A method of growing plants without soil (soilless cultivation).
There are two main branches of hydroponics - one is cultivation using soil substitutes like gravels and perlite and the other is cultivation without any medium where the plant roots are suspended in a mist or water or lie flat and are bathed with a thin film of oxgenated nutrient solution.
Last Updated ( Friday, 04 January 2008 )
How does it work?
In an ideal hydroponic system the root environment of the plant is supplied with all the oxygen, water and dissolved nutrients at the concentrations and temperature that the plant requires for its particular stage of growth. The leaves and stem of the plant require light of the correct spectrum and intensity and photoperiod (daylength) as well as air quality and movement, temperature and humidity.
Everyone can use hydroponics to grow the plants that normally grow in their area. Because soil tilling and weeding is not required hydroponic growing is popular with young children, retired and handicapped people.
Helpful advice and explanations of the main concepts that you need for growing hydroponically indoors - both for the hobbyist, as well as the commercial farmer.
Helpful advice and explanations of the main concepts that you need for growing hydroponically outdoors - both for the hobbyist, as well as the commercial farmer.
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