Hydroponic Systems Spell Hope For The Future

There has been continuing interest in hydroponic systems for many years. Francis Bacon was reportedly interested in growing plants without soil in the seventeenth century. Interest has continued since then and in the future there could be even more involvement.

Space travel will probably become more common in future as human beings run out of space on earth and seek to colonize other planets. This could involve them in traveling for years in confined spaces and they may be very pleased to feast on fresh vegetables plucked from their space ship garden.

Different hydroponic system are developed for various situations. Large scale commercial operations will obviously require different equipment to the university researcher in a laboratory, the zookeeper or the urban city dweller growing on his balcony. However, they all need a tray, a growing medium and the correct nutrients. Fortunately specialist manufacturers can be found, especially though online searches.

The projected size of the unit will determine the kind of tray that is required. In very large units a plastic sheet can be shaped to form a tray with entry and exit pipes to allow water to circulate around the roots of plants. In laboratory or domestic units a small plastic tray will suffice. The most important thing is that water should be able to circulate freely in continuous flow units.

In very general terms a grower may choose whether to use static or continuous flow methods of growing plants in water. Obviously different modifications will have to be made to containers. It will also be necessary to use different plant nutrient solutions. Every unit will have unique characteristics that its owner will adapt as best suits his circumstances.

Depending on circumstances different mediums will be preferred by various growers. Substances like coconut fiber and gravel may be readily available in some cases. In other instances use may be made of pumice, perlite and even clay pebbles that have been especially manufactured. Whatever, the chosen medium, its purpose is to hold plants firmly whilst they absorb nutrients from the solution provided.

Strangely, this method of growing crops in water, without earth, is more economical in the use of water than is the case in conventional agriculture. This means that it is suitable for desert conditions where normal methods do not work. Of course it can also be used in confined spaces such as urban environments where crops can be produced in apartments or blocks of flats.

In fact some supermarkets are experimenting with selling ultra fresh vegetables straight from trays where they are still growing. This means that consumers get vegetable that cannot be more fresh. The use of pesticides can also be reduced as pests that normally use soil as part of their life cycle will be eliminated.

In general the concern that there is over the depletion of natural resources does not take into account that space and water may be among the most threatened of all. Since hydroponic systems are designed to produce food in a world where both these resources may be in scarce supply they deserve serious attention.


The Importance Of Hydroponic Systems

Hydroponic systems have been in the public consciousness for some time. There is evidence that Francis Bacon had them in mind. The interest since the seventeenth century has been steady. In the future there may be even further interest, especially as research makes them more effective.

During the second World War systems were successfully used to grow sustenance indoors in small spaces when England was under bombardment. The methods may be used in the future when space adventurers may need to grow fresh vegetables on space ships that will have to travel for years to reach distant planets.

Various systems are developed by commercial operations or in research institutions. Generally a tray of some sort is required and a means of delivering nutrients to the roots of plants. A neutral growing medium of some sort is needed to keep the plant upright and of course the correct solution of complete plant food.

The kind of tray will vary according to the size of the unit that is being used. In small rooftop or laboratory units a small plastic tray should be sufficient but in a commercial or agricultural unit the tray may be much larger, possibly a concrete slab covered with plastic. Common to trays of all sizes will be pipes that allow water in and out so that circulation is ensured.

Not all hydroponic methods require water to circulate. In some cases the water solution can be static. In that cases different nutrient solutions may be used from the kinds that are required when water is circulated around the roots. Information about the different nutrient solutions may be found only but each supplies the essentials of phosphate nitrogen and potassium and some extras.

Different techniques also might employ a variety of different mediums that can vary in cost, availability and effectiveness. Clay pellets have been especially developed for this method but they are not the only medium available. Coir, gravel and vermiculite are widely used. Whatever medium is found to be suitable, the essential function is to hold the roots firmly while nutrients are taken up from the solution that is provided.

Perhaps the most important advantage that hydroponics has over conventional agriculture is that high quality crops can be produced in confined spaces. Although water is used in preference to soil less of this valuable resource is required than is the case in conventional agriculture where water is absorbed into soil. These considerations mean that crops can be produced in urban environments and in deserts where conventional methods would not work.

A significant advantage is control. Control means that pests are easily eliminated so the use of pesticides can be reduced. Vegetables can also be produced close to the point of sale. This guarantees freshness which is very important in the case of greens, vegetables and fruit. In some stores products can be sold out of trays where they are still growing so that absolute freshness is guaranteed.

There is much talk about sustainable development and the depletion of natural resources in public discourse. Most environmentalists think in terms of oil, coal and minerals. Many remain unaware that space and water are among the most threatened of all resources. Hydroponic systems are the very things that focus on these two resources so the chances are that there is a bright future for them.


The Value Of Hydroponic Systems

Hydroponic systems have roots in the quite distant past. Apparently, Francis Bacon was interested in growing plants without soil way back in the seventeenth century. Since then the interest has been consistent and hydroponics may become even more important in the future.

During the World War there was interest in growing food under severe conditions and hydroponics was considered as an option. It has also been seriously researched as a means of providing a source of fresh vegetable food on space craft upon which people may have to subsist for years as they travel vast distances.

There are of course many different systems that are developed in research institutions and various commercial enterprises. Essentially what is needed is a tray, pipes, a water sources and a growing medium. Water is circulated around the roots of plants delivering just the nutrients that are needed.

In very large units a 'tray' might consist of a large sheet of plastic with its edges turned up. Suitable channels will be provided so that water can be introduced an allowed to flow through the entire area and then out again. In much smaller units, perhaps located on a rooftop or in a research laboratory the tray will be plastic and easily moveable though attached at either end to inflow and outflow pipes

Broadly speaking, there are different styles of growing plants that fall under the description of hydroponics. In some cases the water flow might be static and in other cases it could be circulating. Depending on the method being used different nutrient solutions will be appropriate.

In addition to the variety of techniques there are also a number of different growing mediums advocated by different experts. Some people use clay pellets, others rock wool and still others vermiculite. Gravel, perlite, pumice and even coir are used in different situations, Though each medium may have merits and demerits the important function of the growing medium is to hold the plant firmly while it takes its food from the nutrient solution that is provided.

The advantages of hydroponics are well known and responsible for the interest in this form of agronomy around the world. Perhaps the most obvious attraction is the ability to grow high quality vegetables in places where they would not normally be grown, as in urban environments or deserts. Ironically, although water is used instead of soil, less water is required so this means that the method is suitable in dry areas.

Control is another important advantage. Conditions are necessarily artificial so that the use of pesticides may be less that is normally the case and clean crops can be easily harvested straight from the unit. In fact there are some supermarkets that are able to sell vegetables straight from a growing medium so that they are ultra fresh.

In the twenty-first century there is concern that natural resources are being depleted so fast that development will not be sustained into the future. Most people think in terms of coal, oil and metals being depleted but it could be that space and water are the most threatened natural resources of all. If such is the case there is a bright future for hydroponic systems.



