“One of the first clients to trust in our solutions was a tomato grower in Mexico,” says Fued Alle with Hydroponic Systems. “His production is headed to the US and Canada, and he has managed to consolidate and grow his project.” This company currently grows on 10 hectares.
Because this grower trusted in Hydroponic Systems and got good results, they have formed a close relationship, enabling both parties to evaluate the performance of the systems and to continue developing solutions and innovations. “This helped us to strengthen our product line.”
The team with Hydroponic Systems did an interview with the grower, which they share here below.
To contextualize the start of using our products in your project, what did you use before?
I used low trays with thick supports, that prevent a continuous flow of drainage, and expanded polystyrene plates.
How long have you been using our Premium System?
Since 2014.
What are the main advantages of using our Premium System?
The system grants a better aeration of the roots and also, our favourite advantage: we can directly see the drainage under the substrate, which prevents accumulated moisture.
The Premium System
Why did you decide to take the leap to the Hydroponic Systems’ elevated gutter system?
We weren’t really looking for an expansion, but we had some extra budget to improve our installations, so we decided to order a full container, and we saw the improvement in the plants and especially a better ending of the cycle, because the plants were healthier and had stronger roots.
Based on your results and experience, what is the advantage of using the elevated system over the ground system?
The main advantage is that the system grants the perfect slope, avoiding issues caused by the bad-levelled ground. This allows a right drainage of the slab and the prevention of crazy roots and fusarium. Additionally, the improvement in aeration under the plants allows a better plant development.
The Elevated System
Based on your experience, what is your evaluation of the systems?
I think in our climate, the Premium System is the minimum we need to consider to invest in hydroponic technology, to achieve a profitable production in hydroponic cultivation. For growing grape tomatoes, we have verified that the elevated system is necessary, and in tomatoes on the vine we are still evaluating it, but with the initial results we can observe that it gives us better produce, compared to the premium system, which is already better than other methods to support the substrate bags.
Knowing and having uses both systems, what is your recommendation for hydroponic growers?
In conclusion, the minimum that should be used is the Premium System for the soil level systems, in order to raise the substrate slab and have a good drainage flow. In this way, you avoid diseases caused by excess moisture that accumulates under the slab. In our opinion, with that system we were able to get good results. If your budget allows it, however, I recommend choosing the Elevated System, because it will lift the crop lines, achieving aeration under all the plants which is excellent. It is important that it has the Spacer, since in this way you see the drainage flow efficiently and avoid humidity under the bag.
For more information:
Hydroponic Systems
Avda. Juan Carlos I, nº43; 4ºB
Edificio Tomás Guillén
30009 – Murcia, Spain
+34 968 898 181
[email protected]
www.hydroponicsystems.eu