The NFT (Nutrient Film Technique) used to be commonly used
among commercial and smaller scale hobbyist or amateur
hydroponic growers. Its use has diminished among commercial
growers in recent years mainly because new hydroponic
techniques exist today that are better suited to
large-scale farming.
Amateur hydroponic growers however still use NFT often.
It's not that expensive, it's very easy to use, and it can
be easily adapted to suit many different plant types.
The NFT is one kind of solution culture in hydroponics.
Solution culture hydroponics involves the growing of plants
without growth medium and without soil. Many hydroponics
growers believe that solution cultures are the only true
form of hydroponics. They say that when growers add solid
growth mediums, they are adding nutrients to the plants in
the same way soil does. NFT on the other hand, treats the
plants only with nutrient solutions prepared by the growers
and delivered to the plants root system via water.
NFT Hydroponics Systems work by generating a constant water
flow at the plants' root systems which are suspended in a
tub. The slow moving water solution is spread out across a
flat surface at a depth of approximately 1 to 3 inches.
This shallow solution depth is constantly maintained to
create a nutrient film over the plant roots.
When setting up your own NFT system you will need a
shallow, flat-bottomed tub and a submersion pump which will
keep the water flowing over the plant roots. The plants
should be placed close together in order to enable the
nutrients to more readily cling to the roots. The
submersion pump will constantly recycle the water back into
the system. And because the water is being constantly
recycled, you will need to closely monitor the nutrient
levels in the water.
The NFT technique does have a few potential drawbacks which
need to be addressed. For example the nutrients necessary
for the plants can cause damage to the submersion pump. If
the submersion pump fails, or if there is an electrical
failure, your plants will not be getting the nutrients they
need to survive. A relatively short disruption in the pump
can lead to complete failure in your plants.
Nevertheless the NFT Hydroponic System remains a viable
method of hydroponic gardening for small scale and indoor
gardeners. By closely monitoring the pump and nutrient
solution, hydroponic gardening can be made nearly risk free
and quite productive!
----------------------------------------------------
Author of Hydroponic Gardening Website: Tony Buel
http://www.hydroponics.com-afl.com
NFT Hydroponics Article Found at:
http://www.hydroponics.com-afl.com/Setting-Up-an-NFT-Hydropo
nic-System.htm
among commercial and smaller scale hobbyist or amateur
hydroponic growers. Its use has diminished among commercial
growers in recent years mainly because new hydroponic
techniques exist today that are better suited to
large-scale farming.
Amateur hydroponic growers however still use NFT often.
It's not that expensive, it's very easy to use, and it can
be easily adapted to suit many different plant types.
The NFT is one kind of solution culture in hydroponics.
Solution culture hydroponics involves the growing of plants
without growth medium and without soil. Many hydroponics
growers believe that solution cultures are the only true
form of hydroponics. They say that when growers add solid
growth mediums, they are adding nutrients to the plants in
the same way soil does. NFT on the other hand, treats the
plants only with nutrient solutions prepared by the growers
and delivered to the plants root system via water.
NFT Hydroponics Systems work by generating a constant water
flow at the plants' root systems which are suspended in a
tub. The slow moving water solution is spread out across a
flat surface at a depth of approximately 1 to 3 inches.
This shallow solution depth is constantly maintained to
create a nutrient film over the plant roots.
When setting up your own NFT system you will need a
shallow, flat-bottomed tub and a submersion pump which will
keep the water flowing over the plant roots. The plants
should be placed close together in order to enable the
nutrients to more readily cling to the roots. The
submersion pump will constantly recycle the water back into
the system. And because the water is being constantly
recycled, you will need to closely monitor the nutrient
levels in the water.
The NFT technique does have a few potential drawbacks which
need to be addressed. For example the nutrients necessary
for the plants can cause damage to the submersion pump. If
the submersion pump fails, or if there is an electrical
failure, your plants will not be getting the nutrients they
need to survive. A relatively short disruption in the pump
can lead to complete failure in your plants.
Nevertheless the NFT Hydroponic System remains a viable
method of hydroponic gardening for small scale and indoor
gardeners. By closely monitoring the pump and nutrient
solution, hydroponic gardening can be made nearly risk free
and quite productive!
----------------------------------------------------
Author of Hydroponic Gardening Website: Tony Buel
http://www.hydroponics.com-afl.com
NFT Hydroponics Article Found at:
http://www.hydroponics.com-afl.com/Setting-Up-an-NFT-Hydropo
nic-System.htm
