A basic understanding of how plants grow, and what they need for optimal growth is crucial to both indoor and outdoor gardeners. If you are gardening outdoors Mother Nature handles most of a plants needs. With hydroponic gardening, you must provide some of the plants necessary requirements in other ways. This section will help you understand the process of what a plant needs.

Plants are made up of eight different parts and each part has an important function in the growing process. Our main concern however is with the leaves, roots, root hairs and the vascular system. These are the parts of a plant that contribute to the success of the flowers and fruits.

Fruit          Flower          Leaf          Phloem          Roots   

Root Hairs          Vascular System          Xylem

Leaves - Leaves are where photosynthesis takes place and light and carbon dioxide are taken in, with oxygen released as a by-product. On the underside of leaves small openings called "stomata" open and close allowing carbon dioxide to enter and oxygen to exit.

Roots - The roots anchor a plant in the ground and absorb water, nutrients and air. Tiny root hairs increase the surface area of the root for faster absorption. These tiny root hairs are extremely delicate and must be kept moist at all times. Larger roots are similar to the plants stem, as they transport water and dissolved minerals to the plant.

Stems & Vascular System (Xylem & Phloem) - The stems are the heart of a plants vascular system and carry water and nutrients throughout the plant. The xylem carries water and nutrients from the roots to the leaves and the phloem transports food manufactured by the leaves to the stems and roots. The stem also supports the plant and bears leaves, flowers buds, and fruits. Leaves - Leaves are where photosynthesis takes place and light and carbon dioxide are taken in, with oxygen released as a by-product. On the underside of leaves small openings called "stomata" open and close allowing carbon dioxide to enter and oxygen to exit.

Plants Basic Needs

Plants have five basic needs and each one of these accounts for 20% of a plants ability to grow to it fullest potential. The amazing thing is that if one of these needs is only partially met all of these needs are negatively affected in a chain reaction. For example, if a plant receives only 10% of its needed nutrients, that does not cause just a 10% negative impact on nutrients. It creates a 10% negative effect on all of the other needs as well.  Maintaining a proper balance of all factors that affect a plants health is your best assurance of gardening success.

Air - temperature, humidity, and CO2 & O2 Content

Growing - air content and moisture content

Light - spectrum (color), intensity and hours of light per day

Nutrients - composition and purity

Water - air content and moisture content