December 5, 2021
Today in 1935, the first large hydroponicum was established in Montebello, California. The word hydroponics was coined in the early 1930s, by Professor Gericke at U.C.L.A. to describe the growing of plants with their roots suspended in water containing mineral nutrients. Hydroponics is used to grow plants on the International Space Station and could be used to support future human deep space missions.
In 2021, NASA used the PWM Hydroponics Test Cell (pictured above) to help researchers determine the most effective way to provide adequate hydration and aeration for plants to grow in space. Credit: NASA
