Aeroponics is a soilless plant growing method where bare roots are periodically sprayed with a nutrient solution. It is considered more advanced than hydroponics as it allows for unlimited oxygen and nutrient supply to plant roots. In aeroponics, roots are exposed to nutrient-rich mist rather than being submerged. True aeroponics uses no growth medium, but hybrid methods that employ sprayers and some growth media provide benefits of both aeroponics and hydroponics. The earliest aeroponics patents date back to the 1950s and 1960s.

1. Grow Info: Introduction to Aeroponics Plant
Cultivation
Aer?o?pon?ics Defined
Plant growing method in which bare roots are periodically sprayed with a nutrient solution.
Aeroponics is a spin off the word hydroponics. Hydro is a greek prefix meaning water and
ponics is derived from the greek suffix ponos which means labor. Aero means air, and again
ponos means labor.
Description
Aeroponics, like hydroponics, is a soil-less plant growing
method however in aeroponics there is no buffer or media
used. Bare "naked" roots are contained in dark open
spaces where they are intermatically sprayed with nutrient
solution rather than being submerged or burrowed in a
moistened grow medium. Aeroponics is considered the
most advanced, as well as the most optimal method of
soil-less plant growing as it allows plants roots to receive
an unlimited supply of oxygen and nutrients. In most
hydroponics mediums the roots "drown" in water, limiting
their supply of usable oxygen creating a bottle-neck.
AeroponicsMethods, and Uses
Aeroponics and hydroponics are much a like in that plants
are grown without soil, the difference is that in aeroponics
roots are completely exposed and are sprayed rather than submerged in nutrients solution. A
"true" aeroponics setup uses no growth medium what-so-ever. The roots are exposed to water
vapors, or are misted with a fine spray of cool, atomized nutrients solution. When plants are
grown under these conditions amazing growth rates will stun and captivate growers. The
unfortunate side is that these conditions are nearly impossible to maintain as sprayers capable of
producing this fine of a mist clog quickly when nutrients salts are used. The nozzles require
weekly, or even daily cleanings with the frequency increasing with the strength of the solution.
Nozzles will also become increasingly difficult to reach as robust roots rapidly fill the open
spaces.
An easier to maintain yet less "true" aeroponics setup, almost equal in performance is that of one
which uses a higher flow sprayer which will allow for some salt build up without requiring user
maintenance or cleaning during plant growth. Generally these higher flow sprayers will not
atomize the water, however this method is still considered aeroponics in that no medium is used,
and bare roots are sprayed directly with nutrients solution. To a slightly lesser degree all of the

2. same benefits of "true aeroponics" are maintained which include: faster growth, less water, less
nutrients, and less energy. There are some lower flow nozzles which produce a fine spray while
operating clog free for the duration of one crop cycle. These nozzles, like atomizing nozzles,
require a high pressure, low flow pump in order to work. These pumps on average are 2-4 times
more expensive than a high flow submersible pump.
Aeroponics Hybrid Techniques
Since acheiving a "true" aeroponics growth setup is not currently feasible, other aeroponics
methods are employed. Aero setups that employ high flow sprayers combined with the use of
growth media create a hybrid technique. Aero/NFT is great because growers are able to get the
best of both worlds. Oxygen levels are high as most of the roots are exposed like in aeroponics,
while risk of dehydration is minimized with the water storage capacity of the growth media used
as in hydroponics. If your system is good, then it will be light proof as well as fungus gnat proof.
The History of Aeroponics
There currently is no individual or entity that takes credit for the invention of aeroponics so we
cannot put a date on the advent. However the earliest aeroponics patents were filed in the 1950's
and 60's. Another disclosure had the young plant suspended with the roots out growing the
porous medium for direct spraying