Vertical systems are more accessible for plant control and subsequent maintenance. They also occupy a smaller area of soil, but provide growing areas up to several times larger. Plants are not allowed to grow while growing in horizontal systems, which makes harvests more frequent. Horizontal NFT systems are best suited for larger spaces and for maximizing plant growth.
This should be preferred if space permits. Vertical NFT systems are best suited for smaller spaces and faster yields, as they limit maximum plant growth. There is no definitive answer to this question. Vertical hydroponics may be more efficient because it takes up less space, but horizontal hydroponics may be more efficient because it uses less water.
Ultimately, the best type of hydroponics will depend on the specific situation. For more information on growing from home using hydroponics, check out my Methods and Environment to Get Started blog. Vertical cultivation aims to solve the problem by placing the bulb and the corresponding growth medium vertically, with the plants arranged around the sides of the bulb, thus utilizing the full 360° light arc produced by said bulb. Vertical hydroponics technology uses artificial lighting with light-emitting diodes (LEDs) that offer the advantages of a narrow light spectrum.
If you're an amateur grower, vertical cultivation still offers you the opportunity to make the most of limited growing space without using the coliseum layout. Some of the examples of root plants that cannot be grown using a vertical hydroponic system are potatoes, garlic, onions or beets, mostly root plants as mentioned. In addition to the widespread pros and cons of an NFT system, horizontal and vertical NFT systems have their own respective pros and cons. Vertical NFT systems are basically horizontal NFT systems stacked one above the other where the channels are interconnected with each other.
Using simple automated hydroponic systems with timers to control lights and irrigation minimizes the labor of busy city dwellers to grow food. Therefore, the hydroponic system is a comparable approach suitable for growing plants and crops, especially when our resources are limited. Starting a hydroponic installation with the nutrient film technique (NFT) can be a challenge for any grower trying to grow commercially. Aquaponics can be considered as a hybrid between vertical agriculture and hydroponics, because it combines the benefits of both concepts.
The culture media will depend on the design of the particular water tank for the vertical hydroponics. In vertical hydroponic methods, plants are grown in water, which means that essential nutrients are absorbed into plant roots through water distribution. The claim is that these vertical tower systems are “revolutionary technology and are going to be the “future of food”. Air stones are essential in hydroponics, as they facilitate oxygenation, root integrity, and disease prevention.
