General Hydroponics

Growing plants using hydroponic systems is becoming an increasingly common practice among gardeners. There are many benefits to using hydroponics over traditional soil-based growing. Less water is needed, it takes less time to grow plants, and you usually get higher yields from your plant. There are several different methods for growing plants using hydroponics, and each method comes with its own set of advantages and disadvantages.
The water culture hydroponic system is the most basic of all hydroponic systems. With this method, you place your plants on Styrofoam platforms that float on the surface of nutrient-rich water. The roots are perpetually submerged in the nutrient solution, so an air pump is needed to provide oxygen. The water culture method works great for growing lettuce, but unfortunately it is not effective for growing larger plants.
One of the simplest hydroponic systems is the ebb and flow method. It is cost-effective and usually fairly easy to set up. With the ebb and flow system, you place your plants into perforated pots, which you then put into "flood trays." The flood trays are filled with nutrient-rich water that is pumped up from a reservoir. The water and nutrients then travel up through the pots and into the roots of your plants. After your plants have soaked for a certain amount of time, the water is then drained back into the reservoir. This allows your plants to oxygenate and dry off before the next round of flooding. The ebb and flow system recycles water, and therefor is more efficient than most other systems. It is also pretty low-maintenance and a good option for beginners.
The wick method is another very simple hydroponic system. It is similar to ebb and flow, but it doesn't reuse water and it is not capable of sustaining plants that require tons of water. In a wick system, the roots of your plants are always submerged in nutrient-water. In order to oxygenate your plants, a special air stone pump is needed. The air pump pushes air through the stone, which in turn produces oxygen bubbles that drift upward and oxygenate your plants.
The drip system is probably the most frequently used hydroponic system. Drip systems are very efficient. A timed pump sends only the necessary amount of nutrient solution and drips it at the base of each of your plants. The system requires little maintenance, but it does require precision. You have to carefully monitor your plants and the timed watering cycles to ensure that they are receiving enough nutrients.
The nutrient film technique is another simple and widely used hydroponic system. With this method, you place your plants in baskets and let the roots dangle to the bottom of the grow tray. There is no need for a timer because there is a constant flow of nutrient solution being pumped through the bottom of the grow tray. You have to be careful about your pumps failing with this method. If there is no nutrient solution flowing, then your plants will dry out and die very quickly.
The most high-tech and advanced hydroponic system is the aeroponic method. With the aeroponic system, air serves as the primary growing medium. The roots of your plants hang in open space, and every few minutes a pump will create a nutrient "mist" that nourishes your plants. This system is very effective, but also very expensive. You also need to keep a close eye out for pump failures, as your plants won't take long to die if the "misting" cycles are disturbed.
There are so many different options when it comes to hydroponics that it can be a bit overwhelming. At Urban Garden Supply in Clackamas, Oregon, we are very knowledgeable when it comes to general hydroponics. We have a great selection of the best hydroponic equipment Portland has to offer.