Hydroponics

Hydroponics is the practice of growing plants in nutrient-packed water rather than soil. This space-saving approach allows plants to be grown in geographical areas where crops cannot be grown by traditional methods.

Epcot Center
Epcot's "The Land" exhibit has taken hydroponics to a whole new level with its exploration of three different methods of hydroponic gardening. The first, used for Epcot's pepper plants, uses plastic bags filled with rock wool, a product similar to perlite, which holds the roots of the plants steady while they grow. Another method, which works well for salad crops, is to place small seedlings in a plastic foam "raft" to float on the surface of a nutrient-filled tank of water. The third technique is referred to as "aeroponics": airborne plants receive a spray of nutrient-laden water every few minutes.

Although hydroponics can provide all the light, water and nutrients required to grow plants, those species that require pollination to produce fruit and vegetables must be hand-pollinated in this controlled, bee-free indoor environment. Foods grown hydroponically have the same nutritional value and taste as those grown in more traditional ways.

Also in this Episode

Gardening by the Yard : Episode GBY-409
•	Environmentally Friendly
•	Container Gardening
•	Tropical Beauty
•	Hydroponics