Hydroponics is the growing of plants without soil

This research was aimed at identifying and testing methods to produce healthy crops in economical amounts within limited spaces. Simply put the researchers were looking into better ways to grow plants while reducing the area required. The break through in technology came after it was discovered and proved that plants absorb nutrients as simple ions in water

In traditional land planted farming, the soil acts as a reservoir to hold moisture, nutrients and micronutrients. Soil is the medium, in which the liquid and absorbable plant nutrients are retained; the soil itself is not an essential food for plant growth. When the nutrients that are retained within the soil dissolve in water, plant roots are able to absorb and utilize them.

Water culture hydroponic systems include the nutrient film technique, aeroponics, and the aeration method. Plants are anchored using various types of screens, rigid pipes or films. The required nutrients are determined and mixed into a plant's water supply artificially. Plant roots are suspended within the water by various means and designs and the crop obtains the required food nutrients directly from the water or in the case of aeroponics a water air mist is sprayed directly unto the plant roots. The nutrient liquid is constantly exchanged and rejuvenated.

Other types of hydroponic systems use various solid type mediums that are generally composed from relatively inert materials that have the ability to retain the food rich moisture and also to serve as means of physical support for the plant roots. Modified growing mediums include; expanded clay, rock wool, perlite, vermiculite, coral rock, pea gravel, sand, Styrofoam and other mediums.

What types of plants are grown in Hydroponic systems?

Almost any plant can be grown within hydroponics systems, but some will do better than others. Today thousands of farms use hydroponic systems to produce, tomatoes, lettuce, watercress, Chinese cabbages, Bock Choy, many different herbs and hundreds of other edible plants. Many operators also produce shoots of plants including beans, Alpha and barley to be used in other food products for human or animal consumption.

Thousands of varieties of flowers and even tree seedlings are grown using hydroponics. Indeed hydroponic greenhouse operations also produce millions of plant seedlings each year that are transplanted and grown at other locations where they are later finished in basic greenhouses or planted into soil. more>>