What if we told you that it is possible to grow plants without using soil or peat moss? Yes, you read that correctly. Although we have always been taught that soil is essential for plant growth, some methods eliminate the need for it. The Kratky Method is one such popular method.
This method eliminates the need for soil to grow plants, as well as the need for any external water and oxygen circulation systems. Are you surprised? We’re sure you are. So, to eliminate your confusion, we’re here to shed some light on the Kratky method of plant cultivation and expand your gardening knowledge.
This post is dedicated to delving into the Kratky method and how it works. We will also investigate other facts related to the main topic and attempt to investigate the method as far as possible. So, without further ado, let’s get started.
Understanding The Kratky Method
Also known as the passive hydroponic technique, the Kratky method considers growing plants in water rather than soil. This method requires a specific hydroponic setup via which the plants receive water, oxygen, and other nutrients.
B.A Kratky discovered this cultivation method and first proposed it in the journal Acta Horticulturae (2009). This method is considered simple and one of the “easiest hydroponic methods.“
The Kratky Method is possibly the best hydroponic system for those new to this type of gardening and who want delectable vegetables without putting in too much effort. The best part is that it is a passive system, which means that once you set it up, you can leave it alone until your plant is ready to harvest. In short, this method is “set it and forget it.”
Also Read:- Aquaponics vs Hydroponics Gardening: What’s The Difference?
Equipment Needed in Kratky Method
Before we get into the detail of this method, let’s look at the equipment you’ll need. Like the entire method, the equipment is also easily accessible and completely cost-effective.
- A reservoir or large container- A Kratky hydroponic system, bucket, bottle, mason jar, or tub
- A lid that fits the mouth of the reservoir
- A net cup
- A growing medium- Rockwool, clay pebbles, oasis cube, coco coir, or perlite
- Seeds or seedlings (small plants)
- Nutrient solution
- pH meter
- A pH control kit
Note: Some of these items can be found in your surroundings. And for those that are hard to get can be easily purchased online.
Setting Up the Kratky Method
One of the fundamental aspects of this method is that the system must be properly configured. Therefore, the success of your method is entirely dependent on the setup.
- Take a bigger container or reservoir and cut its mouth or lid to create a large enough hole to hold a net pot.
- Fill the reservoir with water. You can use any water as long as it is clean.
- Fill the water with the Hydroponic nutrients as directed. To properly mix the nutrients in the water, thoroughly stir it.
- Using a pH meter, check the pH level of the water. Ensure that the level is between 5.5 to 6.5.
- Now it’s time to place the net pot in the reservoir. Fill the pot with the growing media and the plant/ seeds, and wet it thoroughly. Afterward, hung it onto the drilled lid of the reservoir.
- Explore the plant roots to ensure that the plant is getting both oxygen and water.
- Place your container in a location where it will access natural light and watch your plants thrive! You can also use artificial lighting if you are growing your plant indoors.
- Keep an eye on the plant’s growth and aeration until it’s ready to harvest.
Note: You can also use the Kratky method to grow smaller crops in a mason jar. There is no need to use a separate reservoir for mason jars. Instead, fill the jar with water and nutrients, close the lid, and use the hole on the lid to hang the plants or seedlings, taking care not to submerge the roots in the water. Follow the image below to get an idea of what we are talking about.
The steps outlined above are ideal for first-timers. You can practice growing smaller plants until you are confident enough to grow larger plants.
How Does the Kratky Method Work?
This section is intended for those new to the passive hydroponic technique. This section will explain in detail how this method works. And why is this method of passive cultivation so popular?
Plants, as you know, require water, oxygen, and micro and macronutrients to thrive and grow to their full potential. And this method provides all of these essentials to the plant in a very simple manner. You will add all the nutrients in the reservoir using this method.
The steps for establishing the passive hydroponic technique have already been discussed. So, by now, you’re aware that this method uses every element required for plant growth—water, air, and nutrients. But what distinguishes this method is that it uses water rather than soil as the primary medium for plants to extract nutrients.
The question now is how the method actually works. To put it in a precise way, the Kratky Method allows the plant root system to extract oxygen from the air and nutrients from the water. It is because essential nutrients are already present in the water, and the plants do not require soil to grow and thrive.
Let’s check this out in detail
Because the roots are suspended in the air and partially touching the water, they have enough space to breathe oxygen and extract nutrition (from the nutrient-rich water). As an outcome, the roots grow faster and thrive more.
One thing to remember is that this method is not the same as deep water culture. The deep water culture necessitates submerging the entire cup or pot in water, which prevents the roots from freely breathing and receiving oxygen. As a result, an air stone and pump are installed, which pump air bubbles into the water and increase its oxygen level.
Now, let’s return to our Kratky method.
