The term hydroponics was originally coined in the mid 20th Century. It is a term used to express a technique for growing plants in a soil less medium. The concept of growing plants without soil goes way back in time to our prehistoric past. For example, the mythical Hanging Gardens of Babylon, the much worshipped flooding of the Egyptian Nile and the Floating Gardens of Mexico City are all examples of hydroponics. History, as it always seems to do, has turned full circle and the rebirth of hydroponics is back with us. Approximately 90% of all cut fresh flowers purchased in the UK are hydroponically grown, and an estimated 65% of all fruit and vegetables purchased from your supermarket, again are grown in hydroponics systems. So like it or not, we have all bought and eaten hydroponic produce. In many countries, hydroponics is big business, but in the UK we were a bit slow to catch on. Ironically, a British professor invented, or should we say re-invented, hydroponics in the Sixties. Then, hydroponics like a lot of very good British inventions was adopted by the rest of the world who developed and exploited it. However, the UK hydroponics industry has now established itself and is leading the way once again.
Plants are grown in an inert, sterile growing medium and fed a mixture of water and nutrient. The principle is basic; plants that are grown in soil have to continuously develop their rootballs in search of water, nutrients and air so the majority of the plants available energy is spent on the lower root development restricting its upper growth. In hydroponics, the water, nutrient and air is mainlined directly to the rootball, freeing the plant to use its available energy in its upper leaf, fruit, or flower development. That coupled with the fact that it has all the specific nutrient, air and water it could ever want, means plants grow at a previously unheard of rate. If you like "it's super charged battery farming for plants on steroids" but the plants are in heaven, not hell. Because plants grown in a hydroponics system can be given very exact and specific doses of nutrient, a crop raised hydroponically will develop optimum levels of appearance, yield and flavour. Because the roots of plants grown in a soil less medium do not need to constantly grow in search of nutrient, more plants can be grown in a smaller area. You will thus be making the best use of whatever space is available to you.
In short, hydroponics allows you to grow approximately twice to ten times the yield, in half the space and in half the time. So, if you have a greenhouse, conservatory, spare room, loft, cellar, or closet, you too can become hydroponically enlightened.
There are few experiences more rewarding than cultivating crops; possibly mankind's oldest vocation. Experienced growers know what it is like to participate in the life cycle of plants, to create, to nurture, to encourage and to stimulate a crop to fulfil its potential, gives you a special kind of joy.
A wise shaman once said - man's survival depends on three things; the merging of Technology and Nature, Science and Religion and Dance and Idea. The trinity is now with us; let us embrace it.
The hydroponic experience will bring new meaning into your life, one that is mystical, enlightening, educational, satisfying and fun.
There are many hydroponic techniques on the market, NFT, Flood and Drain, Drip Irrigation, Aeroponics, Passive, and all these can be recirculating or run to waste. Confused? You should be. Esoteric Hydroponics sells them all but for sanity's sake we have illustrated by far the most practical, easy to use, most popular systems on the market. These are, Nutrient Film Technique and Flood and Drain aka Ebb and Flow systems. The NFT system suits smaller budgets, gives good performance and is easy to use, however it has a couple of drawbacks. These are lack of aeration to the rootball resulting in restricted results, lack of support for your heavy yielding plants resulting in you having to string or support your plants by whatever means you can think of. If pump failure strikes and you are away for the day with your lights on, it's kick the bucket time for you beloved plants. Apart from these drawbacks, which can be overcome, NFT cannot be mocked as its creation sparked the whole hydroponic revolution.
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