Hydroponic Nutrients Vs. Soil Nutrients

Plants normally get their nourishment from minerals in soil. But they can be grown without soil by feeding the roots a liquid nutrient solution. This process is called hydroponics.

Nutrient Control

Soil in particular areas may not contain all the minerals a crop needs for maximum production. Growing plants hydroponically allows them to be fed a custom solution that's composed of all the nutrients that specific species requires for optimum growth.

Pests

Since hydroponic nutrient systems are typically indoor operations, plants do not require pesticides as do soil-grown plants. Pesticides can be absorbed from the soil along with needed nutrients. Growing fruits and vegetables without pesticides reduces health concerns.

Temperature

Plants grown outdoors to get nutrients from the soil are at the mercy of elements, including soil and air temperatures and the amount of daily light. These factors can be controlled in an indoor hydroponic nutrient systems.

Root Moisture

For plants grown in soil, rain enables minerals to enter the roots. Too much rain, however, can cause root rot, a hazardous condition that occurs when the soil remains too moist for too long. Hydroponic operations control the amount of liquid nutrients and air that roots receive.

Regulating pH

Adjusting the pH of soil, such as by adding lime to neutralize acids, cannot be done as quickly and as inexpensively with soil as it can be with a closed hydroponic system.

References

• Hydroponics information

Resources

• Hydroponic gardening guide