Home Gardening

Outdoor Gardening

Organic Gardening

Modern Gardening

Urban Gardening

Gardening Business

Growing Zucchini Hydroponically – A Full Guide

A step by step guide for growing Zucchini hydroponically

Let us discuss the subject of growing Zucchini hydroponically, seed germination process of hydroponic Zucchini, hydroponic nutrient solution or fertilizer required for growing hydro Zucchini. I read it in a blog that growing them is one thing and how to pronounce “Zucchini” is another. But we are here to give you solutions and complete guide. So today we will talk about growing Zucchini AKA summer squash in your hydroponic system.

Why grow Zucchini? Growing Zucchini is the only way to get a good supply of Zucchinis. Because there are very few shops that sell Zucchini and the prices are quite high too. This makes growing more interesting of course rewarding too. Zucchini belongs to the same family as Pumpkin i.e. Cucurbitaceae. Zucchini is also recognized as Squash, Courgette. It also comes in several shapes and colors like yellow, dark and light green with a spot on it. Shapes are numerous. Zucchini grows quite fast and starts yielding so quickly. Hydroponic gardeners will find that raising Zucchini is virtually identical to growing squash.

By setting up a hydroponic system for growing Zucchini, you have the opportunity to harvest young Zucchini year-round. Each plant will produce as many as forty fruits each time it flowers making it one of the best hydroponic plants. To system for your hydroponic Zucchini plants, you will need to stock up on grow media such as peat, vermiculite, and a pre-formulated hydroponic nutrient formula. You can easily find most of the things you require at a hydroponic supply store. Some type of grow lights may also be needed and a stacking system to keep vines in check. Let’s explore the details.

Zucchini Bloom.
Zucchini Plant.

Seed germination for hydroponic Zucchini

For growing Zucchini starting from seeds or seedlings is the best option. You can sow Zucchini indoors 4 to 3 weeks prior to the last expected frost in spring with a maintained temperature of about 70°F (21°C). Make sure seeds will not germinate at a soil temperature below 60°F (15°C) so you will have to adjust the temperature accordingly. The indoor temperature should be 80 to 90°F (27-32°C) until seedlings sprout out. Grow seedlings at 75°F (24°C). Seeds usually germinate within in 7-14 days. In optimal conditions at least 80% of sown seeds will germinate. Usual seed life is 2 years. For germination, you can use moistened coco-peat or vermiculite starter plugs by sowing seed 2cm deep and then you can transplant the selected healthy seedlings to the hydroponic system where it will flourish from leaves to flowers and ultimately to Zucchini.

You may be interested in Growing Hydroponic Cabbage.

Contrasting with many other plants, the growing temperature need not be lowered at night. Zucchini require at least fourteen hours of light per day for optimum growth. This makes it essential to have grown lights, especially when growing Zucchini indoor. While they can be grown with less light too, but your crops will be smaller and individual fruits will not grow with full vigor with less light.

To stabilize the roots of the plants after transplantation, it is recommended that Zucchini be planted in a mixture of peat and vermiculite. The ideal mixture is sixty percent peat to forty percent of vermiculite this will support the plant growth. This combination makes it promising to retain moisture needed by the plant roots. You can also use clay pellets for this plant the Zucchini seedling in the center of the growth media. Bury the developing roots cautiously so as not to crush them. Keep the entire stem above the gravel or pellets to avoid the stem rot.

Hydroponic system for Zucchini plantation

If you don’t have a hydroponic set up yet, considering what type of plants you desire to grow can help decide what kind of system you choose. For experienced and enthusiastic growers aquaponics Zucchini is also a good option. Medium systems, such as Wick Systems or Ebb & Flow systems, utilizes a growing medium such as clay pellets, sand or Hydroton. Because the medium provides good support for heavy plants, these setups work well for vegetables and herbs with deep roots like Zucchini, beginners can also try hands in Kratky squash.

Hydroponic plant fertilizer for hydroponic Zucchini

Hydroponic Zucchini you can use the pre-formulated hydroponic nutrient formula which is easily available in horticultural stores and proven to provide exactly what your garden needs. This saves having to take the time to try and mix your own formulas and these ready to use formula are easy to use and moreover it provides you best results also. Ideal pH range of hydroponic nutrient solution is 6.0-6 should be maintained to enjoy good Zucchini harvest.

Hydroponic Zucchini plant care

To facilitate keep plants from wandering in every direction, hydroponic gardeners should set up a system of securing a wire horizontally or using trellis from one end of the row to another. Each plant is then attached with a twist-tie to a line that is anchored on the horizontal line. As the vines grow they will be supported by the stacking system. This not only helps save space but also facilitates the lower parts of the plant to receive more light.

You may also check Growing Eggplants Hydroponically.

Hydroponic Zucchini Plant Care.
Hydroponic Zucchini Plant Care.

It is never suggested that commercial pesticides be used in a hydroponic system. The indoor hydroponic environment eliminates many of the pests associated with Zucchini. If you still find pests to be an issue, there are special pest control products formulated to do a thorough task of eliminating the pests without damaging plants. These are found at various hydroponic supply stores, in order to prevent infestations by boosting the immune systems of your growing plants.

Use enough so that the level of the nutrient solution that reaches almost to the top of the growth media, but stops about an inch or so that it remains below the surface. Prevent the growth of algae in your hydroponic bucket by keeping the top of the pellets dry and providing aeration from time to time.

Pollination in growing Zucchini hydroponically

For Zucchinis to form, pollination is very necessary. You require having lots of bees around your garden. In case you don’t have many around like especially in the case of indoor gardens. It’s time for you to help out the plant find its mate. Female flowers are easily identifiable. They have an immature swelling behind them and the male flowers just come with a thin stalk. You will need to help your Zucchini with pollination as the vines bear male and female flower separately. Manually you can dab center of the flowers with a paintbrush having active pollens.

Harvesting of Hydroponic Zucchini

Ideally, Zucchini squash harvesting will begin when you have fruit that is 6-8 inches long. If you leave the fruit on the plant for too long, the seeds and rind harden, making it unpalatable. Pick the fruit often, by this fruit production is hastened to give you more yield. Fruit should also be dark green (or yellow or white depending upon the variety) and firm when harvested. If the fruit feels squashy, it’s probably rotting and should be discarded.

That’s all folks hope you enjoyed the reading of growing Zucchini hydroponically. Keep growing veggies in hydroponics!.

You may also like Most Profitable Crops; High Profit Cash Crops.

2 COMMENTS

  1. Great article. I am growing zucchinis in DWC buckets outdoors and struggling to keep the fruit from blossom-end rot. I pollinate by hand. I’ve added Cal-Mag additive, but it persists. Fruits die off at an inch or two. I’m fighting powdery mildew too, not sure if that could be the cause. Any other suggestions?

  2. Had the same problem on the end rot, finally got the ph stable at 6.5 which helped. Had to amp up the Cal-mag by adding more frequently…same with fertilizer. While blooming and producing fruit they suck down the water which of course means every time you add you have to adjust nutrients. I’ve gotten the fruit to grow to a consistent 4-6 inches but only about 1/2 inch in diameter. Clearly got more to learn.
    My DWC buckets are inside and never had the mildew problem. Hope this helps a little.

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here