One Hundred years ago everyone grew plants of some description, but now with our modern cities and towns many people don't have a garden or any outside space of any kind. So the big question is... if you want to grow plants Indoors, can it be done? The answer is a huge big Yes! Welcome to the world of Hydroponic gardening. Indoor gardening is a fascinating world where you can grow hundreds of different plants in your lounge, kitchen, bedroom, attic or cellar, regardless of it being day or night, winter, spring, summer or fall. Also, hydroponically grown plants use less energy searching for their nutrients, therefore they are stronger and grow faster than their soil grown counterparts. A whole host of crops can be grown, such as tomatoes, melons, lettuce, strawberries, cucumber, chillies, peppers, squash, beans. Herbs such as basil, chamomile, dill, tarragon and of course we mustn't forget a vast range of cut flowers and ornamental plants. In essence hydroponic gardening is simple, but, if you don't know what you are doing, it can be very expensive both in lost time and money.
Hydroponic gardening can be as simple as a bucket of sand with a single plant in it, right up to a hydroponic system using computers to control water cycles, nutrient strengths and lighting times etc. The average system usually consists of these basic parts: a growing tray, a tank or reservoir, a timed submersible pump to irrigate the plants, and an air stone and pump to oxygenate the nutrient solution. Light will of course be required, and that can be natural or artificial by way of lamps of which there are many different types.
Hydroponic gardening involves no soil but the plants must still be anchored. There are many growing mediums and the most popular are Perlite, clay pellets, Heydite, Vermiculite and Rockwool. Which type you choose will depend upon the size and type of plants that you want to grow, and the hydroponic system you are going to use.
There are numerous different types of systems to choose from, there is the futuristic Nutrient Film Technique to Drip Irrigation, to the commercially popular Aeroponics chamber System. Also the Deep Water culture system which is ideal for heavy feeders. If space isn't a problem then a Flood and Drain system can be used with growing trays or propagation tables.
Once you've decided upon what crops you want to grow, and which system is best suited to your circumstances, you'll then need to learn about what macro nutrients your chosen plants will need. Most plants need around 16 mineral nutrients to achieve optimal growth. Your hydroponic supplier will have different nutrient mixes for specific crops and growth cycles.
Indoor gardening does create a 'cleaner' environment for your plants to grow in, but you are not totally free of pests and diseases. It is important to maintain a sanitary growing environment that is properly ventilated and kept at the right temperature, and if a problem does occur then you must act quickly.
There are of course a million other things to consider such as oxygen, PH balance, mineral deficiency,wilting, propagation, pruning just to name a few, but fear not as everything can be learnt. Downhill skiing seems complicated at first,that is until you find the right equipment best suited to you, and most importantly the best Instructor. Now with the right Knowledge and some practice anything can be achieved, and my suggestion would be to get the knowledge first to avoid those expensive trial and error attempts. Remember, the more you know the easier it is to grow! The greatest book I know is without doubt the amazing 463 page book 'The Art Of Hydroponics' which is available at http://www.hydroponicsguide.weebly.com
Christopher Jones
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