Understanding General Hydroponics

The concept of general hydroponics is a perplexing one for some

. It sounds like an ultra-scientific term having to do with laboratories, something that manipulates a natural process such as the growing of plants and turns it into a complex, unnatural process. To have a firmer grasp of this concept, let us break this down into its basic elements.

The word "hydroponics" comes from two Greek words that mean "working water." The significance of water to plant growth can't be overstated, since it is actually through the water not through soil itself that nutrients are fed to the plants. Hydroponics at its most basic is simply the growing of plants without soil applying the nutrients directly to the plant roots in a water-based formula.

This might sound a bit artificial, but actually, it isn't. There are no genetic controls and no chemical enhancements in hydroponics. Hydroponics just takes the natural process of plant growth and breaks it down into the basic elements. There are four elements that plants require for growth, namely: water, light, nutrients and anchor for roots. All of these elements (except for light, which the sun provides) usually occur through the soil; but as we stated before, it isn't actually the soil itself that feeds the plant roots, but the water in the soil, breaking down the nutrients and minerals and feeding the plant. Soil, on the other hand, is essential because it provides an anchor for the roots and it is an effective medium where water feeds the plants.

In general hydroponics, these four building blocks are taken over directly by the grower, rather than leaving it to the sun and the soil; but all the elements are still present. This is why it's not an unnatural process, just a natural process broken down into portions. The roots are anchored by a different medium other than soil (like vermiculite or coconut are used), and the roots are washed with a water-nutrient solution tailored for the optimum growth and health of the plant. Lighting can either be natural or artificial - grow lights as they are referred to, designed to maximize the parts of the light spectrum.

With hydroponic growing, the grower is given more control over plant growth because he can manipulate the natural elements in order to maximize growth rate. Yes, it's more complex a process than just putting seeds in soil and watering them; but hydroponic growing can generate some very healthy plants and flowers and food when it is done well. General hydroponics isn't to grow things artificially, but to have more control within the natural processes. But all that's grown by a basic hydroponic process will be natural.

by: Iris Caesar

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