We have heard of the great work in Europe, most notably Holland and England, and of the application of hydroponics in the Middle East to overcome the problems of desert extreme and water shortage. But far beyond these examples, hydroponic farming is having a major impact on all the continents of the world… even Antarctica, and upon major consumer markets throughout the world.

Europe was an early leader in developing and applying hydroponic technologies. In the early 70s the Dutch began applying hydroponics on an enormous scale for flower cultivation. Flowers have been a major export commodity for the Dutch for generations. There are unique problems in Holland which hydroponics was helpful in overcoming. Hundreds of years of horticulture have requested in an increase in the presence of soil pathogens. The long, dark, cool, wet Dutch winters compel farmers to grow their crops in high-tech greenhouses with artificial lighting and heating to extend their growing seasons. Exotic computer control systems and an infrastructure of support technologies and expertise has helped Dutch farmers become both technical and economic leaders in modern crop production. The investment in these facilities is huge and the additional cost of using hydroponic methods has proven beneficial since growth rates, yields and quality are greatly increased. Although Holland is a tiny country, it is a world leader in the production, sale and export of cut flowers… hydroponic farming is one of many factors to which this success can be directly attributed.

Just across the channel the British are also applying hydroponic farming to meet growing consumer demands. Farming coooperatives grow tomatoes, cucumbers and salad greens on a very large scale. Van Heinegen Bros produces three pounds of hydroponically grown tomatoes per year for every man, woman, and child in Britain. In support of these enterprises, the British government runs a research facility which investigates improved hydroponic methods, new plant varieties, and methods for avoiding and controlling plant diseases and pests. The cooperation between government and farmers has led to improved crop production, quality and profits.

Historically speaking, the British were the first to develop and apply the most advanced of hydroponic methods, water culture. In the 60s nutrient film technique (NFT) was developed. Modern water-culture methods include NFG, aeroponics (misting plant roots hanging in air with nutrient solution), and aero-hydroponics (an Israeli method of irrigating plant roots with a flowing stream of oxygen-infused nutrient). These water-culture methods are rapidly gaining acceptance as the most cost-effective and productive of hydroponic techniques for many crops and will probably become the primary hydropnic methods in the near future, replacing media based hydroponics.

Media based hydropoincs means the use of "growing media" supporting plant roots. Rockwool, gravel, perlite, sawdust, wood chips, bark, sand, and a host of other materials have been used as growing media for years. The trend away from media based systems is driven by both economic and ecological forces. Growing media must be periodically discarded and replaced. This means the costs of labor to tear down and reconstruct the beds, replacement cost of the media, and the ecological impact of disposing of used media which is saturated with fertilizer salts and other pathogens residing in the discarded media. The water-culture based systems generally require a wash down with bleach or steam to sterilize in preparation for replanting… less expensive and simpler than replacing growing media. Although the initial cost of installing a water-culture system may be somewhat higher than the cost of a media based system, real savings will occur from lower labor cost in the operation of the installation. Within a short period of time the water-culture system will become the least expensive due to operational case and practically no recurring costs.

Another important area fueling interest in hydroponics is plant nutrition. Hydroponic crops are raised on an exacting mix of primary, secondary and micronutrients. The formulas for different crop and environments vary but have been clearly defined from extensive experience on a global scale. Problems can occur where water quality is poor and where environmental extremes of high or low temperatures and humidities place stress on corps. However, when a hydroponic facility is properly planned and installed, the resulting crops can be impressive.

In 1994 a test was commissioned by an investment group to determine the nutrient quality of hydroponically grown crops in comparison to soil grown. Plant Research Technologies Laboratory, in San Jose Calif, analyzed tomatoes and sweet peppers grown using nutrients (Flora) and an aero-hydroponic water-culture system (AcroFlor system, both from General Hydroponics). A significant increase in vitamins and minerals beneficial to human health was found in the hydroponic crop and no residual fertilizer salts were found. The produce was further analyzed to search for chemicals on the EPA "priority pollutant list" – none were even "detectable." The logical conclusion is that the plants were growing under practically ideal conditions and the produce was of higher quality as a result not only of better fertilizers but also as a result of the hydropoinc system… in this case an aero-hydropoinc water-culture system.

Dr. Wade Berry of the University of California at Los Angeles once described the challenge of farming as "removing barriers to plant growth." The objective is not to push the crop but rather to eliminate detriments. Hydroponics removes the barriers of inadequate water and mineral nutrition. Used in conjunction with greenhouses, plants are spared the barriers of extremes in temperature and humidity. By using artificial lighting to extend day length it is possible to overcome the barrier of inadequate light.. achieving eternal spring. Greenhouses also help the grower control pests. Growers favoring integrated pest management can use insect predators inside the greenhouse and reduce reliance upon poisons. The beneficial insects become trapped within the greenhouse and focus their attack on the pests attacking the crop.

American farmers are beginning to apply hydroponics on a significant scale. Large corporate facilities are showing profits and generating high yields with consistent quality in facilities in Colorado and Utah as well as in Mexico. These installations mark an important point for hydroponics in the US.

Canada has been an important producer of hydroponic vegetables for the US market for many years. Canada has the benefit of excellent important impetus driving the expansion of hydroponics within the United States. The large corporate producers are driven by a market that demands consistency in price, quality and availability.

Smaller growers often follow a different lead. The increased demand for "organically grown" produce reflects a rapidly growing market, one which wants higher quality, better flavor and protection for the perceived dangers of chemicals… pesticides, growth regulators, etc. Although hydroponically grown produce does not meet the rather narrow definition of "organic," hydroponic produce can sometimes offer better flavor, appearance and shelf-life (depending on the conditions of production). Many small hydroponic growers are recognizing these market trends and cashing in on the market demand for higher quality produce. Small growers find that gourmet restaurants and local markets are more than happy to accept superior quality produce, both organic and hydroponic. Hydroponic growers will often promote their produce as "pesticide-free." This gives the consumer the satisfaction that the vegetables have been grown following the most important principals of the "organically grown."

Though many strict organic growers look down on hydroponic produce, the superior quality and freshness of locally grown hydroponic produce is in fact gaining market acceptance and building a new niche for smaller producers, family farms, and even urban farms located in or close to urban areas which have traditionally been served by large corporate farms far away. The simple truth is that organically raised produce can only be grown under fairly ideal conditions and only seasonally. The myth that only organic produce is of good quality and flavor has been clearly dispelled by the many successes of hydroponic producers worldwide.

to main page

Sponsored by