How it works...
The most visible item in the system is a bolster of white polythene. On the top, is a flat cover piece of white polythene sealed to the edges of the bolster. In the cover are square cut holes of 7.5 cm, where the distance between them is determined by the type of plant to be grown.
In winter, the nutrient solution can be heated using a hot water boiler, making it possible to maintain a healthy vigorous root system in cooler environments. The electric conductivity and pH of the solution are both controlled to maintain a certain nutritional level and acidity, which are then optionally taken up by the plants.
Nutrient solution is dispensed to the crop via the drip feed system that are placed one per bloc. The seeds are planted in small cubic jiffy blocks (7.5 cm). The blocks are inserted into the holes in the lid and rest on the layer of polythene below.
The suspended rows of bolters are given a slight incline of 1.5%, which then gives a steady and evenly distributed flow of the nutrient solution throughout the whole system. This insures maximum oxygenation of the root system without any saturation, thus significantly reducing the chance of any root disease.The leftover solution at the end of each line of bolster, drops into a funnel and flows by gravity to a deposit tank, in the central control centre.
In the deposit tank, water and nutrients are again automatically brought back to the right levels, which compensates for the uptake of the circulated nutrient solution by the plants. After the adjustment, the solution is then reintroduced back into the system by pumping it through a filter on towards the plants.