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The concept of general hydroponics is a puzzling one for many. By default, a number of people associate it with something highly technical - what with having laboratories, the alteration of a natural process thereby turning it into something unnatural. To understand this concept better, let us break this down into its basic components.

The word "hydroponics" comes from two Greek words that mean "working water." In this sense, the significance of water in plant health is highlighted, because in reality, it is through water, and not soil, that nutrients are fed to the plants. At its simplest, hydroponics is the growing of plants without the use of soil - instead, a water-based solution is utilized.

Let it be known that there's barely anything artificial about this process. There are no genetic manipulations and no chemical enhancements in hydroponics. Instead, the concept deals with breaking down the process into the basic building blocks. There are four elements that plants need for growth, these are: water, light, nutrients and anchor for roots. With the exclusion of light, the other three elements usually occur through the soil - but then again, soil isn't the one responsible for feeding the plant roots, but water. Soil, however, is essential because it provides an anchor for the roots and it's an effective medium where water feeds the plants.

In general hydroponics, all these elements are still present, but these are taken care of by the grower. Indeed, one can say that the natural process is not disturbed, it is just broken down into parts. A different medium is utilized to anchor the roots (like vermiculite or coconut) and water-nutrient solutions are sprayed or washed to the roots. Lighting can either be natural or artificial - grow lights as they are referred to, designed to maximize the parts of the light spectrum.

With hydroponic growing, the grower is given more "influence" over plant growth because he can manipulate the natural elements in order to maximize growth rate. Yes, it is more complex a process than just putting seeds in soil and watering them; but hydroponic growing can generate some very healthy plants and flowers and food when it is done well. General hydroponics is not about growing plants in an artificial manner; rather, it is about having more control of the natural processes of plant growth. But everything grown by a basic hydroponic process will be natural.