
List of Pros of Aeroponics
1. Advantage of Soilless Environment
Since aeroponics doesn’t require soil, it doesn’t depend as much on land as conventional farming or gardening. Land is anyway scarce and rich or fertile soils are not available as abundantly as desired. Being able to grow different kinds of plants, flowers, herbs and shrubs including foods in an environment that is not depended on land or soil can help the world. Farmers can create specific environments needed for specific types of foods, gardeners don’t have to deal with drought or any major challenge pertaining to the soil, governments can plan large scale farms and grow foods without really needing fertile soil and there is less need of land because aeroponics can be designed in tiers so there can be multiple levels of growth on the same tract of land.
2. Pest Control & Disease Prevention
Soil is a thriving ground for pests, insects, weeds and various types of pathogens or microorganisms that cause diseases. A soilless environment is not home to any such insects or weeds or pests. There can be some pathogens which are airborne or waterborne but that can be checked more effectively than trying to protect an entire tract of land. Aeroponics is completely controlled. From the supply of water to checking the air quality in some cases, everything is under stringent filtration. This allows better disease prevention, impeccable pest control and also helps the produce to grow quickly and be of better quality.
List of Cons of Aeroponics
1. Expensive to Start
Aeroponics is not easy to opt for. Having land and appropriate soil quality for conventional farming and gardening doesn’t require much of an investment. Setting up the controlled environments for aeroponics requires substantial investments. This is a reason why the concept hasn’t been endorsed worldwide.
2. Complex Gardening & Farming
Not everyone knows how to deal with the challenges or technicalities of aeroponics. From recycling water to ensuring optimum light, having filtered or screened air to the way one has to ensure nourishment for seeds or plants, one has to undergo extensive training and practice to learn the science of aeroponics.