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Hydroponic gardening (growing plants and food without soil) is getting a lot of traction among consumers, as more people take an interest in it. There are a number of hydroponic systems out there, designed to help grow different plants in various quantities. Hydroponic systems come in either pre-designed kits or units (great for beginners) or are sold in components (great for experienced growers who'll design their own system. Here are a few of the more common applications of hydroponics and how they function.

Ebb and Flow (also called Flood and Drain)
In this most common method of hydroponic growing, plants are placed in a growth tray over a nutrient container, and a pump is used to "flood" the tray(s) with the nutrient solution. The great thing about this system is that those that are not absorbed by the roots are drained into the reservoir and are being recycled. The Drip System, where a pump continually drips nutrient solution into the growth tray, is a variation of the Ebb and Flow System.

Nutrient Film Technique (NFT)
In this method, the plant roots are suspended in a constant "film" or flow of nutrient solution, which is sent into one end of the tray by a pump, drains out the other end into the reservoir and is recycled. This is a highly effective hydroponic system for nourishing roots, but is also more technical and high-maintenance, since the roots aren't anchored in a medium and are totally reliant on the solution.

The Water Culture System
The oldest hydroponic systems, and one of the simplest, a platform of planters simply floats in the nutrient reservoir while the roots of the plants dangle in the solution. Sometimes, an air pump is added to the system to oxygenate the solution. The Water Culture System is certainly an easy as well as inexpensive way to start a hobby in hydroponic gardening.

The Wick System
This is one of the few systems that doesn't use a pump. A wick (such as an oil lamp wick or candle wick) simply draws the nutrient solution from the reservoir to the growth tray, where the plant roots absorb it. This more passive system is low-maintenance, but it can often over-soak the roots, resulting to a smaller yield.

Aeroponics
This variation of hydroponics is more technical, but very effective. The plant roots have no anchor or medium; exposed to the air, they're continually sprayed with a vapor-mist of solution, allowing for quick absorption and loads of oxygenation. This system is sure to generate large, quick-growing plants when done accurately.

These are just some of the proven hydroponic systems. As you can see, some are more complex than others, and some more effective. Choosing the method for you primarily depends on your time, budget and overall needs.