Hydroponics Gardening:
An Introduction To Hydroponics Gardening For Beginners
By John R. Haughton
Part 1 - Part
2 - Part
3 - Part
4 - Part
5
What is hydroponics gardening?
Derived from the Latin Hydro, meaning water and Geoponics, meaning the
study of agriculture, hydroponics is the science of growing plants
using a solution of suitable nutrients instead of soil. Most types of
plant can be grown very successfully using hydroponics.
In conventional gardening the plants are grown in soil and take
their nourishment from the chemical compounds contained within that
soil. The hydroponic gardener replaces the soil with a balanced,
nutrient rich, solution that the plant can absorb with ease. Because
the plant does not have to work so hard to absorb the available
nutrients it saves energy which can then be utilized for stronger
growth.
Because of this energy saving, plants grown using hydroponic
methods outperform conventionally produced plants in both growth and
fruit production. Due to the consistent results and good profit
margins, more and more commercial growers are turning to hydroponic
production. Totally organic production is possible using specially
designed organic nutrients, giving excellent, inexpensive, vegetables
and herbs.
There are several different types of hydroponic system, but all
share the same basic principle of supplying the plants with nutrients
and water. The most common systems are:
Water Culture, Aquaculture, or Nutriculture.
This is a Hydroponics system in which the plant roots are
immersed in water containing a complex mixture of dissolved nutrients.
A simple example of water culture is the Hyacinth bulb growing in a
wine goblet shaped glass, its roots growing down into the hollow
goblet stem.
Aggregate Culture.
In this system a material such as sand, gravel, or marbles
supports the plant roots. It is important to note that the support
material, unlike soil, does not absorb nutrient. It merely traps it in
the spaces between the grains or stones allowing the plant roots to
freely take up the liquid.
Continuous Flow Hydroponics Systems.
In these types of system the nutrient solution flows constantly
over the plant roots. This is the most commonly used system for
commercial production.
Aeroponics.
This system is one in which the plant roots hang in the air and are
misted regularly with a nutrient solution.
There are a number of pre-packaged hydroponics systems
available for both the commercial grower and hobbyist. Individuals,
who lack building skills, or are inexperienced plant growers, should
consider one of these kits as an introduction to hydroponics, a
fascinating and challenging hobby. Similar systems can be built at
lower cost, however, by those of you who have the expertise.
The requirements for healthy, strong, disease-free plants are covered
in my next article entitled - What
do your plants need?
Copyright (C) 2004, 2005, John R Haughton - All Rights Reserved
A partner in a thriving retail hydroponics supply business, Rickie
Haughton is the owner of http://hydroponics-gardening-information.com/
which aims to cater for all levels of expertise in the field of
hydroponics gardening. The website is packed with good content about
all aspects off hydroponics gardening and offers a free newsletter to
all subscribers.
|
