The basic definition of hydroponics is “the cultivation of plants without soil”.

This is a
very interesting way to grow plants and can be done right in your own home.
Hydroponics is the process of growing plants without soil by using a nutrient medium,
which is entirely liquid. This is used for several different situations. It can be used when
a farm has unfertile land and cannot get a good harvest growing in the soil. It can also be
used when there is an irrigation problem with the field in question. And finally it can be
used in a place where there is not much room for growing things like vegetables like an
apartment.

There are two basic types of hydroponics. There are water culture systems and aggregate
systems. I will give you a brief description of both.

Water culture systems are classified into three groups nutrient film technique, aeroponics,
and aeration method.

The nutrient film technique uses troughs, which are placed on top of each other on a rack
and slightly slanted to cause a zigzag effect. Then a thin film of the nutrient medium
flows through the trough constantly.

The aeroponics system uses a A-frame lay out. The A-frame is constructed with
Styrofoam boards and the plants are placed in holes on each side of the frame. Then
using a misting system of some sort the nutrient medium is sprayed on to the roots of the
plants from under the frame.

The aeration method uses a aquarium pump to make oxygen bubbles which are pumped
to the roots. The plants are placed in a mesh tray which sits about 1 inch from the
nutrient medium. Using an inert material like clay pebbles or gravel to steady the plants
and their growth the roots are still able to reach down to the medium.

Aggregate systems are also classified into three groups flood and drain method, trickle
feed method, and the tube culture method.

The flood and drain method uses a container filled with aggregate where the plants are
placed. The container is periodically flooded for periods no longer than 20-30 minutes
and then drained through a plug at the bottom of the container. The solution can be
reused.

The trickle feed method uses a series of tubes constantly pumping the medium through.
There is a larger ½ inch tube that is connected to several smaller 1/8 inch tubes which
bring the medium to the trays where the plans are kept in aggregate.

The tube culture method uses a tube or a bag, which is suspended vertically. The tube or
bag is filled with aggregate and holes are cut down the sides. The plants are placed in
these holes and the nutrient medium is pumped through a small tube into the larger tube
or bag.
There are several advantages to the use of hydroponics. They include: faster growth,
larger yield, less insect damage, higher control, higher quality, and less fertilizer and
water use. The disadvantages include cost of setup and the need of a higher
understanding of the technical process.

I let you know just a little about what hydroponics are and what they can do for you.
They’re several methods that can be used and even more variations that you can figure
out yourself. If interested in the process it is a great project to read up on and get started
anytime of the year. (This is not a viable source to base a project upon.)

http://www.maximumyield.com/viewart.php?article=206

http://www.ext.vt.edu/pubs/envirohort/426-084/426-084.html

http://www.hydroponicvegetablegardening.com/