What are the benefits/drawbacks of semi-hydroponics vs hydroponics?
 

What are the benefits and drawbacks of a semi-hydroponic system vs. a hydroponic system?

Semi-Hydroponics involves the use of an inert medium, in single-pot, passive culture. The classic definition of "hydroponics" involves recirculation pumps, automated monitoring and adjustment of the solution chemistry.

• Semi-hydroponics involves more labor (mixing fertilizers and actually watering),
• requires a medium (while classic hydro may- or may not),
• does not require monitoring of the solution chemistry (it is fresh at every watering),
• requires no investment in tanks, pumps, flood tables, or instrumentation, and
• by not sharing a common, recirculating bath of nutrient solution, eliminates the ideal vector for sharing plant pathogens.

Wouldn't hydroponics also drown the roots?

I've used both semi-hydro and passive hydroponics, often called hydroculture, using a system similar this this:
http://www.hydrocenter-kw.com/images/luwasa.gif
This system uses a float to show how much solution is in the reservoir, and recommends to just top-up the solution to the recommended level.

I've found after about a year, the hydroculture plants start to decline because if you don't always dump the existing solution and flush the LECA, it results in salt buildup that damages the roots.

Semi-hydro works much better in the long run simply because of the 2 holes in the side that force you to flush and replenish with fresh solution with each watering.

Cheers.
Jim

No, not once the roots tailored to the environment grow.

Most "full-blown" hydroponic systems tend to be wet-and-wait processes anyway, so there is always some "breathing" time.