Hydroponics is a word derived from two Latin words Hydro and Geoponics. Hydro means water and Geoponics means study of agriculture. Thus Hydroponic is a technique of growing plants in a nutrient solution and water instead of soil. A large number of plants can be grown successively by using Hydroponic gardening technique. In case of conventional gardening the plant absorbs the nutrients and other chemicals required for its growth from the soil. But in case of Hydroponic gardening technique the soil is replaced by a nutrient rich solution. This solution can be absorbed by the plant with ease as compared to soil. In this a way a lot of energy is saved by the plants. This energy is utilized by the plant to strengthen its growth. The production in case of these Hydroponic plants is achieved consistently. It is because of this reason that many conventional gardeners are now changing their minds to Hydroponic gardening.

There are four types of Hydroponic gardening systems. All of these four types work on the same basic principle of nourishing the plant roots by nutrients and water but the way in which they do it is different. The most common among those are

Water culture, Aqua culture, or Nutriculture:

The system in which the plant roots are immersed in water containing a complex mixture of dissolved nutrients.

Aggregate culture: The system in which material such as plants, gravel, or marbles supports the plant root. It is important to note that the support material does not absorb any nutrient from the solution but in fact allows the roots to freely take up the nutrients from the liquid.

Continuous flow Hydroponics systems: The system in which the nutrient solution flows constantly over the plant roots.    

Aeroponics: The system in which the roots of the plant hang in the air and are regularly misted with a nutrient solution.

In case of indoor Hydroponic gardening proper care about the nutrient and air circulation should be taken for proper plant growth. If this is not done properly photosynthesis dos not occur properly in the plants and the plants can suffer. Hydroponic gardening is also accompanied with some advantages and disadvantages. The major advantage is the less space utilization as compared to the conventional gardening. The plants have faster growth rate and good strength. Also it requires less manpower. The disadvantages are its high set up cost and requirement of clear knowledge of the technique.

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