Hydroponics for Beginners
What is Hydroponics?
Plants don't necessarily need soil to grow - they mainly need the nutrients from it, which they absorb through their roots. This is where the hydroponic method comes in, where we "plant" the plants in a nutrient source that we can have completely under control.
Benefits of Hydroponics
Plants thrive best when they have exactly the amount of nutrients they need (nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and magnesium) at any given growth or flowering stage, which is difficult to achieve when growing in soil. Growing soil represents an ecosystem in itself: bacteria form in it, nutrient volume varies, pH levels rise or fall, which further affects the plants' ability to absorb nutrients.
All these variables can be eliminated by switching to the hydroponic growing method, where we have full control over pH levels and nutrient volume. The result is healthier, more resilient and more productive plants that grow and mature faster.
Basic Components of Hydroponics
Since the whole concept of hydroponics is confusing for most of us at the beginning, we'll explain the most common terms and the most important components here.
1. Nutrient Solution
A quality nutrient solution is arguably the most important component of hydroponics.
Simply put, a nutrient solution is plant nutrients (fertilizers) dissolved in water. The nutrient solution is the reason why hydroponic growing is so beneficial: not only do plants always have enough water, they also have access to the precise amount of nutrients contained in the solution needed for their development.
The nutrient solution therefore means pre-prepared water containing a given ratio of nutrients.
2. Nutrient Solution Container (Reservoir)
The nutrient solution container, or simply reservoir, is our tank where water with contained nutrients is maintained. You can use an old aquarium or a sufficiently large plastic container for this purpose, or purchase a container specifically designed for this use.
Metal reservoirs are not recommended, as harmful particles could be released into the nutrient solution over time, potentially damaging your plants.
3. Growing Tray
The vast majority of hydroponic systems use some type of growing tray that separates the plants from the nutrient solution reservoir.
4. Circulation System
Since plants are separated by the growing tray from direct contact with the nutrient solution, we need to ensure circulation of the nutrient solution and thus plant nutrition using a circulation system.
The circulation system then evenly distributes the nutrient solution across the growing tray and drains all excess back into the nutrient solution reservoir.
5. Pump
Every hydroponic system must include a pump, usually similar to those you would normally find in fish aquariums. The pump activates the circulation system (see point 4.) or can be used to circulate air in the nutrient solution, preventing algae growth.
6. Air Stone
An air stone is not an absolute necessity for proper hydroponic system function, but most hydroponic growers recommend it. The air stone helps deliver necessary oxygen to your nutrient solution, which subsequently contributes to faster root development and overall plant growth.
7. Growing Medium
Even in hydroponic growing, plants must be "planted" in something and provided with support in which they can grow. The most commonly used growing media, which we will describe in more detail in the next article, are: Rock Wool, perlite, vermiculite, coco coir, expanded clay, and air.