WaterPearls
Agriculture · Application

Hydroponic & aeroponic

WaterPearls can be used in a variety of hydroponic and aeroponic applications, from gutter systems to NFT to vertical farming.

Vertical-farm growing channels filled with WaterPearls under LED grow lights, at an RHST hydroponic trial
In the system

A pH-neutral, inert substrate, from gutter systems to NFT to vertical farming.

Up to 25–50% of irrigation water is lost to evaporation, per the UN FAO

Down 30–50%
Water input reduced
Up 5–15%
Yield increase
Long service life
Reusable substrate
How it works

Place it once, then leave it.

1

Replace the medium

WaterPearls replace the growing medium in the mesh pots for seed germination or propagation.

2

Nursery to vegetation

Transition to a reusable substrate that can go from nursery to vegetation stage.

3

Washed & reused

WaterPearls can be washed and reused across many seasons.

Performance

A controlled-environment substrate.

  • pH neutral and inert
  • Cut irrigation water 30–50% vs a measured baseline
  • Lift yield ~5–15% in trials by keeping more moisture available at the root zone
  • Reduce nutrient input by improving nutrient uptake
  • Reusable for bare-root plant production
Hydroponic growing channels filled with WaterPearls, seedlings emerging from rooting plugs, RHST trial
Benefits

Healthier crops, lower energy bills.

  • Facilitate transition to organic
  • Low maintenance across the asset's life
  • Ease humidity control
  • Reduce energy costs for irrigation and dehumidification
  • Increase plant population density
  • Root systems spread through the bead bed instead of through a single hole in the channel cover
  • No mildew or mold
Root system developing in clear water beneath a WaterPearls layer, RHST hydroponic trial
Greenhouse & CEA

Request a pilot in your greenhouse.

Tell us your system and crop, and we'll scope a pilot and model the water and energy savings.

Request a pilot