Deep Water Culture Hydroponics, or DWC is a simple and productive hydroponics growing method. Deep water culture hydroponics can be done both outdoors as well as indoors. With deep water culture hydroponics the root system of the plant or the plant clipping itself is placed directly into an oxygenated rich nutrient solution. The nutrient solution in deep water culture hydroponics is oxygenated by using air stones placed in the bottom of the reservoirs. If you try to do deep water culture hydroponics without using airstones, the plants will develop root rot and quickly die before reaching maturity. The oxygen provided by the air stones in deep water culture hydroponics is critical to plant growth, health, and development. Deep water culture hydroponics is commonly used with mature plants since they already have developed root systems, and are less sensitive to nutrient solutions that are not perfectly balanced. Because deep water culture hydroponics systems are so low maintenance and very easy to maintain, it is a preferred growing method of many indoor gardeners.
In deep water culture hydroponics, the plants are placed into net pots filled with a grow medium, and the net pots are then nestled in holes in a reservoir of nutrient rich solution. The plant roots hang down into the nutrient solution at all times. A pump brings the nutrient solution to the top of the plants through tubing, which flows onto the roots, and falls back into the reservoir below. This process also increases the amount of dissolved oxygen in the solution, which also promotes plant growth and development. These deep water culture hydroponics systems are simple by design and require very little attention and maintenance – the water pumps are operating at all times, so no timers or controllers are needed. Although, timers and controllers should still be used for lighting, and other atmospheric conditions depending on the needs of the indoor garden.
Because of these perks and advantages, deep water culture hydroponics is a preferred method of indoor gardening for those new to hydroponics and gardening in general, as well as more experienced growers. Many indoor gardeners prefer deep water culture hydroponics systems to other systems like aeroponics for example, because there are less things to worry about maintaining. With aeroponics, the small nozzles can break, or become clogged, so they require much more maintenance. With deep water culture hydroponics, all a grower needs is a bucket, a water pump, and airstone with a pump, and some grow lights!
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