- Pot Culture The cheapest and simplest means to grow hydroponically. Ideal for beginners, simply fill a suitable pot with soiless medium and fill a bottom tray (or AquaTray) with nutrient solution by hand. The nutrient will reach the plant using capillary action in the first stages.
- Ebb & Flow Also called 'Flood & Drain'. Plants grown in this method are often supported in pots, filled with Hydroton clay pebbles, which are placed into a special tray. The tray is regularly flooded to soak the hydroton clay with nutrient solution and then it is allowed to drain back into a holding tank. This cycle is repeated several times a day. When the nutrient drains away fresh air and oxygen are drawn to the root zone of the plants. Highly efficient and easy to manage method of soil-less gardening.
- NFT - Nutrient Film Technique Commonly known as NFT. The plants rest in a flat but sloping tray or channel, often without support or using rockwool cubes, the nutrient solution is simply recirculated around the system with roots bathed by a constant flow of nutrient feed. The system is easy and quick to install and provides fast growth rates. As the system is usually run on a constant basis (during day light hours) the management of NFT systems has to be more diligent than other types of systems. However if management is correct this system type (developed in the UK) will out-perform all other system types currently available.
- Aeroponics Aeroponics is an effective method that involves suspending the roots of the plant within a darkened sealed chamber, where they are misted with a nutrient mix. Due to the high oxygen levels in such a system rapid growth rates can be achieved. Similar management issue to NFT
-Drip irrigation A reservoir of nutrient feed is pumped via drippers to plants usually supported in pots or more commonly Rockwool cubes or slabs. The AquaTray is used for this method also. The excess nutrient may then be recirculated or allowed to drain away, known as 'run to waste'. Use this excess nutrient to feed to your soil based plants. It is possible using this method to feed plants individual pots giving maximum flexibility, coconut coir and hydroton clay are also popular mediums used in drip irrigation.
