By Luke Sumpter Reviewed by: Mitchell Gorgichuk


Growing cannabis hydroponically offers many potential benefits. The technique boasts fast growth and large yields, a more efficient use of water, and complete control over plant nutrition. While many hydro growers opt to cultivate indoors, you are by no means confined to this setting. Just like soil-grown plants, hydro plants also thrive outdoors under the sun.

However, there are a few things you need to take into account if you wish to experience the best results in your outdoor hydro grow.

The Difference Between Hydroponic and Soil-Grown Cannabis

Before we delve into our main topic, let’s quickly recap how hydro and soil-grown cannabis differ.

Whether using organic or synthetic fertiliser, plants grown in soil rely on the growing medium itself to deliver nutritional inputs. In other words, you’re feeding the soil as opposed to feeding your plants directly.

This is not the case with hydro; here, plants are fed water-soluble nutrients that make direct contact with the root system. Instead of expanding their roots into soil, hydro plants send roots down into either water or air. Those permanently submerged in water receive oxygen from a device called an airstone, while roots that hang free in the air are intermittently fed using techniques such as ebb and flow.

At first, it might seem like hydroponic growing uses an unnecessary amount of water. But look a little deeper and you’ll find that hydro techniques actually use up to ten times less water[1] than soil-based ones. Hydro systems such as DWC and Kratky store most of the water required for a single grow in a reservoir, and techniques such as recirculating DWC keep the nutrient solution constantly moving around within the confines of a tube system. Growing in soil ultimately uses much more water due to runoff and evaporation.

Hydroponics has a long history, and its use spans back thousands of years. Today, agriculturalists use the technique to grow much more than just cannabis, including food crops such as cucumbers, leafy greens, strawberries, herbs, and peppers. The ability to stack hydroponic systems means food producers are able to grow more food using less space, all while saving huge quantities of water.

The Difference Between Hydroponic and Soil-Grown Cannabis

Indoor vs Outdoor Hydroponic Systems

Just like growing in soil vs hydro, there are several variables that make indoor and outdoor growing distinct. To provide a baseline knowledge of what to expect, below we compare the process of hydro growing indoors vs outdoors.

  • Cost

Growing hydroponically outdoors requires less of an initial investment, especially if you choose a basic setup. Most indoor hydro growers invest in a growing tent, and they have no choice but to use high-quality lights—which can do some serious damage to the electricity bill. Additional tools and equipment, like dehumidifiers and fans, only add to the cost of the setup.

In contrast, outdoor hydro growers need very few pieces of equipment, and don’t need any of these additional devices. Techniques such as the Kratky method also sidestep the need to run pumps, which involves electricity.

  • Space

Cultivating outdoors tends to provide growers with more space (depending on the circumstances). As well as allowing you to grow more plants if you so choose, increased space generally makes the growing process easier and more enjoyable. It also helps to prevent issues associated with overcrowding, such as mold.

Of course, more space also means you’ll have more options when it comes to strain selection. You can opt for small and compact varieties or massive tree-like sativa plants. Most indoor growers simply don’t have the space to cater to the latter, and thus are limited in the strains they can choose from.

  • Control

Although growing outside cuts costs and offers more space, it comes with far less control. Indoor growers have almost complete power over growing conditions, from air circulation and lighting to temperature and humidity. Growing outdoors, on the other hand, exposes plants to the elements. As such, you’ll need to prepare for the occurrence of heatwaves, torrential rain, and gale-force winds.

Pros and Cons of Outdoor Hydroponics

Now you know the key differences between growing hydroponic weed indoors and outdoors. Next, we’re going to hone in on outdoor hydroponic cultivation. We’ll start by covering the pros of growing hydro weed outdoors, before taking a look at some of the downsides.

Pros of Outdoor Hydroponics

So, should you grow hydro marijuana outdoors? Find out why it might work for you.

Pros
Less Expensive
Harnesses the Power of the Sun
More Efficient Use of Water
More Working Space
Great for Aquaponics

- Less Expensive

One of the most attractive aspects of growing cannabis hydroponically outdoors is the low cost. Not only will growing your own weed save you money in the long run, but growing outdoors will really optimise your savings. Therefore, if you’re working with a small budget and want to eliminate the costs of grow tents, expensive lights, and climate control devices, consider growing hydroponically outdoors.

