What are some good hydroponic resources?

This is the best web page on hydroponics, the format and the picture illustration are great!!! I am a beginner in hydroponic in Thailand. I am growing lettuce with NFT ,after a few weeks of perfect growth, the roots become brown color and the plant growth is stunt. What is the problem and how to cure them?

Something isn't right with your nutrient solution if your roots aren't white. PPM or pH or both.

I have been surfing the net for about 5 years and this is the first site I have ever seen that was this informational without having to pay for something. If I ran a web site that allowed me to put up your banner I would. I am Building my own Hydroponic system just because I found this site. 20 minutes ago I had no Idea I would be gardening this summer but now I am. Plus if i build one good enough, my friends said they would by it off me for their controversial growing plants. I'm just growing regular plants. Keep up the good work!

Because big business has clogged up the internet with so much of their crap that I don't even bother to serf anymore. 

Very nice site and various design setups. I wish I could have read this material about 10 years ago when I was experimenting in hydroponics. I have recently been reading about fish ponds and various types of filters, one type being a vegetative filter utilizing water plants. These seem quite effective in removing excess nutrients from the water. I recently found a site http://koi.ajiang.com/ where the pond owner has used a hydroponic filter stocked with land plants to remove excess nutrients from the water in a balanced ecosystem approach. I am intrigued by this strategy and would be interested in your comments on such a concept. I would also be interested in any design and suitable plants recommendations you could offer for an application of this type.

sharkdude1@yahoo.com

Ask Aquatic ECO-SYSTEMS, INC  www.aquaticeco.com  to send you their product catalog. They specialize in fish and hydroponics systems and supplies. You can get a ton of information from their catalog even if you don't buy anything.

I called a hydroponic expert, he said I didn't have a draining system, what does a draining system do?

The water drains back to the tank when the pump shuts off and about 30 minutes later the pump comes on and floods the garden, then the pump shuts off and it drains again. It's that simple.

what is hydroponic?

hello, my class is learning about hydroponics. Like how they work and stuff like that.Right now we are growing lettuces the hydroponic way.the way we are doing it is we have a container with stones with our lettuces in it we the lettuces up the top and the roots hiding under the stones and another container with the water and when we put them together the roots dangle in the water and we have a straw to blow bubbles.Is this just home made way to do it or is there some fancier way of doing it? plese give me an answer!!!!

Trying to reduce the cost of my fertilizer:

Check out www.gardensalive.com , Fruit Trees Alive- Build-Up Formula Fertilizer in their catalog. This fertilizer claims to have a high concentration of micronutrients. One catalog list copper and sulfur as some of the macro/micronutrients. At 9.95 for 3lbs, this stuff would be a lot cheaper, even with the $5 shipping than what I am paying for fertilizer ($12.50 for 1 lb at the local store). Given I have a fruit tree I can use this stuff on if it doesn't work, I am going to order a 3lb bag. Just thought I posted this, so, someone else might also give it a try. The real trick is figuring out how much to add to each gallon of water.

Also, I having been adding one liter of compost tea into each ten gallons of water along with my dry hydroponic fertilizer. My plants seem to love it. It also lowers my PH and seems to help to keep it low.

Hi Ron,

We just put a hydroponic garden (tomatos peppers and basil) out on our deck and find that we are constantly putting in pH down every day. Is this what is to be expected all of the time or will the pH problem level off. Also, is the 90 day harvesting rate for tomatoes from seed to harvest?

I haven't a clue about the pH problem.
90 days is what it says on most tomato seed packages.

Is There a way to make your own Hydroponic grow lights?

Please help

Hey Ron i was wondering if you can make your own Hydroponic Lights and in the 11 plant System do you need to put pea gravel in the cups or just the Plant by itself P.S You have really inspired me to a new Hobby

Yes if you buy a ballast, a socket and a bulb. But then you have to wirer it all together. Home Depot has a 175 Watt HPS yard light for $50.00.
Crushed lava rock would be better than pea gravel and better yet grow rocks.

what does it mean hydroponic

from the Greek words: "hydro" which means "water" and "ponics"  which means "working" Put them together and you got "water-working" gardens.

Dear Ron, I'm planting tomatoes hydroponically but using soil fertilizer because hydroponic fertilized is not yet available in our place. I've followed your instruction to add micronutrients, calcium nitrate & magnesium. Everything is ok (plant healthy & growth rate is fine). However, when flower start to bloom, fruit will not develop & my plant starts to die starting w/ the upper leaves curling up. Hope you can help me w/ this.

dear ron, i've just ordered your "hydroponic plant food" online my question is calcium nitrate still needed to make it complete or is it really a complete plant food to be added to water for plant feeding? otik

I am fixing to buy a hydroponic system and I have a question about two systems I am in between. Eve's Garden 6, or the Waterfarm 6. I was thinking about the waterfarm because I wanted to separate three on one side (under 24 Hr. light) and the other three under in the other side of my cabinets (under 12/12 light). Could you help me with my problems? If you could send me your answer to tha_chronic_1@yahoo.com

What does the future hold for hydroponic produce?

i don't get it, yet...

i am new to this site and i have a question: first of all, please don't mind my bad english. i am from holland, you know. if i build, let's say the 11 bottle hydroponic system, and i turn on the pump and fill the system with water/nutrients, then what happens? does the water drain off just like an ebb & flow system, or does the waterlevel drop because the plants absorb it? i can imagine the water running back through the pump after it is switshed off. anybody! please answer my question! if i can figure out how this thing exactly works, i might even try to build this system myself. greetings, reynold

I am building a hydroponic garden for a science project, and i came up with a problem. I built a Ebb and Flow garden with pvc pipe, and i cut a long slot instead of separate holes. Now i am wondering what would be the best way to insert my groing medium, and how to do it. Thank you.

I am building a hydroponic garden for a science project, and i came up with a problem. I built a Ebb and Flow garden with pvc pipe, and i cut a long slot instead of separate holes. Now i am wondering what would be the best way to insert my growing medium, and how to do it. Thank you.

I am building a hydroponic garden for a science project, and i came up with a problem. I built a Ebb and Flow garden with pvc pipe, and i cut a long slot instead of separate holes. Now i am wondering what would be the best way to insert my growing medium, and how to do it. Thank you.

How much does a simple hydroponic garden cost to set up? I'm thinking about using hydroponic growing as a science project experiment.

I invite you all to take a look at a new revolutionary hydroponic growing machine called the Wonder Grower. Go to www.ebay.com and search for Wonder Grower or Wonder Herb Grower to learn more about it. It saves you space, has a low energy consumption, and has a maximum yield of 6 weeks. There is nothing like it out there. My e-mail address is imionline2@hotmail.com.

If i want to just grow 2 tomato plants in a hydroponic machine, what kind of stuff do i need? Including everything that you would need to grow...

what is the best hydroponic setup possible if i want to force feed and bulk up a plant in the shortest time possible! and what nutrient do i use

can i use miracle grow in water as a hydroponic solution?

If you add some calcium nitrate and epson salt to it you can.

i have heard of a idea of "hyper ventilating" please tell me if im just stupid and tired but is it true say if you enclose a hydroponic plant in a fish tank with the proper lighting and fill the tank for say 6 hours with co2 and then 6 hours of oxygen that the plant "hyperventilates" and forces the plant to suck up a lot of nutrients and makes it grow "beefier" and faster. i heard this idea from a pretty much rocket scientist who majored in growing plants (hydroponically) who was able to grow a choice plant in a week to say 4 feet

sounds interesting. 

one more question im a beginner and have a lot of them but any way can i use ammonium nitrate and a solution of miracle grow as my mix for your 11 plant system? and if so how much ntrate should i use

Read answer above. It's calcium nitrate not ammonium nitrate. Teaspoon per gallon.

Where on the net can I find hydroponic methods??-student

I have a 5.2 hector hydroponic for roses project from Holland to build in my ranch in México, so Could you help me on letting me know any web addresses in which I can learn more about. (historical prices, growing methods, main seasons, etc for roses) Thank you. Julio Herrera mezquite@yahoo.com.mx

How can I grow hydroponic tomatoes and cucumbers together in a 20' x20' greenhouse?

It is not recommended growing different plants in the same greenhouse but I do. 

Hi to Whomesoever it matters.. HELP ...HELP...HELP.. I ma writing on behalf of the women and children of a village whose men have been either killed or disappeared in the air during the civila war that still is raging and harvesting lives in Algeria (North Africa), the women that suddenly found themselves obliged to support their families, would start a hydroponic culture starting with letu´ce as it is the easiest product to start with, these women have acquired a land about 2000 square meters and would like to use that for the production. Can anyone among you all there, help or contribute with what you may have to share in knowledge about how to start, what is needed etc... not as far as the culture itself is concerned for the time being, because the land is naked and tehre is nothing on it. Your help would be to explain what to do from scratch as to say take a step at at a time. The climate is warm and hot in summer, humid and grey in winter, there is access to nature gas for the warming if needed but the water sometimes cut off, so a recycled or closed irrigation system is highly appreciated.... so, what is to be done first ?? Build a house that will become a green house with time ?? please take it from here and share of your advice, comments, directions, tips, hints etc...and for that... your highest reward is that you are saving maybe 1000´s of ppl that have no more hope for the future in a very rich country that knows no human values..thanks in beforehand for your valuable help.. M.S Noor.

I went to a store that sells hydroponic items. I asked the clerk if it was difficult to get a 6-10 tomato plant system. He said no but then I told him that I have no CLUE about gardening and I asked him "what percent of people that purchase everything that is needed have success without reading and doing extensive research." He said that the percent rate is between 75% and 80%. He was on the rude side and not to upfront with some of his response. My Question is

Why would the % of success rate not be 99% ?

Assuming 1% purchase everything that is needed and can not follow directions (or something)

Hello...can I advertise a commercial hydroponic greenhouse for sale on this site?

No.

hi, we're doin an experiment in school where we plant rye grass seeds in potting soil with miracle gro and dirt with miracle gro. the controlled group would be potting soil with water and dirt with water. can anyone give me any info on miracle gro, and is it a hydroponic? any chemical info would be really helpful. thanks

Anyone looking to try out an Organic Hydroponic nutrient should check out the MetaNaturals line of nutrients. I`m trying them out myself - working very well too I might add. Trick thing about this stuff is that you don`t have to adjust ph once it`s in your system and the microbes are working. It takes care of itself. I thought they were pulling my chain on this one, but it does work. If it sounds interesting, they have quite a bit of info on their site. Check it out - http://www.metanaturals.com Mike

Does anyone out there have experience in raising Hydroponic Watermelons?

i am doing a project on the effect of ph levels of water on the growth of hydroponic plants and i need help...e-mail me at guardangel2005@aol.com thanx-melissa

hello first what a great site, Second i am a chef and I am trying to grow a hydroponic herb garden. Basil, mint, sage, chives, parsley, and maybe some heirloom tomatoes. All my plants keep dying and i dont think i have the correct fertilizer. Can you grow these plants hydropontically and what I am dong wrong. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Yes wrong fertilizer.

what nutrience would i use for a hydroponic system that is found in a house or normal store

what is the composition of hydroponic solution for cucumber? and in what page?

