Hydroponic growing is known as the science of growing plants without soil. Roots of plants are placed into trays that deliver water, nutrients and oxygen, and deliver them often throughout the day. By growing hydroponically, your plant will have smaller root structures and bigger above-ground growth. No real weeding is involved and the soil living pests are all but eliminated.
You will need these four things to be successful at growing hydroponically:
1. Growing Medium: The purpose of the medium is to anchor the roots of your plant. It’s important for your growing medium to hold nutrients, so the nutrient solution can do its work. Some store minerals better. Some media wick water better than others. Some are heavy and others are light. Here are some examples: vermiculite, perlite, coconut husks, sand, clay, gravel, sedimentary rock and rock wool.
2. Nutrients: All plants do not require the same types of nutrients, but you can use a general solution and get great results. Nutrients are delivered to the plant in several ways. It’s important to understand the nutrients in the solution. Hydroponic gardeners must know how to measure and keep track of the pH levels to provide the very best balance to insure proper nutrient intake.
3. Oxygen: Hydroponic systems provide more oxygen than to plants in garden soil. Yields are often higher for this very reason. To maximize plant growth, keep the oxygen coming! It’s important to deliver as much oxygen and CO2 as your plant can take in.
4. Light: Artificial lighting can give you amazing results, as compared to the natural light of the sun. Plants can be grown hydroponically using the sun (outside), but you’ll find you get much better results using lights. Lights are also available for the flowering stage or the vegetative stage of growth.
You now have the four basics to grow hydroponically. As you expand your knowledge, you might add these other supplies to your growing arsenal: Climate controllers, air circulators, carbon filters and more.
There is certainly more to growing hydroponically than in this short article.
Please contact me for a link to a reputable website on hydroponics.
