| Hydroponics is a method of indoor gardening that | | | | plant nutrients and take them in. Plant nutrients for |
| does not use soil as a growing medium for the plants. | | | | hydroponics can also be taken up by the plant |
| Plants can be grown in a water solution, or in other | | | | through the use of a wick. This wick-based system |
| growing mediums such as rockwool or coir. | | | | requires no pump. |
| Hydroponics is an ideal method of growing plants | | | | Not all hydroponic systems are water based, |
| where soil may be less than ideal for gardening, as | | | | however. You can also grow your plants in some |
| well as places where there is no land available to | | | | form of media, which could include peat moss, |
| garden, such as in urban areas in cities. | | | | vermiculite, perlite, coir, rockwool, and others. The |
| All plants need three components in order to grow | | | | medium helps to keep the crown of the plant out of |
| and thrive: water, light and food. Without any one of | | | | the water, yet it keeps the plant roots in contact |
| these, the plants will die. Food is vitally important to | | | | with the hydroponic nutrients. |
| the plant, in order for it to grow and eventually reach | | | | All plants, whether growing indoors or not, need |
| maturity, where it will reproduce by flowering or | | | | several types of nutrients. The main plant nutrients |
| fruiting. In terms of indoor gardening with | | | | for hydroponics are nitrogen, phosphorus and |
| hydroponics, food is a specialized component because | | | | potassium. Plants also need macronutrients in greater |
| of the soil-less growing factor. | | | | amounts than micronutrients, but nevertheless all are |
| How do hydroponic plants eat? | | | | needed in order for any plant to thrive. |
| Plants grown hydroponically are fed using a | | | | In a traditional garden setting, your plants would be |
| hydroponic nutrient solution. In many hydroponic | | | | receiving nutrients from the soil, but without soil, |
| indoor gardening systems, the plant's roots are | | | | plants are helpless without the gardener providing |
| grown in water. The crown of the plant is suspended | | | | them with plant nutrients for hydroponics. |
| by many and various means above the water, | | | | If you are growing food crops and wish to garden |
| allowing the roots to float in the fluid. | | | | organically, not to worry: plant nutrients for |
| In some systems, the water in which the plant roots | | | | hydroponics come in the form of organic gardening |
| rest is aerated using a small pump, and this allows the | | | | supplies suitable for fruits, leafy vegetables, melons, |
| nutrient to be pushed all around the plant roots, | | | | berries, grapes and many other types of food plants |
| where the roots can then make contact with the | | | | suited to hydroponic gardening. |