Why Hydroponics?
Often times when you mention hyroponics people think of it as being relatively new. But perhaps the earliest recordings of hydroponics in use were in the Hanging Gardens of Babylon, where plants were grown in a steady stream of water. The word hydroponics as we know it today is derived from two Greek words: 'hydro' meaning water and 'ponos' meaning labor. The term hydroponics was first used in the late 1920's by a professor in California named Dr. W.F. Gericke. He developed a techique, pionered by German scientists Sachs in 1860 and Knop between 1861 and 1865, into a commercial means of plant production. Sachs and Knop were amoung a number of scientists during the 19th century to research plant nutrition and develop a chemical formula to overcome major set backs in previous attempts at hydroponics.
Hydroponic technologies were further developed throughout the 1930's and 40's in North America, Europe, and Japan due to the inspirations of Dr. Gericke's work.
During WW II, the United States Army used hydroponics to grow fresh produce for troops stationed on infertile Pacific islands. In America, Britain, Europe, Africa, and Asia, there were viable commercial farms operating by the 1950's. In 1981, CSR Ltd. of Australia started production for a horticultural grade rockwool for hydroponic use. This growool (as it is known) became widely accepted and is currently used extensively in the Austrailian fresh cut flower industry.
Today, hydroponic culture is being used to sucessfully grow vegetables, flowers, fruits, and herbs in a great variety of countries across the world.
But why do some farmers prefer hydroponics over conventional growing methods?
Soil is unpredictable, with problems in changing temperatures, moisture holding capacity, available nutrient supply, proper root aeration, and disease and pest control. Hydroponics aliviates some of the problems of nature, while giving the farmer precise control of the plants and often times the seasons. A hydroponic farmer can manipulate a fruit bearing plant into producing more fruit rather than leaves and extending its season long after his competitor's season has ended.
Suitable soil need not be present
Space requirements and growing time are lessened
Heavy work is reduced
i.e. No tilling of soil. Some systems are automated.
Water is conserved
Pest and disease problems can be better controlled without harsh chemicals
Weed problems are lessened
Nutrients are recycleable
Better control of the Environment
i.e. For indoors or greenhouses: lighting, temperature, humidity, composition of the atmosphere, frequency of feeding and irrigation can be controlled.
Higher yields
Crop rotation is not necessary
Transplant shock is reduced
Root zone chemistry is easier to control
i.e. Salt toxicities, PH, electroconductivity
Disadvantages
Set up cost can be high
Skill and knowledge are usually needed to operate at optimum production in a commercial setting
Beneficial soil life is usually absent
Disease and pest can spread quickly to plants using shared nutrient solutions
Not all plants varities are suitable for hydroponics
Plants have quick reactions to both good and bad conditions
