Hydroponic Gardening Myths

Hydroponic gardening (growing plants without soil) is a booming but largely misunderstood practice. Some see it with suspicion because they associate it with growing illegal plants; some see it as a deceptive science; some see it merely as a novel-but-expensive pastime. The truth is, hydroponics is a system used by hobbyists, gardeners, farmers and nations to grow strong, healthy plants of all kinds. To clear things up, let us look at the common myths.

The first misconception is that hydroponics is utilized to "breed" controlled substances in secret rooms. Internet sources don't seem to help since they associate the concepts of hydroponics and illegal activity. But that's primarily because those spreading that information know how to use the Internet-not because every hydroponic garden is not a legal one. Statistics suggest that only a tiny percentage of hydroponic gardens grow these controlled substances. A lot of beneficial plants and vegetables flourish in a hydroponic setting and so, many farmers are using this practice. For instance, in Canada and Holland, farmers are using hydroponics to grow food on a larger scale. Therefore, saying that hydroponics is bad because of its connection to illegal substances is the same as suggesting that soil is bad. Farming is farming; hydroponics is simply an alternate method.

Another misconception is that hydroponic gardening is artificial and unnatural simply because it circumvents the need for soil. If these people knew better, however, they'd realize that the practice involves no chemical or genetic alterations and natural processes are not interrupted. The natural elements are supplied to the plants - light, nutrients, water - as is the case when they are planted in soil. In hydroponics, however, soil is replaced by other root-anchoring methods and nutrients, light and water are provided in ways that would optimize health and growth. Hydroponic plants, in fact, can be healthier and stronger than those grown on a traditional manner-and without the use of additives. The process is more complicated, but the result is still the natural production of plants and food.

Others mistakenly believe that hydroponic gardening is merely an expensive hobby-a fad of sorts that has no real point. True, it's a fun pastime (and more often than not, a booming business), but this practice is nowhere lacking of usefulness. With hydroponics, growing plants and food in almost any environment becomes a possibility - regardless if it is winter, in the polar regions, in contaminated soils and even in space. Hydroponics can increase the quality and yield of food-bearing plants, potentially making food more readily available to less fortunate countries and regions where famine has taken hold.

So perhaps, there is more to hydroponic gardening than meets the eye; there is absolutely more to it than these common misconceptions might lead us to believe.