What is Hydroponics?

Believe it or not, Hydroponics has been around for thousands of years. The ancient Romans used it, and even the Babylonians used it in their 'Hanging Gardens of Babylon'. Additionally, ancient egyptian hieroglypics, dated several hundred years B.C. describe how they had grown plants in water.

Throughout the last century, scientists and horticulturists spent years of research determining which elements and their combinations affect plant growth, inadvertently, they discovered the first hydroponic formulas. This allowed for greater control over plant nutrition and therefore increased production.

Hydroponic growing has been used vastly, from food production for World War II soldiers in the Pacific, to current research by NASA (National Aeronautical Space Agency).

The physiological requirements of plants can be met without the use of soil or natural sunlight. Plants are rooted (and thus supported) in an inert medium and nutrition is provided by water soluble mineral elements.

Because all of the plants needs are met in an ideal environment, plants grow larger, healthier, and produce better tasting vegetables (or whatever else you are harvesting!). It is an ideal environment because the grower is able to control most variables, from plant food, to how much water they recieve.

Why Hydroponics?

• The ability to produce higher yields than traditional, soil-based agriculture
• Allowing food to be grown and consumed in areas of the world that cannot support crops in the soil
• Eliminating the need for massive pesticide use (considering most pests live in the soil), effectively making our air, water, soil, and food cleaner
• Pesticide free products through biological pest control or OMRI (Organic Materials Review Instiute) approved control methods.
• Nutrient solutions may be re-used in other areas such as potted plants and turf management.
• Growing mediums can be re-used and recycled.
• Depending on the type of Hydroponics used, it may requires less space therefore allowing for a high density of plants in the same area
• Non-arable land may easily be facilitated.
• Ability to grow year round!
• Promotes an overall awareness of our environment.
• Closed recirculating systems allow the grower control of the nutrient solution and therefore exactly what nutrients the plants receive.
• Varying nutrient formulas to suit different plants at different stages.
• Regular nutrient testing ensures all elements are present in their desired concentrations. Unwanted build ups of undesirable nutrient concentrations, such as nitrites, can be avoided.
• Hydroponic plants are more pest resistant.
• Control over environmental factors translates to a nutritionally superior, vegetable product.
• Eliminates consumption of artificial ripening agents and pesticides used on imported produce.
• Tastes superior and much healthier than its soil counterparts!
• Environmentally friendly!

Today, Holland is the number one Hydroponic producer around the world, next to Canada. If you've purchased tomatoes in the grocery store, you may have already purchased Hydroponic vegetables!

Is hydroponic produce good for you?
--News Clip - Breslau

In the most detailed study to date on the nutritional value of hydroponic produce, Plant Research Technologies Inc., an independent analytical laboratory in San Jose, California, reports dramatic increases in both the vitamin and mineral content compared to field grown produce.

Tomatoes (Patio Pride) demonstrated a mean increase of 50 percent in vitamin and mineral content. Of the 14 values tested, the hydroponics tomatoes showed increases in five and modest decreases of 25 to 30 percent in three. Sweet peppers (Gypsy) showed a mean increase of 150 percent - increases in nine of the 14 values tested and equal to soil-grown in the remaining five. The sweet peppers tested up to 300 percent higher in vitamins B2 and B3. A literature search including USDA, EPA and FDA publications, plus reports from university and private industry sources on the nutritional content of soil-grown crops was used in the study

Nutritional analysis included vitamins A, B1 (thiamin), B2 (riboflavin), B3 (niacin), B6 (pyridoxine), C and E. The plant analysis included nitrogen, sulfur, phosphorous, potassium, magnesium, calcium, sodium, iron, aluminum, manganese, copper, boron and zinc.

The tomatoes were grown in an Aquafarm system and the peppers in an AeroFlo system both using hydroponic nutrients. The hydroponic produce was also tested for heavy metals and chemical residues on the EPA's priority list. None were detected.

Is it Organic?

The minerals that a plant requires for growth are absorbed by a plant's root system after they have been broken down into their elements and dissolved by the water. In soil, this breakdown process includes weathering, leaching, and bacterial decay of dead animals. Animal waste, and dead plant material. By the time the plant ingests these mineral elements, they are no different from prepared "chemical" elements.

Many organic gardeners are put off hydroponics because of the necessity for using "chemical", "non-organic" nutrients. This misconception has unfortunately kept many people away from hydroponics.

So why the controversy?

The widespread and negative overuse of chemical fertilizers for soil agriculture has destroyed essential bacteria and other organisms in the soil, as well as contributed to the pollution of rivers and excessive runoff. Too many nitrates can destroy the bacterial balance in soil and prevent it from being able to continue its normal regenerative process of creating minerals. It's thus "dead" soil, and will only support decent plant growth if further huge doses of fertilizers are added.

Additionally, with all the organic hype in the media, many stores are now selling Organic Produce. However, much of it is imported from outside of the United States. Therefore, that produce is subjected to another country's organic standards, which tend to be very lenient or non-existant!

See Organic vs. Hydroponic for additional information.