Hi Ron I have grown Hydroponic Tomatoes going on three years now, I just ran into your web site. Maybe you can help me with a question I have? Would there be a quick way to take Chlorine out of my 75gal. tanks of water before adding my tomato formula. I know I could let it sit for 24 hours and that helps. But I was thinking maybe something quicker. I ask this too hopfully better my formula for the plants. I do have a page to see what I have been doing if you cut and paste http://face-up.tripod.com/caricatures/id12.html Thank you MikeNewsome.com

I here those reverse osmosis filters are cost effective.

How does the temperature of the water in a hydroponic plant effect root growth?

I don't know

What are the best books to get a complete novice/idiot into hydroponic gardening. I want to grow peppers if that makes a diff. TIA

Hi, I was wondering if you had a good recipe for hydroponic nutrients, I live in an area that is far from modern civilization but I have access to just about any kind of manure you can think of, even elephant. but I'm nowhere close to any grow shops and having them shipped is out of the question. I sure would appreciate any help, thanx, Tim

I'm in the process of setting up a hydroponic system, I am going with a 400hps & 400mh I am in now in search of ideas for a sun circle. I have found them but not cheap, HELP.

Here is my first mover I built 15 years ago and it still works. Made from a barbeque rotisserie motor and a 90 degree gear reducer that weighs about 30 pounds. The light is connected to a ball barring made from a bicycle axel. The light cord is connected to a wall causing the light to rotate as the mover goes around and around. This set up will only work with one light because with two the cords would get tangled. 

hi there, I am very new to this and have a question, I am an architectural student and am designing a building which houses hydroponic tomatoes. I just want to know what the minimum height at which I can build my greenhouse would be or is that a how long is a piece of string question? is it really just case of how many tomatoes I want to grow will depend on the size of greenhouse??

thanks: euan

It depends on the type of tomato plants you grow. Some tomato plants can grow up to twelve ft. high. 

I am new to hydroponics, and would like to find a web page with a description and the pros and cons of each of the several hydroponic methods. Does one exist where this info is all together?

Hey RON, Per your comments on 25 MAR 2000.

damn why didn't I think of that. I got to figure out how to make money off my ideas instead of someone else.

Why don't you put a advertisement on ebay to let people know who you are. Also, So you can get the credit that you deserve rather that this guy stealing your pictures. I believe that you said you originally got the idea from a high times long ago. You can tell people about your web site. To bad you don't sell your hydro nutrients any more. You could sell that stuff on there and your pre-cut 11 plant systems. When people buy them, I bet you could whip up one in 5 minutes flat. Have it in the mail the next day and cash in YOUR pocket. "Food for thought"

I have been selling gardens for years and that's not the problem. After building them, boxing them up for shipping, driving to the UPS office, it was a lot of work for very little profit. 
Hydroponic How To software is what I am working on now.    

Ron, Just signed on tonite . A comment about starting on a tight budget. I bought plastic shoe boxes w/tops @ Savon Drug store for a $1.00 a piece. Very carefully Drilled holes in the ends w/ 5/8" wooden doles for plugs. Started seeds from K-Mart Burpee. Experimenting w/ sand, Vermeculite,perlite potting soil. Tomatoes in the Nutrient of 9-4-15, are doing very well, laying the roots flat,compared to potting soil, parsley very slow from seed, cilantro,cucumbers, & sunflowers the same. My 1st year. Hydroponic Nutrient was ordered from HollistersHydroponics out of Irvine,Ca my home ter- ritory. Jim

I am desperately in search for a good source (be it internet/book) on algae control in hydroponic systems. Any or all information/sources you may know of would be much appreciated. This is for a college report, so if you have no answers please don't fake it Thank you kindly for your time. Josh spivakjm@cobleskill.edu

Here's an easy passive hydroponic system that I gave a try. Not meant for Hydro but I said what the hell. Very low maintenance too. Any way, I filled one of those terra cotta "self watering" planters with just grow rocks, started a plant in rockwool, then transplanted the cube and plant in the grow rocks. All I've been doing is filling the outer part with nutrients whenever it got really low. I found some cool painted ones at Home Depot, not the usual orange terra cotta. It's a small plant tho (Syrian Rue), but I have since bought 2 more store plants, rinsed them of as much dirt as possible, and stuck them in. They are both about 9-12 inches, and have started growing new leaves this spring already. The only planters I've seen like these are small, so only small plants would work, great for house plants tho, and beginners. Wonder if larger plants would work as well, if I could find or make a larger one? Maybe this will interest any newbies that want an intro with using nutrient solutions with low light plants. Inexpensive, no pumps or special lighting, atleast so far. Mark.

Im gonna bulid the 11 pipe hydroponic system. Im a new grower so i dont know much What the hell is a solo cup, I know it goes inside of the 2 litter bottle thats all. And what do you use to grow, I mean, What do you put inside of the 2 litter bottles, soil just water, rockwool, ect. Another thing is the pump. What is its specific name so i can ask for it in a store and were do i get it?

A solo cup is just a plastic drinking cup sold everywhere. 
The cup are used to hold the grow rocks. (a man made clay fired ceramic material.)
The pump used are called submersible pumps. They are rated GPH (gallon per hour) and you need one around 100 GPH.

Ron, How do you feel about using smooth textured lava rock for a hydroponic growing medium? I have a 1200GPH pump, can I use this monster for a 20 plant 1" system or will it blow my veggies out of the 2-litter bottles? Will placing several several over flow fittings in the system slow down the water flow? Thank you for this informative website.

All you can do is give it a try with smooth lava rock. Never tried ether. I think you can redirect as much as need be and with that size pump you won't have to put an air stone in your reservoir because the redirected flow will create plenty of bubbles. 

the guy from feb 1 has a good idea fitting the caps on the 3 litter bottles i saw those bottles at wallmart there just like the 2s only there 3 with bigger cap im going there

i have a question about hydroponic nutrient solutions i saw one that's called phat hydro from canada, it seems like the nutrient levels are kinda low it's a two part veg a and veg b, a is (1.5-0-2.6) and b is (.5-.5-5.0). then the bloom is a (2-0-2)and b (1-.6-2) what is the best n-p-k for veg and what is best for budding? great site by the way

I wouldn't worry to much about the formula as long as it says that it's for hydroponics on the bag or bottle. The important thing is feeding your plants the right amount at the right time. (the PPM) 

Hi Ron. I'm working on a report for one of my classes. I need to know what the biological aspect of bacteria are in a hydroponics unit. Or, How will the bacteria help the fish? Can you help? Thanks. Natasha

I would go to www.aquaticeo.com and ask for their catalog. They specialize in fish farming and hydroponic equipment and you can lean a lot from their catalog.
You can build your own aquaponics garden by placing the 11 Plant Garden without the container on top of a fish aquarium. Don't use the ebb and flow method but instead you need to run 1/4 inch spaghetti lines from the submersible pump in the fish tank up to each bottle/plant. This drip method doesn't use as much water as ebb and flow so your fish wont be sucking air ever time the pump comes on. You need to filter out the fish poop after it has release its nutrients in the water. Remove the old fish tank light and add a grow light above your garden that will serve duel purposes for plants and the fish.
Don't expect to grow high users of nutrients like tomato plants but stick to growing plants like bibb lettuce.
The problem is hydro plants like a pH of 5.5, 6.0 and fish like it at around 8.0 so you will have compromise on that and put it at maybe 7.0.     

I have just transplanted some young tomato plants into a hydroponic system. The ends of the leaves are starting to turn brown. Any suggestions?

Mike Tesnohlidek

May be to high of a solution mix. That will turn leaves brown. 

see the worlds most efficient hydroponic garden on cbc. newsworld wensday sept. 26 4pm. or cbc. 6 oclock national news [canada now] also Wednesday, in the future now segment. the spot is about future home appliances. if you can,t wait check out www.omegagarden.com or searching for omega garden via google.com will yield even more interesting pics

Ron,

I am going to be try to plant bulbs in a hydroponic solution. Do you think bulbs will grow hydroponically?

Thanks!

MR. MATT B.

I would think so.

Anyone tell me what (which way) can household ammonia help a hydroponic plant? Please?!

Is there available in USA a hydroponic forage kit or plan for producing livestock feed via hydroponics? I know in Australia the whole system is available, but I am not aware of any such on this side of the pond. Thank you.

I am doing an assignment on merchandising, displaying and selling hydroponic lettuces. I need information on the nutritional value of lettuces, their use, storage requirements and recipes in which they are used. I also need information on display conditions (temp, lights), how you can tell when they aren't saleable, and what you can do to ensure freshness while on display

If I new all that I'd be growing and selling lettuce myself.

do you have plans of your banana tree bucket drip system anywhere? I would like to try it

Comments

Hydroponic banana bucket plans - www.gurglegardens.com

Kitty litter as hydroponic grow media?

non odorous and non clumping kitty litter as media

The argument is that the cheap stuff is just plain clay

So I wonder if you bake the kitty litter would it end up like growrox? Maybe ya have to nuke it instead? I am going to buy some tomorrow and experiment. Also has anyone ever heard of using crushed coral (aquarium grade) as a medium? I would think it would hold oxygen well with all those holes. It runs 6 bucks for 30 lb. 60 bucks for 50 liters of growrox is just a bit much for all I want. I checked the yellow pages online and the closest Hydro store listed is 78 miles away. I havnt called them yet to see if they even stock it. I tried the home depot route with orchid rocks per Tailwheels tip. They say they cant get(order)that item any longer. There is a similar product at the depot called orchid mix that has grow rocks and charcoal and some other ingredients in it. I am not sure about using that. I have sifted 5 gallons of smaller gravel out of a load of regular granite gravel and as soon as your hydro mix reaches me my sprouts are going in my 2 liter garden... Ready to hydro in Ga.

Grow rocks are clay fired in a kiln and that's pretty hot. Not your basic household oven. Coral or any inert substance can be used as a medium. All you have to do is make sure that it doesn't brake down to quick (like vermiculite) and it doesn't leach undesirable substance into your system thus harming your plants.
I promise to set up test gardens this spring to see which mediums work best.   

Hi Ron

ive been a long time viewer of your web site and enjoy it very much. Definitely the best hydro site on the web, congrats on your success with it. I have started up a system for tomatoes and wanted to know if you could tell me what variety of toms you have the best luck with and if they are indeterminate or determinate.

Thanx alot Scott

I use what ever they are selling at my local nursery. Big Boy, Better Boy, Heat Wave, Roma. But I am partial to Super Bush a stocky patio type that only grows about four feet by maturity. And they can be grown in the 2-liter systems or the gallon drip systems.
I am sure if I ordered the expressive real hydroponic seeds I would get higher yields but first I got to finish my greenhouse as soon as this cold weather is over. We have had more freezes this year than in the last 5 years.   

3 questions - Can you be a little more specific as how to mount the gallon jugs to the 4" PVC pipe, the pictures aren't all that clear? And, what nutrient would you use if you're growing a variety of vegetables, tomatoes, peppers, lettuce, etc, all being fed from a common nutrient tank? What emitter rate do you use in your drip system?

I just drill a hole big enough for the gallon jugs to pop threw the 4" sewer pipe. The jug is held up by the wood or metal frame. The kind I sell is a general purpose hydroponic mix ( 10-8-22 ). It does say to add 1/4 teaspoon of epson salt to the gallon mix if you are growing vegetables like tomatoes or cucumbers. 
I don't use emitters I just let the solution flow every 20 minutes. 

I'm doing a project for school. 2 questions - what is hydroponics? Also, what are the benefits of hydroponics?

