Plants vary as to which species thrive more using a hydroponic method but most will generally do well. Hydroponics is used at a very young age by children growing cress in 'egg heads', this method is done by simply sprinkling cress seeds over a wet piece of cotton wool, no soil is needed.

Hydroponics are usually divided into two types, medium culture and solution culture. Medium culture uses a solid matter for the root system and is called by the type of medium used ie gravel culture and sand culture etc. These mediums are either top irrigation or sub irrigation. Solution culture uses just nutrients and no solid matter, there are three solution cultures, static, continuous flow and aeroponics. Hydroponic containers can be made of almost any material but are more commonly plastic, they must prevent light from getting in as this will cause algae to appear in the nutrient solution.

Flood and Drain (Ebb and Flow) Sub Irrigation

For this method you will need a tray that is higher than your container that is filled with the nutrient solution. Fill the tray with your medium, best to use clay granules, and plant. Use a timer that will make a pump fill up the tray with the nutrients, after which the solution will run back down into the container.

Deep Water Culture

To use this method you must hang your plants in a container so that their roots are submerged in a solution of oxygenated and nutrient filled water. Plants can be displayed in containers with their roots threaded through netting or mesh and the heads sitting on top.

Static Solution Culture

A very easy method to do even for beginners. Called thus because the nutrient mixture is static, the water is still and simply bathes the roots. Use a container that is ideally dark plastic but jam jars can be used on a smaller scale. Your container needs a lid which if id does not come with one you can fashion out of cardboard ensuring that it fits tightly on the top and is secured with tape. If using jars or non dark plastic for your container wrap it in foil to prevent algae growth. Cut out holes in the lid through which you can put your plant(s). Try to keep you plants in the centre of the lid. Add water and your nutrient mixture, try to match up the mixture as to what your plants need. Research what pH level is best for growth of the species you have planted and test the mixture regularly to ensure they are getting the right balance. Extra nutrients or water may need to be added as the plants grow. Once you have put you dissolved nutrients into the container top it up with water. If the container is aerated the solution can be put in up over the roots, if it is unaerated then you must allow a little gap between the water and the roots for oxygen.

Continuous Flow Solution Culture

Continuous flow does exactly what the name states, it is a method used to send a continuous flow of nutrients around the roots of the plants. Usually done on a larger scale using troughs or hydroponic equipment designed for the job. Gathering information about the nutrient content is simple as it can be collected from the main tank, the solution is then distributed evenly throughout the plants. Equipment failure and power cuts can hinder the growth of plants.

Aeroponics

Similar to the static solution in that the roots are kept in a dark container but instead of being dangled in static solution the roots are misted with the nutrients. When using the aeroponic technique it may be necessary to purchase misting equipment.