Hydroponics (From the Greek words hydro, water and ponos, labor) is a method of growing plants using mineral nutrient solutions, in water, without soil.
Researchers discovered in the 19th century that plants absorb essential mineral nutrients as inorganic ions in water. In natural conditions, soil acts as a mineral nutrient reservoir but the soil itself is not essential to growth of the plant. When the mineral nutrients in the soil dissolve in water, plant roots are able to absorb these nutrients. When the required mineral nutrients are introduced into a plant’s water supply artificially, soil is no longer required for the plant to survive and indeed, thrive. Almost any terrestrial plant will grow with hydroponics. Hydroponics is also a standard technique in biology research and testing.
Hydroponic Gardening
The best part about hydroponic gardening is you don’t need soil.
This allows for organic growing, however, this concept can be confusing.
Usually, what makes organic gardening; organic gardening, is using organic soil. If you don’t have organic soil, how could it be an organic garden?
The key to organic hydroponic gardening is the water. The organic plants get their nutrients from the water, not soil. Organic plants, even hydroponic ones, can’t grow until they have a solid substance to put their roots into. You can grow organic plants hydroponically by putting them in gravel, stones or an organic materials such as straw, cotton, plant fiber, or any number of other organic materials.
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There are many methods of Hydroponics gardening, most of which work better than regular soil gardening because it is easier to give the plant exactly what it needs when it needs it. Plants will only receive what you give them; therefore you will be able to regulate the pH, nutrients, nutrient strength, water amount, and light amount. This makes it imperative that you research the kind of plants you will be growing so you know what they need to survive.
Hydroponics gardening is only as difficult as you make it. It can be complicated if computers with sensors are used to control water cycles, nutrients, and light for the plants. However, it can also be as simple as a hand watered bucket with a single plant. The normal home Hydroponics system is usually made up of a few basic things: a growing tray, light (natural or artificial), a reservoir, a water controlled pump for watering (or some type of watering equipment), and some form of air pump to give oxygen to the nutrients.