Hydroponics, from the Greek words (water-working). Hydroponics is a system of gardening without soil. In hydroponics, you provide all the nutrients to your plants through a water/nutrient solution. There are lots of ways to apply hydroponics but, basically, all of them supply nutrient solution directly to the plant's root system. In most cases you mix nutrients into water and feed this solution directly to your plants. Soil doesn't make plants grow. It's just something for the plants to hold on to while they search with their roots for the food and water that's mixed into the soil. Since the food and water are randomly scattered about, plants have to use up energy growing ever-larger root systems to reach out in a constant search for these elements. In a hydroponic garden, a soil-less, inert growing medium is used and food and water are delivered directly to your plant's roots. Your plants grow quicker and harvest sooner because they can direct all their energy into the vegetation growing above the surface instead of the root system below it. Ron

Please copy and distribute!

Thanks for doing my report Ron, I got a B+ it would have been an A but I got some bbq sauce and koolaid on it.

We are commercial growers of hydroponic tomatoes. We grow them under plastic. We are thinking of adding some HID lights to supplement the limited sunlight we get in New England during the winter. Does anyone have any advice or experiences in terms of types of lights to get; metal halide sodium, agrosun, etc., height from plant, length of time to leave lights on, differences in yield, ir cooled v. water cooled, etc? Thanks. Mike

how long does it take to grow a succesful carnation in hydroponic solution?

We are in a Agriculture class in Decatur, Illinois and we have a hydroponic test kit and we have just set up a hydroponic area where we are growing lettuce. We are trying to find out what is the exceptable ranges for growing lettuce. The ranges such as Nitrate Nitrogen range, Phosphorus range, Potassium range, Ammonia Nitrogen range, Sulfate range, Iron range, and Calcium and Magnesium range. This would help us a great deal if we would know these things.

Could any one tell me what the feeding cycle would be for a hydroponic garden. What i mean is how many times does the pump feed the plants in a 24 hr cycle. How many times and for how long of a duration do they stay on thx
Stuck in the mud.

GREAT SITE!!!! I haven't done any hydroponic gardening or soil gardening for that matter, but have been interested in it for many years. Your plans for the 11 plant garden are interesting and simple. I have a question though what size reservoir does it use? Some folks have asked about the "555" timer, Radio Shack has a book p/n 276-5010, that shows schematics for all sorts of devices that may be helpful w/ automation.

Hello Ron , l am currently studing year 12 VCE food technology and are featuring a topic of our studies on food and technological development. l am focusing my main topic on the hydroponic farming of tomatoes. l was wondering whether you could help guide me in the right direction and answer some of these simply questions The advantages of the hydroponic tomatoes over other similar traditional products? The growing, which enabled the prodcut of hydroponic tomatoes to be developed? And whether you have any significant points about hydroponic tomatoes? Or a diagram on how hydroponics works? Any of this help would be greatly helpful to help for my furture studies. And whether you have any other websites that focus on hydroponic tomatoes Hope to hear from you soon and thankyou for your help Thankyou

Ron- I am new at hydroponic gardening and I am building your 11 plant system. Reseaching the internet I located a timer that can be set 15 min. on and 15 min. off. It costs approximately $15.00 at http://www.4hydroponics.com and is manufactured by a company called Grasslin. I have not had a chance to use it yet but is appears to be perfect for our systems. Thanks for your web site as it is the best hydroponic site on the web.

how do pumpkins do in a hydroponic garden?

Do you have any information on expected crop yields for hydroponic production of veggies? Jaco, Bloemfontein, South Africa

I would love a couple marketing tips on how to market a new hydroponic retail store

Dear fellow hydroponic fans We have a hydroponic barley shed which has been operational for 12months. No problems till now, suddenly we have some sort of snowy white growth attacking the sprouted seeds. Any ideas what it is? How to treat it? We are at present shutting down for a week to completely clean out the nutrient tank and dripper pipes(system).It seems to become active when the sprouts are 3-4 days old. Any help would be appreciated.

Hi, I am From Rodrigues Island,Island Situated in the Indian Ocean,I want to start Hydroponic culture of Lettuces and Tomatoes.Want to have some advice to begin. Mail to:xtelle24@hotmail.com

Shawn Here!!! I was wondering do know if blueberries can be grown in a Hydroponic Greenhouse setting? Do you know of anygood websites or success stories regarding this topic? sskinner89@hotmail.com

Could you let me know which kind of hydroponic process is good for growing leafy vegetables like basil and pok-choy with the least cost effective in mind. Would it be possible to make one myself or I have to order from a manufacturer? BK

Attn: Pingman

Go to: http://www.stonernet.org/spongebud/growroom_mechanics.htm

I'm not into pot, but this site has a lot of information on growing using a bubbler system. Explore the whole site, the guys setup really looks very sanitary to me.

FYI, I sent for and received a booklet outlining the proceedings of the first Non-Circulating hydroponic workshop held in Hawaii in 1997 from the Asian Vegetable Research and Development in Taiwan. Their primary goal is to develop systems for growing in HOT countries, SE Asia, India, etc.

They mention in the text that there are actually two sets of roots that a plant develops, one set for oxygen and one set for nutrient. I've just started studying the whole booklet (55 pages) and feel that maybe the bubbler system setup would exploit these two sets of roots and maximize plant growth. What you've mentioned seems to confirm that.

If you want, you can email me at tailwheel@asia.com and I will scan the booklet and send it to you in jpg format.

Maybe I'll just set up a system myself and see what happens. I've got a bunch of plants ready to go now and no place to put them. I could probably knock something out in a few hours if I can find the time.

Tailwheel

I was wondering if you could tell me what the #1 selling hydroponic magazine in the world is? Also could you please tell what the #1 greenhouse manufacturer is? Thank you.

Saw an HPS light, the kind for outside use, at a home center for about $40. What's the difference between that and the expensive ones sold by the hydroponic companies?

Thanks,

Jeff

I made my VERY FIRST hydroponic garden yesterday thanks to this website! It's a very basic gurgle garden but it works great. I'm using perlite now but would like to try grow rocks. I'm using organic nutrients from MetaNaturals: http://bella-via.com/

Grow Rocks: Where can I buy them the cheapest? Are there any online sources?

FireCloud

Try to find them as close to you as possible because the shipping will hurt. 

What would you use for a nutrient solution in the 11 plant hydroponic system displayed on this site? Also I would like to thank the maker and members of this site it has been a big help with my project for school.

Any nutrient solution formulated for hydroponics will work fine.

How can I grow a hydroponic tomato garden in a limited space of 2'x2'?

Does anyone know anything about a volmatic valve system? It is widely used by the Danish people for their ebb and flow hydroponic systems. I am curious as to how it works. Does it have the same function as the American drain/fill and overflow fittings? If so, what are the advantages of using a volmatic valve system? Whatever info you share with us is greatly appreciated. Thanks!!

We are a group of engineering students and we have been asked to submit a proposal for an urban gardening center. Where would be the best place to find information on hydroponics and where hydroponics will be in the twenty first century? We would apperciate your reply. Thanks, Team Solutions

Ron, I'm about to start my first hydroponic garden and I have a few questions

1. I want to grow roses and I would like to know which type of lights would be the best?

2. The set up I have right now is the cascade system is that good for roses?

thats it for now but I'll some more later for sure.

I'm in 8th grade, and I need to build a hydroponic garden for $25.00, or less, for my science fair project. I looked EVERYWHERE and found nothing for that price range. The garden isn't supposed to be the latest model, but it's supposed to GROW!!!!! If anyone has any information, or can donate, or lend something, PLEASE ANSWER. Leave your e-mail address, or something. THANKYOU FOR AT LEAST READING!!! Sincerly, I.M. Clueless

I am in Northern Maine, USA and I am interested in visiting a comercial or hobby hydroponic garden. Does anyone know of a place to visit near Camden, ME that would be willing to show me around? I am interested in starting an operation in the Republic of Panama. I will be in town till 2 October. Thanks I woulkd appreciate any response.

I just found your web page yesturday and think it it outstanding!!! Today I came back thinking of ordering your kit to get started ( wanted to have a working model). Now it is not there to order or see. Do you still sell the kit? Let me know, I want to get started soon!!

Mike

Ron how much Ph should be in the water for tomatoes? Also how often do I fertilize? Your input would be great. And no I'm not completely stupid I'm just a highschool student in an Ag class with an IDIOT for a teacher. Thnaks a bunch!

we are trying to create a tomato hydroponic experiment and would like some ideas on a simple experiment for a 10th grade project that is cheap and simple.

Does anyone know where the website for the Hydroponic Society of America has moved to?

The url given in all the search engines does not work.

To whom it may concern: I'm a freshman science student in high school doing a science project on growing hydroponic tomatoes. Is there a decent hydroponic nutrient solution on the market that's already mixed and ready to go? If so, what is it and where can I get some fast? AuntHC

hey ron... i went to my local hardware and garden shop and they didn't have hydroponic plant food so i bought an all purpose plant food that was 2-10-10, if i bought something to add more nitrogen to that would it be sufficient for growing tomatoes and (or) cotton?????

It might work if you add some calcium nitrate and some epsom salt to it. 

hey ron, george crescent city fl. planning to build a couple of your yard gardens for use this summer when i have to shut the greenhouse down. with the heat here in fl do i need some shade cloth over the garden or just clear plastic as in your pics? ps, you were right about greenhouses only good for winter use in fl.

I even tried a verity called Heat Wave last spring and they still didn't produce. I have manage for the first time to save 100 tomato plants this year by using kerosene heaters. I will be selling tomatoes online overnight express very soon. I will be building a large scale open field hydroponic tomato system next spring. Who needs a greenhouse?

Yes I don't grow without shade cloth or my tomato plants wilt from the heat.

Hi All,

I recently opened a website/store that offers hydroponic supplies. I did this for two main reasons: first, I'm a software engineer and wanted to build an ecommerce web site; second, hydroponics is my hobby and I wanted to get stuff as cheap as possible.

I talked to Ron about offering you guys a special deal. Everything I have is at least 10% off list (some 15% off and most following in the next couple of months) and you guys can get an extra 10% off with this coupon (at the checkout cart use the code: hydroponics). That will likely bring my profit margin to about next to nothing.

I'm adding new stuff to my database all the time. I'm a dealer for a couple garden supply wholesalers and one light wholesaler. If you want something that's not on my site let me know. Most likely I can get it but just haven't listed it yet.

So, please check out www.dogstarlabs.com and see what I have available.

Jeff jeff@dogstarlabs.com

does n e one know about how much it would cost to make the 11 plant hydroponic system? And were i could pick up a pump and a timer? your info will be greatly appreciated!

Here

i am making the 11 plant hydroponic system and i was wondering how should i fasten the pvc piping down to the nutrient container? thanx for your responoses!!

why? You growing in a hurricane. You can use bungee cords to hold the sucker down or if you need a more permanent way use elastic ties. Just ask the cops for some the next time you are busted. They use them for hand cuffs.   

How does one grow bog plants or emergent nymphaes ( lotuses, iris) using hydroponic systems ? Radha Krishna drradhak@runbox.com

This is John White again. My science fair hypothesis says that plants in potting soil will grow better than in a hydroponic garden. I said this because I don't know about hydroponics yet and wanted to learn if it was just as good as growing in soil. After reading my research I learned that hydroponics gives plants the same nutrients as potting soil but in a different way. I was hoping you could comment on my hypothesis for my project by saying whether you think plants do better in hydroponics or just the same as in soil. Thank you for your time. I think hydroponics is cool! John White

Attention: John White

There is NO comparison between growing in hydroponics and potting soil. Hydroponics wins hands down. Keep in mind that in hydroponic growing, the plants are being force fed nutrients whereas in soil, the plants put out more roots seeking nutrients in a form it can use.

