Hydroponics – The Basics

Hydroponics is the practice of growing plants without dirt. Generally, hydroponics grows plants in nutrient enhanced water, although hydroponics can also be regarded to be the practice of growing plants in other aggregates, such as a dirt free bark-based blend. There are no weeds to deal with, and hydroponic plants are typically more healthy, mature earlier, and use less space.

In addition, because it is based entirely in water, you can fully automate a hydroponics system, so if the gardener is gone for a week or two, the plants will not suffer. In almost all hydroponic systems the water is typically reused time and time again as it is circulated through the system.

If you chose an indoor hydroponics system, the plants may receive some natural light but they will benefit greatly through the addition of a grow light. Especially during the winter months.
Another thought for an indoor garden is air circulation. This helps prevents fungal infections and allows the plants the carbon dioxide they need.

The most important factor in hydroponics notwithstanding, is the nutrient solution that must be blended with water. Standard fertilizers will not work, since they lack some of the essential elements that the plants would otherwise gain from the soil. Specially-formulated hydroponic fertilizer mixtures are needed. These are widely obtainable, but should be tested after dilution to ensure a pH of between 5 and 6. The nutrient solution ought be changed every two weeks. In between changes, make sure that the water level is kept level by adding more water only, and not more fertilizer formula. If water evaporates and the water level gets too low, the nutrient solution will become too strong and could actually harm the roots of the plants.