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Hydroponic CBD: What is it? Advantages and top strains
Reading time ⌛ 7 min
Wondering what hydroponic CBD is? Why is it getting so much attention? Why do many people prefer it to traditional CBD, and which hydroponic flowers should you choose?
In this article, we'll tell you everything you need to know about hydroponic CBD!
Looking to buy hydroponic CBD? Check out our catalog!
Hydroponic CBD: what exactly is it?
Hydroponics is a cultivation technique for CBD flowers, similar to outdoor or greenhouse growing. The difference with hydroponics is that the flowers don't grow in soil, but directly in water.
It is this characteristic that gives the technique its name. Translated from Greek, hydro means water and ponos means cultivation. Hydroponics therefore literally means "cultivation in water." And if you're wondering why the technique has a Greek name, the reason is simple: it's an ancient technique, already used at the dawn of our civilization. Several accounts even trace it back to the Hanging Gardens of Babylon!
CBD in Hydroponics: What Changes?
Growing plants directly in water has a wonderful quality, but that's not why it's preferred for CBD. It's primarily for the quality of the flowers it produces.
Indeed, when growing in the ground, plants must expend energy to grow their roots and seek out the nutrients necessary for their growth.
This is not the case in hydroponics: growing directly in a closed water circuit containing all the nutrients they need, in a controlled atmosphere, with perfect lighting and protected from any aggression, hemp plants put all their energy into growing their flowers.
The result: hydroponic CBD flowers are more beautiful, larger, denser and more concentrated in cannabinoids than with any other technique.
How does CBD growth work in hydroponics in detail?
More than just a technique where plants grow in water, hydroponics is an optimized and proven technique based on several points, all designed to grow the most beautiful flowers possible:
Root support
The roots are not left freely in the water; they are supported by an inert substrate. This means a material that is there only to support the plant: it provides no nutrients and is sometimes even sterile. The most commonly used substrates are clay pebbles or rockwool, which support the plant and allow the roots to breathe freely.
Plant nutrition
This is one of the most precise aspects of hydroponics : beneath the substrate is a water circuit containing a nutrient solution that feeds the plants. This solution contains perfect proportions of NPK (nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium) and essential micronutrients (calcium, magnesium, iron, zinc, boron, etc.) for each variety.
But this water circuit also includes an oxygenation system and a pH level adjusted to provide the best possible growing conditions.
The brightness
As we know, the growth of hemp plants is closely dependent on light, its intensity, and day/night cycles. Often, two systems are used:
- HPS lampsgrowth buds and increasing yield.
- Full spectrum LED lamps, more expensive to buy but drastically reducing electricity consumption, while allowing good plant growth.
Humidity
The ideal relative humidity varies from 40 to 60 % depending on the growth phase. During the vegetative stage, 60–70% is acceptable to promote transpiration. During flowering, it should be reduced to 40–50% to prevent mold and botrytis on the dense buds. Automatic dehumidifiers and humidifiers maintain this delicate balance around the clock.
The temperature
Finally, the last point to consider is the ideal temperature according to the genetics of the plants. Sativa plants growing in the mountains will tend to need lower temperatures, with more pronounced day/night variations, while indica plants growing in temperate zones will generally need higher temperatures, with less variation.
Advantages and disadvantages of hydroponic CBD flower cultivation:
The advantages
- High concentration and powerful effects : hydroponic CBD flowers achieve the highest CBD levels that a naturally grown flower can reach, with CBD levels approaching 25%.
- More intense aromas : as cannabinoids, terpenes and flavonoids are also more concentrated, the flowers are more intense and aromatic.
- A premium look and texture : buds hydroponically grown CBD
- Impeccable purity : using natural products and protected from contaminants and climatic or environmental hazards, hydroponic CBD flowers are of unparalleled purity.
- Consistent quality all year round : growing in a fully controlled environment, each batch benefits from the same conditions throughout the year, regardless of seasonality.
The disadvantages
- A more expensive product : hydroponic farming comes at a price: it requires heavy technical and electrical investments, as well as constant monitoring.
- A profile sometimes deemed "too pure" : some consider hydroponic flowers too "clean," sterile, and disconnected from the soil, climate, and natural environment. They lack the "terroir" aspect that some enthusiasts seek.
- Less diversity in flowers : as cultivation is expensive, it is easier to find highly profitable varieties, and fewer experimental or exceptional flowers.
