Vertical Farms Struggle With Nonleafy Crops

Imagine a towering vertical structure brimming with lush greenery and vibrant life. While hydroponic towers represent an efficient, water-saving agricultural technology capable of cultivating over 200 types of fruits and vegetables, certain crops remain unsuitable for this vertical farming method. This article examines the limitations of tower-based hydroponic systems to help growers optimize their planting strategies.

Hydroponic towers utilize a nutrient solution circulation system to cultivate plants vertically without soil. This soilless cultivation technique exposes plant roots to nutrient-rich water solutions or periodic misting to deliver essential moisture and nutrients. Compared to traditional soil farming, hydroponic towers offer several advantages:

• Space efficiency: Vertical structures maximize space utilization for urban and home gardening
• Water conservation: Recirculating systems reduce evaporation and waste, saving up to 90% water
• Reduced pests: Soil-free environment minimizes soil-borne diseases and pests
• Faster growth cycles: Optimal nutrient delivery accelerates plant development
• Higher yields: Greater production per square foot than conventional farming
• Simplified management: Automated systems streamline cultivation processes

Despite these benefits, certain plant types generally perform poorly in tower systems:

Root crops including potatoes, sweet potatoes, carrots, cassava, yams, horseradish, parsnips, taro, daikon radish, rutabaga, salsify, Jerusalem artichokes, ginger, and turmeric typically prove incompatible with tower systems. These plants require soil for their edible storage organs to develop properly.

Key limitations:

• Space constraints: Restricted tower apertures cannot accommodate large root expansion
• Structural support: Soil provides necessary resistance for proper root formation
• Nutrient absorption: Soil-specific micronutrients may be inadequately replicated in hydroponic solutions

While beets can grow hydroponically, they often yield smaller, misshapen roots and aren't recommended for tower systems.

Exception: Kohlrabi (a stem vegetable) adapts well to hydroponic towers.

Bulb-forming alliums like garlic and onions generally underperform in tower systems due to their extended growth cycles and specific soil requirements for proper bulb development.

Key limitations:

• Growth duration: Extended maturation periods conflict with hydroponic speed advantages
• Soil conditions: Specific texture and drainage requirements prove difficult to replicate
• Light requirements: Vertical shading may limit bulb-forming photosynthesis

Exceptions: Scallions, chives, and leeks perform adequately as their edible portions develop above ground.

Ericaceous and rosaceous plants including blueberries, cranberries, blackberries, lingonberries, raspberries, and boysenberries require more space and time than towers can provide for proper root and canopy establishment.

Key limitations:

• Space requirements: Insufficient room for mature plant dimensions
• Root development: Inadequate space for long-term root system stability
• Structural support: Lack of soil resistance for upright growth
• Nutritional needs: Complex, long-term nutrient requirements difficult to maintain

Obvious candidates like coconut, mango, apple, orange, and lemon trees demand substantial ground space and deep soil for proper anchorage and fruit production, making them entirely incompatible with tower systems.

Practical Considerations

Growers should apply common sense when selecting crops for tower systems. Tropical fruits, nuts, and large fruiting plants requiring specific climates and extensive root zones clearly exceed the capabilities of vertical hydroponic setups.

The term "hydroponic tower" encompasses various vertical farming techniques including aeroponics, as both methods fundamentally represent soilless cultivation approaches.