2 Types Of Hydroponics Garden Growing Systems

By using home hydroponic garden grow systems, you can grow plants just about anywhere, in the desert, in caves, even on the space station. All you need is controlled temperature, a light source, air, and nutrients. Soil is not needed. Hydroponics is also known as soilless gardening and has actually been around since ancient times. Today, elaborate hydroponics growing systems have been developed for commercial uses and simple systems can be set up at home by anyone.

Some hydroponics gardening growing systems and machines use the water culture method. This is one of the easiest systems to set up. With this, the plant is suspended with its roots immersed in a nutrient solution. This method requires a large amount of water which must be kept aerated and positioned far enough away from a light source that algae doesn't begin to grow. For the home hydroponics gardener, the system can be created using special kits or from supplies around the home. For example, the nutrient solution could be housed in containers made from sealed wood, plastic, or concrete. Just be careful to use a container that does not add contaminants to the nutrient solution.

A typical nutrient tank should be about three feet wide by 12 inches deep. The length can be whatever is convenient. The plants can be suspended above the tank by inserting them into plywood or Styrofoam that has had holes drilled through. To aerate the solution you can use a small aquarium pump. The pump should be forceful enough to continuously aerate the solution but not so vigorous that it damages tender plant roots. One of the most popular hydro grower machines is the famous AeroGrow AeroGardens.

The nutrient solution itself is made from a combination of magnesium, chlorine, nickel, zinc, copper, iron, potassium phosphate, calcium nitrate, and potassium nitrate. Different plants require different combinations so it is best to get a pre-made solution or a recipe from an experienced grower.

Hydroponics Gardening Grow Mediums Methods of Growing

Other hydroponics growing systems use the medium culture method. Rather than a water based liquid solution, these systems use gravel or sand. This is a more popular method because of the support that medium gives to fragile roots. With this set up, the medium is periodically flooded with liquid nutrients and then allowed to drain which provides the aeration. The water and nutrients that cling to the medium nourish the roots and allow the plant to grow.

Commercial Hydroponic Garden Grower Supplies & Equipment

While there are some commercial hydroponics growing systems, they are more expensive for farmers than traditional soil planting so hydroponics has been slow to take off for large scale growers. However, this soilless method of gardening is growing in popularity among hobby gardeners as it provides a great way to grow a garden in any location, even if you don't have any ground space for planting.