Hydroponics Glossary

It's true - setting up a hydroponics growing system includes a bit of a learning curve. However, the time you take to do the research is worth the fantastic results you can get, and you'll find a wealth of good information on the Web and in books about hydroponics. You even can become involved in forums, where you can ask questions of experienced hydroponic gardeners. To get you started on the path to becoming a hydroponics gardener, familiarize yourself with the following basic hydroponic terms. Check back often as you continue to learn and build your system.

Hydroponic Grow System: Growing plants without soil.

Aeroponic Grow System: Growing plants without soil or a physical medium. In aeroponics growing systems, the plants are suspended in the air and misted with a nutrient solution.

Aquaponic Grow System: Growing plants in nutrient liquids without a medium.

Acidity and Alkalinity: This is a measure of the pH of a substance or liquid. Anything over a pH of 7 is considered alkaline. Anything under a pH of 7 is acid. It's important to monitor and adjust pH in a hydroponics growing system for maximum growth.

Aeration: Adding oxygen to liquid. In hydroponics systems, this is done with an air stone similar to those found in a fish aquarium.

Bloom Booster: In hydroponics systems, the addition of phosphorus can result in greater yield of flowers. Phosphorus additives are called bloom boosters or blossom boosters.

Carbon Dioxide (CO2): A gas that's necessary for plants to grow. In many hydroponic systems, CO2 is added from bottles or generators to boost growth.

Clone: A plant reproduced through a cutting, culturing or layering.

Drip Emitter System: A drip hydroponics system that includes a hose with small holes that release one drip of water at a time along the length of the hose.

Ebb and Flow Hydroponic System: A hydroponic system in which a growing tray or pots are flooded with liquid nutrient solution, then the liquid is allowed to flow into a catch tray. Sometimes the nutrients are pumped back up to the tops of the containers and recycled.

Germination: The process that causes a seed to begin growing.

Hydroponic Drip System: A hydroponic system in which liquid nutrients are dripped gradually into containers to provide a constant stream of nutrients for plants.

Hydroponic Grow Lights: Specially designed lights that boost growth of plants in hydroponic systems. Lights are available in a number of different forms, covering all or part of the light spectrum to provide optimum light at different growing stages.

Hygrometer: A piece of equipment that measures humidity.

Medium: The substrate in which the roots of a plant are contained and supported. In hydroponics, the medium holds the nutrient solution so the plant can absorb it.

Necrosis: The process of plant tissue dying.

Nutrient Solution: A mixture of water with specially selected nutrients to support the growth of different types of plants.

Propagation: The reproduction of plants. Sexual propagation involves the breeding of plants with male and female flowers. Asexual propagation involves reproduction of plants through methods such as cutting and layering.

Systemic: Relating to the internal system of the plant, as in a systemic disease or a systemic treatment absorbed by a plant to fight disease.

Wick: In hydroponics, a bundle of fibers that draws nutrient solution up from a reservoir using capillary action, to deliver it to the roots of the plant.