What is hydroponics? 

Hydroponics is the cultivation of plants without using soil. Hydroponic flowers, herbs, and vegetables are planted in inert growing media and supplied with nutrient-rich solutions, oxygen, and water. This system faster’s rapid growth, stronger yields, and superior quality.

How does hydroponics work? 

Hydroponics system work by allowing minute control over environmental conditions like temperature and pH balance and maximized exposure to nutrients and water.

 Hydroponics operates under a very simple principle: provide plants exactly what they need when they need it. They allow you to control exactly how much light the plants receive and for how long. PH levels can be monitored and adjusted. In a highly customized and controlled environment, plant growth accelerates.   

Components of a hydroponic system? 

To maintain a flourishing hydroponic system, you will need to become acquainted with a few components that make hydroponics run efficiently. 

Growing media

Hydroponic plants are often grown in inert media that support the plant’s weight and anchor its root structure. Growing media is the substitute for soil, however, it does not provide any independent nutrition to the plant. Instead, this porous media retains moisture and nutrients from the nutrient solution which it then delivers to the plant. Many growing media are also pH-neutral, so they will not upset the balance of your nutrient solution.

Air stones and air pumps 

Plants that are submerged in water can quickly drown if the water is not sufficiently aerated. Air stones disperse tiny bubbles of dissolved oxygen throughout your nutrient solution reservoir. These bubbles also help evenly distribute the dissolved nutrients in the solution. Air stones do not generate oxygen on their own. They need to be attached to an external air pump via opaque food grade plastic tubing.

Net pots 

Net pots are mesh planters that hold hydroponic plants. The latticed material allows roots to grow out of the sides and bottom of the pot, giving greater exposure to oxygen and nutrients. Net pots also provide superior drainage compared to traditional clay or plastic pots.

Advantages

1. No soils needed:  you can grow crops in places where the land is limited.

• Make better use of space and location: Because all that plants need are provided and maintained in a system, you can grow in your small apartment.

• Climate control: Like in greenhouses, hydroponic growers can have total control over the climate – temperature, humidity, light intensification, the composition of the air. In this sense, you can grow foods all year round regardless of the season. 

• Hydroponics is water-saving: Plants grown hydroponically can use only 10% of water compared to field-grown ones. In this method, water is recirculated. Plants will take up the necessary water, while run-off ones will be captured and return to the system.

• Effective use of nutrients: In Hydroponics, you have a 100% control of the nutrients (foods) that plants need. Before planting, growers can check what plants require and the specific amounts of nutrients needed at particular stages and mix them with water accordingly. Nutrients are conserved in the tank, so there are no losses or changes of nutrients like they are in the soil. 

• PH control of the solution: All of the minerals are contained in the water. That means you can measure and adjust the pH levels of your water mixture much more easily compared to the soils. That ensures the optimal nutrients uptake for plants. 

7.     No weeds and few pests & diseases

• Labour and time savers

• Hydroponics is a stress-relieving hobby

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