What is hydroponics?

Hydroponics is the growing of plants without soil. The plants are supported in an inert media such as perlite, vermiculite, clay pebbles, or rockwool and are fed a nutrient solution. This means that the plants do not have to develop a large root system in order to feed. Soil based plants divide their energy evenly between growing upwards and growing downwards (rooting).

A hydroponically grown plant expends a greater proportion of its effort growing upwards as all the nutrients it requires are readily available, which benefits the plants by promoting quicker growth and, in the case of crop bearing plants, higher yields. In general, hydroponically grown plants tend to be healthier and more robust than their soil grown counterparts, home grown fruit and vegetables taste superior to those found in supermarkets. Under the right conditions a hydroponically grown plant will grow two to four times quicker than in soil. For tomatoes commercial growers have realised yields per hectare of up to 40 times that of soil grown plants.

Hydroponic methods reduce water consumption and removes any worries over the indiscriminate use of nitrates and other fertilisers, herbicides and pesticides in soil based agriculture, assuring the future of hydroponic methods of cultivation. Setting up a system is quick and easy and, once running, maintenance consists of monitoring the nutrients and periodically adding more nutrients and water. The system does the work, while you enjoy the fruits of your labour.

Grow all year round

Add a Power Plant HID lighting unit, alter the time grow lights are on to simulate winter or summer day lengths, enabling the plants to fruit or flower earlier or later in the season. You are in control.

Hydroponic System Types

We can divide soiless gardening into 2 types: passive kits or systems, often called pot culture, where we generally feed by hand. Secondly, active kits or systems, of differing designs, where the nutrient feed is actively delivered to the plant by some automatic means, usually using a pump.

Passive Systems

Passive systems or pot culture, is the cheapest and simplest means to grow hydroponically, and ideal for beginners. Simply fill a suitable pot with a soiless medium and fill a bottom tray (or AquaTray) or saucer with nutrient solution by hand. The nutrient will reach the plant using capillary action in the first stages.

Active Systems: also known as ebb & flow

Plants grown in this method are often supported in pots filled with Hydroton clay pebbles, which are placed into a special tray. The tray is regularly flooded to soak the Hydroton clay with nutrient solution and then it is allowed to drain back into a holding tank. This cycle is repeated several times a day. When the nutrient drains away, fresh air and oxygen are drawn to the root zone of the plants. The ebb & flow system is highly efficient and an easy to manage method of soiless gardening.

NFT (Nutrient Film Technique)

Commonly known as NFT, the plants rest in a flat but sloping tray or channel, often without support or using Rockwool cubes, the nutrient solution is simply recirculated around the system with the roots bathed by a constant flow of nutrient feed. The NFT system is easy and quick to install and provides fast growth rates. As the system is usually run on a constant basis (during daylight hours) the management of NFT systems has to be more diligent that other types of systems. Should the recirculating pump fail the plants will die due to the lack of growing media to hold water and food for them. However, if managed correctly, this system will outperform all other system types currently available.

Aeroponics

An effective method that involves suspending the roots of the plants in a darkened sealed chamber, where they are misted with a nutrient mix. Due to the high oxygen levels in such a system rapid growth rates can be achieved. Similar management issues to NFT.

Drip Irrigation

A reservoir of nutrient feed is pumped via drippers to plants usually supported in pots or more in Rockwool cubes or slabs. The AquaTray is used for this method also. The excess nutrient may then be recirculated or allowed to drain away, known as 'run to waste'. Use this excess nutrient to feed to your soil based plants! It is possible using this method to feed plants in individual pots giving maximum flexibility, coconut coir and Hydroton clay are also popular mediums used in drip irrigation.