Has anybody out there had any experience with hydroponics? If so, do you think it is worth the money to set it up? What are the pros and cons as opposed to the conventional garden? Thanks Roxanne

-- Roxanne (hmstdlady@webtv.net), October 30, 2000

Answers

I have never grown anything by hydropondics but I have often wondered if the veggies grown this way are as nutritious. How can they get much from water and if you add chemicals, I don't think that is as healthy. Perhaps I'm wrong, I'm curious. Anyone??????

-- bwilliams (bjconthefarm@yahoo.com), October 31, 2000.

I tried a small hydroponic setup this last season. Planted 3 tomatoe plants in a 4 ft long window box. Flooded it once every 36 hrs with a solution leached from a worm bin. My study wasn't in depth enough for positive conclusions at this time, however the yield from these plants did appear larger than similar plants in a traditional garden configuration. I intend to follow this study further this next season as I feel it may work to utilize more of my land surface that is currently unused due to septic field lines being installed in those areas. Also, I feel hydroponics lends itself well to greenhouse production.

-- Jay Blair (jayblair678@yahoo.com), November 01, 2000.

I think you should check out a site about growing marijuana - many of these folks know tons about how to use hydroponics.

I remember a sting operation several years ago when I lived in Indianapolis. The police put an innocent-sounding hydroponics ad in one of the free, alternative papers in town and then set up a shop to see hydroponic equipment. They kept careful track of everyone who bought equipment from them, then one night swept in and raided their houses. If I remember correctly, no one that they raided was growing pot, and then the city got in all kinds of trouble when taken to court of illegal search/seizure.

I agree with you that it seems doubtful that many trace minerals or nutrients would be present.

-Justin

-- Justin Shelton (justinshelton@netscape.net), November 06, 2000.

never mind the chemicals you add what about the chems already in the water? The PH level in most of South UK is hard (Blue ) so what do you do about that. My question is how do you treat the water from tap to a more benificial ph level for growning Plants?

-- Bud (elefan foo@bar.com), April 28, 2001.

You should start small and over all a bioponics system is alot better to work with fish and plants fish waste goes to plants. I made many and I will show you how to do it.

-- Joseph Cannon (jcannon@csu.org), June 14, 2001.

It is very different from the traditional farming as it does not need to use pesticides.Pesticides is harmful to mankind and would cause diseases.Your veggies would be more expensive if grown organily... so i think it is worth it......

-- dEjA vU (dejavu19@hotmail.com), March 14, 2002.