What is Hydroponics

Hydroponics is not a new concept, it has a long history, possibly beginning with King Nebuchadnezzar II building The Hanging Gardens of Babylon which are believed to be the first successful attempts to grow plants hydroponically.

Theophrastus of Eresus (327-287 BC) undertook various experiments in crop nutrition. He detected the process of germination and realized the importance of climate and soil to plants. He authored a number of botanical works and it is on the strength of these works that some call him the "father of Botany" Of special interest is the provision in his will made for the maintenance of his garden; it is bequeathed to certain specified friends and to those who will spend their time with them in learning and philosophy.

The earliest published work on growing terrestrial plants without soil was the book Sylva Sylvarum by Sir Francis Bacon, printed in 1627, a year after his death. Water culture became a popular research technique after that.

In 1860 Julius von Sachs, Professor of Botany at the University of Wurzburg, published the first standard formula for a nutrient solution that could be dissolved in water and in which plants could be successfully grown. The technique was termed "nutriculture"

By the early 20th century, scientists had precisely analyzed minerals and other materials necessary for plant growth and they’d also devised liquid nutrient formulas that substituted for soil nutrients. In 1924, Dr. William F. Gericke often referred to as “the father of modern hydroponics” created the word hydroponics to describe growing crops in non-soil media and nutrient-enriched water indoors and outdoors. He transformed lab-style nutriculture experiments into commercial crop production and grew hydroponic fruits, vegetables, root crops, ornamentals and flowers. His tomato plants attained heights of 25 feet and produced tomatoes the size of grapefruits. Dr. Gericke wrote a book about his method, titled Soilless Gardening and soon everyone wanted to try it.

Hydroponics is though, a science of the 21st Century. One of the largest challenges facing the ultimate survival of the Human species, is gaining the ability to send people into space utilising methods which can adequately feed them whilst on their journey. NASA has long attempted to perfect hydroponic systems that could provide oxygen and food for people on long space flights.