Initially, the roots will only come into contact with the water in the reservoir. However, as it absorbs nutrients and grows, the plant will sprout up, and the roots will grow larger and deeper. As the roots grow deeper and absorb more water, the reservoir’s water level will drop. However, gaps in the roots would still be exposed to the air, allowing them to breathe.
Check your plant if the water level in the reservoir has completely dropped. Perhaps your plant has reached maturity and is ready to be harvested. Having said that, if you still want your plant to grow, follow the steps (2–4) outlined above.
So, what is it about this method that makes it so popular?
The answer is the ease of implementation and its passive nature. We want to reiterate that once everything is in place, all you have to do is sit back and watch your plant grow. This gardening method is ideal for small home-grown gardens and allows the grower to focus on other facets of gardening. And if you are interested, you can also try this method on a small scale.
The Kratky method is a beginner’s friendly passive hydroponic technique.
Things to Know About the Kratky Method
The Kratky method is a type of hydroponic system that can be used for home gardens as well as commercial production. First, however, you should know a few things about this method before you begin.
- This method is passive because it does not rely on pumps to circulate water and nutrients for plant growth.
- The only items required are the reservoir, lid, net cup, growing medium, and nutrient solution. Among the additional supplies needed are a pH meter and a pH control kit.
- It is critical to start the method by determining the amount of water and nutrients needed for the plant’s growth cycle. Because you will not be re-adding nutrients or water after the initial setup, fill the container with the proper amount of water and nutrients to last the plant’s life cycle.
- It is best to grow your plants in an opaque container. We say this because exposure to sunlight increases the likelihood of algae growth in the water. If you don’t have an opaque container, you can paint it black or wrap it in aluminum foil to prevent sunlight from passing through.
- Growing different plants in different containers is always a good idea. Because individual plants have individual growth rates and nutrient needs, it is best to grow a single crop in each container. The significance of this is that your plants will not compete for nutrition. On the other hand, similar plants can be grown in the same container. However, we recommend that you do not overcrowd your container with seedlings.
- It is ideal for growing green leafy vegetables and herbs. These crops will yield a high success rate. Furthermore, we recommend not to grow flowering or fruiting plants using this passive hydrophobic method, as these plants will require additional nutrients to grow.
- Tomatoes and potatoes should not be grown because they require more water. These plants are classified as “thirsty,” which means they will need more water to grow, and you would need to restock the container with water and nutrients frequently. Additionally, root crops, such as carrots, potatoes, and beets, grow underground and thus will not thrive in Kratky hydroponic systems.
Benefits And Challenges Involved in the Method
You are well aware that this is one of the simplest passive hydroponic plant-growing methods. However, there are some challenges to this method. As a result, in this section, we will examine this method’s benefits and drawbacks.
Benefits
- This method is useful for growing plants that thrive in water.
- Growing plants in soil require more water than the Kratky method.
- It takes up less space and allows for the growth of more plants.
- Plants grow more quickly.
- It saves a lot of time.
- This method does not require much upkeep or technical knowledge to set up.
- It is an excellent method for those who are new to hydroponics.
- Pumps or other mechanical devices are not required.
- The method is suitable for both home and commercial gardening.
Challenges
- This method is not suitable for all plants.
- It is not ideal for growing fruits or flowering plants via this method.
- If you do not use an opaque container, there can be a risk of algae growth in your reservoir.
- There might be the issue of container leakage.
- If the lighting is insufficient, your plant may not grow as expected.
- A dirty surrounding may create diseases or pests in your hydroponic system.
- Because it is a passive method that involves water, it may attract insects such as mosquitos and spiders.
- Although it’s a passive system, a lack of plant monitoring may lead to overlooking the potential plant diseases.
Plants That Grow Best Via the Kratky Method
We’ve already stated that not all plants benefit from this method. However, plants with a relatively short growth cycle typically perform well in this process.
So, to help you out, here is a list of plants that can be grown using this passive hydroponic technique.
- Kale
- Bok Choy
- Spinach
- Lettuce
- Collard greens
- Swiss chard
- Cilantro
- Dill
- Basil
- Lemon Balm
- Parsley
- Chives
- Tarragon
- Broccoli
- Endive
- Sage
- Cucumber
- Celery
- Bell Pepper
This is not an exhaustive list, and it could go on and on. Many plants would be ideal for the Kratky project. You only need to know the names of the plants. You can learn more about this by conducting your own research.
Conclusion
That’s all, folks!
We’ve provided all the essential information you’ll need to start your Kratky project. Remember that it is a fairly simple cultivation method, and you only need to follow the above steps to achieve success. Also, keep in mind that as a newcomer, you may not achieve results on your first try. However, perseverance could lead to sweet success.
Without a doubt, this is a simple way to cultivate plants. So, if we had to recommend an easy-to-build cultivation system for novices, we’d definitely go with Kratky’s passive hydroponic technique.