Drip Fed Media Based Systems is the most popular form of hydroponic and hydro-organic food production in the world today! Disposable grow bags filled with Rockwool (volcanic rock fiber), Coconut Coir (shredded coconut husk), and Perlite (expanded volcanic rock) are used to grow indeterminate vine crops such as tomato, cucumber, bell pepper and eggplant. In other cases, reusable Dutch buckets or standard nursery pots are filled with a loose fill media such as Perlite.

A very small percentage of other media, such as soil-less mixes, sawdust, and composted pine bark are used as well. The growing medium is simply a substrate that supports the roots of the plant, while supplying ample amounts of air space and water holding capacity. Growers tend to use a medium that is the most economical and readily available to them.

Several different irrigation controllers that sense when a plant has lost a given amount of water have been developed. The irrigation controller then delivers a known amount of pH balanced nutrient water back to the growing medium through pressure compensating drip emitters. Since these systems can feed on demand, there is very little waste of nutrient water, so many greenhouse operations run drain to waste. However, many large growers around the world today operate a closed system, by collecting and recycling the waste water. Recycled waste water must be pH adjusted, chemically balanced, sterilized, and then stored for future use. Small growers generally do not have the technical skills or financing for such systems.

As you view this area, you will learn about the basic concepts and technologies for Drip Fed Media Based Systems. After you have had a chance to visit this area, don’t forget to look at some of the other growing techniques. Once you have finished please e-mail us at CommericalFarms@FutureGrowing.com and let us know what type of growing & crops interest you.  From there, our Commercial Team will work with you to custom design a Greenhouse to fit your budget, provide training for the system and crops you select, and turn your growing dreams into a profitable reality.

Greenhouse crops are started in small Rockwool blocks or some other type of loose fill hydroponic growing medium in a 4” pot. These plants are generally grown out for a month or more in a propagation greenhouse. Once established, the transplants are placed on top of a grow bag or transplanted part-way into the top of a Bato Bucket or pot. At least one irrigation dripper is placed near the stem of each transplant.

1 month old tomato transplants in Rockwool blocks planted on Rockwool grow bags.

1 month old tomato transplants in Perlite filled Bato Buckets.

Growers commonly place grow bags directly on the floor of the greenhouse. Where feasible, we recommend new technologies, such as hanging gutter systems. These systems provide better air circulation around the crop, reducing disease and saving labor cleaning the greenhouse floor.

String is hung from strong metal cables at the top of the greenhouse directly over each plant.

Axillary or side shoots are removed, and plants are trained vertically with 1 or 2 main stems that are supported by plastic clips.

Other technology, such as heavy duty steam pipe used for heat on the greenhouse floor between plant rows, serves a dual purpose. The pipe doubles as a track for automated scissor carts, used to train the plants and harvest fruit.

Tomatoes use a lean and lower technique of training that allows the crop to grow a whole year or more with several layers of old vine near the base of the plant.

These beautiful tomatoes growing in a retractable roof greenhouse are utilizing unfiltered outdoor sunlight!

Greenhouse grown hydroponic and hydro-organic vegetables are packaged as premium produce and fetch a high price at restaurants, grocery stores, and farmers markets.

Future Growing custom designs and installs hydroponic or Certified Organic systems. We have customized heating and cooling systems that regulate temperature inside the growing media and can reduce your greenhouse energy costs by half.

 Custom A-frames maximize space for herb crops in media based bag culture

                Cut Flowers                can be a lucrative alternative to  food crops, and fetch a premium price with florists.

             Mini-Cucumber                          Galia Melons

After you have had a chance to visit this area, don’t forget to look at some of the other growing techniques. Once you have finished, please e-mail us at                                               CommericalFarms@FutureGrowing.com and let us know what type of growing & crops interest you.  From there, our Commercial Team will work with you to custom design a Greenhouse to fit your budget, provide training for the system and crops you select, and turn your growing dreams into a profitable reality.