Hydroponics Live

Learn about General Hydroponics


The word hydroponics is used for a variety of growing methods that do not use soil as a growing medium. When a general hydroponics method is used, the main idea is that nutrients and water are given directly to the roots of the plants. This can be accomplished by a drip, spray, flood, wick and immersion in a nutrient solution. An air stone may be used to pump oxygen into the water.

Smaller Roots mean Less Growing Space

Since the root does not have to grow in search of more nutrients to support its needs, the roots stay a manageable size. The plant's energy for growing its roots can be redirected to growing its upper parts and for flower, fruit and vegetable production. Less root competition for space means that you can grow more plants in a smaller area.

Grow Your Favorite Vegetables Outside or Indoors

You can have a small hydroponics garden anywhere that you like. People are transforming their balconies into vegetable and flower gardens because of how little space is needed for growing plants compared to the space limitations with plants in soil. You can grow flowers, herbs and vegetables on your patio or anywhere else that is suitable as a growing area with enough light.

You are able to grow any terrestrial plant using a general hydroponics method. The cut flowers that you buy in a store were probably grown using the hydroponics method and the same goes for many of the vegetables at the grocery store including the tomatoes, cucumbers, chili peppers and lettuce.

Hydroponics is a Low Maintenance Growing System

Since a general hydroponics system accomplishes the tasks of providing water and nutrients directly to your plants, you will find that growing plants this way is low maintenance. You will have to monitor the pH levels and replenish the water every day but that should not take you more than a few minutes. Every few weeks, you will have to replace the nutrient solution with a freshly made solution.

When using a general hydroponics growing method, you can choose to recover the nutrient solution after you use it and this allows you to conserve water. You will also have a controlled growing condition and that will greatly reduce the amount of pests and weeds in your garden. As a result, you will not need to use very much if any of the pesticides and herbicides that can be harmful to the environment. You will be easily able to check and adjust your temperature, pH levels and nutrient solution which gives you greater control over giving your plants the best growing conditions.

Hydroponics is a hobby for many people and serious gardeners or families who want a year round supply of fresh fruit and vegetables also use a general hydroponics method for their garden. Hydroponics is useful for teaching biology and is used widely in classroom settings for teaching and research.