Hydroponics refers to the art of gardening in the absence of soil. Hydroponics refers to a Latin word meaning “working water.” In the absence of soil, water helps in providing all the essential nutrients, hydration, and oxygen to plant life. From watermelons to jalapeños to orchids, plants grow and develop under the careful treatment of hydroponics. With the use of minimal space, approximately 90% less water than traditional agriculture, and ingenious design, hydroponic gardens help in growing beautiful fruits and flowers in half the time.
Though this technology sounds a bit weird, the history of hydroponics dates back to the famous Hanging Gardens of Babylon, which is among one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. The Euphrates River was diverted into channels that broke down the lavish garden walls. Back in the 13th century, Marco Polo wrote about witnessing floating gardens in China. Moreover, hydroponics is far from merely an innovation of ancient times. In the 1990s, NASA grew aeroponic bean seedlings in zero gravity aboard a space station, which opened up the possibility of sustainable agriculture in space. Thus hydroponics continues to be a dynamic method of water conservation and crop production.
Hydroponics
Hydroponics refers to the cultivation of plants without using soil. Hydroponic flowers, herbs, and vegetables are being planted in inert growing media and are supplied with nutrient-rich solutions, oxygen, and water. This system helps in rapid growth, stronger yield, and superior quality. When a plant grows in soil, its roots are perpetually searching for essential nutrition to support the plant. If a plant’s root system is directly exposed to water and nutrition, then the plant does not have to exert any energy in sustaining its life. The energy of the roots that would have been expended while acquiring food and water can be redirected into a plant’s maturation. Due to this result of which, leaf growth flourishes along with the blooming of fruits and flowers.
Plants can maintain themselves by a process known as photosynthesis. Plants help in the capture of sunlight along with chlorophyll (i.e. a green pigment which is present in their leaves). They use the light’s energy in the splitting of the water molecules which they have absorbed through their root system. The hydrogen molecules combine with carbon dioxide to form carbohydrates that the plants use to nourish themselves. Oxygen is released into the atmosphere, this is a crucial factor that helps in preserving the planet’s habitability. Plants do not require soil to photosynthesise. They require soil to supply them with water and nutrients. When nutrients get dissolved in water they can then be applied directly to the plant’s root system via flooding, misting, or immersion. Hydroponic inventions have proven that direct exposure to nutrient-filled water could be a more effective and versatile method of growth than traditional irrigation.
Working on a Hydroponic System
Hydroponic systems work by allowing only a little control over environmental conditions such as temperature and pH balance and increased exposure to nutrients and water. Hydroponics works under a very simple principle: it provides plants with what they need. Hydroponics administered nutrient solutions helps in the needs of a particular plant that is being grown. They allow us to control exactly how much light the plants receive and for how long. pH levels can also be monitored and adjusted. In a highly customized and controlled environment, plant growth increases.
Upon controlling the environment of the plant, many risk factors are decreased. Plants that are grown in gardens and fields are mainly introduced to a variety of hosts that negatively impact their health and growth. Fungus in the soil can also spread diseases to plants. Wildlife like rabbits can plunder ripening vegetables from the garden. Pests such as locusts can descend on crops and destroy them in an afternoon. Hydroponic systems end the inconsistent growing of plants outdoors and on the earth. In the absence of any mechanical resistance from the soil, the seedling matures much faster. Even by eliminating pesticides, hydroponics produces much healthier and high-quality fruits and vegetables. In this system, in the absence of any obstacles, plants are free to grow vigorously and rapidly.
The components of a hydroponic system
To maintain a developing hydroponic system, we will need to become acquainted with some components that make hydroponics run efficiently.
-
Growing media
Hydroponic plants are mainly grown in an inert medium that supports the plant’s weight and ties up its root structure. The developing media is the substitute for soil, although it does not provide any independent nutrition to the plant. Rather, this porous media retains all the moisture and nutrients from the nutrient solution which then it later delivers to the plant. Many growing media are pH-neutral, so they will not interrupt maintaining the balance of the nutrient solution. There are a few hosts of different media to select from, and the specific plant and hydroponic system will direct them to which media best suits our endeavour. Hydroponic growing media are widely available both online and at local nurseries and gardening stores.
-
Air stones and air pumps
Plants that are submerged in water can get quickly drowned if the water is not efficiently aerated. Air stones disperse tiny bubbles of dissolved oxygen in the entire nutrient solution reservoir. These bubbles also help in evenly distributing the dissolved nutrients in the solution. Air stones do not produce oxygen on their own. They are required to be attached to an external air pump by an opaque food-grade plastic tubing (this opacity will prevent algae growth from setting in). Air stones and air pumps are quite favoured aquarium components and can be purchased easily at pet stores.
-
Net pots
Net pots are mesh planters that help in holding hydroponic plants. The latticed material allows the roots to grow out of the sides and bottom of the pot, giving them greater exposure to oxygen and nutrients. Net pots also function to provide superior drainage as compared to traditional clay or plastic pots.
Conclusion
For pest problems are reduced and nutrients constantly feed upon the roots, thereby increasing the productivity in hydroponics; although, growers can further increase yield by controlling a plant’s environment by constructing sophisticated grow rooms. To increase yield further, a few sealed greenhouses eject CO2 into their environment to help improve growth and plant fertility. With this, we come to an end of the topic. We hope that you were able to grasp a clear concept of the topic.