Hydroponic peppers are an easy crop to grow that will produce great yields. Hydroponic gardening has many benefits such as efficient water usage, less space needed, continuous growing, and more. Hydroponic peppers can be used fresh in a salad or sauteed in a stir fry- or any other way you like your peppers.
Keep reading to learn how to grow your own peppers hydroponically!
Can You Grow Peppers Hydroponically?
You can grow peppers hydroponically. In fact, it’s a great idea. Growing peppers hydroponically is much more efficient than growing them in soil.
Although hydroponics has a learning curve, it is actually simpler than traditional growing once you have your system all set up.
Even better, you can grow peppers hydroponically all year round regardless of your growing zone.
Varieties of Peppers Commonly Grown Hydroponically
There are a lot of different varieties of peppers commonly grown hydroponically. Some of the bigger names include Bell, Cayenne, Habanero, Jalapeno, Pepperochini, Poblano, and Tobasco.
Bell Pepper Varieties To Grow Hydroponically
There are plenty of bell pepper varieties to grow hydroponically. Some include the California Wonder, Yolo Wonder, Ace, and Vidi. California Wonder is probably the most popular variety because of how many peppers it produces per plant.
What Are The Benefits Of Growing Peppers Hydroponically?
One benefit of growing peppers hydroponically is that you can grow more pepper plants in a smaller area than traditional growing.
You can also tailor the nutrient solution specifically for the peppers you’re growing. There’s no guesswork because you completely control the nutrients with no soil to intervene.
You can use up to 99% less water when you grow crops hydroponically.
You can also grow peppers all year round, anywhere.
You’ll deal with less diseases and pests if your hydroponic system is inside.
Lastly, your peppers will grow faster, produce more, and taste delicious!
How to grow Hydroponic Peppers
Let’s go over everything you need to know about how to grow hydroponic peppers!
Types of hydroponic systems for growing peppers
There are three main types of hydroponic systems for growing peppers. DWC systems, wick systems, and ebb and flow systems are all popular systems. Each has their benefits and disadvantages. Let’s get into it!
DWC Systems
DWC is short for deep water culture systems. This is a pretty common way that hydroponic growers grow hydroponic peppers.
DWC consists of suspending plants directly into their nutrient solution. The solution is inside a reservoir. In other words, the roots always stay in the nutrient solution.
Instead of a water pump, an air pump and air stone oxygenate the root zone.
DWC systems are very low-maintenance with few moving parts.
Wick systems
Wick systems use a nylon or cotton wick to absorb the nutrient solution and deliver it to the plants.
One end of the wick is in the grow medium, while the other hangs into the reservoir. The liquid flows up the wick until the medium is damp.
Once the medium becomes dry, the wick will soak up liquid again.
Ebb and Flow Systems
Ebb and flow is one of the most well-known and popular hydroponic systems for growing indoors. They’re also known as flood and drain systems.
Ebb and flow systems work via grow trays securing the plants in place. There’s a reservoir beneath the plants that holds the nutrient solution and water.
Every couple of hours, the system floods the trays with the water and nutrient solution, soaking the plants for roughly 10 minutes. Then the water drains back down into the reservoir.
Ebb and flow systems are often completely automated so all you have to do is monitor the reservoir.
Should you pick Seeds vs Clones?
Both seeds and clones work for hydroponic peppers. Clones will have already grown quite a bit, but may go through transplant shock. Seeds take more work but will already be acclimated to your environment.
Planting medium for hydroponic peppers
Rock wool is a great growing medium to grow peppers hydroponically. Rock wool is made out of spun basalt rock that’s then turned into a fibrous material, comparable to fiberglass.
It’s possible to germinate the pepper seeds directly in the rock wool so you don’t have to do any transplanting.
Hydroponic Peppers Nutrient Requirements
Hydroponic pepper nutrients should be focused on vegetative growth. One-part nutrient solutions are great for bell peppers.
Once your peppers have begun to enter their flowering stage, lower the nitrogen and switch over to a different one-part nutrient product. Phosphorus and potassium are perfect for growing flowers, leaves, and fruits.
While one-part nutrient solutions are simple to use, they aren’t very flexible in terms of adjusting primary nutrients. If you have a good grasp on how hydroponic nutrients work, you may opt to use a more elaborate nutrient regimen.
Optimal EC, pH, and PPM
The optimal pH for hydroponic pepper plants is between 5.5 and 7.0. Your EC should be around 2.0 and your PPM should be between 1400 and 2100.
A pH level that’s too low can be recalibrated by adding potassium hydroxide or sodium hydroxide to your reservoir.
Only use small amounts and don’t touch them with wet hands.
Light for hydroponic peppers
Pepper plants, whether hydroponic or not, need a lot of sunlight. Provide your hydroponic peppers with 14 to 18 hours of light per day.
The nighttime cycle is just as important because pepper plants go through some vital processes in the absence of light.
LED and HID grow lights are your best option because fluorescent lights aren’t intense enough.
Harvesting Hydroponic Bell Peppers
Hydroponic bell peppers, depending on variety, should be ready for harvesting anywhere between 50 and 80 days after they sprout.
You can technically harvest your hydroponic bell peppers at any time, but they become sweeter the longer they’re left on the plant.
Most bell peppers start off green and then turn yellow, orange, or red. This change helps you know when your hydroponic bell peppers are ready.
FAQs
How Long Do Peppers Take To Grow Hydroponically?
Peppers take between 50 and 80 days to grow hydroponically. However, some peppers need up to five months to fully ripen. Sweeter varieties tend to ripen more quickly. Keep in mind that hydroponic plants grow more quickly than traditional plants!
Do Hydroponic Peppers Taste Good?
Hydroponic peppers taste delicious! There’s nothing better than a fresh pepper.
Do peppers grow well in aquaponics?
Peppers grow very well in aquaponics. They have similar needs as hydroponic peppers.
Can you grow jalapenos hydroponically?
You can grow jalapenos hydroponically.
Conclusion
There are lots to know about growing peppers hydroponically, but that doesn’t mean it’s hard. Just like with any other hydroponic plant, as long as you learn the basics you’ll be all set. The hardest part is getting started- after that, it’s smooth sailing.
Check out the rest of our blog to learn how to grow other delicious veggies!