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. You'll find that a lot of plants grow naturally in inhospitable environments such as sand and gravel, or even floating atop the water.
The energy provided by the sun's rays and its heat are also essential to a plant. But sun warmed earth isn't the only source of energy. The sun's rays have the same effect on a plant's leaves regardless of whether it's in the ground or not. Photosynthesis, essential to a plant's well being, will take place just as long as the top part of the plant gets sufficient light. There are plants that don't require any light whatsoever. But they still require energy to fuel their natural growth cycles.
Many of the plants that appeal to the home gardener need some physical support. Planting them in soil is the most common and effective means of achieving that. This is why a plant's roots spread out and its stems are resistant to the wind's force. But other supporting mechanisms can achieve the same result. For example, string interwoven on a supporting frame or possible sticks attached to the top of a glass will work just fine.
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. - 16492
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. You'll find that a lot of plants grow naturally in inhospitable environments such as sand and gravel, or even floating atop the water.
The energy provided by the sun's rays and its heat are also essential to a plant. But sun warmed earth isn't the only source of energy. The sun's rays have the same effect on a plant's leaves regardless of whether it's in the ground or not. Photosynthesis, essential to a plant's well being, will take place just as long as the top part of the plant gets sufficient light. There are plants that don't require any light whatsoever. But they still require energy to fuel their natural growth cycles.
Many of the plants that appeal to the home gardener need some physical support. Planting them in soil is the most common and effective means of achieving that. This is why a plant's roots spread out and its stems are resistant to the wind's force. But other supporting mechanisms can achieve the same result. For example, string interwoven on a supporting frame or possible sticks attached to the top of a glass will work just fine.
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. - 16492
About the Author:
Hydroponics is an increasingly popular technique for year-round, indoor gardening. Find out more at Hydroponic Gardening.
