Founded in the 1970s by a collective of forward-thinking scientists, engineers, and technicians, General Hydroponics has pioneered the advancement of hydroponics. Today, the company stands as a leading force in the hydroponics industry, with facilities spanning North America and Europe. Notably, General Hydroponics collaborates with NASA, contributing to hydroponic cultivation initiatives aboard the International Space Station.
Hydroponics offers an innovative approach to plant cultivation, eliminating the need for soil and instead relying on nutrient-rich solutions. This method presents several advantages over traditional farming, including healthier and faster-maturing plants. Hydroponically grown plants require less space and can withstand periods of neglect. Furthermore, hydroponics systems consume less water than conventional agriculture.
General Hydroponics products find application in advanced gardening practices, commercial crop production, and scientific research across laboratories and universities worldwide. The company’s dedicated team of scientists and nutritionists continually develops innovative hydroponic systems and refines nutrient formulations. These advancements aim to enhance crop yields, improve flavor profiles, and increase vitamin and mineral content in food crops. The Farm Division at General Hydroponics conducts extensive testing on diverse plant varieties, evaluating growth rates, yields, flavor, nutritional value, appearance, shelf life, and overall suitability for hydroponic cultivation. Various techniques are being explored to optimize crop quality and nutritional content.
General Hydroponics employs three primary hydroponic techniques. The Nutrient Film Technique (NFT) involves suspending plant roots in a shallow stream of nutrient solution. Aeroponics, the second method, suspends plants in the air, delivering nutrients through a fine mist. The third technique, aggregate systems, supports plant roots with inert materials such as clay pebbles or foam chips, which are periodically soaked in nutrient solution.
Hydroponically grown plants rely entirely on nutrient solutions for sustenance, rendering standard fertilizers inadequate. General Hydroponics Nutrients are specially formulated to meet these needs, maintaining a pH buffer between 5 and 6. The nutrient solution is typically replaced every two weeks, with water added as needed to maintain optimal concentration levels. Excessive nutrient concentration can damage plant roots. General Hydroponics Nutrients are known for their reliability, adaptability, and pH-buffering capabilities. Their Flora-Series is even used by NASA in space flight experiments.