Hydroponic gardening is a way of growing plants without soil. The plant roots can absorb nutrition from the nutrient solution only, or can be grown in an inert medium such as gravel or coconut husk. According to gardening experts cited in an L.A. Times article on hydroponics, hydroponics is more efficient than gardening with soil because the root balls are small, over-watering risks are not as great, and the plant doesn't have to expend the same amount of energy to grow. The article notes that light is critical to the success of growing vegetables and other plants hydroponically indoors, and recommends purchasing grow lights that contain the full spectrum of the sun. Aeration is also key in standard hydroponics, though with the float bed method aeration is varied.
Aeroponics
Aeroponics involves plants suspended in the air. Water and nutrients are reused, according to aeroponics.com. The method can be used to grow flowers, grains and vegetables; carry out soil-less seed germination; or air-root plant cuttings. Aeorponics allows you to control the environment where the plants are growing, and because there is no dirt involved, you can harvest the entire plant. Aeroponics.com reports that aeroponics allow plants to grow faster and can result in higher yields.
Aquaponics
According to the National Sustainable Agriculture Information Service, aquaponics involves linking recirculating aquaculture with the production of hydroponic vegetables, flowers and/or herbs. More specifically, aquaponics involves using the waste products of fish and plants in the water to nourish hydroponic production beds. Fish manure and decomposing algae and fish food sustains the growth of hydroponically grown plants; at the same time, the hydroponic beds act to filter ammonia, nitrates, nitrites and phosphorous from water for the fish tanks.
Float Beds
Float beds, where plants are suspended in a floating foam framework, are used typically to grow tobacco for transplant, and typically have non-aerated conditions. A study conducted by researchers for the University of Kentucky experimented with variance in aeration of the water and found that aeration resulted in significantly larger plants.
References
- National Sustainable Agriculture Information Service: Aquaponics---Integration of Hydroponics With Aquaculture
- .A. Times: Hydroponics--No More Over-Watering
- University Of Kentucky: Production And Yield Of Selected Edible Greens In Hydroponic Ponds (Float Beds) In A Greenhouse
- Aeroponics.com: True Aeroponics
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