- A significant ecological impact : although, counterintuitively, hydroponic farming uses less water because it operates in a closed circuit and no drops are lost in the soil, it requires a substantial amount of electrical power which has an impact on the environment.
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Hydroponic CBD Flowers vs Indoor, Greenhouse and Outdoor
Hydroponic CBD flowers are distinguished by their quality, aroma, potency, consistency, and price. Here is a comparative table of these characteristics compared to other methods of growing CBD flowers.
| Culture | Hydroponics | Indoor (in soil) | Greenhouse | Outdoor |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Features | Soilless cultivation, using a nutrient water circuit | In the ground, indoors | In a greenhouse (natural light + partial control) | Outdoors, in open ground |
| CBD content (average) | 25 to 30% | 20 to 25% | 15 to 20% | 10 to 15% |
| Appearance / aroma | Very dense, very aromatic | Dense, intense aromas | Varies depending on the batch and variety | More rustic, with aromas linked to the terroir |
| Regularity of batches | Very stable all year round | Stable all year round | Varies depending on the season | Varies depending on the season |
| Average price | The highest | Pupil | Intermediate | The most affordable |
The CBD levels and other characteristics listed are market averages and may vary depending on genetics, equipment, and growers. These are general trends: some greenhouse-grown flowers may compete with indoor-grown ones, and some hydroponic flowers will not necessarily outperform all indoor-grown ones.
Our top 3 hydroponic CBD flower varieties
All hydroponic CBD flowers have their own unique characteristics and are worth exploring. But if we had to choose just three, here are our top 3 hydroponic CBD flowers most appreciated by our customers, based on customer feedback, ratings, and consistent quality.
Cali Kush – 5/5 (10 reviews)
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Cali Cali Kush is one of those strains that needs no introduction: it's a legend. A true queen of the West Coast, it was one of the first Californian strains and remains one of the most renowned.
And its reputation is well-deserved. Visually, it immediately stands out with its large, buds of a very light green, covered in a thick layer of trichomes that gives them a slightly powdery appearance. In terms of taste, its aroma is tropical and sweet, yet deeper and more powerful. All this combined with 25% CBD: it's safe to say that Cali Kush is one of those strains you won't soon forget!
Skywalker OG – 5/5 (7 reviews)
Skywalker Skywalker OG is a staple of the cannabis scene. Developed in the 90s, it quickly gained recognition for its potency, its aroma blending herbaceous, earthy, and spicy notes, as well as its dense, compact, sticky buds covered in pistils.
Our hydroponically grown Skywalker lives up to its genetics, producing large, resin-coated flowers with a 25% CBD concentration.
King Frozen – 5/5 (5 reviews)
King King Frozen is a unique strain in the world of CBD: it combines a perfect hydroponic profile with an exceptional cryogenic drying technique . The combination of these two cutting-edge techniques produces a flower with a truly singular appearance—compact, solid, almost compressed. It also boasts an intense, green, herbaceous, and deliciously nuanced flavor thanks to cryogenics , and above all, an uncommon potency due to its 25% CBD content and remarkable terpene concentration.
FAQ
Do hydroponically grown CBD flowers taste different?
Yes, in a way. With its precise control of CBD flower cultivation, hydroponics allows for a more intense aromatic profile that is closer to the basic genetic profile of the flowers, without being impacted by the characteristics of the growing location.
Do all hydroponic flowers look alike?
All batches of the same variety look alike, but each flower is different from one variety to another.
Are all hydroponic varieties premium?
This growing method promotes the production of high-quality flowers, but the grower's expertise, drying, trimming, and curing processes also play a significant role. Therefore, a flower grown hydroponically is not automatically a premium flower.
Are hydroponically grown CBD flowers safer?
In general, hydroponically grown flowers, like indoor flowers, are protected from most environmental and human impacts, which is supposed to guarantee high purity. But again, this also depends on the grower and their equipment.
Why are hydroponic CBD flowers more expensive?
Hydroponic cultivation is an expensive, energy-intensive, and highly technical method. It is therefore inherently more costly and often reserved for well-known, high-yielding varieties, thus providing greater security for growers' investments. The material and labor costs, as well as the resulting yield, justify the price. This is why we recommend being wary of "cheap" hydroponic CBD flowers.
