Organic Hydroponics

 

Although you may consider hydroponics to be a highly technical and thoroughly modern technique it must be remembered that the origins of it can be traced back thousands of years. Back then there were no chemical plants so organic hydroponics was the only type available. It seems strange that we appear to be moving full circle and we find ourselves returning to organic methods of growing crops. However, I feel that there is something rather strange about the whole "organic" thing, surely substances refined from plants and other organic sources remain organic? Sorry but it really does annoy me when somebody throwing manure on their rose garden turns their nose up at me for using something different. I admit that the refining process may harm the environment, slightly, but surely the added growth of my plants compensates for this. Alright, I may be stretching the point but it is something I have considered!

So when it comes to the fascinating method of growing plants called hydroponics there is a little discomfort and disagreement over what is "organic hydroponics". This may seem slightly ridiculous but it is an important point when it comes to the classification of the resulting produce. Organic vegetables command a higher price than ordinary vegetables and, potentially, this can have a massive effect upon the viability of growing produce on mass.

It is possible to grow plants organically using a hydroponics system but there are a couple of disadvantages. Though I have not tested it I believe that the solution containing the nutriments has a greater risk of becoming infected with a variety of organisms detrimental to plants. Personally I feel that there would need to be careful scientific study to verify this as I am certain that if good practice is followed the risks would be pretty much the same. Of course I am just a simple gardener but surely if the solution in both systems is the optimum balance of nutrients and minerals for plant growth both solutions, in effect, would be basically the same?

In my own garden I tend to use a mixture of methods. I like to use substances like bonemeal when planting trees and shrubs as it is an organic, slow release, fertilizer but I also use other chemicals for my tomatoes, roses and other flowers. I do prefer organic gardening wherever possible but there are times when I like to give my plants a boost. Organic hydroponics fascinates me greatly and it is likely that I will, at some time, return to this topic after I have had chance to give it a go myself.

 

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