Hydroponics 101 – A Guide to Hydroponic Growing

Chapter One – What Is Hydroponics and What Are the Benefits and Disadvantages?

Hydroponics 101, a guide for those interested and those just beginning. This is a great opportunity to educate yourself on hydroponic growing, one of the most exciting and efficient ways to grow indoors.

Whether you are a complete novice or are a little familiar with Hydroponics you will find learn something from this series of posts. This is just Chapter One of a series of posts that will be published within the next few weeks. When finished the complete series will include:

• Chapter One – What Is Hydroponics and What Are the Benefits
• Chapter Two – Hydroponic Grow Media
• Chapter Three – Different Types of Hydroponic Systems
• Chapter Four – Let There Be Light!
• Chapter Five – Let My Plants Eat!  
• Chapter Six – How to Build Your Own Hydroponic System
• Chapter Seven – Resources
• Chapter  Eight Final Thoughts

Let’s Get Started – What is Hydroponics?

It all starts with a definition. It is defined as growing plants without the use of soil. Instead, plants are grown in a soil-less or inert growing media or nothing at all. Generally held in a net pot or cup-like container, where roots are allowed to grow suspended in a hydroponic nutrient solution and even in the air.

Only the nutrients you provide feed these plants – directly into the root zone. As a benefit you actually control what your plants are fed, which in many cases leads to exceptional growth rates and yields.

What are the benefits of Hydroponics?

• Efficiency. Hydroponics is simply more efficient. Less water is used growing this way. There are claims that s much as 10 times less water than traditional field crop watering methods because the water in a hydroponic system is captured and reused, rather than allowed to run off and drain to the environment. This can be up to 90% more efficient in water use, saving money for water and a big win, win for both you and the environment.
• Accelerated Growth Rates. Since plants get the nutrient they need when they need it, you should realize a production rate increase 3 – 10 times in the same amount of space of a traditional garden. This means less time to harvest and more year-round harvests.
• Increased Production Yields. Depending on the plant harvests can be up to 30% more than traditional techniques.

What Are The Disadvantages of Hydroponics

• Learning Curve. While any own can learn to grow using hydroponics, there is a learning curve. That’s why I suppose you are here reading this article – congratulations you have taken your first step.
• It is More Expensive. Depending on your system, it can a little crazy. That is why we will share systems that you can purchase and those that you can make yourself.
• Hydroponics Isn’t For Everyone. And that is OK, not everyone likes to grow their own. For those who do it is a great way to grow.

We look forward to your comments and if you have any questions – just leave them below in the comment section. And please recommend a friend to join you on this journey, for You Can Hydro Grow.