About Hydroponics

1.The history of hydroponics

The word hydroponics is derived from the Greek word Hydro which means water, and Ponos, means working with. Hydroponics is also referred as Soil less Gardening. This also refers to the application of many methods to grow plants by using mineral nutrient solutions instead of soil. The plants are growth with their root systems with the help of nutrient solution and this replaces soil and provides energy to plant root to further grow. But the truth in nature that is considered as fact is that soil acts as a storage or warehouse for the nutrients that is most important for plants to grow whereas the soil is not only base of growth for plants.

Plants have always considered as one of the rich sources of health. Both from the point view of protecting environment and also to enrich the lives of mankind, nutrients through the plants are considered as an essential aspect to safeguard and protect health. Nutrients are received by the plant from soil and this improves the size and health of plant. Although water, soil and sun are equally required for extending the growth and life span of plant, English scientist John Woodward concluded that it was the soil and water that works mainly for the development of nutrients among plants.

But experimentally, it was proved that plants died without sufficient water in spite of the fact that there was rich soil and therefore it was found that the conclusions of English scientist once again proved to be contradictory.  But this was the way forward step to begin most important experiments about plant nutrition which were followed as Woodward’s investigations and thereby the emergence of science of hydroponics evolved. 

Modern times follow different methods of hydroponics gardening from the ideas provided by Dr. Gerike, a plant professor at the University of California.  Dr. Gerike  was very successful in producing tomato plants 25 feet tall through his method of soil less gardening. As a result of this success, Dr. Gerike has introduced the term "hydroponics" meaning science of soil less gardening.

But directly or indirectly, hydroponics was undoubtedly existed in ancient civilization wherein there was good cultivation and growth of plants without soil The Egyptians, Inca Indian tribes, the Aztecs and the Babylonians were very successful in the practice of hydroponics gardening, before even knowing about the term “hydroponics”.

In spite of the fact that “hydroponics” is understood as a new method in agriculture, ancient agriculture methods have already followed these procedures in order to successful in gardening.  For several reasons such as low cost, easy workload, and effective gardening are being the major sources of hydroponics gardening, it has captured the interest of many gardeners.  There are still many more explorations in this method to evolve new, easy and effective systems in hydroponics. Research and studies are continuing.

2.How hydroponics is gaining strength in gardening.

The growth and maintenance of a hydroponic garden is not only easy but there is no requirement of a university degree but it requires good understanding and a little practice about gardening.  It is definitely a rewarding experience to create a hydroponics garden with minimum investment of time and money.

As compared to the traditional organic gardening methods wherein plants are grown outside in soil, DIY hydroponics garden explains how a plant produces food and grows. As a matter of fact plants require six simple needs that include, light, air, water, nutrients, heat and sufficient place to spread roots.   Whereas the degree of light and the quantity of water or quality of air is considered to be moderately appropriate protecting the plant in  several ways and means.  Because any excess or low flow would damage the  life a plant. For instance the air must be warm and rich in CO2 and the water must not be too cold and the light would be warm. Therefore the measure of each need for a particular plant is dependent on the quality or the food nutrients required by the plant.

Modern homes have a lot of appreciation for indoor gardening and this is quite different cultivation as compared to outdoor cultivation.  For outdoor environment, maintenance of hydroponics is quite easy as the nature takes control of enough light and climate.  Whereas in indoor environment, there is a need to take care of  all aspects of nature and a successful environment must be recreated to this extent successfully. This will lead to the successful growth of the plants. In case of non-receipt or absence of any of the six essentials for the plant will apparently result in suffering of the plant. Therefore there is a primary factor that indoor cultivation requires more care.

Alternatively there is also a school of thought whether garden inside or outside, hydroponics gives a key emphasis on control and careful monitoring. Because the control of nutrient solution provided to the garden will ultimately result in providing appropriate strength to the plant.   The once again reiterates a fact that the fine and accurate flow of  nutrient to the crop will keep the plants healthy and will further extend good growth.

Certainly making a notes in managing hydroponics will provide an exact view and feedback about the results in gardening. Definitely there are more opportunities in implementing different methods and most importantly hydroponics is definitely a fruitful way of growing energetic and healthy plants.  Experimenting and trying new things will soon provide lot of knowledge in building a healthy garden either indoor or outdoor.

3.Different Hydroponics systems

The pioneering of hydroponics is now very popular and strictly being followed by many indoor horticulturists, with the fact that this method of growing plants is easy and inexpensive with plenty of benefits. Further the entire concept and principle is very easy to follow and understand.  

