Description
An Even Nutrient Film Across Every NFT Channel and Tray
Nutriculture NFT Spreader Mat is the white, non-woven capillary matting that lines the floor of a nutrient film technique (NFT) tray or channel. It wicks the shallow film of nutrient solution sideways so the whole growing surface stays evenly damp, giving roots a moist, well-oxygenated bed to spread across. It is the spare matting for Nutriculture's own Gro-Tank and Multi Duct systems and suits any flat-bottomed NFT tray, channel or gully, in a 20 cm width for home systems and a 40 cm wide bulk roll for broad trays and commercial runs.
Key Benefits
- Even film across the full tray — capillary action leaves no part of the root zone dry
- Stops channelling — solution no longer races down the lowest line of the tray in one narrow stream
- Stronger root development — roots spread out over the mat into a thick, evenly fed root mat with good access to oxygen
- Cut to fit — trim to the length of each channel and lay parallel strips side by side to cover wider trays
- Two widths — 20 cm for channels and standard trays, 40 cm for wide trays with half the joins
- Fits any NFT system — Gro-Tank, Multi Duct and other flat-bottomed trays, channels and gullies
Channelling, Dry Spots and Slow Root Growth
Without a spreader, the nutrient film in an NFT tray rarely covers the whole floor. Solution finds the lowest line and runs straight to the drain, leaving dry strips where plants struggle for water and nutrient uptake. New roots that leave their rockwool block onto a dry surface stall, and the patchy root zone shows above as uneven, slow growth. Spreader mat holds the solution in a shallow, moving layer from edge to edge, so fresh roots meet water, nutrients and air the moment they emerge.
How to Use
- Measure each channel or tray run, and how many 20 cm or 40 cm strips cover its width.
- Cut to the lengths you need and lay the mat in your channels, in parallel strips where the tray is wider, as Nutriculture's own label advises — edges butted, lying flat.
- Wet and test — run the pump and check the film spreads evenly from inlet to drain before planting.
- Plant rooted cuttings or seedlings in their rockwool cubes or blocks directly on the mat.
- Replace the mat between crops — roots grow into the fibres, and fresh mat keeps the system clean.
Technical Specifications
- Brand: Nutriculture
- Product: NFT spreader mat (capillary matting)
- Material: White non-woven capillary fabric
- Widths: 20 cm (25ft, 50ft and 100ft rolls and the 500 m bulk roll); 40 cm (500 m wide bulk roll)
- Lengths: 25ft (7.6 m), 50ft (15.2 m), 100ft (30.3 m), 500 m bulk rolls
- Use: Lining NFT trays, channels and gullies beneath rockwool cubes or blocks
- Compatible with: Nutriculture Gro-Tank and Multi Duct systems and other flat-bottomed NFT trays
- Fitting: Cut to length; lay parallel strips to cover wider trays
- Replacement: Fresh mat recommended for each crop
Frequently Asked Questions
How much spreader mat do I need?
Work out how many strips cover the width of the tray, then multiply by its length. A tray 1 m wide and 1.2 m long takes five 20 cm strips, 6 m in all, which a 25ft roll (7.6 m) covers with some to spare.
Which width should I choose?
The 20 cm mat suits single channels and is laid in parallel strips across standard trays. The 40 cm wide roll covers broad trays and long commercial benches with half as many strips and joins.
Should I use one layer or two?
One layer spreads the film well on a level tray with a steady flow. Some growers add a second layer to hold more moisture where the flow is light, but levelling the tray is the first fix for dry patches.
Can I reuse the mat after a crop?
Roots grow into the fibres and cannot be stripped out cleanly, and old mat holds root debris that can harbour disease, so lay fresh mat for each new crop.
Does it work with NFT systems other than Gro-Tank?
Yes. It lines any flat-bottomed NFT tray, channel or gully, and can be trimmed with scissors to suit the channel.
Works Well With