- Harnesses the Power of the Sun

Growing outdoors means you’ll have access to the ultimate grow light: the sun. This giant celestial ball of gas provides all of the wavelengths of light that plants need to thrive, and it does so for free. Some research also suggests that exposure to UV-B rays serves as a source of abiotic stress that ramps up monoterpene levels[2]; however, research in this area remains inconclusive when it comes to cannabis.

- More Efficient Use of Water

Hydroponics innately uses less water than growing in soil, but you can save even more by growing outdoors. By setting up gutting and water butts, you can harvest rainwater and add it to your reservoir. If you have the space, you can also dig a small pond for the same purpose. Sure, you can use this water indoors, too. But growing outside means cultivating in the immediate vicinity of free water.

- More Working Space

Whereas balconies and small urban gardens might not provide more room than a standard grow tent, most suburban and rural gardens do. More space will give you the option to grow a bigger crop, and to opt for taller and more productive cannabis genetics. You’ll also have more room to move around and inspect every facet of your plants, making patrolling for pests and signs of nutrient deficiencies a breeze.

- Great for Aquaponics

As a form of hydroponics, aquaponic systems feature an external reservoir that houses fish. Growers feed the fish, which then go on to excrete nitrogen-rich manure to feed the cannabis plants. While this is possible indoors, most growers don’t want reservoirs of live fish, and the risk of major spillage, in their house—so take it outside!

Cons of Outdoor Hydroponics

Cons
Heat Threats
Adverse Weather
Pests
Lack of Discretion
Seasonal Limitations

Growing hydroponic cannabis outdoors sounds like a blast, right? It definitely has its benefits, but you should consider the following downsides before you make your decision.

- Heat Threats

Excess heat can cause reservoirs, and the nutrient solution within them, to heat up. During particularly harsh heatwaves, the demand for water will increase, and the speed and quality of growth may decrease.

- Adverse Weather

Other forms of weather, including torrential rain, cold spells, and high winds, can all compromise outdoor hydroponic grows. Excess rain can flood reservoirs and dilute the nutrients within them, and strong gusts can damage branches and stems.

- Pests

A range of cannabis pests can cause anything from minor damage to complete destruction of plants outdoors. You need to take measures to protect your plants from slugs, leaf miners, aphids, and a long list of critters that will happily make a meal of your marijuana.

- Lack of Discretion

Growing hydroponic weed outdoors can bring unwanted attention. Even if your plants are out of sight, they’ll begin to emit a potent aroma during the flowering stage. This becomes increasingly risky in areas still under prohibition.

- Seasonal Limitations

Unless you live in the tropics, you can’t grow hydroponic marijuana outdoors all year. The growing season of your region will dictate when you can start crops and when to harvest them. Get to know your last and first frost dates, and ideal sowing dates.

The Best Systems for Outdoor Hydroponics

The Best Systems for Outdoor Hydroponics

So, you've considered the pros and cons of setting up a hydroponic system outdoors. If you’re eager to give it go, familiarise yourself with some of the possible setups below. We’ll be focusing chiefly on systems that involve fewer, easier components.

  • Deep Water Culture (DWC)

This simple method of hydroponics involves a single reservoir. Cannabis plants sit suspended on top of the container as their roots grow down into a nutrient solution below. You’ll need an electric air pump to power the airstone in the reservoir, which keeps the roots aerated. You can purchase specialized DWC kits or simply make them using buckets, a drill, a hole saw drill bit, and a net pot.

  • Kratky Method

This method is almost identical to DWC, with one minor change: the Kratky method uses no airstone or pump, and therefore no electricity. This low-maintenance technique makes hydro even cheaper. As the roots uptake the nutrient solution, the level falls, increasing the quantity of air in the reservoir. Depending on the size of your container, you might need to add more nutrient solution later on in the growing cycle.

  • Aquaponics

Aquaponic systems vary in their complexity, and it helps to have some basic experience with simpler techniques before giving it a go. Basic systems consist of a grow bed that houses the plants, an external reservoir that houses the fish, a pump, and a series of pipes to transport the ammonia-rich waste produced by the fish. Overall, aquaponics serves as a superb closed-loop system. You can even raise edible fish as a source of hyperlocal protein.

  • Ebb and Flow

As the name suggests, these systems intermittently submerge cannabis roots in a nutrient solution. A plant bed housing the cannabis sits above a reservoir, with the roots hanging down into an empty air-filled container. An electric timer and pump then consistently flood the plant bed, before the water drains back into the reservoir.

Tips for Creating a Thriving Outdoor Hydroponic System

With the above benefits, drawbacks, and individual systems in mind, here are some helpful tips and advice to get you off to the best start possible.

