Hydroponic Systems: Perks And Pitfalls

Most of us grow plants using soil. That’s the conventional way of growing plants and it is being used by the majority of planters all over the world. However, plants can actually be grown without having to use a soil at all. How is that possible? It is a technology called hydroponics. Hydroponic system or simply hydroponics is a method of growing plants which uses mineral nutrient solutions in water in replacement of soil. Hydroponic system was introduced in the 19th century but growing plants in the absence of soil has been first documented in the 1627 book Sylva Sylvarum by Sir Francis Bacon.

Scientists have found out that the essential mineral nutrients needed by plants are being absorbed in the form of inorganic ions. These inorganic ions are present in water. It goes without saying that soil is actually a nutrient receptacle and is really not necessary for a plan to survive. The nutrients soil is holding in can only be absorbed by the plants as soon as they dissolved in water. Once the plants have absorbed the right nutrients, soil becomes totally redundant to the plant’s existence. Hydroponic system is suitable to almost any kind of terrestrial plants. Using the hydroponic system, terrestrial plants can grow just by a mineral solution alone. Inert medium such as coconut husk, gravel or mineral wool may be used as well.

Hydroponic systems come with many benefits. With the technology, it is now possible for anyone to grow plants anywhere convenient. The growth of plants under hydroponic system exceeds that of plants grown in soil by 50% rate. This makes sense because the soil itself is at risk of diseases, poor structure, pests and salinity among others, thus pest and disease infestations as well as weeds are reduced. For plants in a hydroponic garden, taking in nutrients is easy. No risk of plants over absorbing nutrients. Hydroponic system is a system that isn’t really harmful on the environment as it only requires reasonable amount of water as well as fertilizer application. The fertilizers used in the system can be reused. Pesticides are hardly, if not never at all, applied in favor of nature.

Although Hydroponic systems appear to be the most ideal way of planting, it has its downsides as well. Implementing the system can be expensive at first. It may take a lot of hard work as well. Hydroponic environment is said to be prone to salmonella growth. Plants are also aid to be susceptible to pathogen attacks. Too concentrated solution can burn the roots too and so caution should be taken when fertilizing. Hydroponic system is not suitable for every person. Before the possible gain could be harvested, the hydroponics knowledge should be applied first accordingly. Rushing into it will only lead to waste of time, effort and money so proper consultation as well as in depth research is needed.