How to Grow Hydro Corn

This is a big one to talk about -- corn is one of the strangest crops to grow and one of the ones you’re least likely to see in hydroponics. Of course it's absolutely common in large, open fields -- but it's not something you'd associate with hydroponics. It's a big plant. And it's really kind of a specialty plant that is more commonly seen in bulk than it is in small quantities.

Nevertheless, some intrepid pioneers have gone out of their way to grow hydroponic corn. How do they do it?

Here are some key steps for figuring out how to grow hydro corn.

Take it Outside?

When it comes to corn, there's really no reason to subject this light-hungry and space-hungry crop to the cramped conditions of a grow box or grow tent, or even an indoor grow room. Not everybody realizes this, but you can easily set up a hydroponic garden outdoors on a level surface – so when it comes to corn, does it really make sense to sequester your crop indoors? For one thing, you'd have to deal with lighting, and mess around with artificial grow lights where space is going to be an issue. Most growers find it easier to just let this job to the sun, although obviously it limits your grow season and other factors.

Try a Bucket System

Another easy way to grow corn with hydroponics is to use a 5 gallon bucket system of connected buckets. This will provide plant pots that are large enough for the root structures, and to stabilize the tall stalk as it grows. Generally, you connect the buckets with some type of plastic irrigation tubing and then connect the whole thing to a reservoir and controller.

Figure Out your Irrigation Schedules

With this structure in place, you want to try to figure out how you will water the plants. For instance, some growers tend to give corn a 15 minute watering, a couple of times a day. The specifics will be up to you -- up to your climate, your methods and your resources.

Look at Water Quantity in Buckets

Another issue with this type of growth system is whether or not water inundates the bucket and makes the drainage media float. You don't want a lot of float, because it can lift things right out of your bucket. Instead, make sure you're limiting the volume of water to keep everything stable during the irrigation process.

For more on the ins and outs of growing any crop, talk to Dealzer about the resources and equipment you'll need.