If you have been involved in gardening for quite some time, you might have already heard about the hydroponic grow system. This refers to the process of growing plants without soil. For plant food, hydroponic nutrients are delivered through a solution to the roots directly.
This system has proven to be able to produce plants that are healthy and of consistent quality. As soil is not used, hydroponic gardening is a relatively cleaner and maintenance free process.
The word hydroponics has a long history and, for those linguists among us, you many have already known that it is made of two words which are hydro and ponics. Hydro is water and ponics means labor.
Although, it has only recently gained popularity, the principle of growing plants without soil has been around for years. Below are some key benefits of growing plants through hydroponics versus conventional gardening.
Based on research, it was found that plants grow about 30 to 50% faster under hydroponics condition. In addition, the output is greater. This is likely due to the extra oxygen which can be found in the growing medium which helps to stimulate root growth.
Also it has been proven that when plants are able to obtain and break down nutrients easily, they can then used the energy saved to grow quicker and bear more flowers and fruits.
Another key benefit is that you get to save on your water and pesticide bills. Unlike conventional gardening, general hydroponics uses less water as nutrient solution can be constantly reused. Without the need for soil, there is no issue with soil erosion, weeds and pests. And that also means less issue with infections and diseases.
The only concern you have is to decide whether you want to go for a passive or active hydroponic grow system and the nutrient type you want to use. A passive hydroponic grow system uses the principle of capillary action through the growth medium while active system requires the use of a pump. The types of nutrients you can use are either a power or liquid form. Just take note that organic system tend to require more work on maintenance as the compounds used tend to cause blockage in pumps.
If you are concerned about cost, then conventional gardening may suit you better. This is because a hydroponic grow system requires you to invest in certain equipment before you can even begin. However, if you know what you are doing, it can become a very exciting and rewarding hobby.
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The tips above are a great start to learning about hydroponics. However, if you are interested to know about hydroponic grow system, then you should read the next page. Go to http://generalhydroponic.blogspot.com/ right now!
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