Common Problems of Indoor Vertical Hydroponic Tower

We are going to share some common problems in indoor vertical hydroponic towers with you today that many commercial growers with farms, ranches, and even gardens are facing. We find it funny many laymen think vertical hydroponic tower farming (which is also known as aeroponic) is a simple thing. Aeroponic is on the cutting edge of hydroponic growing, but it comes with its own challenges to think about. If commercial growers don’t tackle or prevent ahead of schedule for these challenges, it may cause them to be forced to waste the efforts they have put into. 

When trying to grow with aeroponic, you need to make it clear why this cultivation mode is universally placed indoors. In fact, the reason is simple: indoor growth is conducive to avoiding some interference from nature. It is like putting up a barrier. Keeping in mind that though indoor farming is mainly dependent upon man-made control, there are still some original and derived problems.

Problem 1: Not Enough Light 

Many growers are well aware that lighting is a momentous factor that affects the growth of crops planted indoors. If this is not handled well, it will affect the quality and yield of plants in some way. It is a fact there are no glasses or covering films that have 100% transmittance. Insufficient light is one of the problems most glass greenhouses face nowadays, much less other nonluminous indoor spaces. Crops need enough light to support their growth and metabolism, otherwise they would be weak and thin. 

Also,  some lights like UV and far-red light have special effects on crops. The light from nature is not as quantifiable as artificial light sources. Too much or too little of these special lights are likely to have a delicate influence on plants. These unknown effects are not under control and are not accepted for use in large-scale commercial cultivation. There is only controlled artificial lighting can appropriately take control of exporting lighting quality ( spectrum), lighting time, and lighting cycle. In this case, improving the nutrients of plants, the appearance of flowers as well as their disease resistance is no longer an empty talk. 

The importance of abundant and appropriate lighting to indoor growing is quite obvious. But a lot of growers don’t realize that the success of a crop and the effect of proper lighting on crops all come down to reasonable illumination allocation.

Problem 2: Pump Failure 

If you have ever looked into the cultivation mode of indoor vertical hydroponic tower planting deeply, you will know that a pump is another important electrical equipment besides an LED grow light. The pump is an important hub of nutrients and water delivery. In order to care for all plants on towers it is necessary to make it work well all the time. Only in this way, plants can be sprayed with nutrient solution uniformly from the top to the bottom. If pumps are not well-functioning, it will cause transportation failure and then cut off the plant’s supply of nutrients. So pump failure is another problem growers who intend to try aeroponic may face.

Problem 3: Plant Diseases and Insect Pests 

Plant diseases and insect pests are also one of the challenges of indoor vertical hydroponic tower planting mode. Man-made control makes the indoor environment an excellent growing environment for plants. These conditions also serve as a breeding hotbed for pests and make plants more susceptible to diseases. An excrement that insects secrete when feeding-“honeydew” is a common substance afflicting your houseplants. It is a medium for sooty mold growth and it will inhibit photosynthesis. So poor management of plant disease and insect pests also will result in loss of your investment.

Problem 4: Wrong Nutrient Solution Ratio

Potassium, iron calcium, and so on are the vital nutrients needed for normal growth. In the ratio of nutrient solution for aeroponic, it is important to fix not just the pH level but also the nutrient proportion of the nutrient solution itself. The wrong ratio usually leads to irreparable financial harm.

Hope that you have enjoyed reading this post about common problems of indoor vertical hydroponic towers that affect the investment return in aeroponic.  To supplement lighting for your indoor growth please contact us.