You must lift the container with the nutrient solution just high enough and just long enough to raise the nutrient solution around plant roots in the other container. The process can be automated by having the nutrient reservoir set permanently below the plants, with a time-activated pump to feed the plants. Another way to get nutrient solution to the plant would be with a thick polyester rope wick. Put one end in a nutrient reservoir just below the plants and the other end up through the bottom of the plant container, with the rope s end unraveled and fanned out in the growing medium. Organic fish emulsion fertilizer is another option.
Some experimentation is needed to get the right nutrient balance to adequately nourish plants.
Off-color leaves are signs that a plant needs more fertilizer. Dry leaf margins indicate too much fertilizer. Needs will vary with the kind of plant being grown as well as growing conditions. A gardener might want to try hydroponics because it s yet another fun way to fiddle around with plants. Those gardeners who are mechanically inclined might also like applying those skills to automating their hydroponic setups.