Kratky Hydroponics

Interested in an easy, beginner friendly way to try hydroponics?

Using Kratky hydroponics is both easy and beginner friendly. You don't need to have expensive equipment or a lot of space to start a garden.

Hydroponic gardening is a way of growing plants without needing any soil. It is a great way to nurture plants inside all year without having to depend on the weather. These types of systems also don't take up much space, so they are great for small places.

An easy way to start a hydroponic garden is with the Kratky hydroponics method. What is this method, and how does it work? Keep reading to learn more and get some helpful information on starting your own Kratky Hydroponic Garden.

What is The "Kratky Method" Hydroponics?

Kratky Hydroponics was first discovered by University of Hawaii graduate B.A. Kratky. He came up with his hydroponics method in the 1990s and wrote a paper on it in 2004, entitled, “A Suspended Pot, Non-Circulating Hydroponic Method". Kratky discovered a way to raise plants in water without the need for an air pump or any form of electricity (if you have natural sunlight of course).

With the Deep Water Culture, you need an electronic pump to circulate the water. The Kratky method doesn't require any electricity to run properly. It is extremely common to hear this method called a "set and forget" solution for hydroponic gardening. 

With this method, the plants are left alone to grow until it is time to harvest them. This system is very passive and easy for even the newest hydroponic gardeners. The plants don't need any nutrient changes like other systems might, making the Kratky method low maintenance.

Plants require water, oxygen, and proper lighting to grow and thrive. To help them reach their full potential, plants also need the right mixture of micronutrients and macronutrients. With the Kratky Hydroponic method, the required nutrition is added directly into the water reservoir.

The plants are then placed in a net pot and hung over the water. The roots of the plant will need to be slightly submerged into the water while still being exposed to the air. This will ensure that the plants are getting both the oxygen and the water they need.

As the plants start to grow, the water level will start decreasing. When the plants soak up the water, the roots are exposed to a larger gap of air that allows the plant to respire. For plants and vegetables that grow quickly, when the water in the system is almost gone, it will likely be time to harvest.

If the plants need more time to grow before harvest time, add more water and nutrients to the system. You will also need to recheck the pH level to make sure it is perfect for the plants.

How Does the Kratky Hydroponics Work?

Every hydroponic growth method follows the same basic principles of planting a seed, waiting for it to sprout, and transferring the plant into a cup with fertilized water to finish growing.

With the Deep Water Culture method, you have to monitor water levels and constantly rejuvenate the oxygen in the water to avoid your plants suffocating. That’s because the plant roots remain underwater at all times, but the Kratky Method has a different approach.

The main difference is that the Kratky Method has a new way of providing air for the roots. It uses the space between the water level and the underside of the net pot / lid for specialized roots that the plant makes to absorb oxygen instead of the liquid nutrient. As the water in the container lowers over time, the roots change to absorb oxygen above the water line, and continue to absorb the nutrients below the water line.

Pros Of The Kratky Method

There are several pros of using the Kratky Hydroponic method, which make it easy for anyone to get started.

A Passive Approach

 The largest one being that the method is so passive you don't really need to do much to keep up with it. Once you have the initial set up complete, the plants will take care of everything else on their own. Even if you are notorious for killing plants, this system is for you!

Easy and Versatile

Due to the nature of the Kratky Method, you can expand your growth with a larger container or go as small as just one plant at a time. The set up is also incredibly simple and you don't need any special skills to take care of the plants. Some other hydroponic systems require a lot more work when it comes to set up. You don't need any pumps to keep this system going.

Affordable

Which brings us to another pro of this system - There is no need for any electronic motors or pumps to circulate the water and filter it. These tools can be noisy, so it will greatly benefit you to avoid them completely. This also means your electric bill won't suffer.

Cons of The Kratky Method

The Kratky Hydroponic method is a fantastic system that doesn't take much maintenance, however, there are some cons to consider. The pros definitely outweigh the cons, but it is still important to keep them in mind.

Doesn't Work For All Plants

The largest con is this method doesn't work for all plants. The Kratky Hydroponic method is best for plants that grow quickly and have a short cycle. This limits to leafy greens and some herbs. Root vegetables are not a good option for this method because they require significant maintenance and effort.

Pest Potential When Outdoors

There is also an increased potential risk of pests. The standing water can attract several different types of insects, including mosquitoes. This won't be as large of an issue if the system is staying inside, but it will be a big problem for outdoor setups. 

Risk Of Algae

Another problem with an outside setup is that the nutrients in the water can grow algae when exposed to sunlight. This can easily be prevented with a solid-colored container instead of a clear one. This will prevent light from hitting the water and the growth of mold from occurring.

What are the Best Plants to Grow with the Kratky Method Hydroponics?

Before you start growing using the Kratky system, it is best to choose ones which will work with the duration of the reservoir and not out grow the container. Just like other plants, growing conditions will impact the outcome of how well the plants grow. In general, these are some of the best plants to grow:

Greens

Just like other plants, growing conditions will impact the outcome of how well the plants grow. In general, these are some of the best plants to grow:

• Chard
• Spinach
• Bok Choi
• Kale
• Radicchio
• Mustard greens
• Mesclun
• Rapini
• Arugula
• Collard greens
• Watercress
• Endive

Lettuce

Lettuce is another great option to grow in a Kratky system. There are tons of different types of lettuce to choose from, and every one of them will thrive in hydroponic growing conditions.

• Romaine
• Looseleaf
• Boston
• Crisphead
• Little Caesar
• Coral
• Butterhead
• Oakleaf
• Ruby
• Iceberg

Herbs

Herbs grow quickly and are ready to harvest before you know it. The ones with the ability to tolerate having damp roots will thrive best in this system. These herbs include:

• Thai basil
• Italian basil
• Mint
• Cilantro
• Rosemary
• Thyme
• Oregano
• Dill

These types of plants thrive in a Kratky Hydroponics system for three main reasons. Plants that have a fast rate of growth, small size, and leafy crop are best for this kind of method. This makes the difference because of how the Kratky method operates.

At the start of the growing process, the roots of the seedlings will just touch the surface of the water. After a few weeks, the roots grow and absorb the water from the tank. The Kratky method is a passive one, and because of this the growth of the root should equal the decreasing water level.

Plants with the ability to mature quickly and have constantly damp roots are going to perform the best. Most of the plants listed above mature and become ready for harvest in six weeks or sooner. This lets them get through their growth process before all of the water and nutrients get soaked up.

It is recommended to keep the plants small because they are more manageable. If a plant is too large, the system won't be as efficient and takes more to keep up than is worth it. Larger plants have more risk of stunted growth, frequent refills of water and nutrients, and the tank can become top heavy.

Vegetables

There are some vegetables you may not think would work, however, if you have a larger container to support the top heavy fruit, the following seem to work the best:

• Tomatoes
• Cucumbers
• Peppers

Recap

The Kratky Method Hydroponics is a great way to grow a variety of plants in a simple, inexpensive system. This system only needs a few materials and can be set up in less than six steps. The best part is you don't have to do much to keep up with it.

There are only a select few plants that will work in a Kratky Hydroponic system. You will have the best success with plants that grow quickly and are leafy. Most leafy greens will thrive, along with some herbs and lettuce. 

If you are ready to start on a Kratky hydroponics garden of your own, you should also check out the Kratky Method Of Hydroponics page to get a step by step guide on how easy and simple it is to start a Kratky garden of your very own.

Additional Resources

A very comprehensive website for all things Kratky Method is "KratkyMethodofHydroponics.com", while it has affiliate links for various products, it definitely has a lot if good information to browse.

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