Definition of Hydroponic Farming

Greenhouse

• An indoor growing method, large-scale hydroponic farming is conducted in significantly sized heated greenhouses. Along with making year-round growing of crops possible, plants grown in hydroponic greenhouses have a smaller incidence of pests and disease than those grown outdoors in the ground.

Soil-less Growing

• Hydroponic growing uses no soil, but plants still need a means of stabilizing their roots to support their top growth. Soil-less growing mix, usually peat, vermiculite, coir or glass wool, is most often used. Plants are grown in individual plugs or net pots filled with a soil-less mixture and are suspended in a nutrient solution.

Nutrient Solution

• A water-based solution of essential plant nutrients is circulated around the roots of hydroponically grown plants. Circulating hydroponic systems use a pump to move the nutrient solution around the roots of the plants at a pre-determined rate.