Just gotta say your thread has made me consider giving NFT a go. Seems like it would be less hassle than DWC and could be scaled down considerably unlike some of the ebb and flow systems I've seen.
Your gear looks killer. I didn't read some of the longer posts so forgive me if you've answered this, but is it the genetics that are causing some foxtailing or is there an environmental reason behind this?
The reason I ask is I only see foxtailing when heat or hydration issues become apparent for extended periods of time. Personally it drives me nuts, creates hollow looking buds. Also, what is the total liquid volume of the individual NFT systems?
Those root mats look cool as hell and root removal can be accomplished in seconds instead of hours like when working with reusable media of any type. I take it there is some wicking action that occurs, pulling water up to the roots exposed to the air. Am I correct in this assumption?
Super healthy looking set up, has gears turning in my head. Thanks for sharing @NFT.
One Love,
tobh
hi mate, thanks for the nice words :)
the fox tailing thing is something i tend to see with particular varieties
i do not often see it with indicas
this plant foxtails at about 5-6 weeks
the structure of the bud formation is calyx that stack on top of each other
this can be seen from the start, but they do not start (exploding outwards) away from the colas until 6 weeks or so
i think there are a number of reasons why plants can foxtail
and it does not have to be a single reason for each plant pheno
with hazes it happens often and is desirable for some people
i do not mind if they foxtail towards the end and if its not too extreme
this pheno makes large calyx that become hard the buds are pretty dense for this type of strain
although it does have some kush in it
i think the system does function as NFT with some wicking action as you say
the root mats can become over 1 inch thick with big plants
the top of the root mat is almost bone dry these roots turn light brown but they do not die,
the roots will sit themselves out of the solution with root tips poking into the air so some of the roots seem to "choose"
to sit in the air anyway
the system is very simple simplicity is something that appeals to me
the basic principle is easy to understand and build and design your own system
keeping the stream shallow and spread out evenly while constantly moving is the key
this causes the solution to be able to absorb good levels of oxygen from the air as the stream
constantly is pumped across the top plate
pumps in the range of 300-700 liter per hour are used
the flow does not need to be fast, just fast enough so that there is constant run off
at the other end of the channel. this will ensure the flow remains shallow. the slope can also be altered
to control the depth of the solution
a 1 inch thick root mat only needs a flow depth of 5mm
peace
