Sounds like you have the right idea with the 1" of nutrient solution, but I would consider a medium that wicks the water up like coir, perlite, or a mix of the two. Lava rock might work just fine with that system, but I've personally no experience with it. However, I know from experience that coir and perlite work excellent for those "automatic watering containers" you see in stores.

I know this sounds odd, but a book on growing pot might help. People grow pot for the flowers. They aren't pretty flowers, but they are flowers and the bigger the better. The first hydro book I bought was one on pot because none others were carried at the local book store. They still don't carry much else at our local Barnes and Noble. I complained that they were supporting a skewed image of hydroponics, but it fell on deaf ears.

Flowers love phosphorous. Nitrogen is good for vegetative growth, but cut back on it when it's bloom time. Most cut flower species I know of require full sun. The better the lighting the better your flowers will grow. So what kind of flowers? I have been considering something similar.

I have some perlite, so maybe I will break my lava rock a little and mix in some perlite and peat to aid the caterpillar action.

I have read some books of hydroponic pots too. Last time I went to Border or Barnes and Noble (or both), I found (to my surprise) that they had a full rack of book on this subject. Later I found that it is legalized in Michigan (or something like. I am not familiar with the details of the law).

I haven't decided what kind of flowers yet. Tried zinnia this year and found they make good cut flowers. After cutting, they stay indoor for 2 weeks or more. I will probably try some flowers that doesn't like clay soil. For those that are ok with clay, I might as well grow them in the clay soil.

i am making a hydroponic plant at school and i need to no how to make it though please contact me at skippyjones@hotmail.com thankyou