I usually buy 6 packs of seedlings at my local Home Depot. Those that I don't put in a hydroponic setup, go into the ground. The difference in the growth rate and production of fruit is almost unbelievable using a hydro system. An added benefit is that I hav'nt had any bug problems in the hydro garden and am able to grow without using any poison sprays.

Hello Online,

Looking for some info on a hydroponic project for lettuce, living in the Caribbean and looking into the posibility of cultivating lettuce by hydroponic. Anyone with imput into this would be highly welcome, thanking you in advance I could be e-mail at twinpilot12@yahoo.com, Eugene Duzant is the name to contact. Thank you again

Hello Ron (or whomever can answerer my query) I just started out on my hydroponic quest and I was trying to find some cheep growing solution. I remember finding a place on the web that had some in dry form for only $5.00 or sow. But please give me any information you might have. I'm just a beginner.

The cheapest I have ever used is Nutri-sol but I can't find it anymore. So now I mix my own.

Hello, my name is Ian. I have to do a science fair project at school, and I was thinking of doing something involving hydroponics (I'm not quite sure what to do, but I'd like to use hydroponics). If anybody could help me out with this (where to get hydroponic stuff, info. on hydroponics, etc.) it'd be greatly appreciated. If you could help me, my email is Malchori@aol.com Thanks! Ian

The moisture probe will be used as a feedback to a controller to automate the hydroponic process. I plan on using the bag technique to grow tomatoes. I plan on using peat moss and perlite as the medium. My goal is to have the prob calibrated to keep the correct moisture level in the bag at all times.

I live in the Atlanta area and I see a niche market for tomatoes in the winter months. Caterers and fine restaurants are begging for good FRESH vegetables. My goal is to build a business growing hydroponic vegs. Any advice is welcomed. Joe

I love the sight, so in appreciation, and to keep this sight the last word on the subject, here's a bit of trivia.

The only song (as far as I know) ever to mention Hydroponics Is the Title song of Donald Fagan's (Steely Dan) Kamakiriad. The Song (whole album) is about a futuristic car and the lyric goes

It's not a freeway bullet or a bug with monster wheels It's a total biosphere The farm in the back is hydroponic Good fresh things every day of the year.

I take comfort in the fact that somebody in pop culture not only knows what it is, but that he knows that it's not just for growing the #1 cash crop.

Where in the USA can I find hydroponic tomatoes and lettuce seeds? And the prices to those seeds? Cody Johnson Tarkio, Missouri P.S. If Any one wants to e-mail me about this matter my e-mail address is johnson_cody90@hotmail.com

I have been asked to give a report on hydroponic fertilizers and I need to know percentage wise how much nitrogen, Phosphorous, and Potassium should be in the fertilizer to best help plants grow. Val in MT

Hey folks, came across a great link for a TDS tester. It is a cheap one, and I don't know the quality, but it is like half the price as any others I have seen. Ron, or anybody else, let me know if this is a great deal. I really appreciate this site.....I now have built three hydroponic systems, and a greenhouse to put them in. It is a great hobby.

Brett

http://www.hannainst.com/products/testers/primo25.htm

I just came from one of your stores, which I had visited for the first time since it opened. Although your prices are quite high I was pleased with your selection of gluten-free products, and was planning to shop there frequently in the future. That was changed when I heard my car and license plate described over the public address system. When I responded, I was told that they page people routinely when they think a care has been parked for too long in their lot. The car owner then must come to the customer service desk to demonstrate that he or she is, in fact, in the store. I don't like being harassed when I'm shopping, so I will use your store only when I cannot get a product anywhere else. I suggest that this policy is counter productive from your viewpoint, and extremely distasteful for customers. James Duffy, jim-jane @erols.com

That would be hard to do considering I don't have a brick and mortar store yet. I wish I owned every hydroponics store you happen to walk into I didn't invent hydroponics. And if you are talking about Worm's Way, they only advertise with me. I don't own them or any other hydroponic company that post on this web site except Pipe Dreams Hydroponics. 

could somebody send me information ref if it is possible to grow hydroponic asparagus in a commercial way, I am from Argentina thank you mearenaza@hotmail.com

can you skip from vegging to blooming in a hydroponic system??

I was wondering how long should veging take for hydroponic systems. To make myself clear it's grown on 6 by 8 tables with water pump up and then drains down. If possible can I skip the veging stage and start blomming.

Ron,I have a queston. I am new at hydroponic's growing. I am starting with a 7 plant water garden, and am going to try and start out with growing tomatoes. I was wondering how long should i let the timer go before it turns off? Thank You. S.

Just another quick question. When do I change my hydroponic solution to the flower mix? Should I do it at the same time as I change the lights to 12/12. Or should I wait a specified time? Please advise. Thanks, V_12(v_12@yahooka.com)

Yes, No.

hey ron im using pea gravel as a medium with continuous watering during light operation. is this ok? also im using peter professional plant food 20-20-20 for my nutrient, please advise (tomato,pepper,assorted herbs)thanks t.j.o

No it ain't ok. They will start to die anytime now. Peter's does make hydroponic plant food but what you got their is for dirt. You can add some Magnesium Nitrate and some Epson salts to that and you might grow something but by using the most basic system you could use you would better off using real hydroponic plant food. 

Ron, I just found your site!!! Whoaaaa the best hydroponic website in the cyberworld!!

Can you kindly answer the following questions before I mess up my plants?

1) Im using 2 liter bottle setup to grow some kind bud. Once I put my 3" sprouts into the grow rocks, from then on how often do you flood the system? Like what's the water cycle from then to maturity? How many times per day and for how long? 

2) In growing with limited height (5 1/2') with a 400 watt hps, when is it a good time to switch to buddin stage?

I water every 20 or 30 minutes in all my gardens no mater what I'm growing and whatever age of the plants. I also water 24 hours because it's convenient not because you have to.

I am building an enclosed hydroponic system and am trying to anticipate whether it will work. I bought an extra large rubbermaid storage bin for $16.99 at my local Home Base store. I placed some plastic rectangular cubes inside and have set some baskets with growing cherry tomato plants in gro rocks on the cubes. The tomatoe plants are long enough that the tops stick out of some cutouts that I made along the edge of the lid. This way I can take the lid on and off without lifting the plants. The pump, tubing and spray nozzles are all inside the storage bin. The spray nozzles are low pressure 180 degree nozzles designed for drip irrigation systems but they seem to work well enough to cover the grow rocks inside the baskets. The plastic bin holds about 15gal of water and the pump turns on for 30 min and off for 30 min during the day and off all night. Do you think I might have since the roots and about 18 inches of plant stem are always inside the storage bin?

how do i level out the ph in water 4 a hydroponic unit?

Hi, I'm doing a science project on hydroponic farming, using the Water Culture method, i need to know how to get the best results, especially with pea plants & carrots, if anyone can give me some advice, than post it on the bulletin board, please address it to J.S. of Fl

hi ! i am interested in starting a hydroponic vegetable garden as a business, what size should the garden be to be commercially viable ? would appreciate a reply.

I was wondering if anyone knows how to make some sort of hydroponic solution yourself from stuff that is semi-easily accessible? If our society crumbles, it would be nice to have a hydroponic farm, but hard to buy the solution, you know?

I am a 11th grader in high school and I am considering doing a science project on the success of different nutrient solutions on hydroponically grown plants. is this at all possible? how much would it cost to set up a functioning hydroponic system?

heres a cheap and easy to build and maintain system that can built for around 20,30$ or so materials required: (1)rubbermaid type container (10 to 20 gallon) (2)16oz. minimum to (whatever)24-32ounce solo brand (solo more durable than dixie brand)plastic cups. with holes either melted with wood burning tool or cut with razor knife or similar implement. (3)gro-rocks or lava rock 1/4" to 1/2"approximate size (4)aquarium style air pump with hose and air stone(s) (5)aquarium ph test kit and a 1 part hydroponic nutrient (aquaculture hydroponics in az. and eco hydroponics in washington state make good inexpensive products)2 and 3 part may be used but get costly to use year round.liquid sea kelp 4oz. liquid measure per ten gallons water can be used as micro nutrient supplement/growth stimulant if desired. trace cup lip onto lid of container then trace a magic marker line inside that line so solo cup will be suspended in hole. carefully cut out with a razor knife.2 holes about 6" from handles works well for tomaters or pepper plants 6 or 8 works for leaf lettuce. fill container almost full,add 1/2 strength nutrient for sprouts to seedling stage,adjust ph to 6 to6.8 range ,add bubbler to nutrient tank add cups so nutrient is approx 1/2 to 3/4 covering cups kick back and watch em grow.top off tank with water as needed.more nutrient may be added as plants mature to bring up to full strength. thats all for now,happy growing! dudley groright says grow your own vegies, they just taste better.

For those of you looking for parts to make a NTF or Aeroponic system, here are the sources I use for getting some of the special parts.

See the plastic net growing cups in the hydroponic section of this web page. http://www.aquaticecosystems.com/Aquatic1v1/ They have the best price I have found anywhere.

The spray nozzles can be purchased from a company in CA. http://www.waterrite.com/dripcatpg6.htm They are made by TORO Agricultural Irrigation products division. The part part number is "HAR SFJ408". They are called Barbed Fogger - 2 GPH. A bag of 100 cost me $35.00. That's 35 cents each. Most cost 50 cents or more that I have used in the past. This is the only source I have found so far for this spray nozzle.

Robert Gates rgates@pdq.net

FREE SUBSCRIPTION TO HYDRO-ZINE!!!!! to get a free subscription to Hydro-Zine, go to http://www.hydrozine.au.nu & complete the form OR send blank email to Hydrozine-subscribe@hydrozine.webcentral.com.au

The most informative hydroponic Growing guide on the NET. FREE Q&A BOARD, FREE advertising, Bookshop, and FREE trade directory. Check us out now, no obligation. TOTALLY FREE & NO GIMICS

I just priced calcium nitrate. It was 23 dollars a pound around here. Can anything be substituted for it? I will eventually go with a normal hydroponic solution.....this is just to get me by for a bit. Thanks,

Brett

Not that I know about.

Ron, In the Hydroponic Society of America email comments someone stated that Bell Peppers only need about 400 - 500 PPM strength solution, otherwise they burn and/or don't grow well. I was thinking of growing Bell Peppers, is this true ? Thanks

Different plants do need different strengths of solution. I can't find any reference to the ppm for peppers in my books.  But I am feeding my peppers at twice that and they seem to be doing ok except for the wilting from the heat during the hot mid-day.

Hi would anyone want to stop by this MSN community?

http://communities.msn.com/Hydroponics

Post some pictures share some knowledge!

I posted the first hydroponic picture on MSN when it first started years ago. I wonder if that black and white picture is still there.

Hey ron, Your site inspired me to build my own Hydroponic machine 2 years ago. I was going nowhere in life back then, 2 years later I have made aeroponic machines for people who needed to purchase them in a discreet manner. Although I only made one of your 11 planters and then went on into aeroponics. You were my inspiration and I would like to thank you for the site.

Remember me in your will.

