First off, let me give you a definition of hydroponics: Hydroponics is the science of growing plants without soil, most often in a soil-less mix.

That is a general explanation of what hydroponics is, but that does truly cover the basis for what makes it hydroponics. When growing in soil as humans have for years and years, the plants are actually getting a portion of their nutrients from the soil itself. The difference with hydroponics is that the plant is not getting any nutrients from the growing medium, but in lieu the nutrients are fed to the plant through a nutrient solution that is fed in to the hydroponics medium. By growing using hydroponics, this then gives the grower the ability to control the nutrient intake and oxygen intake of the plants.

Hydroponics works so well because the plant can take in food as rapid as it can be used. It is also able to receive a high amount of oxygen, compared to soil growing where oxygen to the roots is limited.

In case you are interested in using hydroponics to make your gardening job simpler, think again. Contrary to popular belief, hydroponics gardening, such as ebb and flow hydroponics, does usually take a small bit more maintenance and time. Don’t think hydro is not worth it though, people all over the world would not be using these hydroponics systems in the event that they weren’t worth it! Plants will grow less leafy foliage and more dense flower buds, and plants are actually prepared for harvest a few days earlier than growing in soil.

Besides ebb and flow hydroponics systems, there are also the following systems: air tables, deep water culture (dwc), top feed systems, nutrient film technique (nft), and geoponics.