Hydroponics

How to build hydroponics business

By Frank Alvarado

Hydroponics is a method of growing plants using mineral nutrient solutions instead of soil. Hydroponics systems use non-soil media such as gravel, peat, vermiculite Perlite, old rubber tires, rockwool and expanded clay aggregates. As a result plants draw the minerals directly from the water solution. Consumer demand for organically grown produce in the U.S. is expected to grow significantly through the year 2011, creating a $670 million market. You can easily build hydroponics using any number of hydroponics supplies available from around the world. There are three areas of Hydroponics that offer great business opportunities:

Organic Hydroponics
Commercial Hydroponics
Wholesale Hydroponics

Buy hydroponics equipment and hydroponics supplies online

The Internet is a great way to find the right products for your hydroponics system, whether you are just looking for hydroponics information or want to purchase hydroponics lights.
Try: Try Horizen Hydroponics, American Hydroponics, or Hydroasis to find the hydroponics equipment and hydroponics equipment for your indoor farm.

Choose a medium for hydroponic growing

You can use old rubber tires or gravel for your hydroponics system, but you should be aware that different mediums work better for different situations and different crops.
Try: You will find that the easiest medium to work with is Grodan rockwool, which is made from molten rock spun into cotton candy-like fibers and then compressed in to cubes, blocks, or slabs. Hydroempire offers great deals on Grodan rockwool.

Select the best mineral nutrients available

Hydroponics allows you to have complete control over what minerals to feed plants and in what quantities. The end result is produce that is far superior in taste, color, size and nutritional value.
Try: Homegrown Hydroponics is the exclusive producer of the Dutch Nutrient Formula, a plant nutrition solution developed in Holland that has existed for over 20 years.

Maximize the space for your hydroponic business

Commercial hydroponics and wholesale hydroponics operations thrive by utilizing expansive greenhouses to cultivate their hydroponics grown produce. But the small hydroponics business owner has to engineer ways to use up existing space inside a room.
Try: An easy way to convert a small space into a greenhouse is to utilize Homebox Grow Chambers that contain all the necessary hydroponics equipment to grow indoors. 77 Hydro offers grow chambers in a variety of shapes and sizes.

Consult with other Hydroponics growers and join trade groups

The Hydroponics industry is made up of growers who have a vast wealth of knowledge and expertise willing to share their hydroponics information with others.
Try: The Progressive Gardening Trade Association is an earth-friendly, organic and water-wise gardening organization that is a perfect place for first-time hydroponics growers.

If you need money to buy equipment, there are several great grant programs offered by the Department of Agriculture that are available to innovative agriculture businesses.