Hydroponics -  the growing of plants without soil

• Nutrients are delivered to the plant in as aqueous solution as opposed to the plant taking them from the soil.
• Expands the scope of gardening; makes it possible to grow a wider variety of plants in a wider variety of climates.

General Advantages

• A hydroponic acre can yield as many as ten thousand plants where as an acre of dirt can only raise one third of that. (http://archimedes.galilei.com/raiar/histhrdr.html)
• Uses 1/30th the amount of water.
• Hydroponics allows for the possibility of the growth of crops outside of their indigenous climate.
• Crop rotation is unnecessary because there is no depletion of nutrients because there is no soil
  •    Growing is not regulated by seasonal changes. Hydroponics allows for continual growth throughout the year.
• There is little to no risk of weeds or parasites in controlled systems.
• Has been successfully used to grow crops outside of our atmosphere.
  

General Disadvantages

• High cost (i.e. initial capital cost, cost to run)
• High maintenance (i.e. constant  supervision, pH testing, light adjustments, support)
• Requires specialized knowledge and equipment.
• It is more complicated and involved process than dirt farming.
  

System Types

There are two types of hydroponics systems for delivering the nutrient solution: Passive and Active.

Passive

• Passive systems are basic and easier to set up for the novice hydroponics gardener.
• Passive systems require materials that retain moistures longer such as vermiculite and sand.
• Easily portable, simple and inexpensive.
• Ideal for starting seeds, rooting cuttings and experimental purposes.
• A disadvantage is lower growth rate.
• The common types of passive systems include:
• Wick system

Active

• Active systems employ pumps and various other devices to pour the solution into the system and uses gravity to drain off the excess in order to be reused.
• Active systems require growing mediums that drain rapidly, such as smooth travel.
• There are various types of active hydroponics systems that exist:
  • Nutrient Film Technique
  • Ebb & Flow
  • Top Feed
  • Aeroponics
  • Sub-Aeration
    

Macro & Micro Nutrients for your Plant

• Nitrogen – Influential in the production of leaves and the growth of the stem.
• Phosphorus- Vital in the development of flowers, fruits, leaves and stems. Also encourages growth of healthy roots.
• Potassium – Used by the cell of a plant during assimilation of energy produced by photosynthesis.
• Calcium – Spurs root growth. Also facilitates a plant’s absorption of potassium.
• Magnesium- A component of chlorophyll. Also active in the process of distributing phosphorus throughout the plant.
• Sulphur – Joins with phosphorus to heighten the effectiveness of that element. Also used in the production of energy.
• Iron- Important in the production of chlorophyll within a plant.
• Magnesium- Aids a plant in the absorption of nitrogen.
• Zinc- necessary component of the energy transference process in a plant.
• Boron – While it has been established that boron is needed in minute amounts, it is not known precisely how boron is used.
• Copper – Needed in the production of chlorophyll.