What is a My Greens hydroponic NFT system and how does it work?

The Nutrient Film Technique (NFT) is a brilliant example of harnessing science to optimise plant growth in hydroponics. We use this style of hydroponics with our My Greens Hydroponic System. Here's how the science works:

1. Nutrient Uptake

Plants need essential nutrients like nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, and magnesium to grow. In the My Greens NFT system:

• A thin "film" of nutrient-rich water flows over the plant roots, ensuring they receive a continuous supply of these nutrients.

• The water contains dissolved ions, which the plants absorb through their roots via osmosis and active transport, driven by concentration gradients and cellular energy.

2. Oxygen and Respiration

Roots require oxygen for cellular respiration, which provides the energy plants need to absorb nutrients and grow. The My Greens hydroponic NFT system is designed to balance water and air exposure:

• Only the lower part of the roots is submerged in the nutrient solution, while the upper portion is exposed to air.

• This ensures the roots are oxygenated, preventing them from "drowning" and promoting efficient respiration.

3. Flow Dynamics

The shallow, continuous flow of the nutrient film plays a critical role:

• The gentle movement of water helps prevent nutrient stagnation, ensuring a uniform supply across all plants.

• It allows excess nutrients to drain back into the reservoir, where they are recirculated, making the system resource-efficient.

4. pH and Nutrient Absorption

For optimal nutrient uptake, the solution's pH is carefully maintained, typically between 5.5 and 6.5. This range allows nutrients to remain soluble and accessible to plant roots:

• If the pH is too high or too low, certain nutrients can precipitate out of the solution, reducing their availability to plants.

5. Photosynthesis and Plant Growth

As in any gardening system, plants in NFT rely on photosynthesis to convert light into energy. However, the nutrient and oxygen-rich environment provided by My Greens hydroponic NFT system accelerates this process:

• The ready availability of nutrients reduces the energy plants need to extract them, allowing more energy to be directed toward growth.

The synergy of these processes makes a My Greens NFT hydroponic system an efficient, sustainable, and highly productive system for growing plants. It's a beautiful example of blending biological principles with engineering to create a smart food-growing solution!