Hydroponic gardening comes in many forms, but they all have the same appeal—they’re easy, beautiful and soilless, making them great for indoor horticulture. The Nutrient Film Technique (NFT) is one of the ways to execute a hydroponic system, and while the name is complicated, the technique is actually a lot simpler than it sounds.

The key to gardening with any NFT hydroponic system is to learn about how the system works, what plants it’s best for growing and how to manage it for continued success. Here is how to start using NFT hydroponics in your indoor garden.

What Are the Benefits of Hydroponic Gardening?

There are many good reasons to try out this technique. Instead of planting seeds in soil, hydroponic gardeners rely exclusively on water to nourish plant growth. Its simplicity and low-maintenance nature make it enticing for beginners. Plus, with its high yield and simple management, it gives as close to immediate gratification as a gardener can get.

In NFT hydroponics, the water is infused with nutrient-dense solutions that provide what soil normally would. Some hydroponic gardeners only use water, while others incorporate substrates to promote enzyme development. Plants in hydroponic environments tend to grow faster than their soil-bound counterparts. With the roots entirely exposed to the nutrient solution, the plant can absorb what it needs to flourish more quickly.

Some argue that hydroponics is the future of gardening because it’s simple, uses less water than traditional methods and takes up less space. It’s unnecessary to use countless acres to plant rows of crops when vertical Nutrient Film technique system hydroponics allows farmers to build up instead of across.

Building up means plants are exposed to fewer environmental stressors, as well, which increases yield.

These methods are great for the environment because soil quality and groundwater aren’t affected. No pesticides and fertilizers jeopardize the land, and runoff will never cause pollution.

Many people enjoy hydroponic gardens for their soilless nature. The likelihood of pests is reduced drastically because there are fewer natural elements, meaning the plants can grow without being disturbed. Pest-free hydroponic garden setups are an attractive indoor gardening alternative—plus, they often have a sleek, modern design to accompany most home aesthetics. 

And finally, hydroponic gardening allows any compatible crop to be grown year-round, reducing household grocery bills and increasing revenue for commercial outfits wanting diversity in their gardens.

NFT hydroponics could empower local gardeners to increase business stability, while newcomers to the gardening hobby can gain knowledge to act as a springboard into a more sustainable future.

How Does the Nutrient Film Technique Work?

Most hydroponic setups (save for a few exceptions like aeroponics, which hang in the air) require a pot or grow tray for pots to nestle into, a water reservoir, a lid or cover and an air pump. Some manufactured kits come preinstalled with a grow light, but others require auxiliary lights. 

Water constantly flows and never drains in an NFT system, which is sometimes also called ebb and flow nutrient Film Technique hydroponics. The constant movement encourages nutrient distribution and activity, stimulating the roots for optimal growth.

Much like the ebb and flow technique, NFT uses pumps in the reservoir to administer the nutrient solution. The constant flow is necessary for NFT because gravity distributes the solution. Optimized NFT systems consider slope, flow rate and reservoir length when determining the number and type of plants to grow.

Excess water goes to a drainpipe at the bottom of the grow tray. Simultaneously, a new nutrient solution pumps in through the top, coating the roots as it flows down. The plant roots are kept from being waterlogged since some portion of them remains dry and exposed to enough oxygen to balance the watering.

If you’re wondering how much water should pool together, nutrient film technique works best with none. The plants rely on the system to cycle water constantly and keep it moving. Pooled water could waterlog the roots, making them rot. Therefore if water isn’t flowing, it’s a sign you may need to adjust the planter’s angle.

How to Build Nutrient Film Technique Systems

Those proficient in DIY, experienced gardeners and newcomers can all build or purchase a commercial nutrient film technique for hydroponics. They’re available in all budget ranges and include creative designs to fit in any nook you desire. 

Most people who want to build their own NFT system start with a PVC pipe. One of the focal points of NFT hydroponics is the closed tunnel system instead of open trays. PVC is cheap and malleable, so you can cut and drill into it as often as desired to nest pop after pot. It’s easy to add more if you want to expand the length, but you may consider making multiple grow trays after so long.

Many people suspend their NFT systems, and sometimes grow trays hang above each other. In those cases, weight becomes an essential factor to consider, unless the gardener adds supports, like a trellis. Top-heavy weight can cause the setup to warp or unevenly distribute resources. 

A big issue with using PVC pipes is the lack of a flat bottom. Because of the shape of the trough, the water solution may not touch the roots equally. Some mitigate this problem by inserting wood planks to create a flat slide for water to move down.

After creating the tray, the next step is to find reliable pumps to pump oxygen and solution into the water. The system is inoperable without these pumps because water needs to cycle through consistently. 

Be sure to incorporate ways to measure the temperature into your system. Light permeating the grow tray and the water inside could overheat the roots, which could promote algal growth that could affect the system.

Are There Any Drawbacks to NFT Hydroponics?

Though repairs and maintenance on an NFT system are less intensive than the upkeep of traditional agriculture, the gardener cannot develop complacency. You should inspect the piping routinely, as well as the pumps. Most of the drawbacks of NFT setups stem from neglect, but this can be avoided if the gardener maintains the system properly.

For example, you must check the roots of your plants often because they grow quickly. If they get too unruly, they will tangle, break and potentially clog the system. Any water flow disruption will cause crops to grow at different rates. Most farmers, however, choose varieties with shorter root systems to prevent this issue from arising.

After harvesting each crop, you’ll need to clean the area thoroughly. Cleaning with water alongside bacterial fungicide can ensure no pathogens remain to impact the growth of the next plant in the pot. A routine system flush keeps everything fresh, too, and this should happen every seven to 14 days.

The pumps are the key to making an NFT system work, and this may deter some hydroponic farmers because the system almost solely depends on this operational feature. The pumps run at all times. Therefore, if there is a shortage or malfunction, the gardener should be prepared to troubleshoot or have a backup handy. Otherwise, the plants may get nutrient deficient unless you have an alternative that doesn’t rely on power.

NFT hydroponics is energy-intensive, but renewable energy sources could power your system, making this method an even more sustainable solution for eco-conscious gardeners. 

Depending on where the planters are, they could also need more attentive temperature regulation. This may be simpler if they’re in a greenhouse. If they are outside in the sun, ensure they aren’t in direct sunlight because the rays will warm the piping and can overheat the roots.

The NFT in Your Hydroponic Garden

With the multitude of hydroponic methods at your disposal, it’s a thrilling experiment to see what works best. However, NFT is one of the most reliable, due to its active system and even distribution of nutrients.

If they carefully consider the grow tray and the pumps feeding it, both inexperienced and seasoned gardeners can reap the benefits of a bountiful harvest.

FAQs

The hydroponics field is vast and innovative, with professionals and DIY experts constantly learning and finding new ways to optimize systems. Here are questions some people might have when diving deeper into the subject.

Feature image: Worawit Duangchomphu; Image 1: iamareri; Image 2: motomoto sc