beginner's corner
What may cause a plants natural
flavor to be amplified?
“A HEALTHY living soil
media is much slower to
respond to any change
you make; because
of this, maintaining
stability can be easier.”
The healthier a plant is, the more of its natural chemicals
and flavors will be exhibited. To say one technique of
growing (soil or hydro) produces a less-bitter flavor than
another takes this issue in the wrong direction. Bottom line:
to obtain the maximum flavor and the healthiest produce, it is
important to obtain optimum plant vigor by providing all the
necessary nutrients.
Using the same soil to grow the same crops year after year
diminishes the productivity of the crop as well as its flavor.
The major cause of this is depletion of essential micronu-
trients in the soil, as well as the likelihood that microbe
variety and count may have diminished. Remember that the
life within the grow media is key to plant nutrient uptake.
Various bacteria and fungi need to work symbiotically with
the plant roots to produce vigorous, healthy, tasty produce.
System comparisons
The microbiology within the grow media is just as important
no matter which system (soil or water) we choose. Though DWC
offers the opportunity to quickly measure and adjust the nutrient
mix and microbial life forms, it also requires a continual
awareness of what is going on within the media. A healthy
living soil media is much slower to respond to any change you
make; because of this, maintaining stability can be easier.
Controlling nutrient levels and media microbiology
is the essence of producing optimum flavor and health
benefits. Ambient air and media temperatures also
contribute to these factors, and these aspects can be
controlled better in hydroponics. In the correct season
(provided local climate allows), soil grows will typically
neutralize this benefit to a great degree.
Anecdotal reports on flavor or health benefits on each of these
growing techniques will continue to be debated (see reference
QR link at the end of the article). As time and controlled studies
continue there will exciting new things to learn. Current science
would seem to indicate that either method can be used for
optimum flavor and nutrition, when operated properly. Picking the
technique that matches a particular grower seems to be the most
important choice. How much time and expertise
does the grower have available? Is the climate
where the grower is located going to provide
the necessary conditions for optimum plant
health and vigor? As for the possible conflict
between providing optimum health or best
flavor, this is the growers decision and
subsequent efforts that make the difference,
not really which of these systems is used.
112
grow cycle