Plants grown in a hydroponics grow box made to look like a computerNASA researcher checking hydroponic onions with Bibb lettuce to his left and radishes to the rightExample of autotrophic metabolismHydroton brand expanded clay pebbles.
Discover great deals on the many hard to find and one of a kind items available only on eBay!

This site contains sponsored affiliate links.

Hydroponics

Hydroponics (from the Greek words hydro (water) and ponos (labour)) is a method of growing plants using mineral nutrient solutions instead of soil. more...

HomeHome
Bird & Wildlife AccessoriesBird & Wildlife Accessories
Garden DécorGarden Décor
Garden Structures & FencingGarden Structures & Fencing
Gardening & PlantsGardening & Plants
Children's Gardening ItemsChildren's Gardening Items
Fertilizer & Soil AmendmentsFertilizer & Soil Amendments
Garden Tools & EquipmentGarden Tools & Equipment
Hydroponics & Seed StartingHydroponics & Seed Starting
Grow LightGrow Light
Grow LightsGrow Lights
Grow LightGrow Light
Grow Light HpsGrow Light Hps
HydroponicsHydroponics
OtherOther
Trays & ShelvesTrays & Shelves
OtherOther
Pest & Weed ControlPest & Weed Control
Planters, Pots & Window...Planters, Pots & Window...
Plants, Seeds & BulbsPlants, Seeds & Bulbs
Publications & SoftwarePublications & Software
Watering EquipmentWatering Equipment

Terrestrial plants may be grown with their roots in the mineral nutrient solution only or in an inert medium, such as perlite, gravel or mineral wool. A variety of techniques exist.

Plant physiology researchers discovered in the 19th century that plants absorb essential mineral nutrients as inorganic ions in water. In natural conditions, soil acts as a mineral nutrient reservoir but the soil itself is not essential to plant growth. When the mineral nutrients in the soil dissolve in water, plant roots are able to absorb them. When the required mineral nutrients are introduced into a plant's water supply artificially, soil is no longer required for the plant to thrive. Almost any terrestrial plant will grow with hydroponics, but some will do better than others. It is also very easy to do; the activity is often undertaken by very young children with such plants as watercress. Hydroponics is also a standard technique in biology research and teaching and a popular hobby.

History

Ancient people such as the Babylonians and Aztecs used growing techniques where nutrients were obtained from sources other than soil. The mineral nutrient solutions used today for hydroponics were not developed until the 1800s.

The earliest published work on growing terrestrial plants without soil was the 1627 book, Sylva Sylvarum by Sir Francis Bacon, although he died in 1626. Water culture became a popular research technique after that. In 1699, John Woodward published his water culture experiments with spearmint. He found that plants in less-pure water sources grew better than plants in distilled water. Mineral nutrient solutions for soilless culture of plants were first perfected in the 1860s by the German botanists, Julius von Sachs and Wilhelm Knop. Growth of terrestrial plants without soil in mineral nutrient solutions was called solution culture. It quickly became a standard research and teaching technique and is still widely used today. Solution culture is now considered a type of hydroponics where there is no inert medium.

In 1929, Professor William Frederick Gericke of the University of California at Berkeley began publicly promoting that solution culture be used for agricultural crop production. He first termed it aquaculture but later found that aquaculture was already applied to culture of aquatic organisms. Gericke created a sensation by growing tomato and other plants to a remarkable size in his backyard in mineral nutrient solutions rather than soil. By analogy with the ancient Greek term for agriculture, geoponics, the science of cultivating the earth, Gericke introduced the term hydroponics in 1937 (although he asserts that the term was suggested by Dr. W. A. Setchell, of the University of California) for the culture of plants in water (from the Greek hydros, water, and ponos, labor).

Read more at Wikipedia.org


[List your site here Free!]

