If you are looking into hydroponic gardening there are a few systems you can choose from that suit your needs best. Hydroponic gardening is growing plants in a liquid solution as opposed to soil.
The Ebb and Flow system is set up with plants suspended in a tray above a shallow container. This set up allows the plant roots to hang to the floor of the container beneath them. Beneath the container is another tray that serves as a reservoir. The reservoir contains the nutritive solution of your choice which nourishes your plants instead of soil. You need a submersible pump like those used in fish aquariums. It is the pump the pumps the nutritive solution to the plant roots via the tray. An overflow tube is also placed in the tray so it doesn’t flow over. This way the excess liquid goes back into the reservoir and is later recycled. When the solution goes back into the reservoir it gives the roots a chance to get oxygen. After the short oxygen interval the whole process repeats again.
The Nutrient Film Technique is similar to the ebb and flow system but with one main difference. Instead of the overflow drain that drains the solution back into the tray beneath the reservoir the solution is pumped to a series of angled trays. When it goes to the trays it then runs down the slope back to the reservoir. The angle creates a continuous stream motion which also allows for oxygen to hit the roots. The continuous steam also keeps the solution mixed and pH balanced.
Finally we come to the Continuous Drip hydroponic garden. With this you can decide if you want an active or passive recovery system. In this type of set up a pump pushes the solution through a tube that is suspended over the plant roots. Holes in the piping allow for the control of drip size that is to fall on each plant. If you choose to have this set up as an active recovery then the pipe would lead back to the reservoir which is located under the plants to catch the drips. A non recovery set up would utilize a pump that pumps a solution to potted plants.
In any case with hydroponic gardening plants get their food from a solution that is suspended. One of the biggest benefits of hydroponic gardening is that you eliminate the need for pesticides like with soil gardening. You can go on line or to your local plant store to find the best hydroponic system to suit your needs.
