hydroponics - the cultivation of plants in liquid nutrient solutions rather

                  than soil 

aeroponics  - a method of growing plants without soil by 

                  suspending them above sprays that constantly moisten 

                  the roots with water and nutrients 

aquaculture - the cultivation of aquatic animals and plants, especially

                  fish, shellfish and seaweed, in a natural or controlled    

         marine or freshwater environment 

aquaponics - a food production system that combines conventional

                  aquaculture with hydroponics in a symbiotic environment

Currently, hydroponics is the most common of type soilless planting.  Nutrients are delivered to the plant quickly and easily in a solution form so the plant can expend more energy on growing larger and healthier. Plants grown in this fashion use far less water because it is recirculated and stays in the system.  Excess nutrients in the controlled system do not pollute the environment.  Produce is easy to harvest and has a higher nutritional value for humans.  The healthier plants grow larger producing higher yields.  There are a few drawbacks to this approach.  The initial cost to set up a hydroponic system is much higher than growing in dirt.  Another hazard is that you must have a plan to maintain your power supply for systems relying on a pump.  Without circulation of the nutrient solution, plants can die pretty quickly.

Hydroponics has caught the attention of home gardeners, hobbyists, farmers and commercial growers.  Systems have been designed for tabletop use all the way up to enormous vertical farms housed in old factories and warehouses. FarmedHere recently opened the nation's largest vertical farm in a 90,000 square foot facility near Chicago.  Plants are grown in beds stacked up to six high and are fed by mineral rich water from tanks of tilapia, an edible freshwater fish. 

Although there is quite a variety in systems, they all have the same basic requirements: 

1)     container to hold the root system such as a plastic tote, a bucket or something larger    

2)     support medium for the plants such as gravel, peat or vermiculite

3)     reservoir to hold the nutrient solution

4)     Submersible pump to deliver the nutrient solution to the plants (unless the systm relies on wicking or capillary action)    

5)     Delivery system to each plant

6)     Timer to control the lights and the pump