Hydroculture is a system of growing plants without the use of soil, or with very limited use of soil.
Rather than soil, plants are grown in an absorbent aggregate and nutrients.
Hydroculture might be thought of as passive hydroponics since it does not require a mechanical pump to transport the water and nutrients. The most common form of hydroculture has five basic parts: clay pellets, fertilizer, a water level indicator, a culture pot insert, and an outer container.
Clay pellets take the place of the soil. This expanded clay aggregate is known as LECA (lightweight expanded clay aggregate) or Hydroton. Plants will grow their roots to the required moisture level, so those with differing watering requirements can be grown together.
Through the use of the hydroculture system, plants have a regular feeding schedule that eliminates the guesswork that would be required for plants grown in soil. Depending on the hydroculture system used, a 2-3-2 liquid fertilizer can be added at every watering, or a slow-release nutrient, in the form of loose granules or gelled disks, can be placed at the bottom of the water reservoir every six months. Regular plant food is not recommended because it lacks the necessary trace minerals.
Hydroculture systems usually have a water-level indicator that looks like a thermometer. As water is added, the indicator rises and, as it is used up, the marker falls.
Culture pot inserts act as an oasis for plants in the system. These pots are made of plastic and have openings at the bottom. When the indicator is at the optimum mark, the openings are underwater. As levels decrease, air circulates in, and, when water is added again, the rising water level forces the trapped air up through the clay pellets, providing oxygen to the plant's roots.
The outer container of the system is a closed-water reservoir that could be of any size, color, or shape.
Most indoor plants will grow well in a hydroculture system, and hydroculture systems are available from specialty indoor gardening or hydroponics stores.
A form of hydroculture is hydroponics, which is the cultivation of plants in a nutrient solution rather than in either soil or clay. This type of hydroculture is also known as active hydroponics, although it is most often simply termed hydroponics.
Advantages of hydroponics over traditional gardening methods are that it reportedly results in more rapid growth and larger yields. As plant roots are directly in the water system, they do not need to spread out in order to gain the necessary nutrition, so space is saved. Additionally, there are no weeds, pests, or diseases.
Aeroponics is an alternative method of hydroculture in which plants are grown in a mist environment, rather than in a submerged water environment or clay aggregate. Through the aeroponics method, plants suspended in the air are regularly misted with a nutrient solution. This method is well suited for growing leafy greens.
Several commercial hydroculture systems are available, along with directions and plans for building custom systems, and may be used in a kitchen growing environment or on a large scale.
Recommended Resources
EMR: Global Hydroponics Market Outlook
Expert Market Research is a market research and business intelligence company that assists clients track market scenarios through both custom and syndicated reports. Its hydroponics section tracks the market by. product type, equipment, crop type, regional analysis, historical market and forecast, market dynamics, and competitive landscape. Its methodology and a sample report are provided, a brochure or customization may be requested, and purchase options are stated.
https://www.expertmarketresearch.com/reports/hydroponics-market
Growing houseplants without soil is the subject of this online resource. Hydroculture itself, and various systems of hydroculture, are discussed, with a concentration on those preferred by the site author. Included is a description of expanded clay pebbles or other aggregates, nutrients, and converting a houseplant to hydroculture, as well as containers, potting, nutrient levels, suitable plants, light, cleaning, and extended watering. Other articles, videos, and links are included.
http://hydro-culture.net/
Formed through the acquisition of six other companies, creating an omnichannel retailer of specialty agriculture and hydroponics equipment and supplies, Hydrobuilder Holdings operates nineteen retail hydroponic and gardening stores in California, Colorado, Maine, Massachusetts, Nevada, Oklahoma, and Oregon, as well as nine retail warehouses, a commercial warehouse, and its e-Commerce platform. Its locations, products, partnership opportunities, and job openings are included.
https://hbhold.com/
Located in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, the Hydroculture Emporium has been in operation since 2001, providing professional guidance and services, as well as offering products for indoor, hydroponic, organic, and greenhouse gardening needs. Offering free shipping within Canada on orders of $150 and up, a catalog of products is included for online shopping, although it is a physical location available to those who can travel to Ottawa. Its location, hours of operation, and contacts are posted.
https://hydrocultureemporium.com/
Dedicated to products and information on growing orchids in hydroculture, a soil-free method of horticulture, the author has found that orchids do very well in a hydroponic system, and require less care than in other growing mediums. A description of hydroculture is presented, and hydroculture kits, orchids, and other products are available, including gift certificates, and club benefit programs. Instructions are provided, along with customer testimonials, photographs, and contact information.
http://interiorwatergardens.com/
Mordor Intelligence: Hydroponics
Mordor is a revenue-funded organization that is partnered with thousands of enterprises across twenty industries to deliver data and insights on various projects, with research experts tracking markets, to enable clients to gain a competitive edge through market intelligence. General information about hydroponics market analysis, industry segmentation, market trends, an industry overview, market news, and a table of contents are featured. A sample report may be downloaded.
https://www.mordorintelligence.com/industry-reports/hydroponics-market
USDA National Agricultural Library: Hydroponics
Hydroponics is a system of growing plants in a water-based nutrient solution rather than soil, and may include an aggregate substrate or other growing media, like vermiculite, coconut coir, or perlite. The system is most often used by hobbyists and small farmers, but may also be suitable for commercial enterprises. The U.S. Department of Agriculture presents selected resources from various universities and university extensions, as well as guidebooks that can be found online.
https://www.nal.usda.gov/farms-and-agricultural-production-systems/hydroponics