  • Choose Your Location Wisely

Choose a spot that receives at least eight hours of direct sunlight each day. It needs to feature good airflow, without exposing your plants to too much wind during stormy weather. And, of course, you also need to take privacy into account. A region of your garden that isn’t overlooked by nosey neighbors is ideal.

  • Consider the Equipment

Which method tickles your fancy? You’ll only need simple gear if opting for DWC or Kratky (a single trip to the store will suffice). However, you’ll need to run electricity close to your growing location if running air pumps. If you’re taking on the challenge of aquaponics or ebb and flow, you'll need to find a local or online hydro store to purchase specific items such as plant beds. Oh, and you’ll need to find some fish!

Tips for Creating a Thriving Outdoor Hydroponic System
  • Provide Shelter

Leaving plants basking in the open sun certainly helps to accelerate growth at the right time of year. However, strong winds and scorching temperatures can knock you back a few steps. If you live further south, consider making the preemptive purchase of shade cloth and wooden stakes to defend against intensive heat. If you live in a windy region, buy windbreaks or place your setup in a location sheltered on several sides.

  • Keep Your Water Cool

Warm reservoir water can interrupt growth and stress your plants. Take measures to keep your water cool and out of direct sunlight (if using an external reservoir). If using a standalone setup, consider partially burying your containers/buckets to insulate them.

  • Ensure Adequate Air Circulation

A breezy spot will help to strengthen your plants during early veg and keep mold at bay during the late flowering stage. Although too much wind can snap and “burn” your plants, you can use the measures mentioned above to reduce wind damage; it’s harder to replicate a constant breeze when you need it.

  • Keep Pests at Bay

Pests are one of the biggest threats to cannabis plants outdoors. But you don’t need to bombard your garden with chemical pesticides. There are plenty of integrated pest management options to choose from. For example, you can deploy biological controls such as predatory insects. Introduce ladybugs if you have an aphid problem, or nematodes if fungus gnats become an issue. Companion plants are also a fantastic way to bring in beneficial insects while looking good and benefiting the soil nearby.

You’re Ready to Grow Hydro Weed Outdoors

By now, you're ready to make a decision. If you think growing hydro weed outdoors can work for you, why not give it a shot? Sure, there are some downsides to consider, but the benefits far outweigh them if you live somewhere with a relatively long growing season, reasonable weather, and more lenient cultivation laws. Not only are you aware of a few techniques to explore, but you’re ready to help your plants thrive using nature as an ally. Prepare yourself for some of the most potent, flavorful, and sustainable weed you’ll ever smoke.

Happy growing!

External Resources:
  1. Hydroponics: A Better Way to Grow Food https://www.nps.gov
  2. Cannabinoids and Terpenes: How Production of Photo-Protectants Can Be Manipulated to Enhance Cannabis sativa L. Phytochemistry https://www.frontiersin.org
Disclaimer:
This content is for educational purposes only. The information provided is derived from research gathered from external sources.

Cookies settings

We are requesting your permission to use your data for the reasons stated below:

Functional cookies

Functional cookies help our website to function optimally and allow us to personalise certain features.

Preference cookies

Preference cookies allow us to remember information that influences the way our website looks, including your preferred language based on your region.

Analytical cookies

Analytical cookies give us insights into website traffic and customer behaviour, including how many people visit our site, how long they browse for, and which parts of our site they visit.

What are cookies?

Cookies are small pieces of data from a particular website that get stored on a user’s computer while they’re surfing the internet. Cookies have several different functions. Some of them track browser activity that enables businesses to deliver targeted advertisements. Other cookies serve to remember user login details to different websites to make jumping on social media, or other sites, a more fluid process. Because each cookie has its own unique ID, these pieces of data allow website owners to measure the unique traffic coming into their site.

Why do we use cookies?

Cookies come in handy when you visit our website. They ensure you stay logged in, that you can shop safely, and that the items you add to your cart stay there before you make a purchase. But cookies also help us. The data they provide allow us to improve our website and enable us to present you with targeted advertisements that are compatible with your interests.

What kind of cookies do we use?

Functional cookies

Functional cookies help our website to function optimally and allow us to personalise certain features.

Preference cookies

Preference cookies allow us to remember information that influences the way our website looks, including your preferred language based on your region.

Analytical cookies

Analytical cookies give us insights into website traffic and customer behaviour, including how many people visit our site, how long they browse for, and which parts of our site they visit.

