What are the benefits/drawbacks of semi-hydroponics vs hydroponics?

[Enjru]

What are the benefits and drawbacks of a semi-hydroponic system vs. a hydroponic system?

[Ray]

Semi-Hydroponics involves the use of an inert medium, in single-pot, passive culture. The classic definition of "hydroponics" involves recirculation pumps, automated monitoring and adjustment of the solution chemistry.

• Semi-hydroponics involves more labor (mixing fertilizers and actually watering),
• requires a medium (while classic hydro may- or may not),
• does not require monitoring of the solution chemistry (it is fresh at every watering),
• requires no investment in tanks, pumps, flood tables, or instrumentation, and
• by not sharing a common, recirculating bath of nutrient solution, eliminates the ideal vector for sharing plant pathogens.

[Connie Star]

Wouldn't hydroponics also drown the roots?

[DelawareJim]

I've used both semi-hydro and passive hydroponics, often called hydroculture, using a system similar this this:
http://www.hydrocenter-kw.com/images/luwasa.gif
This system uses a float to show how much solution is in the reservoir, and recommends to just top-up the solution to the recommended level.

I've found after about a year, the hydroculture plants start to decline because if you don't always dump the existing solution and flush the LECA, it results in salt buildup that damages the roots.

Semi-hydro works much better in the long run simply because of the 2 holes in the side that force you to flush and replenish with fresh solution with each watering.

Cheers.
Jim

[Ray]

Originally Posted by Connie Star

Wouldn't hydroponics also drown the roots?

No, not once the roots tailored to the environment grow.

Most "full-blown" hydroponic systems tend to be wet-and-wait processes anyway, so there is always some "breathing" time.