The concept of hydroponics may sound new to some. In reality, however, it is not. Hydroponic growing first appeared in Egypt. Archaeology findings reveal that hydroponics was used by Aztecs, ancient Chinese, and Babylon.
Hydroponics is a method of growing plants using artificial lights to mimic the natural sunlight and nutrient solution.
Optionally, enthusiasts may also use growing mediums such as wood fiber, brick shards, gravel, sand, diahydro, expanded clay, rock wool, coir, perlite, polystyrene packing peanuts, and vermiculite.
The most common medium used is water and the oldest system was deep water culture. Today, there are several hydroponic systems used including ebb and flow, aeroponics, and nutrient film technique.
In the last century and after hundreds of experiments later, scientists discovered that hydroponics has a lot advantages.
In some areas where agriculture is plagued with poor performance mainly due to low quality of agricultural land, hydroponic growing is a huge advantage as it could supply the crop demands of the locals. Some regions cultivate vegetables hydroponically to supply to the tourists.
Even in urbanized countries where a few space is left, growing fresh vegetables, herbs, flowers, and fruits is never a problem with soil-less gardening. One good example happened in 1970s when scientists introduced hydroponic growing to farmers and home gardeners.
The locals were able to produce plenty of edible vegetables despite not having arable land. Such incidence provides precedence that global hunger can be cured efficiently through hydroponics.
Among others, cultivating plants hydroponically makes the perfect alternative to farming as the whole concept is devoid of laborious routine common in ground-based gardening.
It can be installed indoors, is not bombarded with fungal and disease infestation, does not require watering because the water is recycled, and soil erosion is not a problem.
At the present, hydroponic growing is available to everyone. Hobbyists and professional hydroponic gardener benefit well from such approach. Engaging in this method of gardening is not difficult to handle.
The basic equipment includes grow lights, growing medium which is optional, and nutrient solution.
Many believe that agricultural produce is greater in hydroponics because plant absorb the nutrients better from the solution than from soil.
Finally, nearly all types of plants can be cultivated in hydroponic systems. Gardeners successfully grow artichokes, asparagus, cabbage, beans, Brussels sprouts, beets, cucumbers, cauliflower, carrots, leeks, eggplants, celery, onions, yams, spinach, lettuce, peas, parsnips, and squash.
Fruits such as melons, raspberries, strawberries, radishes, and tomatoes are also grown. And so do most flowers and most herbs.
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