How can I disable or delete cookies?

Not a fan of cookies? No worries. You can disable them (with the exception of necessary cookies) in your browser settings. However, blocking cookies may impact your browsing experience and prevent you from enjoying all of the technical features of our site.

Privacy Policy - Royal Queen Seeds

To ensure a safe online environment and guarantee adequate data protection, we strictly comply with all legal requirements. In this privacy statement, we provide information about how and for what purpose data is collected, safety measures, storage periods and contact details.


COMPANY NAME: SNORKEL SPAIN, SL (hereinafter ROYAL QUEEN SEEDS)

C/ Vilar d'Abdelà, 5 (nave 1) CP: 08170 de Montornès del Vallès

+34 937 379 846

support@royalqueenseeds.com


The present Privacy Policy sets out the terms on which we will treat personal data at ROYAL QUEEN SEEDS; this includes any personal data collected through our website https://www.royalqueenseeds.com/ as well as any other data we process in the course of our business activities.

ROYAL QUEEN SEEDS collects the following personal data for the purposes listed below:

SECTION 1 – PERSONAL INFORMATION WE COLLECT

1.1 Account purchases

Account purchases can only be made if you are in possession of a personal account. When you create an account or purchase something from our shop, as part of the buying and selling process we collect the following personal information that you provide to us:

This information is required for delivery. In addition, when you browse our shop, we automatically receive the Internet Protocol (IP) address of your computer. Based on this information, we can optimise your online experience and at the same time protect our online environment.

Purpose of data collection

We collect and store account-related data for the following purposes:

(a) to carry out obligations arising from any contracts between you and us, and to provide you with information, products and services that you may request from us;

(b) to set up, manage and communicate with you about your account and your orders;

(c) to conduct market research and analysis;

(d) to confirm your age and identity, and to detect and prevent fraud.

1.2 Newsletters

With your explicit permission, we may send you newsletters about our shop, new products and other updates. We send newsletters based on your explicit consent. In the event that you purchase a product, and in accordance with current regulations, we may send you commercial communications in accordance with the legitimate interest of our company, always about products or services similar to those you have purchased or contracted. In any case, you may exercise your right of opposition through the channels announced in this Privacy Policy. The following information is collected in relation to the newsletter:

We do not need to know the sex of the person in order to send the newsletter (data minimisation: by law we must ask for data that is strictly necessary to provide the service, and in this case knowing the sex is not necessary to send the newsletter).

Purpose of data collection

The data collected is used to:

(a) personalise our emails, including your name and gender;

(b) provide gender-specific content.

You can withdraw your consent at any time by using the link provided in the newsletter or the contact information provided in section 2.

1.3 Customer service and contact form

In order to provide appropriate support, our customer service employees have access to information related to the account. Consequently, their support will be highly effective and friendly. The data provided in our contact form is used by our CRM provider, SuperOffice. We will only use your details to respond to your message.

SECTION 2 – LEGITIMATE INTEREST

If you have purchased any of our products, please note that we may process your personal data for promotional purposes, based on Royal Queen Seeds' legitimate interest only to offer you products or services from our company and about products or services similar to those you have purchased. You may exercise your right to opt out of future messages by the means set out in this Privacy Policy or through any notification you receive.

2.1 How do you withdraw consent?

If you change your mind, you can withdraw your consent for us to contact you for the purpose of collecting, using, or disclosing your data at any time by reaching out to us at: support@royalqueenseeds.com.

SECTION 3 – DISCLOSURE

We may disclose your personal information if we are required to do so by law or if you breach our Terms of Service.

SECTION 4 – HOW LONG DO WE KEEP YOUR DATA?

At Royal Queen Seeds, we will not retain your data for longer than is necessary for the purposes described in this Policy. Different retention periods apply for different types of data; however, the longest period we will normally hold any personal data is 10 years.

4.1 Account information

Data relating to the account remains relevant for as long as the consumer is in possession of an account. Therefore, the data remains documented for as long as the account exists. When our customers delete an account, the associated data will be deleted within a reasonable period of time. Requests regarding the inspection or correction of stored personal data or the deletion of an account can be sent to support@royalqueenseeds.com.

4.2 Newsletters

In the event that you give us your consent to inform you about our products or services, we will keep your data until you express your wish not to receive any further communications from us. However, we regularly (every month) carry out a relevance check. Registered customers (and their personal information) will be deleted whenever customers do not reply to our request. In addition, our newsletter mailing has an opt-out feature. Consumers can withdraw their consent by using this opt-out feature.