Dear sir/lady Thank you for your attention to training hydroponic systems. My name is Majid Kazemnezhad. a 28 years old man. I am not graduated of agriculture university. But I love nature specially fast hydroponic systems , because it dosen't not need big places. Please send to me : 1- How can I study lessens about it in my own home. 2- Address of books, magazines, cd's, training films and etc. 3- Do you know any producer or your member in Iran or Turkey. How about the other countries... 4- As I am interested in establishing an institute in order to produce crops and ... which services you give to your members like me. E_mail: hydro_majid2002@yahoo.com Thank you.

I am trying to grow a a 2-4 plant-hydroponic garden. I ordered the following unit, for $70,

from Harvest Moon Hydroponics.

here is the description The recently redesigned HomeGarden System is an outstanding unit for the beginning hydroponic gardener. The submerging the grow rocks. A full-length airstone and external air pump continuously supply oxygen to the reservoir. Capillary matting surrounds the grow rocks and keeps medium moist and helps deliver nutrient-rich water to the starter cubes on top of the system.

total cost is a factor (limited budget), my question is can someone rank in order from most important to get exactly what is listed on here and what items you can cut costs by purchasing something like what you need.

Example could be Lights or is what I already purchased really not needed ?

PLEASE HELP ME! thanks

YOU ARE INVITED...to attend the 2nd Annual International Indoor Gardening and Hydroponic Expo at the Vancouver Trade & Convention Centre on May 4th and 5th. There will be over 100 booths and displays and experts from all over the world will be present to share there knowledge of indoor gardening and hydroponics. This is a truly unique opportunity for all those with interest in these areas or someone looking to get a start in this rapidly growing industry. Saturday May 4th is designated as 'Dealers Day' with the doors open from 1pm to 7pm. Sunday the general public is welcome and the doors are open from 11am to 5pm. Entry to the show is FREE! Please contact us for more information via email. Hope to see you there. Cheers Steve

I have a multipart question. What is most important in a hydroponic environment or what gives hydroponics a greater advantage, the oxygen rich environment or the amount nutrients it can absorb in a given amount of time. Because I was wondering if it is possible to use a growth chamber that incorporates hydroponics with soil. Neo

No they are totally two different ways of growing. 

what is in hydroponic water????

hydroponic nutrient solution

Ron, I want to do a hydroponic study with my school. Could the 11 plant system work in a classroom or do we need to build a greenhouse? Do you know of anyone willing to donate a system to my school--Calvary Baptist School, New Orleans, La.

a cheap and easy way to start seeds is to take a 1 or 2oz plastic bathroom cup(the kind u use to put mouth wash in), put a hole in the bottom, shread sum newspaper, wet it, put in the cup, drop in a couple of seeds, add a thin layer of shreaded newspaper on top and water everyday with a diluted hydroponic nutrient solution(maybe 1/4 tsp per gallon), put in a tray in warm place that gets sum sun or under a grow light...hope someone can use this,

-poorboy

G'day from sunny Queensland!

I just wanted to drop a quick word to Ron to praise him not only for an excellent on-going tutorial in hydroponic gardening in text and pictures, but for the fantastic work he's done in educating the masses on this wonderful (and addictive!!) hobby.

I've been gardening for a couple of months now, using principles that Ron has displayed on the pages here, as well as other ideas I've gleaned over the internet.

All in all, I keep coming back, Ron... yours is definitely the best of sites! Please keep up the good work.

Dave Stygall Qld Australia.

We built your 11 plant hydroponic garden, but how do we put the plants in it? We saw the picture with a plastic cup in the bottle, but how does that work? Lathrop Adv. Tech. Class

Wash the dirt off the plant roots. 
Put a few rocks in the bottom of the solo cup. 
Place the plant in the cup and fill it up with rocks.

 About the little cups again: So plants go in the little cups and cups go in the 2-liter? And the roots are in the cup, or do they extend out? How big should the holes be? Thanks!

It's OK for the roots to grow outside of the solo cup but don't let the roots go down the pipes and plug up your garden. If you water the plants often enough the roots don't need to go looking for water. The holes in the solo cup should be small enough to keep the medium from going through.

how do i use a fish pump to use on a hydroponic plant system? --thanx: andrexh@hotmail.com

have you tried growing star fruit plants hydroponically and was it successful

If they aren't to woody of a plant like roses or a dry plant like cactuses just about any plant can be grown in hydroponic systems. 

im a little confused about the chemicals you put in the water. Do they come in jugs, if so where can i get them and how much do i put in?, and what type

The more expensive hydroponic solutions come in bottles and can be ordered online from a number of links on this web site. Or if you are on a budget and can wait a week I will be selling 5 lb. boxes of hydroponic nutrient solution cheap.  

Can you grow green beans and asparagus and squash hydroponic?mrugly1@hotmail.com

yes and yes and yes

For co2 enrichment methods go to

http://www.hydrofarm.com/content/articles/co2.html

So I go here and it says: When organic matter decomposes due to bacterial action, carbon dioxide is generated. Plants grow lush and vigorously on a tropical jungle floor as a result of this natural decay of dead plant and animal matter. This can increase the available CO2 content from the normal 300 PPM amount to over 1,000 parts per million. This can also be done indoors, for little cost, but is odorous and unsanitary. For these and other reasons, it is not highly recommended. The sterile conditions of a well-set-up hydroponic grow room or greenhouse could be disrupted and adverse bacteria, bugs and disease induced with detrimental effects on your plants.

I have to say that composting does not stink if its done right. Also the bacteria that get introduced to the greenhouse are the helpful types that destroy harmful critters. I would say that this company wants to sell you high priced co2 generators that could be replaced by scraps from your kitchen and 2 plastic trashcans. Tom

We are now organizing the 2001's China International Agriculture & Vegetable Fair in Shouguang City,Shandong Province, China. China has the biggest population in the world, and over the 60% population's vegetable consumption comes from Shouguang. The biggest national vegetable collection and distribution center is located in Shouguang. Shouguang's vegetables are sold to over 200 large or medium-sized cities of provinces. They are also exported to over ten countries and regions such as: Hong Kong, Macao, Russia, Korea, and the Southeast Asian Countries. Nearly 100 varieties of vegetables from over 10 provinces and cities are sold in this market. So it has become a center for vegetable collection and distribution, price formation and information exchanges for the whole country. Shouguang's Vegetable Wholesale Market was appraised as one of the 10 top specialized wholesale markets on subsidiary agricultural products in the country and was also called the biggest one in China. In 1995 it was named as "The Native Place of Vegetable in China" by the state. At present, more than 500 kinds of famous and fine vegetable categories from more than 30 countries, such as America, Japan, and Holland, etc. are being planted and produced in Shouguang City. China (Shouguang) International Vegetable Fair will open in Shouguang City on 20th to 26th April, 2001.There will be over 8,000 domestic enterprises concerned with agriculture, agricultural machinery & equipment (planting, breeding, aquatic food, fruit trees, green houses, seed, ecotype protection facilities, ecotype fertilizer, chemical fertilizer, pesticide, botany, flower, irrigation works, etc.) will be attending the fair. The State Ministry of Agriculture, the State Ministry of Science & Technology, the State Ministry of Financial, and the Governors in charge of agriculture in local provinces, will in attendance with their delegations at the fair. It is estimated about over 600,000 visitors will attend the six days of the Fair. The Fair will not only show the great achievements of vegetable planting and high-technology used, but also supply the best opportunity to meet the specialized enterprises for trading or hi-tech exchanging on the field of agriculture. You are warmly welcome to participate or recommend the enterprises in your country to participate the Fair. We regard this as a "Hot Commercial Opportunity", and it will make the enterprises much more popular in China--the biggest market in the world.

Please do not hesitate to contact us for further information.

Mr. James Lee

Tel:+86 10 67189644/67160307/67157031 Fax:+86 10 67157027 Email:aitabj@263.net Website:http://2001sgfair.51.net

Want to buy a few million hydroponic gardens.

Hi folks, here are a few real good tips I would like to share with you. most common Problems

These are the most common problems people encounter growing hydroponically:

Yellowing bottom leaves/older growth

The Nitrogen story:

Nitrogen is a transferable element (this means the plant can move it around as needed). If a plant is not receiving enough Nitrogen from the roots then it will rob Nitrogen from the older growth. In Hydroponics, usually the pH is too high and has locked out the available Nitrogen. Always check the pH before increasing nutrient level.

Save the plant: Leach! Check the pH, and adjust if necessary to 5.8 - 6.3. Check and maintain nutrient level. You may foliar feed (spray) with a pinch of CaNO3 (Calcium Nitrate) in a Litre of pH balanced water for quick results.

Leaf tips curl up

This is usually a Magnesium deficiency caused by a too low pH level.

Save the plant: Leach, check and adjust the pH level. You also may foliar feed (spray) with a pinch of MgSO4 (Magnesium Sulphate) in a Litre of pH balanced water for quick results.

Leaf tips curl under / leaf tip burn (browning)

The Nutrient level is too high.

Save the plant: Leach and decrease the nutrient level.

Leaching

Leaching should be done at every reservoir change and before countering any problem. This will rid the medium and root zone of toxic salt build up.

To leach, rinse the root zone with straight pH balanced water.

Use twice as much liquid as the hydroponic container would have held when empty.

I hope this info helps some one out there and thanks for all the info I have gotten from you all. Montana Mogy P.S. Ron I love the old bus.

Geez Ron!! From looking through your pics I must say, you are very ingenuities. Very impressive!! Just curious, are you making a living with your Hydroponic ventures??

Barely and only because I don't have a family to support. Also I work 12 hours a day every day including holidays. Can't afford to higher help yet. But my goal for the future is to open the largest home hydroponics grow store in the country in Deland Florida in a couple years. 

Dear Hydroponics enthusiasts,

I am a science writer, currently residing in Massachusetts. A few weeks ago, I e-mailed several United Nations refugee relief organizations, in the countries surrounding Afghanistan. I thought that, during the hard winter coming up, they might want to learn about possible ways to use hydroponics to help feed refugees. They responded to my e-mail today, and they are very, very interested.

They are anxious to hear more about websites or companies that focus on educational materials for hydroponics. Their return e-mail to me is appended to the bottom of this e-mail. I thought some of you might be interested in helping, and capable of doing so.

I don't know how you might wish to work things from a commercial standpoint, but it seems like this could be a terrific way to save some lives in Central Asia. They are interested in hearing about educational materials that would help them teach hydroponics. Here is the e-mail address of the UN's FAO (Food and Agriculture Organization) office in Iran, followed by a website you may wish to peruse before contacting them, if you do decide to contact them. FAO-IRN@FIELD.FAO.ORG http://www.fao.org/ag/AGL/AGLW/AQUASTAT/iran1.htm

In the e-mail I sent to the FAO, I very succinctly put forth the suggestion that hydroponics might be a way to help freezing, starving refugees make it through the winter, by helping them learn to grow some vegetables indoors.

I sincerely hope that you are able to come to some kind of arrangement with one another. Please only e-mail them if you have serious, constructive ideas. Also, please e-mail me if you have any questions whatsoever. Best, Ed Sugrue ed_sugrue_alb95@post.harvard.edu

>To: "'Mr. Edward Sugrue'" <EDSUGRUE@HOTMAIL.COM> >Subject: Message from FAO representation in Iran. Learning >Hydroponics >Date: Wed, 12 Dec 2001 15:46:00 -0800

>Dear Mr. Sugrue: >Your message of Dec 01 was forwarded to our representation in Iran >and we would like to welcome any information you may be able to > provide us with on low cost setup for hydroponic production. We will >do our share in preparing this material in Simple Farsi language to >be used both for Iran and Afghanistan for publicaion and possible >distribution. We strongly feel that these small initiatives can >sometime go a long way.