80Pcs 2.5inch Square Nursery Pots with 5Pcs Seed Starting Trays, Seed Starter.80Pcs 2.5inch Square Nursery Pots with 5Pcs Seed Starting Trays, Seed Starter. $36.16 Seedling Tray Lightweight Practical Seed Starting Tray for Indoor Yard FarmSeedling Tray Lightweight Practical Seed Starting Tray for Indoor Yard Farm $191.92
10 Pcs Seed Starter Tray Kit Thickened Seed Starting Trays Square Seedling Plant10 Pcs Seed Starter Tray Kit Thickened Seed Starting Trays Square Seedling Plant $42.11 Perlite 2 gallons Seed Starting Medium Fine Grade Garden Plants (Fast Ship)Perlite 2 gallons Seed Starting Medium Fine Grade Garden Plants (Fast Ship) $27.73
Portable Greenhouse Seed Starting Kit - 10 Trays with Adjustable Vents & DrainsPortable Greenhouse Seed Starting Kit - 10 Trays with Adjustable Vents & Drains $28.97 Hydroponic Seed Pod Kit 200 Pcs Fit for Aerogarden Grow Anything Garden SystemHydroponic Seed Pod Kit 200 Pcs Fit for Aerogarden Grow Anything Garden System $23.55
Gardzen 3 Pack Seed Starting Tray, Plant Germination Trays, Seed Starter KitGardzen 3 Pack Seed Starting Tray, Plant Germination Trays, Seed Starter Kit $11.09 New ListingDurable 120-Cell Seed Starting Tray with Humidity Dome and Efficient Grow LightNew ListingDurable 120-Cell Seed Starting Tray with Humidity Dome and Efficient Grow Light $119.88
Full Spectrum Led Indoor Garden Seed Starting Plant Grow Lights Set of 6Full Spectrum Led Indoor Garden Seed Starting Plant Grow Lights Set of 6 $53.10 Hydroponic Site Grow Kit 72 Ladder-type Culture Garden System Tool Seed StartingHydroponic Site Grow Kit 72 Ladder-type Culture Garden System Tool Seed Starting $133.05
Grobo Start - Seed Starter kit Garden Planter for Herbs, Vegetables, Plants.Grobo Start - Seed Starter kit Garden Planter for Herbs, Vegetables, Plants. $38.50 5-Set Seed Starter Tray Kits, Plant Germination Trays, Seed Starting Trays with5-Set Seed Starter Tray Kits, Plant Germination Trays, Seed Starting Trays with $36.99
iPower Seed Starter Heat Mat Pad 48"x20" - Lot of 2 - Gardening Plant StartingiPower Seed Starter Heat Mat Pad 48"x20" - Lot of 2 - Gardening Plant Starting $40.00 Pro-Mix Bx Potting Mix Seed Germination Soilless Growing Media Mycorrhizae FastPro-Mix Bx Potting Mix Seed Germination Soilless Growing Media Mycorrhizae Fast $10.95 to
Seed Starter Tray with Grow Light, 2 Packs 80 Cells Seed Starting Kit Seedling SSeed Starter Tray with Grow Light, 2 Packs 80 Cells Seed Starting Kit Seedling S $56.99 Extra Thick Heavy Duty 10 Pack 1020 Seed Starting Trays - Microgreens Growing.Extra Thick Heavy Duty 10 Pack 1020 Seed Starting Trays - Microgreens Growing. $75.59
60-Cell Self-Watering Seed Starter Tray with Grow Light, Seed Starter Kit with 460-Cell Self-Watering Seed Starter Tray with Grow Light, Seed Starter Kit with 4 $54.99 Quality Vermiculite For Seed Starting Fine Grade Potting Garden Reptile BeddingQuality Vermiculite For Seed Starting Fine Grade Potting Garden Reptile Bedding $9.65 to
Planting 1020 Trays with Holes - Seed Starting Greenhouse Garden Flats - 20 CtPlanting 1020 Trays with Holes - Seed Starting Greenhouse Garden Flats - 20 Ct $39.95 Seed Pod Kit Compatible with Aero Garden and All Brands - Grow Anything Kit forSeed Pod Kit Compatible with Aero Garden and All Brands - Grow Anything Kit for $20.91
Organic Seed Starting Mix - Ideal for Gardening & Plant Propagation - 2 cu. ft.Organic Seed Starting Mix - Ideal for Gardening & Plant Propagation - 2 cu. ft. $39.09 16" Grow Lights for Seed Starting, Full Spectrum Grow Lights for Indoor Plants16" Grow Lights for Seed Starting, Full Spectrum Grow Lights for Indoor Plants $28.49
30 Pack 6-Cell Seed Starting Tray for Seedlings, Plant Starter Trays with Dra.30 Pack 6-Cell Seed Starting Tray for Seedlings, Plant Starter Trays with Dra. $14.23 Extra Thick Heavy Duty 10 Pack Seed Starting Trays - Microgreens Growing TraysExtra Thick Heavy Duty 10 Pack Seed Starting Trays - Microgreens Growing Trays $29.99
