Growing & caring for orchids is a very pleasurable experience for any enthusiast. There is howeveran alternative to growing orchids the traditional way & that is with hydroponics. Hydroponics allows you to grow crops & plants without soil or compost as the roots of the plants are placed in a mineral nutrient solution.

The Babylonians & Aztecs cultures grew plants without soil so technically they were using a form of hydroponics. Our technology & scientific knowledge has improved dramatically since the times of the Babylonians & Aztecs as well as our understanding of the benefits

In their natural environment, plants absorb mineral nutrients from soil when these nutrients dissolve in water. The level of our understanding of the required nutrients has enabled us to artificially introduce them into the plants water supply & as a result the soil is no longer required.

Please be fully aware that there is a difference between hydroponics & a soilless culture. Hydroponics is a type of soilless culture but other soilless cultures include sand & gravel.

There are many advantages using hydroponics which can be applied to the care of orchids.

? No soil ? It should be obvious that you do not need to purchase any soil. No soil means that soil borne diseases are no longer an issue which reduces the need for pesticides.
? No weeding required
? Watering ? It is very hard to under water an orchid but over watering is a very common problem. Hydroponics removes this headache & at the same time saves water.
? Space ? Less space is required with hydroponics.
? Light ? More of the plant is exposed to sunlight. Also, as more of the plant is exposed it is very possible to see the roots so identification on any problems is easier.
? It’s easy ? The system is very easy to set up & once set up it requires very little maintenance.
? Growth ? The orchid is given the correct nutrients in the correct quantities which means more beautiful & healthy orchids can be grown.

There are obviously many advantages which hydroponics provides. It will not howeversolve all the problems faced by the orchid enthusiast. Greater flower yield is not always guaranteed & the costs can occasionally be higher than when grown in soil.

Orchid enthusiasts should make an effort to at grow at least a few orchids using this method. They will be surprised :o :o at the ease of using hydroponics & it will only increase their knowledge & experience in the care of orchids.

Nigel owns OrchidCareExpert, a website which contains lots of useful information if you wish to know more about orchid care.