Art-ology

Plants are grown in soil by most of us. The majority of planters are depending in soil to grow their crops. However, contrary to what many of us think, a plant could actually survive without a soil. How? By implementing a system called hydroponics. Hydroponic system or simply hydroponics is a method of growing plants which uses mineral nutrient solutions in water in replacement of soil. Hydroponic system traces its root back in the 19th century although the first known work about growing plants without soil was that of Sir Francis Bacon’s book Sylva Sylvarum, published in 1627.

Scientists have found out that the essential mineral nutrients needed by plants are being absorbed in the form of inorganic ions. These inorganic ions are present in water. This means that soil is not really needed for plants to grow as it only serves as a mineral nutrient reservoir. The minerals the soil contains are only being absorbed by the plants when they have dissolved in water. Once the plants have absorbed the right nutrients, soil becomes totally redundant to the plant’s existence. Hydroponic system is suitable to almost any kind of terrestrial plants. With hydroponics, terrestrial plants are capable of growing just by having their roots buried in a mineral solution alone. Inert medium such as coconut husk, gravel or mineral wool may be used as well.

Hydroponic systems can prove to be very beneficial. The technology makes it possible for people who don’t have suitable soil to grow their plants. Hydroponic plants grow up 50% faster than those plants in soil. This makes sense because the soil itself is at risk of diseases, poor structure, pests and salinity among others, thus pest and disease infestations as well as weeds are reduced. Hydroponic plants easily absorbed the proper nutrients they need. There’s no way plants would overdosed with nutrients. Hydroponic system is a very nature friendly system too as it promotes the proper use of water and fertilizer. Fertilizers are recycled and can be used by another set of crops. Pollution caused by pesticides is lessened since the usage of pesticides is reduced as well.

Although Hydroponic systems appear to be the most ideal way of planting, it has its downsides as well. The system can be quite pricey, specially for first timers. It could be way laborious too. Hydroponic environment is said to be prone to salmonella growth. Plants are also aid to be susceptible to pathogen attacks. Too concentrated solution can burn the roots too and so caution should be taken when fertilizing. Hydroponic system is not for everyone to use. The possible gains of the system is not guaranteed when the person implementing the system is not really knowledgeable of the basics of hydroponics. Implementing the system without sufficient knowledge would be a total waste of money, time and effort.