Commercial Hydroponic Horticulture

Get Up & Grow are assisting an increasing number of growers to develop their business. There is massive growth in hydroponic cultivation in a number of forward thinking countries. In Australia, the area under hydroponic crop production went from 155 to 500 hectares from 1990 to 1996. The world commercial hydroponics industry has grown 4 to 5 fold in the last 10 years and is currently estimated at between 20,000 and 25,000 hectares with a farm gate value of US$6 to 8 Billion.

Benefits of Commercial Hydroponics
There are 5 forces threatening long term crop and food production in open field situations:

Increasing ultraviolet radiation.
Decreasing fresh water supplies and water quality.
Increasing top soil erosion and soil degradation.
Increasing resistance of insect pests and plant diseases to traditional chemical controls.
A convergence of natural cycles leading to extreme weather conditions.

Further, open field production is hindered because the grower has no control over the growing environment. The result is that the grower cannot predict yields and is unable to budget effectively. The field grower cannot always ensure adequate aeration of the root zone during periods of extended rainfall.

Hydroponic nutrient solutions can be tailored to the plant's requirements, whereas in the field there is a tendency to over or under-fertilise. Nutrients in the soil are often fixed as insoluble compounds that are not available to plants and therefore a loss to the grower.

Irrigation water in field grown operations cannot be effectively recycled. Hydroponics can reduce irrigation water usage by 70% to 90% by recycling the run-off water. As water becomes scarce, and important as a resource, the use of hydroponics and other water saving technologies will steadily increase.

Fungal disease can be significantly reduced through controlled humidity. Hydroponic systems will reduce the amount of exposed moisture in the growing environment. Hydroponics will effectively prevent wetting of the leaf surfaces which, in normal agriculture, provides the fungal spores with the perfect medium to proliferate.

All labour inputs associated with soil management, such as digging and weeding are reduced with hydroponics.

The use of Integrated Pest Management (IPM) in protected environments is ideally suited to hydroponic growing techniques, especially when carried out in a protected environment such as a glasshouse or plastic/polythene tunnels. The use of IPM can virtually eliminate the need to use toxic and expensive chemical insecticides.

Taking all the above into account, it is easy to see why hydroponics is becoming increasingly important. A hydroponically grown greenhouse plant:

Can be protected from increasing and damaging UV radiation.
Offers the possibility of safe biological control of insect pests and diseases.
Uses Water that is reclaimed and reused.
Allows nutrients to be reclaimed, re-balanced and re-used.
Can be protected from unpredictable weather patterns.
Have a good root system that is not at risk from contaminants and diseases.
Make very efficient use of labour, which is increasingly expensive.
Can be grown to take full advantage of their genetic potential and produce outstanding crops by using optimum nutrient formulations.
Can be producing at times when market prices are highest.

Combine these factors with increasing public concern over food safety, pesticide residues and fungicide use; it is easy to see that the future of crop production favours hydroponic and greenhouse production. Especially when the demand is sustainable.

To summarise, the benefits include:

Reduced water consumption - a must for the 21st Century. 90% saving in some instances!
Improved Produce Quality - Hydroponically grown produce is often clean and blemish free and full of flavour. A higher price is therefore achievable.
Increased Yields and Growth Rates - Grow more produce in less time!
Longer Shelf Life - Hydroponically grown produce tends to have a longer shelf life.
Less labour inputs - All labour associated with soil management, such as digging and weeding, is eliminated.
Higher Value Crops - Clean, healthy produce will more likely command premium prices.
Extended Growing Season - Grow high value crops out of season or deliver early!
Happier Workers - Many systems can be run at waist height eliminating bending down.
Lower Labour Costs - Once established, a hydroponic system uses less labour compared to soil based agriculture for harvesting, growing and planting.
Pests and Diseases - any problems are more easily controlled.
No Soil - No Problem - It is possible to grow things where it would normally be impossible, i.e. in areas of poor or no soil, in rocky areas, on roof tops or even at the South Pole!
Control - With hydroponics it is simpler to manipulate the crop to maximise growth and yields.
Market Control - Create and target new market niches.

As a company, Get Up & Grow realise that a relationship starts, not ends, with a purchase of a system. Whether you are an existing commercial grower, or someone who is looking to start growing commercially, we can help.

Established in 1994, Get Up & Grow is Ireland's leading supplier of hydroponic equipment, both wholesale and retail. For more information please phone (083)4239248 .

BioBizz
Since 1992 BIOBIZZ has been producing custom soil mixes, natural plant nutrients and additives for organic gardeners. From its legendary origin in Amsterdam to the present day in Groningen, BIOBIZZ is the most experienced and recognized supplier of premium plant food in the Netherlands. The BIOBIZZ distinguished line of pro-environmental fertilizer is ideal for biological production of flowers, fruits, vegetables and herbs as well as safely caring for ornamentals, trees and turf. Used on soil, coco-fibre, hydroponics and hydro-organics.
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Hydrogarden
HydroGarden has been supplying specialist Hydroponic equipment to the trade since 1996 and have become a world leader in the market within the UK and abroad.

Hydrogarden are investing for the future and believe we are at the beginning of an exciting journey that will see Hydroponics as one of the major growth industries for the 21st century. HydroGarden intends to be a leading company in this market for the short and long term. We have a committed and enthusiastic workforce that work hard to give you the service you need.

We enjoy being in the Hydroponic industry and want to be a part of a global revolution growing food in an environmentally friendly way, which also saves an increasingly precious resource ...water.
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