For saving space and soil, this method also has several
other benefits, including no soil-borne diseases, no
weeds to pull and no soil to till, run-of-the-mill side
benefits of soil-less gardening.

Nutrient Film Technique

NUTRIENT FILM TECHNIQUE (NFT)

A recycling system. This is a process where plants in media in a container or in medialess form are grown over a constant thin film of nutrient which flows down a gentle gradient usually in a form of a channel. It is considered a very good technique for both lettuce and tomatoes.


Nutrient Film Technique
Photo: hydroponics.co.nz

It suffers many of the same problems as other systems in that it needs constant adjustment. It either runs to waste or the plants at the lower end of the system do not get enough. The system needs constant checking of its pH (potential hydrogen or acidity level) and its CF (Conductivity factor). It can be automated with the use of injectors to inject nutrient into the water as it is delivered but in general is not really a system for any other than full time professional growers.

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