Hydroponic Gardening - the Pros And The Cons

When it comes to some of the problems we are adverse in the world with regards to food production, hydroponic gardening offers some buoyant solutions. In the poorer countries where the terrain or climate is fateful to agriculture, hydroponics offers a means of growing healthy foods delicate. Also, in those areas where the soil has obscured its nutrients or rich land is insoluble to come by, hydroponics can produce healthy foods using minimum space and resources.

As with all things though, it is not all good news. There are many pros and cons limb grower should knock around before deciding to commit to hydroponic gardening.

First, the pros. In comparison to general farming, hydroponic growing can be more productive in two ways. For one, hydroponic gardening saves space. Plants can be placed much more closely together than in traditional fields because of the way nutrients are provided to them. As many as four times as many plants can be grown in same amount of space using hydroponic techniques! Secondly, hydroponics minimizes many of the problems associated with traditional farming which means less sickly, damaged, or wasted crops.

Because hydroponic growers customize their own nutrients mixes, it takes the guess work out of figuring out which field has the best soil and proper nutrition for which crop. The nutrient mix is the right one for the particular plant, in the right ratios, every time. Also, soil based diseases are virtually eliminated because there is no soil. These two factors alone make hydroponics an extremely efficient method for producing food.

Benefits accrue to the environment as well. The water consumption in hydroponic growing is significantly less than traditional methods. In many cases, hydroponic crops use just one tenth of the water! Also, the water that is used is used more effectively. For example weeds cannot come in and steal part of the crop ' s water supply. And because the crops are in a controlled environment and not in a field, there is no pesticide run - off water to contaminate the surrounding ground.

The benefits are not without their costs however. The expense of hydroponic growing is an area where improvements need to be made. The nutrient mixtures and growing mediums used can be expensive.

Hydroponic growing also requires an increase in energy consumption. Much hydroponic growing happens in greenhouses, where significant amounts of electricity are used in order to give the hydroponic plants all the light they need.

While research is happening to try and bring the costs down ( such as in the field of aquaponics ), hydroponics can be financially prohibitive for those areas where it is most needed.

Research in the field of hydroponics is filled with promise and much research needs to be done. Many of the problems are being addressed however, and many farmers and amateur gardeners are eagerly awaiting new developments in this promising field.

Hydroponic Growing

Hydroponics is a process whereby plants are grown without soil, in mineral nutrient solutions. Plants grown by this process may also be grown in gravel, mineral wool or perlite.

Hydroponics is being applicable all over the world for production of food for it brings many benefits. First of all there is no soil needed so it is observed as a much detergent cast of gardening. There is no need to water the plants over and over again through the water is reused from the system, for reducing water costs. There is a destitute risk of pests and diseases from hydroponics in that there is no soil for them to live in.

Research has proved hydroponics to be thoroughly practical and have great advantages over conventional methods of horticulture.

Hydroponics is a form of agronomy which is a way of crop production and soil management. Agronomy deals with issues including producing healthier food and managing the environmental impact of agriculture. It also deals with ways in which energy can be produced from plants.

In hydroponics, plant spacing can be intensive, allowing you to grow more plants in a smaller space than soil grown produce. Hydroponic grow tents come in various sizes so can be set up almost anywhere in the home. A great advantage of the soil - less cultivation of plants is that it may potentially produce much higher crop yields, and can be used in places where gardening is not possible.

Whereas hydroponics has great advantages, this method of growing requires careful consideration. Plants grown in this way require different growing methods such as containment and fertilizers.

There are four common methods of hydroponic gardening. These include:

Drip Method

The nutrient solution is given to the plants, on a timed drip system. As the emitter is dripping it delivers fresh nutrients, water and oxygen to the plants, flushing out waste. In a drip method, the plant roots are most commonly grown in perlite, grow rocks or rock wool.

Ebb and Flow

This method is also referred to as flood and drain. It allows the plants to be given the same amount of nutrients at the same time. Plant pots filled with a growing medium forms the bed for the plants. The plants are flooded with the nutrient at a set time and then are allowed to drain which brings oxygen to the root base.

NFT ( Nutrient Film Technique )

This technique allows the plants to grow in channels and the nutrient solution is pumped through for short but regular intervals allowing the roots to remain moist. This system does not require a growing medium, but needs regular flushing.

Passive System

This is a very low maintenance form of hydroponic gardening because it does not use pumps or timers. The roots are left in the nutrient solution taking what they require from it. Although it is a slower form of hydroponic gardening its low maintenance is ideal for many.

The market for grow tents and grow lights is increasing because it allows for crops to be grown all year round and the produce will generally taste better than soil grown produce.