So what is hydroponics? In simple terms, it’s growing plants without soil.
The 4 most common methods (each with their own variations and merits) are:
- Kratky/Deep water culture (DWC) – plants are suspended into a reservoir of nutrient solution – pictured above.
- Ebb and Flow (AKA Flood and Drain) – plants are grown on a tray that is periodically flooded with nutrient solution that then drains back into a reservoir.
- Nutrient Film Technique (NFT) – plants are set in channels or tubes (such as pvc pipe) with a small stream of nutrient solution passing through the channels over the roots.
- Aeroponics – plants are suspended in the air with a nutrient solution periodically sprayed on the roots.
What each method has in common is no soil, roots have direct access to a nutrient solution and air, and tops have access to light. For the beginner, I recommend Kratky/DWC. It’s the most straightforward to set up and for a simple Kratky method, the only thing you will need to buy to get started is water soluble nutrients – you probably already have everything else you’ll need around your house. Click here for a tutorial.
The tutorial link above is not working. I was wondering if you have another resource you would recommend.
Thank you
Thank you Stacey…. we have updated the link.
I have too much of Master blend Tomato so can I mix together with master blend lettuce formula to grow lettuce ? Thanks,
Yes, you can mix them, or you can also just grow lettuce with Tomato formula. Despite its name, it is a good general purpose nutrient mix. Greens do respond better to the lettuce formula, but they grow just fine with Tomato too.