Hydroponics: what is it? Pros and cons of this system

2024 Author: Howard Calhoun | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 10:16

Almost every day, the popularity of such a system of growing vegetables, fruits and herbs as hydroponics is growing more and more. Not everyone knows what it is, and therefore some people mistakenly believe that this is another novelty from agronomists. In fact, it's not like that at all.

What is hydroponics?

I think many people know about one of such wonders of the world as the Hanging Gardens of Babylon. In fact, they are nothing more than a hydroponic garden. That is, several thousand years ago, hydroponics was not only known, but also actively used. Few people know what it is, but from the very name it becomes clear that we are talking about some kind of aquatic system for growing vegetables, herbs and even fruits.

This system is a special technique, thanks to which you can grow the necessary crops without using soil, only with the use of a special solution.

A hydroponics system includes several basic aspects that are the key to a successful harvest:

1. The right solution. Hereit should be understood that for the nutrition of each plant it is required to use different microelements. Therefore, it is very important to choose them in the right proportions.
2. Optimal temperature.
3. Favourable light level.

Only if these three basic conditions are met, can we expect that this method of cultivation will be productive and efficient. Today, hydroponics technology allows you to grow any greens, lettuce, as well as many varieties of fruits and vegetables. However, like any other growing system, hydroponics (which has already been described above) has its advantages and disadvantages.

Pros and cons of this technology

So let's start with the positives:

• this system can be used both indoors and outdoors, the main thing to remember is the three basic rules that were described above;
• the yield and growth rate of the plants themselves are increasing, especially for greenery and ornamental crops;
• obtaining environmentally friendly products; this plus is explained simply - there is no land, which means that there are no harmful impurities that can be deposited in plants;
• virtually no risk of fungal diseases, which are susceptible to crops planted in the soil.

So, as you can see, hydroponics has many positive qualities, but at the same time it has two significant disadvantages:

• you need to have great knowledge in the field of growing those plants that were chosen, without them you can not even count on getting a high yield;
• the creation of this system requires capital investments, especially for the creation of a hydroponics system in closed ground.

Why is this technology needed?

Despite the fact that hydroponics (what it is, you now know) is in high demand, not all people understand why it is needed at all. In fact, everything is simple here. The use of this system allows you to significantly increase the amount of yield in case of a shortage of fertile soil. In addition, compact hydroponic units are now on sale that can be used even in a small apartment. Thus, the use of this technology allows you to get greens, fruits, vegetables and decorative seedlings all year round, both for personal consumption and for sale.