Deep Water Culture Hydroponics

One System of hydroponic that I am currently trialing at home is the Deep Water Culture method.  This method can be a very simple way of getting an introduction to Hydroponics.  These systems can be small and simple or large and more complex.  The main concept of the system is to suspend plant roots into an aerated and controlled nutrient solution, this allows plants direct access to the nutrients, water and the oxygen that they need to grow. Plants can either be suspended in a basket full of growing medium (Normally expanded clay balls) or slotted through a float which sits ontop of the nutrient pool.  This float method lends itself to commecial lettuce and salad green production.  If the basket method is adopted the nutrient solution sits high enough under the basket to submerse it partially, the nutrient solution is then pulled up through the growing medium through capillary action.  This is great until the roots reach the edge of the basket where they can grow free into the reservoir as they wish. At the moment i have built a system growing Radicchio and lettuce, which i will post photos of soon. This Hydro method is simple, effective and requires minimal automation.