Hydroponics without Histrionics

In this busy world in which we live, time and space are at a premium, especially for city-dwellers, whose choice of home is often dictated by their occupation.  Many people dream of having their own outside space, in which to grow, not just flowers, but fruit and vegetables.

For years, people working in offices and living in high-rise apartments, took it for granted that gardening was out of their reach but now, with hydroponic gardening becoming mainstream, this is no longer just a dream and is, in fact, easily attainable.

The science behind hydroponic gardening sounds daunting, but is really quite simple, and a system can be set up in the smallest of indoor spaces, when outside growing space is unavailable.

The word 'hydro' is Greek for 'water'; 'ponos' means 'labor'. The term hydroponic gardening refers to the cultivation of plants without soil, and this is the basic premise for the method.. It is the perfect system for the gardenless gardener.

The most basic hydroponic garden can be set up with a minimum of fuss, and using materials that can be found in the family kitchen. Ideal for children, it is easy to construct and maintain, and, as a bonus, educational. For those new to this method of gardening, it perfectly illustrates the way it works.

Take a clean jar, a piece of paper towel, folded so it fits around the inside of the jar. Pour a little water into the jar to wet the towel, so that it sticks to the inside, then place a bean between the damp towel and the side of the jar. Within a day, you will be able to see the bean alter, just slightly at first, then the roots will find their way to the water, and, before long, you will have a plant. The most important point is to remember to keep the towel damp at all times, so your system will need daily inspection and topping up. Keep a little water in the bottom of the jar so that the towel has a ready supply. It will act as a wick to soak up the water and provide the bean with enough to keep it growing. This process is called 'capillary action'.


source : hydroponic