Hydroponics: A "Growing" Problem

Mary, Mary, quite contrary, how does your garden grow?  For those attempting to find an easy source of the infamous Mary Jane, the answer is changing.  In many places with appropriate climates like Utah and California, marijuana gardens have sprung up in remote areas of public parks and other obscure regions.  But recently, a newer high-tech option for growing weed has come on the scene: hydroponics.

What is hydroponics?

Hydroponics is a way of growing plants that does not require any soil. 

What kind of plants can be grown using hydroponics?

Technically, any type of plant should be able to grow in a hydroponic environment although it may be less ideal for trees and other extremely large plants that benefit from soil to support the plant’s weight as it grows.

How does hydroponics work?

Although soil holds the water that contains the nutrients necessary for plants to thrive, the soil itself is not essential to the growing process.  The basis of hydroponics is using water (i.e., “hydro”) to deliver the nutrients to the roots.  Many mainstream, commercial hydroponic products (such as the Aerogarden, which is designed for growing kitchen herbs, flowers, and vegetables) circulate water (and nutrients) across the plant roots.  However, it is possible to create a hydroponic growing system with common household items—like buckets and other glass or plastic containers—as well.  Doing so may require additional care because the water remains static.  Still, lighting is also an important component of hydroponics; high-powered lighting that imitates sunlight can make the difference between plants that barely survive and plants that thrive in a hydroponic set up.  For this reason, there has been an increase in online and local retailers of lighting and other products for hydroponics.

Why is hydroponics becoming an increasingly popular option for growing marijuana?

Hydroponic gardens are self-contained and do not require soil or natural sunlight, which means that having an indoor garden is not only possible but also very easy.   Because these gardens can be kept in basements or behind closed doors, they reduce the likelihood that the garden would be noticed by a neighbor or law enforcement official.  Additionally, having a source of marijuana in one’s home means both a cost savings and a decreased chance of being caught purchasing marijuana from a dealer.

What should I do if I know someone who has a problem with marijuana?

Marijuana use is a controversial political issue.  In some situations, marijuana has legitimate medical uses (Read Medical Marijuana).  However, marijuana abuse is also a problem in many areas of the country (Read Marijuana Abuse: What Are the Signs?).  Long-term marijuana use has been linked to a number of health problems (Read Marijuana Use and Mental Health: A Path to Schizophrenia? and Marijuana Abuse and Testicular Cancer: Recent Findings).   If someone in your life is exhibiting signs of a marijuana addiction, contacting eDrugRehab is a good first step.  Our addiction consultants can help you gauge the severity of the situation and offer suggestions for what you can do to get your loved one back on track.