FAQs About Hydroponic Systems

Hydroponics is an agricultural practice that has existed for thousands of years. This FAQ looks at questions common to hydroponic systems.

Q: What is hydroponics?

A: Hydroponics is the ability to grow plants without the need for soil and using only liquid-based solutions and soil alternatives. Hydroponics is a practical method for planting indoor gardens in places where space or environmental constraints may prevent gardening outdoors.

Q: What does a hydroponic system require?

A: A hydroponic system uses a base media as a replacement for soil, pots to grow the plants within and an adequate supply of water, oxygen and nutrients. The replacement of soil prevents the plants from acquiring necessary nutrition, so manually supplying these nutrients to a hydroponic garden is a necessary step for growing healthy plants.

Q: How long do plants take to grow using hydroponics?

A: Since plants grown hydroponically do not require large expenditures of energy to grow deep roots for nutrition, this energy is transferred into the overall growth of the plant, meaning that hydroponically grown plants grow much faster than those sown in traditional gardens. Due to this increased growth speed, the nutritional needs of these plants are more pronounced, and a greater degree of care is required to keep these plants in a healthy state.

Q: Are hydroponic systems expensive?

A: Hydroponic systems are both inexpensive and simple to construct as a DIY project. Pre-built hydroponic systems are available from most stores with a gardening department, and custom systems are easily constructed, with the primary focus to deliver nutrition, water and oxygen to the plant without drowning or drying the roots.