Hydroponics is a method of growing plants without soil. The essential nutrients required for a plant to grow is supplied by water in which the mineral nutrient solutions are added.
Generally, plants absorb the nutrients present in the soil for their growth. But in the hydroponic method, the nutrients are provided using the solution (i.e. water+mineral nutrients).
Using the hydroponics method plants can be grown with their roots in mineral solution only, or an inert medium, such as perlite, vermiculite, coco peat, or gravel.
What plant can be grown using the hydroponic method?
Any type of plant can be grown using the hydroponic method. Generally, people grow fruits and vegetables using this method.
Plants which are grown using hydroponics
| Plants | Example |
| Leafy Greens | Lettuce, Spinach |
| Fruiting/Vine | Tomato, Cucumber |
| Flowering | Rose/Gerbera |
| Rooting vegetables | Potato/Ginger |
| Fungal (not a plant) | Mushroom |
The above-mentioned examples are just for illustration, a lot of other fruits and vegetables can be grown using the hydroponic method.
Types of Hydroponic System
Passive System
A passive system is a system in which there are no moving parts. The water is kept stagnant without moving for many days
For example Wick System
Active System
An active system is a system in which pumps and other devices are used to deliver nutrient solutions to the plant roots.
For example Ebb and Flow method, Nutrient Film Technique, Drip System, Deep Water Culture
Why Hydroponic Method?
The hydroponic method is a simple method to grow a variety of plants. Though the hydronic era is new for us, its history date back several hundred years B.C. which describes the growing of plants in water.
Using this method a lot of space can be utilized, plants can be grown even on lands that are not suitable for plants, and it saves a lot of water compared to the generally used method of planting.
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