An Explanation of Hydroponics
July 8th, 2010
Hydroponics is a science of farming that is turning into big enterprise. It is a process used by individuals, farmers and even governments, and hydroponic supply companies are springing up everywhere to keep up with the need. But what, exactly, is hydroponics? What is the whole purpose of using this process?
Put simply, hydroponics is the growing of plants without the utilization of soil. The word “hydroponics” actually means “water working.” The premise behind this process is that it is actually the water that carries nutrients to the plant roots, not the soil itself; soil merely acts as an anchor for the roots. The use of an alternative anchor system other than soil along with proper lighting can enable you to raise crops by flushing the nutrient filled solution onto the plant roots; this process helps people raise crops anywhere and anytime without using soil. Hydroponic gardens have different installations, but these setups are all based on the same concept which is the use of alternate anchoring system, proper lighting and of course a constant supply of nutrient filled solution on the roots.
Some might wonder what the point is of using hydroponics to grow things; after all, isn’t it easier just to grow seeds in the soil and water them? of course, there are some situations when the answer is actually yes. But then again, growing in the soil have some restrictions. If earth has been drained of nutrients or is contaminated, it might not be safe for growing plants. Also, outdoor soil planting is restricted to the planting season and the weather. Hydroponics may seem complex but it successfully eliminates most of these restrictions. As long as you can supply light, nutrients, and some way to hold plants in place, you can grow plants with hydroponics anywhere, and anytime-in the dead of winter, in barren places, in extended darkness, and even possibly in space.
Unfortunately, there is an inappropriate belief that hydroponics is tantamount to artificial or inorganic. But, plants that are grown through hydroponics is still organic and is the same with crops grown in soil. Hydroponics doesn’t tamper with genetics, nor does it need synthetic chemicals. The process by which crops grow is the same, whether in soil or in a hydroponic tray: plants require light, water, nutrients and a root anchor. Hydroponics doesn’t change this process; it simply provides these four components by different means. Of course, with the use organic ingredients you can determine that hydroponic growing is organic and healthy. The truth is, with the right mixture of all four components, hydroponically grown plants can be more healthy and can produce more fruit than those plants raised in soil.
Hydroponics is not a thing of the 21st century because there is proof that can prove that ancient cultures were already using this type of agriculture. Today, however, people can buy hydroponic kits for growing herbs and vegetables in the home; some farmers run hydroponic greenhouses; and some governments are using it as a means of mass food generation.
Posted in Uncategorized | No Comments »