Hydroponics: A Summary

Recently, I read an article “Hydroponic – Growing Plants Without Soil“, I found it interesting and decided to surf Triond for more information. Although, I found all the information, there was not a single article which gave me complete information or links to all the relevant articles as a result I had to spent a lot of time scouring to all the articles which came up with the exact/similar keyword “hydroponic”. It was at that time, I decided to summarize all the information available for hydroponics on Triond into one article, so that in future no other user have to take so much pain to go through a hell lot of irrelevant articles.

What is Hydroponics?

The various articles “ Aquaponics – Harnessing The Power of Symbiosis, What is Hydroponics?, Hydroponic Herb Gardening—what is It About? and Hydroponic Gardening—you Too Can Try It!” mentions that it is a method of cultivating of plants without water only in presence of water. This process has been in existence since ages. The nutrient is either artificially added or is provided through symbiotic relationship (aquaponics).

There are two kind of systems:

1) Passive system or non-circulating system: From the articles “Non-circulating Hydroponics and Cultivating Plants in Water“, it can be concluded that it the method in which water is not continuously circulated and is cheaper and an easier method for cultivation.

2) Circulating or Active system: The article like “Cultivating Plants in Water” talk about this process, which is more advanced, costly and efficient. It is the process, which involves continuous circulation of water.

Uses of Hydroponics: 

From articles “What is Hydroponics?”, it can be found that hydroponics can be used for domestic as well as commercial cultivation of plants. The cultivation is possible for both outdoor as well as indoor plants. Examples of its cultivation of plants is given in articles “ Growing Quinoa in Water and Indoor Hydroponic Garden“.

Requirements of Plant

From the articles “ How to Start Hydroponic Gardening–the Right Way, Hydroponic Gardening—you Too Can Try It! and What is Hydroponics?“, it can be assumed the plant requires sunlight, water, nutrient and support (provided by the supporting pad in a soil-less medium).

How to do cultivation?

Articles “Hydroponic – Growing Plants Without Soil, How to Grow Indoor Plants in Water and Growing Quinoa in Water” mention that a person need a container in which water and nutrient is added. Box is covered with lid containing holes in order to prevent the sunlight entering the water since roots do not want sunlight. Plantlets are added to this medium with the help of a support through these holes.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Hydroponics

The various advantages have been mentioned by the articles “ The Health Benefits of Hydroponically Grown Foods, Hydroponic – Growing Plants Without Soil, Gardening is a Science, What is Hydroponics?, Hydroponic Herb Gardening—what is It About?, Hydroponic Gardening—you Too Can Try It!, Advantages and Disadvantages of Hydroponics and The Future of Food Production“. It was said that such methods will improve the quality of plant product, increase the quantity of plant product, prevent from pests, can be integrated with water conservation plan and can act as a method alternative to GM foods to bridge the gap between food demand and food supply.

However, articles “What is Hydroponics? and Advantages and Disadvantages of Hydroponics” have also cited disadvantages. It is claimed that if pump fails then the plant can die almost immediately due lack of air supply to the medium, the plants are more sensitive to environmental change and process require skilled labour.

For more topics based on articles summary, please refer:

1)  Upside Down Plants: A Summary

2) List of Least Wanted Articles

3) Three Most Controversial Topics

4) Dreams

5) Quiz

6) The 10 Best Articles and the Best Author of Triond