Hydrowhat?

Hydroponic gardening is the method of growing plants in a nutrient solution without soil. The functions of soil - providing a source of water, nutrient, air, and physical support - are accomplished by using a variety of soil substitutes such as gravel, sand, sawdust, vermiculite, wood chips, polyethylene sheeting or Styrofoam.

Since no soil is involved and the soil substitutes are virtually inert, a plant food can be formulated to give the plants all the required nutrients in the correct proportions, resulting in optimum growth. This means that hydroponic nutrients contain many more elements than conventional plant foods.

How is it done?

A simple example of a hydroponic garden is a plastic tray filled with gravel. A drain hose leads to a bucket that serves as a reservoir for the nutrient solution. Once, twice, or three times a day - depending on the weather - the solution in the bucket is poured by hand into the tray, flooding the gravel and roots with water and nutrients. In a few minutes this will have drained back into the bucket. The roots do not want to be submerged continuously in the solution, but thrive when exposed to the wet gravel and fresh air which is pulled into the gravel as the solution drains out.

A larger scale, automated unit can be constructed by simply building two wooden boxes. Set one on top of the other; line them with polyethylene sheeting. Place a small submersible pump in the lower box in the nutrient solution and hook it up to a timer. Fill the top box with gravel. Provide a standpipe to control the water level when pumping and a drain to allow the solution to flow back to the lower box. Set the timer to run as long as required to flood the gravel two or three times daily.

Old aquariums and their air pumps can be turned into a hydroponics garden. Cut a sheet of Styrofoam to float on the surface of the water. Punch some small holes in the sheet to insert young plants. Hook up the air pump to provide air to the roots, since in this approach they are constantly submerged in the nutrient solution --it works! Paint or otherwise cover the sides of the aquarium below the waterline because roots prefer darkness, and algae love light.

Another example of hydroponics is a "wick system". Two plastic tubs are partially nested together, leaving space between them for the nutrient solution. The upper tub is filled with vermiculite, a soil conditioner available at most nurseries. Solid braid nylon rope serves as wicks, which pass through holes in the bottom of the upper tub from the vermiculite to the nutrient solution. The wicks draw the solution up into the vermiculite where, by capillary action, it is dispersed throughout the root area.

Why Hydroponics?

There are many advantages to a hydroponics garden. It's clean and easy. No weeds or cultivating. Once set up there is less labor and time required. It uses less space than conventional gardening and only about 1/30th the water.

Many people today do not have access to a plot of soil. Hydroponic gardens can be set up on patios and balconies.

The yield in commercial hydroponic farms for tomatoes is 12 to 30 times greater per acre than soil farming.

Perhaps the most import reason is the success you will experience. Whether you grow vegetables, flowers or herbs, the quality and consistency of plant's health and vigor is a source of pride and satisfaction.

Plants can be grown hydroponically outdoors, in a greenhouse or in a home. But remember hydroponics does not change plant requirements for temperature, sunlight, humidity, pollination, etc. A tomato plant is not likely to thrive in a living room where these factors are all wrong. So grow the plants that are suited to your individual situation.

Practically any plant can be grown hydroponically if you recognize its requirements. Houseplants, fruit trees, herbs, flowers, bulbs, cactus, and vegetables are all possible. Some, however, are more practical and popular than others are are. Potatoes, artichoke, and asparagus are either available in the market at good quality, take too much space or too much time. Tomatoes and cucumbers are most popular, followed by lettuce, peppers eggplant, cabbage, cauliflower, broccoli, peas, beans, herbs, cut flowers, houseplants, and on, and on....

Hydroponics is a hobby that can remain a simple project or evolve into a complex, highly efficient undertaking. In either case, continue building upon your experience. Read as many books on the subject as you can. Also learn about the plants your are growing. Horticultural knowledge of the life cycle, weather and pollination requirements, pest and disease susceptibility, harvesting and storage tips will add immensely to your success whether growing in soil or in hydroponics.