| Deep water culture (DWC) is a type of | | | | each individual bucket, some RDWC systems |
| hydroponic gardening in which the roots of a | | | | dispense with the air stones and instead |
| plant are suspended in a solution of | | | | connect the buckets. The water is |
| oxygenated water and various nutrients. | | | | recirculated with spray nozzles, resulting |
| | | | in better aeration and oxygenation. By |
| Traditionally, DWC has been practiced using | | | | constantly recirculating the water in this |
| plastic buckets. The plant itself is | | | | fashion, nutrients are mixed more effectively |
| suspended in what is known as a net pot. The | | | | and pH levels are stabilized throughout the |
| main feature of deep water culture is this | | | | system. |
| net pot - a type of pot resembling an open | | | | |
| wire basket - is suspended from the bucket | | | | Building a DWC system is neither particularly |
| lid in such a manner that the roots are | | | | difficult nor expensive, and can be done for |
| suspended in the bucket containing the water | | | | under $100. To start, you will need a five |
| and nutrient solution. Within the hydroponic | | | | gallon bucket, a fish tank air pump, an |
| garden, the water is oxygenated with an air | | | | aquarium airstone for breaking up the |
| pump and an aquarium airstone such as are | | | | bubbles, a six inch hydroponic growing net or |
| used in fish tanks. | | | | net pot, duct tape, and a hydroponic growth |
| | | | medium (organic composted bark is best). |
| Once the hydroponic garden reaches the | | | | |
| flowering stage, the level of the nutrient | | | | The first step is to cut a hole in the bucket |
| solution is reduced, gradually exposing the | | | | lid that is the same diameter as the net pot. |
| roots to the open air, where they can absorb | | | | The net pot should fit snugly when the lip |
| greater amounts of oxygen. The massive | | | | rests on the edge of the pot. You'll also |
| ingestion of oxygen and nutrients leads to | | | | need to cut a small hole in the side of the |
| maximum growth throughout the plant's life | | | | bucket near the top in order to accommodate |
| cycle. | | | | the air line. This should be run down to the |
| | | | bottom of the bucket and into the airstone. |
| A variation on DWC is recirculation deep | | | | |
| water culture (RDWC). An RDWC system employs | | | | The bucket should then be wrapped in about |
| a reservoir which in turn provides water to | | | | five layers of duct tape in order to prevent |
| several buckets. If these buckets are not | | | | any light from reaching the reservoir (which |
| connected in some way, it will be necessary | | | | would lead to the growth of algae). |
| to test each one for proper pH levels | | | | |
| (acidity vs. alkalinity) and conductivity | | | | The net pot is then filled with the growth |
| factor (CF, a measure of electrical | | | | medium and the seedling of the plant you are |
| conductivity used to determine nutrient | | | | attempting to grow. Fill the bucket with |
| levels). | | | | clean water, put the lid in place, insert the |
| | | | net pot, turn on the pump, and your new |
| In order to avoid the need for testing of | | | | system is in operation. |