Nutrient Film Technique
The most common form of today's highly developed hydroponic growing systems is Nutrient Film Technique (NFT). Because of its futuristic appearance and nature it is the hydroponic technique most appealing to the public.
NFT Garden System
Nutrients are fed into the grow tube where plant roots are able to draw them up. A submerged pump continues to circulate the nutrient solution and fresh water through a plastic channel. Excess nutrients drain back into the reservoir.
The bottom of the plant root has constant access to the nutrients through a thin film of nutrient. The top of the root is exposed to air, essential to the plant growth.
...............................................................................................................................
Drip-Irrigation or Micro-Irrigation Technique
The drip or micro-irrigation result in minimized water consumption and maximized plant benefit.
Drip Irrigation System
An immersed pump feeds nutrient solution through header tubes and secondary feed lines connected to drip emitters.
The system is timed to ensure proper feeding of the plants. This cycle flushes the medium to provide fresh water, nutrient solution and air to the plants.
During the drip cycle, a controlled amount of solution is drip-fed over the medium (usually perlite or rockwool slabs) and root system constantly. To ensure that there is no stagnant solution, another tube is attached to the bottom of the gardening system to retrieve the excess solution.
...............................................................................................................................
Aeroponics / Deep Water Culture Technique
These techniques are notable ways to propagate cuttings or for use with plants that are heavy feeders.
Deep Water Culture System
Aeroponic System: A pump delivers the water and nutrient solution through sprayers. These sprayers will mist the roots of the plants inside of the chamber. This method will keep roots moist while providing a maximum amount of oxygen.
Deep Water Culture is another form of aeroponics.
Deep Water Culture: Roots are suspended in highly aerated nutrient solution. This suspension allows for easy inspection and pruning of roots. Air pumps, compressors or Oz injectors provide oxygen which is crucial to healthy plant growth.
...............................................................................................................................
Flood & Drain Technique
Flood & Drain systems are akin to NFT systems. This technique is ideal for both multiple plant per square foot growing where individual plant inspection is difficult and as propagation tables.
Periodically, controlled by a digital timer, the plastic growing tray is flooded by a submerged pump. The growing medium and root system are soaked, and subsequently drained at specific intervals.
Rockwool is the most common medium; however, various mediums may be employed with Flood & Drain systems.
...............................................................................................................................
Home Hobbyist Systems
These are compact hydroponic systems and kits that attract researchers, teachers and home hobbyists. Home hobbyist systems include scaled down versions of aeroponic and deep water cultures systems.
For educational purposes, these are created to attract children’s interest.
Hobby systems include deep water and aeroponic systems which are scaled down versions of commercial systems.
...............................................................................................................................
Passive Planters / Hydroculture Technique
Known as the most common form of hydroponics, they are ideal for tropical plants / ornamental plants as well as every environment. They are clean, odorless and non-allergenic. They do not require water or aeration pumps and need little maintenance; therefore, they are called “passive systems”.
Passive Hydroponics
Plants are secured in a clean and porous growing medium. There is an outer reservoir that contains the nutrient solution. The medium acts as a passageway for the nutrient solution and allows the plant to take in as much or as little as it wants.
To ensure proper balance of air, water and nutrient solution, a water level indicator is necessary. This will also indicate when and how much to water the plant for best results.
|
