NFT hydroponics System
NFT hydroponics are where plant roots are suspended above a stream of continuously flowing nutrient solution. This provides them with all the water, nutrients, and oxygen they need to sustain rapid, healthy plant growth.
The term “nutrient film” refers to the ideal situation of having a constant stream of nutrient solution passing over the roots. This ensures that only the bottom part of the root mass will be submerged in the nutrient solution.
Providing plenty of oxygen to plant roots is one of the key concepts behind hydroponics. While plants need carbon dioxide for photosynthesis, their roots need oxygen for the absorption of nutrients. When their roots have greater access to oxygen, plants grow faster.
How Does An NFT Hydroponics System Work?
In nutrient film technique hydroponics, the roots grow in a tube-like channel that’s set at a slight incline so the nutrient solution will flow through it. These systems often consist of multiple growing channels.
The plants are situated in holes at the top of the growing channel. The roots are suspended above the nutrient solution inside the chamber while the crown extends above. There’s no need for a growing medium, with NFT hydroponics, other than net pots to support the plants.
The solution is pumped from a reservoir to the higher end of the growing channel, and after flowing through the length of the channel, it’s returned to the reservoir. Nutrient film technique hydroponics is a closed system that recycles the nutrient solution, allowing you to conserve water and nutrients.
Why Choose Nutrient Film Technique Hydroponics?
There are several reasons for choosing nutrient film technique hydroponics over other hydroponic systems, mostly having to do with its simplicity and ease of use. Here are some of its biggest advantages:
Easy to build and maintain
Easily adaptable to different spaces and plant requirements
Can be built relatively inexpensively
No need for growing medium
Reduced need for aeration of nutrient solution in the reservoir, due to constant circulation
No fussing with timers or watering cycles
Uses less water and nutrients due to nutrient solution recycling
What Are The Disadvantages Of Nutrient Film Technique Hydroponics?
One disadvantage of NFT hydroponics is its dependence on electricity, with the pump running 24/7. If there’s a power outage or pump failure, the roots will quickly dry out and your plants could be severely damaged, even if it’s only a relatively short problem with the system.
The other disadvantage is that larger plants, with more substantial root systems, and fruit-bearing plants pose significant challenges for nutrient film technique hydroponics. These systems are best suited for smaller, fast-growing plants such as lettuce, leafy greens, herbs, and a few other plants that will be harvested before the roots grow large enough to fill the growing channel and block the flow of nutrient solution.
Fruiting plants are problematic for two reasons. First, they are heavy feeders, which will affect the pH and nutrient levels of the recirculating solution. Therefore, any time you have plants that are in their fruiting stage, you’ll need to be very vigilant about monitoring the solution to prevent deficiencies. Second, it’s been found that most fruiting and flowering plants do better when they are allowed to dry out between irrigation cycles, so the constant exposure to moisture that’s provided by NFT hydroponics isn’t the best environment for them.
If you would like to read more about some of the other forms of hydroponics, or for an overview of hydroponics for beginners, please visit my hydroponics section.
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