Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
Lettuce will grow very well in an NFT system, so that should be an
obvious choice for it. However, the vine crops would do better in a soilless
system. As a result, your choice of the system for your lettuce will differ
from that of the vine crops.
NUTRIENT FILM TECHNIQUE (NFT) SYSTEMS
There are a number of manufacturers of NFT systems. My purpose here
is to show you some of the units available and discuss their differences.
Although price ranges are given, these will fluctuate with the different
manufacturers and models. American Hydroponics manufactures five
models of NFT systems. The regular NFT Gully Kits are of dimensions 4
× 4 or 4 × 6 feet, and are 21 inches tall (Figure 6.1). The NFT channels for
lettuce are 2 inches high by 4 inches wide with 1-inch holes to fit five oasis
or rockwool cubes (Figure 6.2). The bottoms of the channels have a num-
ber of ridges to make the flow of nutrient solution spread across the chan-
nel. This prevents dry spots where plants may not get any solution. The
kit includes 5 gullies, plumbing galvanized steel table frame, submersible
pump, and 30-gallon nutrient reservoir with cover for the price of about
$750. The 5 gullies have holes for 25 plants of lettuce, basil, or bunches
of herbs. This spacing of approximately 7 to 8 inches between plants is
optimum for these plants.
FIGURE 6.1
NFT Gully Kit growing different lettuces. (Courtesy of American
Hydroponics, Arcata, California.)
