grow tray with net pots in NFT

can you use a grow tray and net pots in an nft system instead of using rockwool cubes?


http://www.amhydro.com/index.php/Grower-Gear/Net-Well-Tray-Insert.html

bumpppppppppp

bushmang said:

can you use a grow tray and net pots in an nft system instead of using rockwool cubes?


http://www.amhydro.com/index.php/Grower-Gear/Net-Well-Tray-Insert.html

Click to expand...

bushmang said:

can you use a grow tray and net pots in an nft system instead of using rockwool cubes?


http://www.amhydro.com/index.php/Grower-Gear/Net-Well-Tray-Insert.html

Click to expand...

Use 3" netpots (small holes) with hyroton balls. But really, if you haven't figured this out a NFT might be a bit out of reach for you. And the link you posted looks much more like a DWC. You can make a simple DWC with a Rubbermade tub and a 3" hole saw. They are much more reliable than a NFT and you can make them into hybrid aeroponic systems simply by dropping the water level once you have a good root mass. Air pumps seldom fail and the tubs never leak.

the reason i ask is because every nft system recommends putting the cubes directly on the table now if they are in net pots the roots wont make direct contact with the bed until the roots are long enough. are they going to be able to drink water with out making contact to the film and also the section of the root mass not on the bed is it possible for the roots to dry out?

bushmang said:

the reason i ask is because every nft system recommends putting the cubes directly on the table now if they are in net pots the roots wont make direct contact with the bed until the roots are long enough. are they going to be able to drink water with out making contact to the film and also the section of the root mass not on the bed is it possible for the roots to dry out?

Click to expand...

You are correct, the roots will not touch water =problem.
Really simple solution. Before you fill the netted pots, pull some sort of textile (Bandana cut into ribbons) so the material will hang down to the mat.
Be sure to WET the bandana ribbons. The roots will climb down those ribbons to the mat.

You only need 1 or 2 ribbons per net. One fat tap root climbs down, and the rest of the root mass just climbs down the first root.
2 days and your plant will be anchored in the tray.

I recommend organic cotton bandanas or silk.
But silk is usually some nasty dyes used on it. Raw silk rocks.

that or some systems use the method of raising the flood level until the roots get longer. Also a nft mat is a good investment. I am looking at this ad I got from bg hydro today and they have 40 in by 6 in trays with elbow opening, holes, on each end. They are like 11 bucks. I want some fun. Maybe I could use a lid and so nft, put a valve on the end and slow down the exit water. Or rockwool again, or one gallon pots or blah blah blah. I was reading NFT is the best, I cant remember if this is better than aero. I think you can manage it easty. Hydro is easier than people think. Rokcwool has some probs tho, lol. Silk sounds nice or raise flood level. It wont take more than a few weeks at most, to get to the floor,