The process of hydroponic gardening is becoming more and morewidely accepted. It started as an experiment over 100 years ago,and has evolved into another growing method for the production ofcommercial crops.
The reason why hydroponic growing is used in commercial cropfarming is because those who use this method can harvest a largeamount of crops in less space. Plants can be grown closer togetherusing this system and different types of plants can be grown in thesame hydroponic growth system.
One other advantage of using the hydroponic growth method is thatit enables farmers to grow crops that are more organicallyproduced. (There is a standard for a produce to be consideredorganically grown and you can check out this information at theUSDA website). Furthermore, the growing season is year round formost hydroponic-grown plants, especially when the correct lightsource is used for each plant.
The correct type of lighting that you would need for growing plantsindoors using the hydronponic method would be a High IntensityDischarge (H.I.D.) light. These types of lights are designed togive off the correct spectrum of light waves, which will allowplants to grow using this alternative growing system.
Besides using the right light source, a basic hydronponic growingsystem requires a variety of other components. For example,hydroponic-grown plants are held upright by wire supports or arerooted in substances such as sand or gravel. The type of hydroponicgrowth system that you choose to build largely depends upon personpreference, and the expected result of producing plants in this way.
Other information that can help you out regarding the use of thehydroponic growing method is that related to the different types ofhydroponic growth systems. For example, you can either choose tobuild an active hydroponic system, or you can choose to construct apassive hydroponic system.
The active hydroponic systems use pumps and times, as well as otherelectronic devices. These devices help operate the entirehydroponic growing system. Passive systems sometimes use someelectronic gadgets, but they do not use pumps, and also use awicking agent to send nutrients to plant roots.
One major advantage of using a media-based hydroponic system isthat this type of growing system holds water that the plants canuse between watering cycles. This can help a plant survive in theevent of an emergency water shortage or power outage. Thedisadvantage, of course, is that it is messier, and costlier. Itrequires quite a bit more materials than do the water-based (waterculture) systems.
The major advantage of using a water culture system as opposed to amedia-based hydroponic system is that it costs less. Not only isthat, but the amount of waste disposal involved in using this typeof system substantially decreased as well. Furthermore, thesesystems are more compact and lightweight than the media-basedsystem, and can produce a harvest in an incredibly small space.
The major disadvantage of using a water-based system is that it theroots of plants to be constantly replenished with nutrients andwater so they do not dry out. Furthermore, the flow of nutrientscould be interrupted in the case of a power outage.
Commercial crop producers have quite a bit to consider when theydecide to use the hydroponic growing method. However, this methodhas been proven successful in a variety of cases. Crops that havebeen grown commercially using the hydroponic method includelettuce, strawberries, cut flowers, cucumbers, herbs, Pak Choi (aChinese plant), as well as medicinal plants, and planted from whichessential oils are extracted.
One source indicates an increased production in recent years forthe salad crops, cut flowers, and herbs. Many restaurants arefinding that purchasing hydroponic grown plants is beneficial tothem, because in the long run this growth process costs less thantraditional soil growing.
The up-front cost for preparing to use the hydroponic growth methodis very costly, however. In order to make sure you producesuccessful hydroponic-grown plants you will need to either investin all the right materials, or you need to know how to improvise tohelp bring the initial cost of this growing method down.
Another way to put it is that the cost of hydroponic growing costsmore, but commercial growers also usually experience higher levelsof crop production, and in the end often less space is needed andused. This type of crop farming is becoming more and more acceptedas a way to grow crops, and is used in many places of the world.
For more information check out the whole package at
Commercial Uses for the Hydroponic Method
4:00 AM
ThanateTan
