When it comes to growing garlic, you can grow it in soil, or you can grow garlic in water. In this post, we’ll show you how to grow garlic hydroponically. We’ll also share some tips on how to care for and harvest your garlic plants.
Hydroponic gardening is a great way to garden if you don’t have much space, and it’s a great way to garden if you’re looking for an easy and low-maintenance method. So, whether you’re a beginner gardener or an experienced hydroponic grower, read on to learn more.
Can You Grow Garlic Hydroponically
Garlic is a bit of a tricky plant to grow hydroponically, but it is possible. When growing garlic hydroponically, the main thing to keep in mind is that it needs slightly more attention than other plants.
When growing garlic hydroponically, you’ll want to make sure that the roots have plenty of ventilation and drainage. If the roots and the clove get too saturated, they will rot, and if they don’t get enough water, the plants will shrivel up and eventually die.
Another thing to remember is that garlic is a heavy feeder and will need more nutrients than most plants. Therefore, it’s important to use a nutrient-rich fertilizer if you want to grow garlic hydroponically.
Best Hydroponic System for Garlic
DWC (Deep Water Culture)
A DWC Hydroponic System is simple to set up and easy to use. It consists of a bucket or container filled with water and a bubbler to provide oxygen to the plants. The garlic cloves are then suspended in the water so that their roots are submerged in the nutrient-rich solution, which helps them grow faster than other methods.
Ebb and Flow (Flood & Drain)
A few different hydroponic systems can be used for garlic, but the Ebb and Flow System is probably one of the best options. With this type of system, plants are placed in a tray that sits above a water reservoir. The water is pumped up to the tray, and then it flows back down to the reservoir, and it takes the nutrient solution with it. This ensures the plants have a constant supply of nutrients while also giving them time to dry out to prevent root rot.
NFT Hydroponic System
NFT Hydroponic Systems are extremely efficient and easy to use. The roots of the garlic plants are constantly suspended in a flowing solution of nutrients, ensuring that they always have access to everything they need to thrive. Additionally, this system doesn’t require any growing media, so there’s less risk of contaminants or pests getting into your garlic crop.
Can Garlic Be Grown in Aquaponics?
It is possible to grow garlic in an aquaponic system, but it is harder to do than other plants. This is because garlic prefers drier conditions and can be susceptible to root rot in an aquaponic system.
One way to help overcome this is to use hydroton as a growing media in an aquaponics system if you want to grow garlic cloves since it will help keep them drier and less likely to rot.
Hydroponic Garlic Growth Media
You can use various hydroponic substrates to grow garlic, and each has its own unique benefits.
Coco Coir is an excellent choice because it is lightweight and easy to work with. It also provides good drainage and aeration, making it ideal for garlic roots.
Rockwool is another popular option because it provides excellent drainage and aeration while also being very absorbent.
Perlite and Vermiculite are both good choices for their ability to retain moisture, which is essential for garlic growth.
Hydroton is also a good choice because it is lightweight and easy to work with. However, it is not as absorbent as other media, so it may dry out more.
Best Garlic for Hydroponics
The best garlic for hydroponics is softneck garlic because it doesn’t need to be overwintered to grow. Softneck garlic varieties include Blanco Piacenza, California Early, Corsican Red, Silver Rose, French Red, California Softneck, Inchelium Red, and Silver White.
Garlic Bulbs vs Seed
Most gardeners choose to plant garlic from bulbs because they are easier to handle, and the cloves are already established. However, some gardeners prefer to plant garlic from seeds because they feel that the garlic grown this way is of a higher quality.
Hydroponic Garlic Bulb
The internet is a great place to find garlic bulbs for sale. You’ll have a wide selection of varieties to choose from and can often find good deals. When ordering garlic bulbs online, make sure to purchase from a reputable supplier. Look for a supplier that offers good customer service and shipping options.
Buy Garlic Bulbs Online
- Burpee.com
- Amazon.com
- Territorialseed.com
How To Grow Garlic Hydroponically
Growing garlic hydroponically is a great way to get a constant supply of fresh garlic without having to deal with weeds or pests. Plus, it’s easy to do. Just follow these steps:
Simply break apart your garlic cloves, keeping their protective husk intact.
Next, place the cloves in perlite or coco coir, making sure that the pointed end is facing up. Don’t plant them too deep – you want the tip to be slightly below the surface.
Keep the system at a temperature of around 40-50 degrees Fahrenheit, and you should see new growth emerge within 45 to 60 days for new.
Once the first new leaves have emerged, you can transfer them into your hydroponic system.
Space them four inches apart, and make sure the roots are well-covered with perlite or coco coir.
Hydroponic Garlic Care
Fertilizer for Hydroponic Garlic
There are a few different types of fertilizer that can be used for hydroponic garlic, but the most common and recommended type is the General Hydroponics Flora Series. The FloraSeries consists of three different formulas: FloraMicro, FloraBloom, and FloraGro.
Hydroponic Garlic pH
The ideal pH range for hydroponic garlic is 6.0 to 6.5, which will provide the plants with optimal growing conditions. Anything outside of this range can result in decreased growth or nutrient deficiencies.
Hydroponic Garlic Light Requirements
When growing garlic indoors, it’s important to use a grow light, so they get enough light. A standard fluorescent light bulb is fine, or you can use a full spectrum LED grow light. Make sure the garlic gets at least 10 hours of direct light per day.
Hydroponic Garlic Temperature Requirements
Garlic is a very versatile and hardy plant that can tolerate a wide range of temperatures. However, it grows best in temperatures between 60 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit.
Hydroponic Garlic Diseases
Several hydroponic garlic diseases can affect your plants, including white rot, downy mildew, botrytis rot, and basal rot.
To prevent these diseases from spreading, you should regularly inspect them for any signs of mold, rot, fungus, or mildew and remove any infected plants.
How Long Does Garlic Take To Grow Hydroponically?
Hydroponic garlic takes 6 to 9 months to grow. This shortened timeline is due to the fact that hydroponic systems provide a steady stream of nutrients, and constant water availability also leads to rapid root growth.
Harvesting Hydroponic Garlic
Hydroponic garlic is especially easy to harvest, as there is no need to dig through soil to reach the bulbs. Instead, once half of the leaves turn yellow or brown, the bulbs can be gently pulled out of the growth media.
Then the bulbs should then be hung and allowed to air dry for 4 to 8 weeks. Once they are properly dried, the garlic will last for months when stored in a well-ventilated area.
How To Grow Garlic in a Plastic Bottle
TRSJ Agri CC BY 3.0
In this video, we will show you how to grow garlic in a plastic bottle. You will need a few supplies for this project, including garlic cloves, water, a plastic bottle, and scissors.
First, fill the bottom of the plastic bottle with water.
Next, break apart the garlic bulb so that each clove is exposed.
Push the garlic cloves into the water-filled plastic bottle until the base of the clove is submerged.
Place the bottle in a sunny spot and refill the bottle with nutrient-rich water and wait for the garlic to grow. In just a few months, you’ll have fresh garlic right at your fingertips.
