3 ms·

I find it amazing how people think that "farming box machines" (which in my book includes hydroponics) are somehow better than just ploughing a furrow, watering

I find it amazing how people think that "farming box machines" (which in my book includes hydroponics) are somehow better than just ploughing a furrow, watering it, planting and then proceeding to water and fertilise as needed. Hydroponics does make sense if you grow cannabis. There is also a misconception about "shade plants". All of the major plant crops that I know of want full sun. Sunburn in avacodos (for example) is due to pruning or exposed stem/bark and the reason why paint (er, sunblock) is applied is an efficiency measure; the exposed stem also stimulates fruit formation so you don't want too many leaves (which naturally would prevent sunburn).

2rsf 7y ago
One might think that in a controlled environment you can be more efficient- less water, right amounts of fertilizers and so on, but I stopped at > the size of a dorm-room refrigerator It's simply a joke or a hobby for rich westerners in a city apartment.
ClumsyPilot 7y ago
it's not only weed, I worked in the space, and tomatoes, cucumbers, and some speciality plants can achieve insane yields in a hydroponic greenhouse. A significant percentage are now grown that way. That being said we are talking about large-scale greenhouse, not a tiny box with more electronics than grow space
- mikorym 7y ago
  This is assuming you live in an adverse climate. If the climate is good outside then the costs involved don't justify it. Nethouses (vs. Greenhouses vs. Glasshouses) are common in areas with a good climate (such as Almeria in Spain) but they are not always the optimal solution. The further requirement to justify nethouses is space as a limiting factor (or water). But I would categorise Nethouses still as being "outside farming". They don't even stop rain from getting through.
  - ClumsyPilot 7y ago
    I have not come across penthouses, but I believe part of the yield improvement comes from the hydroponic setup, rather than climate control. My astronomy knowledge is very basic thou.

2rsf 7y ago

One might think that in a controlled environment you can be more efficient- less water, right amounts of fertilizers and so on, but I stopped at > the size of a dorm-room refrigerator It's simply a joke or a hobby for rich westerners in a city apartment.

ClumsyPilot 7y ago

it's not only weed, I worked in the space, and tomatoes, cucumbers, and some speciality plants can achieve insane yields in a hydroponic greenhouse. A significant percentage are now grown that way. That being said we are talking about large-scale greenhouse, not a tiny box with more electronics than grow space

mikorym 7y ago
This is assuming you live in an adverse climate. If the climate is good outside then the costs involved don't justify it. Nethouses (vs. Greenhouses vs. Glasshouses) are common in areas with a good climate (such as Almeria in Spain) but they are not always the optimal solution. The further requirement to justify nethouses is space as a limiting factor (or water). But I would categorise Nethouses still as being "outside farming". They don't even stop rain from getting through.
- ClumsyPilot 7y ago
  I have not come across penthouses, but I believe part of the yield improvement comes from the hydroponic setup, rather than climate control. My astronomy knowledge is very basic thou.