Why Should I Grow using Hydroponics?

[SmokeyMacPot]

Pros
increased plant growth rates and yields with improved aromatics, potency and taste.

Cons
requires close monitoring of ph and ppm levels and total reliance on constant electricity.

Author: MisterIto

[zolar]

ther are passive hydropinics methods that don't use power [wick systems]

i have a 10 month old basil experiment -- plant is 2-3 ft tall now - 5 gal bucket loosely filled with odd shards of ceramic tile to keep 4inch pot from sinking into water - 4 inch square pot with 2 nylon braided ropes and filled with sand pearlite and ceramic shards
the ropes stick out of the pot and have about 8 inches to a foot down in the water the bucket is about 2/3 - 3/4 full of water and i fill/top off the water with plain water
and feed about 3 times a month i agitate the water with my hand to add oxygen when i check water levels when i feed i pour small amout l ferts [mixed weak ] into the pot and let it seep down to the water resovoir plant has been inside 5 months and lately looks hungry as the leaves are a lighter green than they were around christmas ...

things i should have done or been doing : used hydro ferts instead of compost tea and
very diluted urine -- tracked PH more often --- pinched or pruned for shorter bushy plant