As plants are grown with a constant flow of nutrient enriched water, the water spreads out evenly with over 1-3 mm depth on a flat surface.  This further guides the plant to take the water to its root system and receive good strength. Whereas the flow of water is not rapid but the water is in  constant motion.

Water is pumped in and out of reservoir so that plants receive a adequate water supply and the roots of the plant grow below the surface of the water.  But if the roots are constantly submerged in a film of water, the flow of aeration is not enough and there is no performance. In order to overcome this problem, NFT growers arrange pumps on cycles that allows flood and draining of NFT system.

But there is also a main disadvantage with NFT systems, and this is, when pump failure takes place, it immediately leaves an impact on the life of plant. Since NFT systems are coming with small flow rate pumps, in a room environment, there is a possibility of pump failure and plants only need a small portion of water consistently.

Further the salt levels in the tank are likely to leave patches on the pump and this will further attract precipitation of salts and calcium thereby failing to satisfy the needs of plant. This results in crop failure. To avoid and prevent any crop failure, pumps have to be cleaned and maintained or replacement of pumps should be considered. Since these are very low in cost, replacement is affordable.

3.1 Drip Irrigation Systems

The Dutch have mastered this system and very successful in growing crops. The plants are grown on a rockwool clab and these are fed individually by drippers. Dripper emit a pre-set volume of water every hour. Each dripper is wired and works with one master pump.  This system is also very low in cost and can be easily built with pipes, tubes and fittings.  This can be easily designed for a grow room.

But one of the main advantage of this system is, that the dripper can clog.  As similar to NFT system if dripper stops works, plants will suffer.  Therefore there is always a need to prevent risks and help plants with constant flow of water.

Regular checking and maintenance will surely keep up the dripper in an operating condition.

3.2 Ventura Action Drip System.
This is a different drip irrigation system that takes the assistance of Ventura Action to provide the dripping effect. These are individual grow tubs or pots that are specially designed for small gardens. Mainly there is a large pot that works as a small water tank and inside this there is a short pot that holds the clay pebbles. This small pot sits conveniently inside the big pot and it never touches the water level of the big pot.  To explain in detail, the small pot is the place where the plant grows and the big  pot takes the job as a tank.

3.3 Flood And Drain or Ebb And Flow Pod System

This is a very simple but very effective technique that is carried out with clay pebbles, good drainage and retention of water.   The benefit of deep and drain system takes care of the volume of the water and the water acts like a piston that is kept in cylinder of an engine. Each time, there is pushing out of old air and there is an entry of fresh air.  Since aeration is a very important factor for healthy and excellent yielding plants, this system will definitely work.

3.4 AeroponicPod System
This systems works with a technique of  an aeroponics system. Initially the nutrients are sprayed inside a tube or container. Thereafter the roots are also sprayed with a nutrient with a powerful pump. This technique absorbs lot of oxygen and as roots are hanging in the air, there is lot of aeration to the root zone.

3.5 The Aero Pod Professional Deep Water Culture or The Bubbler

This is the simplest method of hydroponics wherein the growers cultivate only a minimum number of plants and this system is used only in the interest of small plants. In this system there is a bucket with a lid, clay pebbles, large net pot, large air pump, airline, and a large round air stone. The air stone is placed at the bottom of the bucket and airlines runs to the air pump outside of the bucket.  The lid is placed on top of the bucket which holds the net pot, and this in turn holds the pebble. As this system completely relies on air pump and air stone there is enough water supply to the plant.

3.6 Free The Weed

To lift the lid most often causes damage to the small plant and maintaining the small buckets in a large room, there is a need to maintain it properly and in fact this is all hydroponics is all about. Large plants are also grown in this system and it will need extra support.  The system’s engine air pump and air stone will better perform especially when they are big.

4. Conclusion

Hydroponics is a huge source when there is livestock to feed. The in-house or outdoor garden helps in many ways to feed the cattle.  Producing a huge quantity of crop or plants, is very easy and especially when green grass sprouts are required for feeding goats, chicken, horses and cattle feed, hydroponics works wonderfully and its suits all climate conditions.  Up to the quantity of one ton or more can be successfully brought from the greenhouse through hydroponics. Working with seeds and water, this is definitely a wonderful method as best irrigation system that is definitely organic gardening system producing most easy and efficient results.

Growing plants in hydroponics method is definitely recommended as one of the best strategies to produce huge quantity o fruits, flowers, vegetables and especially without using soil for gardening. Gardening where there is a primary requirement of space can be prevented here.

Using it in a correct form and method by applying professional methods of irrigation system will definitely bring optimum results and there are many levels of success in the application and implementation of hydroponics. There are also positive views that soil less growing are definitely more capable of offering more sanitization and there is also very less scope for toxic effects.