Perhaps you've heard of soil-less gardening, also called hydroponics. Typically, hydroponics involves the use of water as a growth medium. No doubt you can find a more scientific description of the process. However, the average gardener doesn't actually require more knowledge than that.
Many people might wonder how hydroponic gardening is possible. It's generally believed that plants need soil. It's a source of water, energy, support and nutrients. These are all required in order for the plant to thrive. However, it can obtain these elements from other sources as well.
Water is an absolute essential for any plant. However, soil isn't the only way to provide it. Many plants grow wild in rocks or sand, and even floating on a body of water.
Plants also need energy in the form of sunlight and heat. But sun warmed earth isn't the only source of energy. Sunlight works directly on leaves the same way it does for plants in the soil. The essential process of photosynthesis occurs when you leave the upper part of a plant exposed to sunlight. Some plants flourish even with no light at all. They will, however, still need some energy to power their natural growth processes.
Most commonly grown plants require some sort of support to hold them up. Most often, this is achieved by planting them in the ground. That's why the roots of a plant spread, and its stems are able to resist strong winds. However, there are other options for supporting your plants. Try weaving string through a fence-like structure, or fasten some craft sticks to the top of a container. There are other ideas that will also do the trick.
Nutrients are another of the important elements for a healthy plant. These include nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and various trace elements. Normally, a plant will absorb these nutrients from the earth that surrounds it. However, they can also get these essential nutrients in other ways.
A common way of doing this is to keep the plant's roots covered in a water-based liquid nutrient solution. There are systems that utilize a hydroponics grow tent to retain moisture. A nutrient solution is misted onto the roots regularly in order to keep them saturated. This is similar to another growing technique that doesn't use soil, the practice of aeroponics.
Hydroponic gardening can produce beautiful, healthy plants. There are many varieties of plants that are able to flourish without soil, as long as they're cared for properly. - 16459
Many people might wonder how hydroponic gardening is possible. It's generally believed that plants need soil. It's a source of water, energy, support and nutrients. These are all required in order for the plant to thrive. However, it can obtain these elements from other sources as well.
Water is an absolute essential for any plant. However, soil isn't the only way to provide it. Many plants grow wild in rocks or sand, and even floating on a body of water.
Plants also need energy in the form of sunlight and heat. But sun warmed earth isn't the only source of energy. Sunlight works directly on leaves the same way it does for plants in the soil. The essential process of photosynthesis occurs when you leave the upper part of a plant exposed to sunlight. Some plants flourish even with no light at all. They will, however, still need some energy to power their natural growth processes.
Most commonly grown plants require some sort of support to hold them up. Most often, this is achieved by planting them in the ground. That's why the roots of a plant spread, and its stems are able to resist strong winds. However, there are other options for supporting your plants. Try weaving string through a fence-like structure, or fasten some craft sticks to the top of a container. There are other ideas that will also do the trick.
Nutrients are another of the important elements for a healthy plant. These include nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and various trace elements. Normally, a plant will absorb these nutrients from the earth that surrounds it. However, they can also get these essential nutrients in other ways.
A common way of doing this is to keep the plant's roots covered in a water-based liquid nutrient solution. There are systems that utilize a hydroponics grow tent to retain moisture. A nutrient solution is misted onto the roots regularly in order to keep them saturated. This is similar to another growing technique that doesn't use soil, the practice of aeroponics.
Hydroponic gardening can produce beautiful, healthy plants. There are many varieties of plants that are able to flourish without soil, as long as they're cared for properly. - 16459
About the Author:
Hydroponics is an increasingly popular technique for year-round, indoor gardening. Find out more at Hydroponic Gardening.