>We will also visit the sites which you have mentioned.

>Thank you for your assistance and Happy holidays. >Ali Y. Hakimi >Officer in Charge >FAO, Iran

Fellow Hydroponic Hobbyist's BEWARE!!! Please don't try using the tiny 5/16 Lava Rock as Grow media!! I thought it would be the perfect media,but now have found that I just about killed 3 of my banana pups. Apparently the stuff packs in so tight that it holds too much water (and doesn`t allow much airation). Roots started turning Black and rotting (and these are in a Gurgle setup). Also spoke with a fellow that says Lava is known for it's ability to hold bacteria. That is why it is used in pond filters. All this after spending hours trying to clean and sterilize the Damn things. I so badly want for nobody to make this mistake that I will sell them 50L bags for $22+ shipping (about $50 delivered) hope this doesn't get me kicked off message board but this is an issue that needs dealing with. If interested contact me through www.gurglegardens.com If you must try the Lava, use the 3/4-1 inch size (but beware) Mike

50L Bags of hydrotron is what I mean in my previous post ($50 is worst case w/shipping depending on where you live) Mike www.gurglegardens.com

With any hydroponic setup and when growing tomato like plants, what should the ppm be when you transplant the seedlings to your growrocks? 

600 - 700 ppm

Then as you go on thru the veg stage what should the ppm be?

700 - 1100 ppm

Lastly, what should it be during flower stages?

1100 - 1500 ppm

How well does citrus in a hydroponic system ? What are the optimum conditions ? Any advice or hint ? Maybe a book or website. I didn´t find anything about it.
Thanks a lot.
Ruediger storm@zedat.fu-berlin.de

I haven't tried citrus but get a load of this banana tree in my pool. I haven't figured out how I'm going to get it out next year if it gets an bigger.
Hydroponics don't do well with woody type plants like orange trees, rose bushes or other types of trees . Hydroponics is more for water loving plants like my banana tree.

Howdy Ron,

I have read and heard that every so often it is necessary to leach the system with fresh water. I know that soil and rockwool can retain salts and other stuff that can be toxic to the plants. Is this also true of your 11 plant system when using grow rocks?
Yes grow rocks can have a build up of fertilizing salts over time.
If so how often would you suggest doing this?
I would flush the system when you change the nutrient solution. Every few weeks. An easy way to do that is fill your tank up with clean water and let it water a few dozen times. Or if you have access to a drain then unhook the pump and run the hose from the garden to the drain. Then use a water hose and run clean water from the top of each plant cup. That will flush all the salts from the rocks and out though the system to the drain.
Right now my plants are nearly a month old and very healthy, about 4 inches tall. I initially was watering 6 times daily. Moved up to 8 times daily. I am now going to increase the frequency again to 12 times daily. When the plants get a little bigger I plan on one last jump to 24 on-off a day. The plants have been very healthy and their growth rate is admirable. Have you ever tried this type of gradual increase with an indoor system?
Yes that is exactly how you do it.
This is my first attempt and I feel fortunate that it has run so smoothly. I don't want to mess up. Will the change in watering cycle shock the plants or cause them to suffocate?
That is what I like about grow rocks so much is that they hold so much oxygen between watering. One of the reasons why  hydroponic growing  is so much faster is because you are force feeding the plants by watering them if they want it or not. As long as your pH and PPM is correct for the  plants age then you can't water to much. Most plants do need a dry out period so don't think by watering all the time will increase yields.
When I send my plant into flowering I was thinking of a conversion bulb, but I will loose 40 watts! Would you recommend that I just get a bigger HPS ballast at that time? I want the best fruit I can get and am wondering how much of a yield increase I can expect by going from a 400 MH to a 600 HPS or even from the 400 MH to a 1000 HPS.
Conversion bulbs are OK if you are on a budget but if you can afford it I would go with the 1000 HPS because theirs is no such thing as to much light when it comes to increased yield. Especially in the bud room.
Thanks for all the help you give us amateurs.
Later, Frank

Dear Hydroponic Growers could you help me start a garden somehow.
Start by reading every page on this web site and then get back to us. Ron

hi ron,
what is the best method to control or to remove the problem of damping off in a hydroponic system ?
im using sponge as a medium.
regards,
Oh Chin Singapore

Ron,

Your site is the most informative hydroponic site I've seen. I plan to build a 20 bottle gallon system. Can I build it as an ebb and flow system, or should it be a top drip system? Could you give me the relative advantages of the one you prefer?

I would go with the ebb and flow if you have an intermediate timer so you can water correctly. And I would use the drip from the top if you use one of those cheep timers. The ebb and flow gardens work best when the water rises to the correct height and immediately drains back to the tank and then repeats every 20 or 30 minutes. You set how many minutes it takes to reach the height you want and you don't have to use an over flow pipe. Ron

Hi Ron I am interested in hydroponic fodder, I have started apilot plant small unit at home ,I have some questions about the system requirements . Any reliable reference please ?
Yours sincerely Mic Heja

Dear Hydroponics Experts, I need help for my 9th grade biology project. This project is planned to be on the effect of pH levels on the growth of hydroponic plants. I am a 9th grader at South Lakes High School in Reston, Virginia which is in Fairfax County. From most of my research so far I have been able to see what some of the effects may end up to be, but I still need a lot more information for my 9th grade bio-project to be a success. If you have any ideas or further information, it would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

About the CO2 trick .... read once that rabbit pooh gives out good level of CO2 too .... maybe have some rabbit under your growing frame. feed them with lettuce from your hydroponic system and they will give you good amount of pooh for CO2.

Can I have an hydroponic system completely outside using the 11 plant design. I do not know if I can put it straight light sun or I need any kind of shade.

Yes you can grow outside and it depends on the kind of plant you want to grow if it needs shading or not.

I want to now about hydroponic grass for beef cattle, where I can read about this (in spanish please) Thanks, Martin

I am going to be try to plant bulbs in a hydroponic solution. Do you think bulbs will grow hydroponically?

Sure. 

Does anyone know or have any idea about the hydroponics market. Like the market size, target market, the development and competition or the problem now exist.

Canada is a problem because their commercial hydroponic farmers are government subsidized against any and all loses they may incur. 

Greetings from Spain.

Where can I find free hydroponic system plans in internet ?

What about using halogen lamp as an artificial light source ?

Thanks in advance.

Wrong light spectrum from a halogen.

I'm tring to do a science Fair project for school and I'm having trouble find the right nutrient to put in the water for my hydroponic plant's environment. I want to use something that you found around a house. I told my teacher I was going to use lime juice but I don't know what effect lime juice would have on the plant. My teacher says I have to have something that say Lime helps plant grow. CAN ANYONE HELP ME OUT E-mail me at Babydesk87@Hotmail.com

If soil bound plants have the same needs as hydroponic plants...wouldn't straight water and miralce gro be sufficant to use in a small ebb and flow system, considering some of the solution would stay in the rockwool/grorocks after "flooding"?

p.s I am talking house plants, not organic.

Totally different ways of growing. With dirt you have a buffer between the plant and the fertilizer. A different chemical reaction with hydro than with dirt. That's why it's takes longer to kill a plant in dirt than hydro. With hydroponics you don't have that buffer so you see results immediately, good and bad.

You can use miracle-gro if you add what's missing. Calcium Nitrate and Magnesium Sulfate. 

yea i built the 11 plant hydroponic system what do i put in the containers i heard you have to put in rockwool or perlite and vermiculite but i dont know what they are?

Then you probably won't know what grow rocks are. What I recommend you use.  

i have two questions, but first i have been raising plants using hydroponics (built all my own beds) for ten years or longer. everything was perfect. then i moved. now i have built two new gardens. and lot of alga formed (a new problem for me but i did build these beds a lot different then my first ones) so i tore them apart and cleaned everything with clorax, painted the outside of the beds black to eliminate the light to the water storage. now one bed works beautifully, one kills everything i plant. i am presently tearing the bad bed apart again and flushing everything with clean water. is this the thing to do?

Yes

 can there be clorax residue remaining causing the damage?

No 

 second while dismantling the bed i noticed that the pea gravel is staying damp between feeding, therefore the roots are also remains damp (not wet, just damp) is this a problem? if so why only one bed? 

Damp should be OK but check your draining for that bed. Flow control valves on every bed can equalize the levels to each bed. Then make sure all the beds drain completely before watering again.

i pump water twice a day (have done this schedule for years) for about 1 hour at a time. there are overflow drains in the top beds so excess water drains back into holding tank. there are also drains in the upper bed that drain all the water off the roots, after pump shuts down, in about 1/2 hour. anybody have any ideas? now back to work cleaning the bad bed until i hear from, hopefully, all or some of you. thanks how does one join this hydroponic club? wally i believe you will get my address but if not try RuthK@Quintex.com. (life isn't east for a boy named ruth so i go by wally)

this is wally again, forgot a couple of important facts that should have been included in my question. each of my gardens have their own pump and their own water/nutrient holding tanks (50 gallons) the only thing common is the timer that turns them both on and an hour later turns them both off. thanks again---wally at ruthk@quintex.com

Well then forget what I said up their and switch one garden nutrient tank that is doing good and use that one for your problem bed. If the same problem continues then that bed is possessed so call an exorcist.  

Have you ever tried mixing the miracle grow recipe with a commercial hydroponic nutrient? Maybe even alternating between the two when topping off. Never seen it discussed but seems to me this would save money while insuring the necessary nutrients are supplied. I have just started mixing half & half and am wondering if this is going to cause some kind of trouble later.

I wish I knew. Let us know if it works.

Can I make my own hydroponic nutrient solution?

Yes if you are a chemist.

Ron, I have just discovered your site, and I am finding it very useful, I am a bit of a back yard inventor and I have an idea for building a hydroponic setup using styro-foam can you tell me if there is any problem with this material being used in hydroponics, If not I would like to build a proto type and try it out, Thanks and keep up the good work, Thanks Chris

Yes you can use Styrofoam packing peanuts also known as ghost turds or just about any inert porous material that can hold oxygen. All the medium is to hold up the plant. The growing comes from the nutrient solution and not the medium. Send us a picture if you are successful. 

Re: Hot Peppers

You must visit http://www.hotpepperclub.homestead.com

This site has info on how to build your own hydroponic garden just for hot peppers.

tailwheel

Does anyone know if the hydroponic garden in Naples, New York, called "The Living Wall" still exists? Robert A. Rowe robertarowe@prodigy.net

I am preparing to build a small indoor hydroponic garden.

I'm sure as I progress in this project I will have many questions, but 3 come to mind initially

First a little detail. I am planning this garden as a prototype for a future "off grid" garden. I will have electrical generating capability, but will have to be "careful" of electrical usage.

I want to be able to grow enough tomatoes for personal use 12 months out of the year. So the garden will be small, and needs to be energy efficient.

Q1. I have read that the primary growing mediums are various products that resemble small pebbles. How does the pumped nutrients rise up to the level of the small plants growing on top of the stomas (or do you pump the growing chamber so full of nutrients that the liquid reaches the top of the growing medium ?

