Product type · Hydroponic systems
Deep water culture and floating rafts
What is a deep water culture and floating rafts?
Deep water culture floats plants on rafts over an aerated nutrient pond, so roots hang in solution. It is a simple, buffered system for lettuce and leafy greens, but the pond is heavy, needs strong oxygenation and sanitation, and suits short crops only.
Documented specification examples
Examples from commercial datasheets and independent sources reviewed by SeedMatch on 26 October 2026 (source records held on file). They are not universal ranges, guarantees or offers; confirm every value in the supplier's quotation.
| Pond depth (example) | about 30 cm (1 ft) |
|---|---|
| Plant spacing (lettuce protocol example) | from 90 down to 35 plants/m² |
| Raft hole density (examples) | 24–280 holes/m² |
| Output example | about 1,200 heads/day from about 600 m² of pond in a university protocol |
Typical applications: Lettuce, leafy greens, herbs.
Indicative price: not published — no current, comparable sourced price was found. Prices come only from reviewed quotations.
Evidenced sourcing countries: Canada, Netherlands (not a market ranking).
Advantages
- Large water volume buffers temperature and nutrients
- Simple crop movement on rafts
- Low per-plant equipment
Limitations and risks
- Heavy ponds need strong floors or ground works
- Oxygen and root-disease control are critical
- Suits short crops only
Maintenance
- Clean and sanitise rafts
- Maintain aeration
- Monitor dissolved oxygen, EC and pH
Sustainability and compliance
Rafts are reusable; ask how pond water is treated or replaced.
Ask for food-safe raft material documentation.
Questions to ask in your RFQ
- How is dissolved oxygen maintained and monitored?
- What raft material and food-contact evidence is provided?
- What output does the supplier base its sizing on?
Components it depends on and projects that use it
Used in project kits: Hydroponic leafy greens
Compare with related types
| Type | Maturity | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Deep water culture and floating rafts | Established | Lettuce, leafy greens, herbs. |
| Nutrient film technique (NFT) channels | Mature | Lettuce, leafy greens, herbs. |
| Substrate slab drip systems (stone wool, coir) | Mature | Tomato, cucumber, pepper, strawberry, cut flowers. |
| Vertical and indoor racks with LED lighting | Established | Leafy greens, herbs, microgreens, propagation. |
Questions buyers ask
Deep water culture floats plants on rafts over an aerated nutrient pond, so roots hang in solution. It is a simple, buffered system for lettuce and leafy greens, but the pond is heavy, needs strong oxygenation and sanitation, and suits short crops only.
Clean and sanitise rafts. Maintain aeration. Monitor dissolved oxygen, EC and pH.
Heavy ponds need strong floors or ground works. Oxygen and root-disease control are critical. Suits short crops only.
Ask for food-safe raft material documentation.
Add it to your shortlist with quantities and notes, then generate an RFQ. Our team reviews every request and coordinates suppliers; buyers and suppliers are not put in direct contact. Projects are qualified from USD 250,000.
Independent and official sources
Request deep water culture and floating rafts through SeedMatch
Requests go through SeedMatch Group. Our team reviews each request and coordinates supplier contact; buyers and suppliers are not put in direct contact. The buyer service is free, and projects are qualified from USD 250,000.
SeedMatch does not manufacture, sell or certify equipment and has no contracts implied with any manufacturer. Suppliers remain responsible for product compliance and export requirements.
Availability and the ability to trade depend on the law of each origin, destination and transit country and on the relevant permits and approvals. SeedMatch Group is not a manufacturer, importer, exporter, seller or regulatory approver; requests are reviewed by our team before any commercial introduction. Each participant is responsible for the requirements of its own role under applicable law: suppliers for their products in the origin and destination countries, buyers for their own import permissions and due diligence. We do not guarantee any supplier's compliance. Participant responsibilities · Regulation & restricted items