For many of us, our first experience with Hydroponics may have started at the Disney Epcot Center. If you have purchased fancy lettuce, vine ripened tomatoes or some of those long plastic wrapped cucumbers, then you have eaten vegetables grown using hydroponics.
Hydroponics basically means working water. Hydro means "water" and "ponos" means labor. Many civilizations have utilized hydroponic growing throughout history. The "Hanging Gardens of Babylon" and the "Floating Gardens of the Aztecs of Mexico" are examples of 'Hydroponic' culture.
When growing In soil, organic matter and minerals in the soil provide the plant with basic nutrients or nutrient salts. When you water your plants, these salts are used by the plant to feed on. For a plant to do really well, there must be a balanced amount of these salts, so everything in the soil must be in perfect balance. Rarely, if ever, do these ideal conditions exist.
With hydroponics, water is enriched with these very same nutrient salts creating a hydroponic nutrient solution that can be perfectly balanced. Another thing that may appeal to the hydroponic grower is that it uses 1/10 the amount of water. Also, hydroponics is very earth friendly, as the nutrients (fertilizers) are never put into the environment. Because of how they are used, there is little or no runoff as happens with soil.
Plants in a hydroponic system use an inert soil-free medium like fiber, sand or stone to anchor the roots. These mediums are designed to be very porous and have the ability to hold oxygen and water which is necessary for a healthy plant.
One of the reasons that hydroponics is so successful is that it allows the grower to supply a balanced nutrient to the plants at all times. Another great thing is that the nutrient level can be changed as the plant grows. Small developing plants need less nutrient, and as they develop leaves, and then fruit, the nutrient levels can be modified. Doing that is impossible with soil growing.
Another great plus to hydroponics is that it can be done just about any place. If you live in a dry hot climate, or in a dark cold one, hydroponic systems can be used to produce all year long. Many hydroponic growers either have a greenhouse, or grow in their basement using high intensity grow lights.
Some of the advantages of Hydroponics are:
Hydroponics is easy on the environment as it does not use harmful pesticides.
It is possible to grow more per square foot than conventional dirt systems.
Hydroponic plants are dirt and pesticide-free.
Hydroponically-grown vegetables are large, high-quality, and taste great!
Nutrients are re-circulated, which results in less pollution.
Hydroponically-grown vegetable are safe to eat and good for you.
A home hydroponics garden uses less space than a conventional garden and is weed-free.
A home hydroponics garden can provide the gardener with fresh vegetables during the whole
year.
Most hydroponics systems are built up off the ground, which requires less work.
Lastly, hydroponics can be fun and a rewarding hobby.
To be balanced, some of negative things about Hydroponics are:
Some systems can be expensive. (or very inexpensive)
Hydroponics requires a little more attention than a regular dirt garden.
Some systems will kill the plants if power is shut off.
The pH and EC of the nutrient must be dealt with.
And the worst part is that:
So what can you grow with hydroponics? The answer to that is that some things are not practical, but almost any thing with roots can be grown!
