FAQs About Soilless Culture

Soilless culture, or hydroponic growing, is the practice of growing plants in a mineral rich, but soilless, environment like enriched water. The idea of soilless culture was first introduced in the book "Sylva Sylvarum" by author Francis Bacon in 1627. Almost all terrestrial plants are capable of growing in a hydroponic solution.

Q: What to add to the water for plants to thrive

A: Researches discovered in the 1840s that there are nine basic mineral elements that are required for plants to both grow and bear fruit. That number has now been expanded to 13 minerals and nutrients. They are: nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, magnesium, sulfur, boron, chlorine, copper, iron, manganese, molybdenum and zinc.

Q: What are the advantages of siolless culture?

A: The advantages of soilless culture are that there is no need to pay for soil, increased control of plant nutrition, protection from pollution damage, lower pest infestation incidences, no risk of underwatering and increased oxygenation of the area around the roots.

Q: What are the disadvantages to soilless culture?

A: The only real disadvantage to hydroponic growing is that the system is delicate and if any part of the system becomes unbalanced, plant growth and fruit production immediately fail. Plants that have roots that prefer a dry environment may suffer from fungal infestations, root rot and other problems that lead to wilt.

Q: Do you have to grow the plants in a liquid?

A: No. Soilless culture literally means growing without soil. The plant can take root in sand, gravel, rock, vermiculite and other bases which are not soil. Different techniques are better for different plants.