Yes the water needs to rise high enough to wet the roots of the plants.

Q2. In order to minimize light requirements, is it appropriate to grow "arctic" varieties of tomatoes, or are they heavily compromised as to flavor and texture.

Hard to say. Some verities do taste better than others.

Q3. Since I want to minimize the use of electricity what would be the minimum wattage for an HPS (Or is there something better) light to bring 1 good tomato plant to good production during the winter?

I noticed Home Depot sells a 175 Watt HPS for $45.00. That would be my minimum for one tomato plant.

Thank you in advance for your time in helping out a beginner.

Regards, George Clay 1)

HELP ANYONE

i built a 11 container garden and i am using lecca (round redish-brown rock) for a medium the question i have is how often do i water because i have excellent drainage and no fear of nutrient build up because i am not using rockwell cubes on this site it said every 20 to 30 minutes but my hydroponic salesman says start out at 3 times per day but that does not seem enough for i just switched from deep water where the roots were constantly submerged can anyone help i am very confused....jmycap

The advantage of Hydroponics is that you are forced feeding the plants if they like it or not. That's why with Hydroponics you can grow faster than with dirt. As long as you've got good and fast drainage then you can water every 30 minutes or so.

Dear Ron: Hydroponicsonline. is a fabulous service! Thank you, it's full of information and best of all the pictures are self explanatory. ¿Do you have anything on hydroponic forage? I intend to build a hydroponic grass producing unit, and I want to know which is better, a mechanical (rotating) unit or a hydraulic one (with pump, hoses and sprayers. Congratulations again. By the way, what is your surname? Enrique Miralles Santa Cruz, BOLIVIA e-mail address: emiralles@nur.edu

I'm a student and I am conducting an experiment. I was wondering; How do hydroponics work? How do you grow a hydroponic plant?

A submersible pump comes on and pumps nutrient enriched water to plant roots that are grown in a number of inert materials as expanded clay aggregate (grow rocks), spun volcanic rock (rockwool), perlite, pores gravel, lava rock, or as with some hydroponic systems, no medium at all.   

Ron or anyone else - Since I had so many tomatoes that germinated a while back, I put one tomato to float in a small container of hydroponic nutrient solution with an air stone. It grew like crazy, and I transferred it into a 5 gallon bucket, again floating in solution with two air stones, and it quickly grew 7 immature tomatoes. I woke up one morning and all the leaves on the plant were completely wilted. It pretty much died that day. The plant (roots) have never touched soil, so it can't be a soil borne disease. Only thing I can think of is that the bucket sits on my cement patio, and the solution became too hot. Any ideas on what went wrong? I have two other aqaufarm type drip systems I built that are doing great, and another tomato floating that's small but doing great so far. Thanks, Tim

Sounds like a bad case of damping off. One of the reasons for damping off is to much watering and I would say your system qualifies.  

I would like to sell two 15X60 hydroponic greenhouses with all heaters fans piping everything. Call me Capt. Bill 252 321 3991 or cell 252 341 9312 Greenville n,c,or email generalgoofoff@hotmail.com Thanx

Hey Ron, I started the 11 plant garden and am using a commercial hydroponic fertilizer. I check and correct the ph daily. My timer is 15 min on and 15 off. Problem is the leaves on the plants are turning brown on the edges and dieing off. the plants keep growing and are about 2 feet tall and are blooming. What could be causing this dieing off

Cliff Lasiter

Alamogordo, New Mexico

I am looking for both tomato and pepper hydroponic nutrient solution compositions (in ppm). As exemplified in a Howard Resh text, Hydroponic Food Production, the formulation for lettuce was:

Ca: 200ppm NH4: 25 ppm S04: 113ppm Cu: 0.1ppm Mg: 40 ppm NH3: 165ppm Fe: 5 ppm Zn: 0.1ppm K : 210ppm P04: 50ppm Mn: 0.5ppm B: 0.5ppm Mo: 0.05 ppm Hence, for bell peppers and tomatoes, I am seeking the same types of profiles.
Would appreciate your assistance,
MO at MO38188@AOL.COM

Here is what's in the book. Page 1 (40 KB)  /  Page 2 (40 KB)

Hi Ron, About a week ago I built a 11 plant garden and when everything was going well. Until a couple days ago. I bought a timer from Wal-mart that is set up to water for 15 min on and 45 min off it was only $9. Every hour. Is that too much water for small plant? 

No That sounds just right for small plants.

Also I can not find a place that sells hydroponic nutrients. Does Wal-mart sell it or maybe  I just can not find it?

No they don't. You can find hydroponics nutrient solution on the web. Use your favorite search engine to find some.  

I tested the ph today and it was above 7. Is this the reason the leaves are a little brown or is it too much water?

Yes to high of pH.

 I have been using a nutrient that is made for soil because I can not find another one. Is that the reason why they are browning? 

Yes you are cooking them.

The ph was fine when I transplanted them to the hydroponic system, and five days later it was over 7. How often do you have to adjust the ph? 

As often as necessary.

and what changes the ph so fast? 

From using non-hydropnic nutrient solution.

I appreciate all the help you have given me, the site is very interesting. Thanks.

Hello Ron, Thank you to post hydroponic nutrient solution compositions on date 19 feb 2000. Would you check page1 and page 2 ..are they the same ? Would you please re-post page2 ? Bangkok

Sorry. Good harvest this month. Page 2 (40 KB)

Ron,
You told me to mix my used rockwool in the compost pile. COMPOST? Do you actually grow anything in the ground anymore? Does the rockwool make your compost a nice consistency, how does it help composting.
New2Hydro Holly

Just consistency and oxygenation.
Just about all the plants I have planted in my yard came from my hydroponic systems when they got to large. That's why I love it here in Florida because you can grow plants all year round.

what is TDS and what does it mean please help

The concentration of nutrients in water is measured on a numerical scale of parts per million (PPM). This number basically tells you how much fertilizer is dissolved in your water. By closely monitoring this concentration you can maintain the best level of nutrients to meet your crop's requirements. You will need a TDS (total dissolved solids) meter that measures PPM. You also use the this meter to gauge when it's time to fill your hydroponic system with a fresh mix. Generally, young plants prefer concentrations around 400 to 600 PPM, while mid-growth would be around 700 to 1000, and established or fast-growing plants need levels around 1100 to 1500.

why do the bottles you grow in have to be painted white, will the light from a HID lamp hurt the roots if the bottle is not painted please take the time to fill me in on this You are the only person I trust getting information from that wont put my garden at risk please respond and keep up the excellent work. CLUELESS

The bottles are painted to help cut down on the algae buildup caused by the light hitting the water in your garden.
A lot of people are concerned about the algae in hydroponic gardens. Even though it's not pretty, algae is your friend. You can't grow with hydroponics and not experience the green slime.
Algae is a sign of healthy water and robust life; not a sign of contamination or problems and only becomes a problem when it grows so thick as to cut off oxygen to the plant beneath. If that happens just rinse with tap water to remove.

Dear Ron, Great site! But I've got a problem. I am trying to do a hydroponic garden on a very limited budget. Everything about hydroponics seems to be economical except lighting. The price of lighting is way, way, way out of my budget. Do you have any suggestions on cheap lighting? What about fluorescent lights? I have lots of 4 foot fixtures for free, I would only have to buy bulbs. What about the outside lights that come on at dark (street lights). I think they are HID. Any help would be great.

If they are Metal Halide or High Pressure Sodium or Low Pressure Sodium at any wattage would be more economical than fluorescents. I found 3 - 400 watt MH at my local flea market  for 30 bucks apiece that came out of a factory. I had to buy new bulbs but I saved a lot of money. They are out their.

what is the size of the reservoir and where can I get one. For the 11 Plant Hydroponic Garden.

11 gallons and at any Wall-Marts, K-Marts, est.

dear ron,

wonder if you can help me out with this hydroponic problem.

you see, i tried my hand on pokchoy (oriental brassica) and the result was below expectation.

first, the stalk is smaller than organically grown second, the pokchoy in hydroponics wilt faster than expected after harvest.

however, the leaf size is ok, very green and no holes. no leaf miner. the root length is nice. long enough with lots of rootlets along the side.

could my problem originated from sunlight. i place my hydroponic system in a east-west orientation with opaque plastic on top of it to prevent rain water getting into the system.

or could it be temperature. my temperature ranges from 24C to 32C (yes, tropical Philippines I am from)

regarding the water stress, is it normal with hydroponic plants ? is water stress the main reason why after harvest, it wilts faster than expected ?

thanks and MERRY CHRISTMAS

Stanley Ho

I am looking for a complete hydroponic system for growing fodder for livestock consumption. Does anyone know where I can find such a system?

Please anyone: I need help in setting up a system to grow hydroponic strawberries. I have a hybrid ebb and flow gully setup--6 rain gutters each 5'long.Can I utilize this system for strawberries? Larry Middleton, WI

Hey Ron, I'm planning on building you're 11 plant system. I'm still trying to figure out exactly how it works. I'm aware that the pump pumps the water and nutrient sol. into the pvc system and fills the bottles to the height of the runoff, at which point that's as high as the water goes. Then from what I've heard, I'm pretty sure it drains after it fills the bottles. This should happen on a 30 min. schedule, (if possible 20) My questions (if you have the time to answer please) are the following? 1. Where does the water go when the bottles drain (I know back in the reservoir), but how? I would maybe guess the runoff but it doesn't look like it work unless it siphoned the water out the system into the tank and the hole in the top is supposed to prevent siphoning.

It drains back through the pump when it shuts off. The overflow is only to keep the water from rising to high in the bottles. 

 2. What are some good hydroponic solutions for growing (particurly for the headers interest, if u get my drift)? Should I change solutions as the plant enters different life stages? How often should I change solutions (I read 2 weeks somewhere, but not sure)? 

Formula One from www.wormsway.com  is the best nutrient solution I have used because you use it through the hole life of your plants. Change your solution if you detect a problem with your plants.

3. Are HPS or MH lighting too hot for an inclosed space (I'm planning on ventilating very well with 4 10" fans or so bringing fresh air in)?

You have to vent the hot air out of your room from the lights some how. Blowing hot air around your room won't do anything.

If they are too hot, will 3 2-bulb cool-white 4' fluorescents fixtures work? One hanging directly above, and the two others on each side at 45 degree angles towards the plants?)

No fluorescents are useless unless used for seedlings.

 4. If I did use HPS or MH what watt would you suggest, should I use one or 2 bulbs?

One of each is best.

I love your site, you have some really good ideas, now I know what to get mom for x-mas next year :) She loves plants, especially ferns. Thanx

ron I am a 7th grader considering doing a hydroponics garden for a science fair project? Do you think this will be to difficult. We feel we could build the 11 plant garden-but we're unclear on what else we need to get started. Should I start the seeds in dirt 1st or buy plants already growing. I want to compare plants growing hydroponic to growing in soil. Thanks Matt

I would buy plants that will fit in the solo cups and wash the dirt off . Buy a few more to keep in dirt to compare with. If you can get the solution right then it won't take long to see the difference.

help I have complete plant collapse and the roots are brown and rotten whats happening?

TQ for your dedications, it teach me a lot and to understand more about hydroponic. TQ again.

I'm looking for ornamental hydroponic plants - apparently it is common in Europe and would like to find a vendor in the US, preferably in the Miami area...

