Nutrient film technique is a hydroponic system that directs thin streams over water over flower roots. This kind of system can be difficult to set up but if done correctly could produce fast and big growth.
Nutrient film technique, or NFT, growing techniques provide herbs with plenty of minerals through the solution constantly running past the roots and allow them access to oxygen. Compared to other hydroponic methods NFT provides herbs with more air and so cultivation is quicker.
Nutrient Film Technique Uses Concentrated Nutrient Solution
NFT hydroponic designs direct shallow streams of nutrient water down gullys that contain root. The shallow stream provides all the nutrients herbs need for growth and by keeping the stream shallow the root systems have access to air.
Rate of Flow Important for Nutrient Film Technique Systems
- flow rate which is mostly determined by the slope of the channels
- a small incline which slowly moves solution around the root systems allowing optimum access is best
- slopes of about 1:100 are recommended
It can be difficult to install designs so level that a incline of 1:100 is adequate to stop accumulation of water in depressed spots. The solution many home growers use steeper inclines of about 1:50.
Volume of Water in NFT Systems Impacts Quality
The amount of water a system could contain and the length of the watering containers also has a significant influence on crop size and timing. If channels are too long or contain too many plants using the same solution minerals could become depleted and flowers at the far end of the channel could suffer. Each NFT system should be tested to make sure it is not overly saturated. A basic rule is one liter of water per minute for each plant grouping though this amount can be altered according to species being cultivated and the channel shape for the hydroponic design. Scientists have found that quality begins dropping on gullys that exceed fifteen meters in size.