SECTION 5 – COOKIES

Cookies are small information files that notify your computer of previous interactions with our website. These cookies are stored on your hard drive, not on our website. Essentially, when you use our website, your computer displays its cookies to us, informing our site that you have visited before. This allows our website to function more quickly and remember aspects related to your previous visits (such as your username), making your experience more convenient. At Royal Queen Seeds, we use two types of cookies: functional and analytical.

5.1 Functional Cookies

Functional cookies are used to enhance your online experience. Among other things, these cookies track what is added to your shopping cart. The use of these cookies does not require prior authorization.

5.2 Analytical Cookies

Analytical cookies are used for research and market analysis. The data collected with these analytical cookies is anonymous, making it unusable for third parties. The use of these cookies does not require prior authorization.

SECTION 5 – THIRD-PARTY SERVICES

Third-party services are required to conduct transactions and provide our services. In general, the third-party providers we use will only collect, use and disclose your information to the extent necessary to enable them to perform the services they provide to us.

However, certain third-party service providers, such as payment gateways and other payment transaction processors, have their own privacy policies regarding the information we must provide to them for your transactions.

We encourage you to read the privacy policies of these providers so that you can understand how these providers will handle your personal information.

In particular, certain suppliers may be located or have facilities located in a different jurisdiction than yours or ours. Therefore, if you choose to proceed with a transaction involving the services of a third party, your information may be subject to the laws of the jurisdiction in which that service provider or its facilities are located.

Once you leave our website or are redirected to a third-party website or application, you are no longer governed by this Privacy Policy or the Terms of Service of our website.

Web analytics service (anonymous data)

On this website we have integrated an element of a web analytics service (with anonymisation functionality). Web analytics can be defined as the gathering, processing and analysis of data about the behaviour of visitors to websites. An analytics service collects, among other things, data about which website a person came from (the so-called referrer), which sub-pages they visited or how often and for how long they visited a sub-page. Web analytics is mainly used for website optimisation and for a cost–benefit analysis of internet advertising.

Courier service

To complete deliveries we use a courier service. This courier service carries out the delivery between our company and the consumer's home. To complete these logistics, the company requires access to the consumer's name and address information.

Mailing service

Royal Queen Seeds uses a third-party mail service provider to send its newsletter. This provider has access to limited account information related to opt-in consent (e.g. email address).

Marketing services

Royal Queen Seeds has the support of a company that specialises in marketing and communication activities. Their access to personal information is very limited and mostly anonymous.

Payment services

At Royal Queen Seeds we use external payment services to handle our transactions (e.g. credit card payments).

SECTION 6 – SECURITY

To protect your personal information, we take reasonable precautions and follow industry standard best practices to ensure that it is not inappropriately lost, misused, accessed, disclosed, altered or destroyed.

If you provide us with your credit card information, the information is encrypted using secure socket layer technology (SSL) and stored using AES-256 encryption. Although no method of transmission over the internet or electronic storage is 100% secure, we follow all PCI-DSS requirements and implement additional industry standards that are commonly accepted. Information related to the account is protected with a hashing method. This method transforms the information into a generated hash. As a result, confidential information is protected and invisible, even to us. In addition, our databases are exceptionally protected against unauthorised access. For example, access to the database is only possible and permitted via approved IP addresses (e.g. from Royal Queen Seeds headquarters). Other attempts and addresses are rejected at all times.

Furthermore, data is anonymised as much as possible, so it cannot be directly linked to a specific consumer. With this data, however, we may be able to carry out market research and analysis. In addition, the third parties concerned (e.g. mailing service) are examined prior to our collaboration, comply with the GDPR from the EU and receive a processing agreement. Within Royal Queen Seeds, employees are assigned different access permissions. Specific permission provides access only to information that is strictly required to perform a task. Digital security measures are subject to change and must meet high requirements to ensure the safety of online customers. That is why, at Royal Queen Seeds, we appoint a security officer. Regular verification and improvement of security measures (where necessary) are part of the role.

SECTION 7 – CHANGES TO THIS PRIVACY POLICY

We reserve the right to modify this Privacy Policy at any time, so please check back regularly. Changes and clarifications will be effective immediately upon being published on the Website. If we make substantial changes to this policy, we will notify you here that it has been updated so you will know what information we collect, how we use it and under what circumstances, if any, we use and/or disclose it.

SECTION 8 – YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO: