In simple terms hydroponics is a way to feed plants with nutrients and the water they need.  It’s growing plants without soil. HYDRO comes from the Greek word meaning water and PONOS meaning work or toil.

Plants grown using a hydroponics system do not need to form extensive root systems, unlike soil grown plants which need seek their nutrients.

Hydroponics allows you a high degree of control over what the plant is fed and the plant can be provided with all its nutrients in a form that makes them very easy to take up.

Plants roots require nutrients and water. They also require oxygen. There are many different ways of growing plants hydroponically but whatever system is used it must provide food, water and air to the roots.

The Gardeners Choice kit system uses a growing medium called perlite.  Perlite is a generic term for a naturally occurring siliceous volcanic rock. The distinguishing feature which sets perlite apart from other volcanic glasses is that when heated to a suitable point in its softening range, it expands four to twenty times its original volume. This expansion is due to the presence of two to six percent combined water in the crude perlite rock.

Almost any solid material may be used as long as it is inert and allows air to diffuse in and out.

For your crop or plant you will use a more controlled system of watering and feeding.  This means that you will conserver water.  At the same time it is likely that your plant or crop will produce 3 times the usual number of fruit/vegetables or flowers it would have produced if grown in soil.