One of the most prominent problems experienced by home gardeners is over
watering. It is considered the number one killer of house plants and becomes even more
likely when placed under LED grow lights that cause little evaporation because of the low
heat output. A solution to this problem as well as greater efficiency, can be found in the
use of NFT (Nutrient Film Technique). NFT is uniquely simple. It involves a shallow film
of nutrient solution (nutrient & water) constantly recirculating past the roots of plants.
NFT is very easy to operate. You need not be an expert in any skill, gardening or otherwise,
to obtain the benefits.
NFT systems have been in use for many years and are recently becoming popular among
commercial growers- especially those growing fast growing crops. NFT greatly reduces
the time it will take for your plants to reach maturity. It is also much easier to obtain
excellent yields in NFT than using traditional methods. It is probable that yield increases are
due to a number of factors. The NFT system eliminates the wetting and drying cycle
because roots never dry out. Other advantages include access to nutrients, absence of root
disease typical in soil grown plants, freedom from weeds, and an unlimited supply of
oxygen because roots are in direct contact with the air.
For many high volume consumable crops, NFT/LGM5 systems are the most efficient
method of plant cultivation available. Using only 1/10th of the water, one third of the space,
a fraction of the minerals, and little or no waste to contaminate the environment,
NFT/LGM5 systems put us closer to our goal of sustainability by pairing the highest
efficiency plant growth system (NFT), with the most electrically efficient, spectrally rich,
and durable plant light source (LGM5). –AL