There are many methods and even more variations of, for hydroponic gardening.  The two most generic classifications are

 Recirculating; using a reservoir the same feed water is used over and over.

Drain to Waste; the feed water is applied once and is then lost

Most hydroponic gardens are recirculating or can be set up that way. Below are a few of the most popular methods of hydro.  

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Deep Water Culture

DWC is sometimes referred to as Bubbler System or similar effect. Easiest of all hydro systems to operate, the plant is suspended or floats atop an aerated (most important part) nutrient solution. There is no pump to fail! That is a very attractive aspect of DWC. Just change water on a weekly basis and you’re growing hydro! This is also a preferred method in more “leafy” vegetative plants. Lettuce and cabbage or very commonly grown commercially in water culture gardens, very, very large ones.

Ebb and Flow

Inspired by nature, Ebb and Flow or Flood and Drain took a concept seen on the shores of any coast line, the tide recedes to the sea and floods back in…over and over. Nutrient solution floods the root zone then drains away, repeating this over and over. The drain aspect also acts as a natural siphon bringing fresh oxygen to the root zone. So effective it has become a favorite among many hydroponic gardeners.

Aeroponics

First developed during WWII to feed soldiers in areas of the world where the soil will not permit cultivation, aeroponics has come a long way over the years. Simply put it is the spraying of nutrient enriched water in a contained, non translucent area for a plants root zone. The part of the plant that would be in the ground is “contained” and sprayed, rest of the plant, normally above grade would be on top or otherwise out of the “container”. Effective in all areas of growth development and bloom this application is most popular in propagation.

Nutrient Film Technique

This method using a pump it delivers a steady run of nutrient enriched water to run down the slop continuously feeding the plants. NFT has fallen in favor with many gardeners and equipment manufactures for preference to some above mentioned applications, NFT is still a viable and effective method to cultivate hydroponically.

Drip System

This is commonly used in hydroponics using rock wool as the medium. Feed water is pumped via tube to the plant site to feed the plant. This versatile method can be applied to soil grown plant too. In many cases drip systems are drain to waste but can easily recirculate when drains are incorporated.    

Hydroponic gardens are not new by any means. One of the seven ancient wonders of the world, the Hanging Gardens of Babylon, was a hydroponic garden. The ancient Aztecs, Greeks, Romans and Chinese also utilized hydroponics in their horticulture practices. Hydroponics is a very broad and general term like vehicle. Below you can get a quick break down of the various different methods of hydroponic cultivation of plant life.

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