What is Fogponics?
Similar to Aeroponics which is the process of watering the roots with a fine spray, fogponics relies on growing the roots of the plant in a suspended fog chamber. Fogponics systems utilize an ultrasonic fogger (nebulizer) in the chamber surrounding the plant roots. to provide plant roots with a consistent supply of very fine liquid nutrient solution droplets. The roots uptake water and nutrients in an incredibly efficient way using the least amount of water of any of the hydroponic system types. Hydroponics innovation is on the exponential growth curve and Fogponics is currently the bleeding edge of hydroponics tech.
Pros of a fogponics system
- Reduced energy costs
- Reduced water usage
- Healthier plants with bigger yields
- Tiny water droplets provide great coverage on the roots. The smaller water droplet size provided by the fogger (5-25 microns) providing water and nutrients at a smaller particulate size results in faster absorption by plant roots and faster plant growth.
- Hanging roots get more air than the traditional garden of hydroponics system
- All plants get the same coverage of nutrients compared to an NFT or Dutch/Bato bucket type hydroponic system where the plants closest to the water inlet use the nutrients first vs the ones at the end of the tray or lineup of buckets.
- Easier to clean than a high-pressure Aeroponics system
Cons of a fogponics system
- Build up of salts can clog fogger machine heads
- Heat from fog machine atomizer.
- Like any Hydroponics system, loss of power can be devastating without a power backup system.
- Initial cost of a system set up
How does it work?
The components in a Fogponics system are the same as a traditional hydroponics Kratky or Aeroponics system except for the Fogger (nebulizer)
Best Plants for Fogponics. What Plants Work Best with the fogponics?
You can grow all types of plants in a fogponics system. Plants with smaller root sizes like Lettuce, Spinach, and kale do best. Herbs do remarkably well in a fogponics system. Fogponics also works exceptionally well with cloning or transplanting.
Learn more
Final Thoughts
Like many hydroponic systems, fogponics has some clear advantages over traditional gardening. Fogponics takes it up to another level by using even less water and in an even finer mist than traditional low and high-pressure aeroponic systems that result in even faster water absorption and plant growth. Only time will tell if this new Hydroponic system will overtake some of the more popular systems currently in place.