10" x 20" Quad Thick Plastic Seed Starting Tray, Black, 2.5" - No Drainage Holes10" x 20" Quad Thick Plastic Seed Starting Tray, Black, 2.5" - No Drainage Holes $33.71 Seedling Starter Trays, 144 Cells: (24 Trays) + 1 Plant Label, Seed Starting KitSeedling Starter Trays, 144 Cells: (24 Trays) + 1 Plant Label, Seed Starting Kit $8.98
New Listing6 Pack 12-Cells Seed Starter Tray Kit with Humidity Dome and Base, Germination TNew Listing6 Pack 12-Cells Seed Starter Tray Kit with Humidity Dome and Base, Germination T $29.07 Seed Starting Grow Light - Full-Spectrum Led with Adjustable Height & Integra.Seed Starting Grow Light - Full-Spectrum Led with Adjustable Height & Integra. $144.44
10 Pack Seed Trays, Reusable Plant Grow Trays, Ideal for Seed Starting, Micro.10 Pack Seed Trays, Reusable Plant Grow Trays, Ideal for Seed Starting, Micro. $28.65 5-Set Seed Starter Tray Kit with Humidity Domes 200 Cells for Indoor Gardening5-Set Seed Starter Tray Kit with Humidity Domes 200 Cells for Indoor Gardening $30.98
joyhalo 40 Cell Seed Starter Kit with Grow Light and Graphene Heating Mat, Rejoyhalo 40 Cell Seed Starter Kit with Grow Light and Graphene Heating Mat, Re $58.99 Self Watering Seed Starter Kit with Grow Light, 2/6 Pack /72 Cells Seed StarterSelf Watering Seed Starter Kit with Grow Light, 2/6 Pack /72 Cells Seed Starter $24.49 to
Portable Greenhouse Seed Starting Trays - Complete 10 Pack with Adjustable VentsPortable Greenhouse Seed Starting Trays - Complete 10 Pack with Adjustable Vents $33.97 Gardzen 30 Pack 6-Cell Seed Starting Tray for Seedlings, Plant Starter Trays witGardzen 30 Pack 6-Cell Seed Starting Tray for Seedlings, Plant Starter Trays wit $15.80
Quality Fine Grade Vermiculite For Seed Starting Medium Garden BeddingQuality Fine Grade Vermiculite For Seed Starting Medium Garden Bedding $5.75 to 50 Pack Hydroponic-Garden System Seed-Pods Kit-50 Grow Baskets 50 Sponges & Lids50 Pack Hydroponic-Garden System Seed-Pods Kit-50 Grow Baskets 50 Sponges & Lids $24.25
Gardzen 5-Set Seed Starter Tray Kits Durable Plant Germination Trays with Hum.Gardzen 5-Set Seed Starter Tray Kits Durable Plant Germination Trays with Hum. $32.74 Vermiculite (medium) seed starting potting garden reptile bedding choose qty.Vermiculite (medium) seed starting potting garden reptile bedding choose qty. $7.95 to
Seed Starter Tray with Grow Light, 2 Packs 80 Cells Seed Starting Kit, ReusableSeed Starter Tray with Grow Light, 2 Packs 80 Cells Seed Starting Kit, Reusable $55.09 10 Seed Starting Plant Growing Trays (Without Holes) - Durable, Reusable - Gr.10 Seed Starting Plant Growing Trays (Without Holes) - Durable, Reusable - Gr. $27.19
10 in. Black Plastic Indoor Gardening Germination Dome Kit Seed Starting10 in. Black Plastic Indoor Gardening Germination Dome Kit Seed Starting $397.71 Seedling Heat Mat for Indoor Home Gardening Seed Starting, 10"x 20.75" Plant HeaSeedling Heat Mat for Indoor Home Gardening Seed Starting, 10"x 20.75" Plant Hea $10.00
New Listing10 Packs Seed Starter Tray Seed Starter Kit with Humidity Dome (120 Cells TotalNew Listing10 Packs Seed Starter Tray Seed Starter Kit with Humidity Dome (120 Cells Total $32.60 3 Pack Seed Starting Tray, Plant Germination Trays, Seed Starter Kit with Adj.3 Pack Seed Starting Tray, Plant Germination Trays, Seed Starter Kit with Adj. $15.58
5 Seed Starter Kits Trays w/ Dome 40-Cell Plant Germination Seed Starting Trays5 Seed Starter Kits Trays w/ Dome 40-Cell Plant Germination Seed Starting Trays $39.44 Manual Soil Blocker Set Soil Block Maker 2" Mold Seedling feeder for Seed StaterManual Soil Blocker Set Soil Block Maker 2" Mold Seedling feeder for Seed Stater $19.99
Square Hydroponic 6 Plant Site Grow Kit Garden System Tool with Pump Seed StartSquare Hydroponic 6 Plant Site Grow Kit Garden System Tool with Pump Seed Start $130.66
Click to see more Hydroponics items at www.ebay.com
Prices current as of last update, 05/05/25 10:44pm.

Home Contact Resources Exchange Links eBay