Hydroponics

A different method of growing plants is known as hydroponics. In this method the soil is replaced with a water solution that has very similar nutrients to soil. There are some people that have never heard of or come across this method of plant production and think that method of cultivation is a new technique. The fact is that it originated many hundreds of years ago, we know this thanks to historians and archaeologists, who found evidence of this method as far back in time as the Aztec period. The word hydroponics actually originated in Greece and means 'working water'.

Why Use It To Cultivate Plants?

There are more advantages to using the hydroponic technique for growing plants and vegetables than there are disadvantages. With this method you are never likely to over water your plants, which eventually causes the stems and roots to rot. There are many pests and diseases that can destroy plants and crops associated with soil but are not found in water (the use of chemicals and pesticides is virtually nil). I am surprised that this method of growing crops is not more popular as it would be an ideal way of growing crops or flowers in areas that have poor soil, or the weather conditions are too harsh.

Hydroponics has proved to be a valuable teaching aid in schools and universities. Quite often when a teacher or lecturer is trying to describe the growing cycle of plants or bulbs the only examples of this growth are diagrams in text books. By using this technique of growing plants in water students will be able to see each and every different growth stage for themselves in great detail.

Hydroponics is an amazing method of growing plants and crops, but not as good as it has been made out to be. If it was the best technique of producing crops then everyone would be using this method. The crops that are produced via this method do not taste any better than crops grown in soil and nor is the yield any greater. Hydroponics is an alternative method of growing plants and crops where no other suitable growing material is available. It has been said though that it is a much cheaper way of producing fruit and vegetables, and if using this method on a large scale, one does not have to install expensive sprinkler systems to keep the plants watered in hot and sunny climates.

Below are links to other pages where we examine the process in more detail. If you do not see exactly what your require please call back soon as we are continually updating and adding additional pages to this section.

More articles about hydroponics:

Introduction

Making The Decision

Hydroponics Systems

Commercial Hydroponics

Hydroponics

Gardening