The science of growing plants without soil has been known and used for more than one-hundred years. The word "hydroponics", however, is comparatively new. Dr. W.E. Gericke is usually given credit for coining the word, which translated from Greek, means "working water". The famous hanging gardens of Babylon were probably on of the first attempts to grow plants hydroponically. The work of Dr. Greicke in the 1920's and 1930's in California, however, is generally considered the basis for nearly all forms of hydroponics. During the 1940's at Purdue University, Robert B. and Alice P. Withrow developed another hydroponic method. Their process was called Nutriculture. Nutriculture varied from Dr. Gericke's method in that gravel was used as a rooting medium.
After World War II a number of commercial installations were built in the United States. The majority of these were located in Florida. Most were out of doors and subject to the rigors of the weather. Poor construction techniques and operating practices caused many of them to be unsuccessful and production inconsistent.
How is the quality of the food today affected by the methods of Hydroponics of today?
Coene, Trisha. "The Ins and Outs of Soilless Gardening": The Growing Edge. Vol. 8, no. 4, summer
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