Deep water culture (DWC) is a hydroponic method of plant production by means of suspending the plant roots in a solution of nutrient-rich, oxygenated water.
Key Benefits: Faster Growth: In some cases, plants in a DWC system can grow up to 25% faster than those grown in soil. Higher Yields: With consistent access to water and nutrients, plants in a DWC system can produce more substantial yields in a shorter time.
Failure to maintain proper conditions can lead to nutrient imbalances, root diseases, or plant stress. Root Vulnerability: In DWC, roots are submerged in water, making them susceptible to pathogens, root rot, and other diseases if proper hygiene and preventative measures are not followed.
When should I replace the water in my DWC hydroponic system? The timing for water replacement depends on factors such as plant type, growth stage, and water quality. It's not a one-size-fits-all solution, but a biweekly schedule is commonly suggested.
You should only submerge the root bare into the nutrient solution. Keep the stem expose to the air. And no need to wholly sunk the roots. Keep about 1.5″ of the roots above the water.
When planting bare root clones into a DWC system make sure that the water level is just below the root crown. And with rock-wool plants make sure to have the water level just below the cube. Having the water level too high with either method will cause over saturation of the stem.
Occasionally fruiting crops such as strawberries, peppers, tomatoes and cucumbers are grown in these systems. However, most often, low growing, leafy greens and culinary herbs are grown in DWC systems. Various types of lettuce work very well in a DWC system such as butterhead, romaine, oakleaf, multileaf.
Some growers go much higher than this with a "more must be better" line of thinking. However, we believe there is a limit to this. Too much air flow will create an absolute maelstrom inside the reservoir with the roots being thrown around continuously, which could lead to root damage.
Feed requirements will vary as the plant matures. Some guiding principles are: Nutrients or plain water: For coco and Rockwool, use nutrients at each watering. For soils with high capacity to retain nutrients (high CEC), it may be beneficial to use nutrients at just each alternate watering.
If you grow hydroponically, you are likely aware of just how explosively roots can grow in a DWC, aeroponic, or ebb-and-flow system. In some cases, the root mass can become so prolific it impedes the performance of your system. In these instances, trimming up the roots is a necessary task.
Water chillers are especially important for DWC systems because they tend to heat up faster than systems that circulate nutrient solutions.
Leafy greens, including lettuce, spinach, kale, and Swiss chard, are excellent choices for hydroponics due to their rapid growth rates and high nutritional value. Here are some specific requirements for successfully growing these plants: Lighting: Leafy greens require approximately 12-16 hours of light per day.
The DWC water temp Celsius range is between 18-22°C - (64-72°F). It is important to keep the water temperature in this range because higher temperatures can lead to a lack of dissolved oxygen in the water, which can cause root rot and other issues.
For commercial growers, it's recommended to choose the hydroponics system because it is more efficient and allows for higher crop yields. However, if you are a personal grower, you may prefer soil cultivation because it is simpler and requires less equipment.
Depending on various factors, a hydroponic system should be flushed every three to four weeks, as this helps to keep the hardware and plumbing from becoming clogged or suffering from buildups.
While using water straight from the tap might seem good enough for your plants, by now we know it's highly advisable to put your water through a filtration system before watering your plants. Filtered water is not only good for you, but it's great for your plants too.
Avoid creating a routine of watering at the same time every day or every week. Instead, get in the habit of paying attention to the soil and the weather so you can water when the plants really need it. Containers need frequent watering.
When using hydrogen peroxide 50% in a DWC or recirculating system, a concentration of 2-3% is recommended. This concentration will provide enough oxygen to the plant roots and control bacteria and fungus.
The water level in a DWC system can be either above or below the baskets. It's beneficial for the baskets to touch the water when the plant is small and roots are not yet long enough to remain submerged.
Dissolved oxygen levels are increased by supplementing wind and wave action, adding plants to water and exposing water to purified oxygen. Using the latter method can result in supersaturation, or levels of oxygen in excess of natural levels. Run a portable splash or spray type aerator in water.
Lettuce (and most other leafy greens) should be your first plant to try with a hydroponic system. These plants have a shallow root system that matches their short above-ground height. That means there's no need to tie stakes or set guides for the plant.
The disadvantages include limited oxygen for roots, high disease risk, frequent solution changes required, and algae growth over time. DWC is ideal for small operations on a budget but may not suit high-light, oxygen-hungry plants or larger-scale use.