What is Hydroponics?
Hydroponics is the science of growing plants without the use of soil. It is also known as soilless culture. The term hydroponics comes from two Greek terms; hydros means water and ponos means work.
In traditional agriculture where plants are grown in soil, nutrients and water exist randomly, and often plants expend a great deal of energy in growing roots and searching for water and nutrients. By expending this energy, plants do not grow as fast as they could. However, because the nutrients are delivered directly to the roots in a hydroponic system, a plant doesn’t have to use any excess energy growing long roots in search of water and nutrients. This enables plants to grow much faster and results in more frequent harvests. In addition, growing plants in hydroponics requires less water, less space, and pests and diseases are more easily controlled and prevented.
It may sound like a science fiction film from the future, but hydroponics is a technological reality that produces high quality, fresh, affordable food. Almost any plant will grow in a hydroponic system and it is important to note that plants grown via hydroponics are no different to plants grown in soil.
They have an identical physiology, and look and taste exactly the same. With hydroponics, plants take up the same nutrients as those grown in soil, although the content can be more accurately controlled. Because plants absorb nutrients as ions in the water, they rely on the correct electrical conductivity and PH levels. If these levels in the soil are wrong, a plant will not grow. However, in a controlled hydroponic system, the alkalinity and acidity levels are easily controlled, which ensures growth. The root zone temperature can also be manipulated when growing hydroponically. Having complete control of the humidity and darkness levels also ensures healthy plants and stable, high yields. And this, is why we love hydroponics.