Hydroponics is a technique of growing plants using water as the medium, instead of soil. Its soil free cultivation.
It requires some learning before venturing into it. Common questions are
- If there is no soil, how do plants get their nutrition ?
- Why do it ? Is it Organic ? Is it pesticide free ?
- Does it grow plants faster than normal ?
- Is this technology proven ?
- Is it better than conventional growing ?
- Is this a new technology ?
- Is this technology suitable in India ?
- Why plants grow much faster, by using this Hydroponic technology ?
Actually, its not a new technology. Some say that the fabled Hanging gardens of Babylon might have been grown hydroponically. Several western countries have been practicing it for long.
Now, lets answer the common questions one by one.
Nutrients are mixed in water and plant roots dangle in this water solution. Just like roots take nutrients from soil, roots take nutrition from water solution in hydroponics. Hydroponic nutrients are special formulations, to be able to provide complete plant needs – and considered heart of hydroponics. Majority of Hydroponic Nutrients are mineral origin that allows tight quality control, and not organic. The only practical way to do organic hydroponics is to couple the fish farm with hydroponics – wherein fish poo becomes nutrients for plants.
Most plant diseases originate from soil. Soil is a mixture of dead organic matter and inherently contains bacteria / organisms that give rise to diseases. As hydroponic technology does not use any soil, chances of plants catching diseases are nearly zero. Some air-bourne can still come though. Hence pesticides are generally not required. At max, some foliar spray might be needed. So, hydroponic produce is generally pesticide free.
Plants do grow much faster by this technology. This is because the plants get their nutrition easily through water based balanced nutrient system. Nutrient uptake is better, leading to faster growth – sometimes 2-4 times faster than normal. Plants do not have to spend as much energy in developing their root system, and hence the plants spend their energy more on developing leaves / flowers / fruits.
Sunlight is of course the basic necessity for plants to grow.
Hydroponics is used extensively in many developed countries. Holland and Canada are the leaders. Extensively used also in USA, Singapore, Europe, Israel etc.
Usage in India is still at nascent stage, but growing.