Hydroponics for Beginners
Scientists began experimenting with soil-less gardening in the 1950s, but this idea has been around since ancient times; represented by the extravagant Hanging Gardens of Babylon and the floating gardens of ancient China, or the Aztec floating gardens in Mexico.
Hydroponics can increase plant growth rates by up to 50% compared to plants grown in soil, allowing for earlier crop harvesting. In the same space as traditional soil farming, it's possible to grow 4 times more crops, which is the main reason why many people use hydroponics.
Growing with hydroponics is also a great alternative to soil cultivation during cold months or for those who lack outdoor space.
How a hydroponic system works
In hydroponics, water and nutrient solution do all the work to make the plant grow. It's about growing plants without using soil. The image shows an example of one of the most basic types of hydroponic systems, passive irrigation.
In this case, plants are held in a growing medium (perlite is used here). A 2-liter bottle is used as a reservoir to hold the perlite, as well as the water located at the bottom. By adding light to this system, a working hydroponic system is created.
Of course, this is a very simplified example of a system. Although the plants will be kept alive, this system will probably not benefit them much.
Why not?
It's good to know what plants are made of.
If we want to understand how to properly feed and care for our plants, we need to know what plants are made of. All living things are made of organic matter. Organic matter must consist of the following elements: nitrogen, oxygen, hydrogen, and carbon. These four elements represent more than 90% of a plant's weight and serve various purposes in the functioning of all different plant systems.
And what do plants need to grow?
Now that we know what plants are made of, we need to know what they need from their environment to live and thrive.
The five keys to proper plant growth are light, carbon dioxide, oxygen, water, and nutrients.
Light
Plants need light to perform the process of photosynthesis. Simply put, photosynthesis creates glucose, which is a sugar that provides energy for the plant's life processes.
Carbon dioxide
Plants use carbon dioxide to breathe. They take in carbon dioxide and exhale another compound, oxygen.
Oxygen
Plants need oxygen as part of the respiration process. They exhale it as a waste product during photosynthesis. Fortunately for us, their waste product is what we humans need for breathing.
Water
Water is required for many different biochemical reactions in the plant and also as a solvent for other reactions. It also helps keep the plant firm - without water, plants wilt. Ultimately, water functions as a transport medium for nutrients.
Nutrients
Many different elements that plants use as nutrients are important because they are the elements that make up the plant. They are used in all biochemical reactions.
Macro Nutrients
The most important elements are nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium. They are known as macro nutrients because they are absorbed in the largest quantities and are most important for plant survival.
Micro Nutrients
In addition to the macro nutrients mentioned above, plants also require other elements in smaller quantities. These elements are known as micronutrients. They include: boron, calcium, copper, iron, magnesium, manganese, molybdenum, sulfur and zinc.
This is a very basic explanation of the importance of nutrients for plants.
How to Integrate Everything into Hydroponics
Now we know what plants need to grow, and we know the basics of hydroponics.
What does a hydroponic system support?
If we look at it more precisely, we have essentially removed the soil. This means we are removing the plant's only source of nutrition. To balance this step, we must supplement the plant with proper nutrition. And we do this by using hydroponic nutrients.
By Removing Soil, We Do Several Things:
Nutrients are removed (which are then supplemented back)
Major sources of pests are removed
Water-retaining media is removed
Then you might think "Hmm. All this sounds like very bad things. What makes growing plants in a hydroponic system better than in soil?"
The answer is as follows:
You gain almost complete control over the growing environment, which means we are able to maintain healthier plants that grow faster.
Why It's Good to Know All These Things
When you build your own hydroponic systems, you are creating a new environment for our plants to live in. Without understanding what a plant needs to survive, it will be difficult for you to grow strong and healthy plants. You will also have a hard time troubleshooting problems that may arise in your home hydroponic system.
It's important to know all the different variables that enter your system. Only in this way is it possible to determine how to best optimize and maintain everything to work in harmony.
A well-designed system is certainly a beautiful thing to see... everything runs automatically and creates perfection for your plants!
Signs of a poorly designed system
Too little light? Lack of irrigation? Poor nutrient mix?
Any of these could cause your plants to grow poorly and produce a weak harvest.