How do you feel about using reverse osmosis to purify water. I have found a company which sells hydroponic reverse osmosis systems for $195.00 Canadian / $145.00 US. They produce 6 - 8 gallons of water a day.I want to build a small set up for about 4-6 tomato plants (is this considered a small set up?). Will the amount of water this reverse osmosis system produces be enough to keep up to my watering needs? Thanks for your help

what are the definitions of hydroponic?

I love hydroponic plants, they're my friends. :)

how often do you feed plants in a hydroponic system.how long should the pump be on and off in a flood and drain system.

i am doing a major assignment at school and i am going to make a hydroponic garden and a soil garden and see which will grow faster and healthier, i know how to make the garden but i dont what chemicals you need and when to put them in, can you help me?

i am doing a major assignment at school and i am going to make a hydroponic garden and a soil garden and see which will grow faster and healthier, i know how to make the garden but i dont what chemicals you need and when to put them in, can you help me?

whatis the defination of hydroponic

Can I cultivate honeydew melon by hydroponic system.I have lot of land and growing honydew melon. So kindly advice me as above system. Thanking you Sir Yours sincerly Moammed Nabi Khan S-1/181 Saudabad Malir Karachi-75080 Sind Pakistan

Does anyone know of any hydroponic systems suitable for growing herbs and a range of vegetables in a window box type structure? (I live in an apartment which only has a small balcony.) The system would need to be suitable for 'outside use' as it would be exposed to the elements. Thanks, Jim

If your leaves are drooping perhaps you solution has a Na+(salt) build up. An increase in Na+ causes an increase in osmolarity of your hydroponic solution; thus the turgor pressure in plant cells decreases because H20 diffuses out of the cells and into the hypertonic solution solution. Your plant is now dehydrated. IN OTHER WORDS...Add more water to your solution. Also replentish your resevoir more often because plants make salts as they grow. Remember to record the results of your new concentrations.

I love your site Ron but, excuse me for being a tech-nerd needing the "reason behind the science". You stated that "every time you add water to your system, you need to add the appropriate amount of nutrients". This is difficult for me, and obviously others, to understand. Remembering back to my high school science class, if I had 1000 PPM of nutrients in a solution and somehow I magically made half of that solution evaporate instantaneously, I would then have 2000 PPM in my solution. Thus, by adding water with more nutrients, I have effectively brought the PPM ratio up to 1500 PPM when the container is full again (150% of the original ratio). Doesn't this also hold true with hydroponic solutions? Or do the nutrients also evaporate?

Hi Ron, Thanks for a wonderful site. I got a lot of really useful, relevant info from it. I'm setting up a 20 plant veggie experiment in 2 liter soda bottles in part of a 9' X 12' greenhouse. The greenhouse has mist nozzles and 2 exhaust fans that are thermostatically controlled to keep the temp around 85 deg. I'm in Northern CA and it does get hot here. I have a question about a plant food that we've been using here at home for house plants called Eleanor's VF-11. It's a concentrate that's used for both foliar and root feeding. It dilutes out to 1 oz./gal. Recently, I've recently heard several radio ads for using it for hydroponics. The analysis on the bottle of concentrate says: N 0.15%, Available Phosphoric acid,0.85%, K2O 0.55%. I was wondering if you have ever used it, heard about it or know anything about it's value as a hydroponic nutrient for veggies. I care to experiment with tomatoes, bibb lettuce, cucumbers, chives, eggplant, etc. but I do want to have some success for starters. I plan to get a TDS meter and a ph meter and run my pump for 5 min every 20 min. I'm also planning on using Gro-Rocks for the medium. Any thoughts, comments, or ideas from you would be greatly appreciated. I am a semi retired Electromechanical Engineer with a well equipped machine shop and electronic room so making controls, timers, gadgetry for this project is a snap. In a few days I'll have pics/info available for easily attaching/removing the bottles. I worked out a method that looks great now, but I need to be sure about it after I get up and running. Thanks again, Marvin PS I spoke with Eleanor today and she refered me to her website www.vf-11plantfood.com. There's a testimonial letter on it from a guy she says is a real expert in hydroponic culture who's been using VF-11 for years. I've been unable to reach him today, but I'll keep trying. He's in Vallejo, CA, not too far from me. I will take a ride up to see him after I speak with him by phone. I'll keep you posted.

I am currently planning to build a hydroponic system, if anyone is interested email me at tspier2@.localnet.com

I have set up a floating hydroponic garden for a science project, but only one seed has germinated in 10 days, and it is growing slower than the same plants in soil. WHY ARE MY SEEDS NOt GeRMinating???? This is a big problem... Should I take some plants out of the soil setup and transplant them into the rockwool cubes that I used to germinate the seeds? PLease HELp!

I am trying to come up with a catchy name for my hydroponic-grown plant essential oils. I like "waterborn", but it has been taken by a perfume company....any ideas?

what is the simplest hydroponic system?

I am impressed with your web-page and knowledge of hydroponics. I am just a beginner and am learning a great deal from hydroponics online. My e-mail address is weirdweviewong@yahoo.com I am wondering whether I can still purchase a pump and other hydroponic hardware thru your website??? Please advise... thanks. I am very interested in aeroponics too... Sincerely, Steve

Yes. Who said you couldn't.

Can anyone recommend a good fertilizer mix for hydroponic vegetables (namely corn)?

Thank you, Robin Harkey

TO: Robin Harkey Hey Robin. I was asking some questions about hydroponic corn a couple of weeks ago. I think we may be the only two wanting to try it. I have been to busy to look for universitys that deal with agraculture and/or hydroponics. I might just do that tonight. If you would like to compare notes drop me a line. cliff@gloryroad.net

i dont know what you are trying to clone but the way i clone plants uses some dixie cups and some vermiculite. fill the cups with vermiculite and stick in a plant cutting. watter until damp but not WET and keep damp for about a week untill root nodes form then transplant into soil or hydroponic medium. (it helps to keep the vermiculite warm) ~Ryan

Can I use well water to feed my hydroponic garden?? Or do i need a water softner. I also notice that I have slow plant growth could this be from me using well water???

where in the world could i find a ph meter for hydro solution i live in gainesville florida

can i buy a hydroponic multimeter that reads ph and the nuitrient (cf).

I am planning a hydroponic garden, 4 meters x 8 meters, and am planning to cover it with shade cloth. I am living in Thailand, where it is very sunny, and can be very hot in the afternoon. I am not sure what color shade cloth I should use. We can buy both Black and green. second question is that I am planning to plant a variety of veggies and herbs, namely Tomatoes, Peppers, Spinach, lettuce, Chinese cabbage , and some beans. I do not want to have two separate nutrient systems, and would like to know the best nutrient for all plants mentioned.

ron,

do you know of any hydroponic commercial grower or aeroponic commercial grower in the NEW ENGLAND area or CALIFORNIA that i can visit ?

sixto ututin, south africa

No But maybe some other members out their might.

ron,

my hydroponic veggies wilt fast after harvest. some say its water stress ... hydroponic veggies are so spoiled and pampered that when you harvest them, the condition they are use to is not present anymore, that is why they wilt fast.
according to one, something to do with cuticles in their leaves. she said, i have to let the cuticles grow so that it can stay or look fresh even after harvest.
now my question is, do you have same experience ?

Here in Florida everything spoils quick. I got people waiting in line for my tomatoes so I don't keep them long enough for them to spoil. I chop up peppers and freeze them an I dehydrate herbs and spices. My compost pile gets the rest.

This is my first year teaching agriculture and I am trying to get some hydroponics going. My greenhouse is set up this way: I have feeder tubes for taking up the fertilizer directly into the water flow; I have lines that run across the greenhouse the spray spickets coming out of the main lines; I have a furnace and fans running on both ends. My questions are as follows: Can I grow tomatoes and watermelons on the same watering line with the same fertilizer and watering times? For my fertilizer I mixed Grow More (hydroponic) 4-18-38 (NPK) (8 ounces), 4 ounces of calcium nitrate, and 4 ounces of magnesium sulfate in 100 gallons. This was the recommendation on the sack for seediness Does it sound right? 

Yes that sounds right for a standard commercial hydroponic mix and can be used for a variety of vegetables.    

The solution is being sprayed on through the spickets. How often should I leave these on and how often?

You didn't say if your water returns to a reusable reservoir but from your description I don't think so. So watering cycles are tricky with a non retrievable system. You want to try and water only what the plants consumes so all your nutrient solution doesn't run out the bottom to wherever. Disney World does this by weighing 1 plant in each row measuring how much water the plant consumes thus letting the system water all the plants in that row the same.
I would which your garden to a reusable system if possible unless you have deep pockets.       

 I am transplanting them from a soil mix into perlite for the hydroponic substrate. How big do the plants need to be before transplanting?

Let them get well rooted before washing the dirt off and they will have a better chance for survival. 

 We tried to do some in class but I believe the watermelons damped off (looked like they had been pinched at the medium level) and the tomatoes leaves wilted, turned a brown color, and died. Any suggestions would be helpful.
My name is Mike T Tesnohlidek and I teach ag. science in Nyssa, Oregon. Thanks

I have seen people instead in Miracle Grow and Dyna Gro products time and time again. Growing either in a soilliess mix or hydroponically requires a very well researched fertilizer solution that is proper for that environment. Dyna Gro levels of mineral makeup are off balanced. Europonic Nutrients or Ionic seem to be the elite outstanding products. Also Bcuzz stimulators has popped up in a lot of growing magazines. Keep you eyes out for more. Tell me what yal think!

- Educated Hydroponic Grower -

my name is Casanova and I'm asking who can make my own hydroponic system by buying the products at a hardware store. can you help me . I need to know what are the supplies I need. thank you.

Jeez Ron, I've used transplanted nursery plants from Home Depot in my garden. The plants are just now recovering from the transplanting shock and are now setting blossoms. The plants are only about 1/4 inch in diameter main stem diameter, and about 2-3 inches tall. I don't think they are strong enough to support fruit yet.

Am I just being to used to planting things in the ground, or is this a phenome thing that I've never experienced.?

What is your experience in seemingly premature blossoming?

I have always had to tie up my hydroponic tomatoes and other heavy fruit plants so I wouldn't worry how big or the age of  the plant as long as it produces healthy fruit.

Can you please explain why salt is necessary in hydroponic nutrients, or is it just a byproduct?

I know it has to be flushed from your medium and system periodically so I would say it's a byproduct but I don't know what  I'm talking about.

What exactly is Hydroponic???

Growing plants without soil.

ron

hi there what is your source of P ?

you see, i tried using Monopotassium Phosphate as my P source and it turn out to be a failure. 3 weeks into that chemical and it seems my roots ain't growing the way it should

when i change to Peter's Hydrosol, just in 12 hours, new root hair starts to pop out.

wonder if you have answer to this mystery

thanks

pzing

I am using a :
5-11-26 Hydroponic Water Soluble Fertilizer                    - 5 ounces
Calcium Nitrate                                                                 - 4 ounces
Magnesium Sulfate                                                            - 2 ounces

I mix all three in a blender with enough water to liquefy it.
Then I mix that to my reservoir and use my  meter to adjust to the correct ppm and pH. 

Correction 

I was just informed by someone who knows that I shouldn't mix the Calcium Nitrite with the hydro mix because of conflicting chemicals. 
So I will add the Calcium Nitrite separately to my reservoir. 
I should have known it was left out of the hydro mix for a reason.  

Nurse Duckett

on Peter's Hydrosol

give me your email address and i will send you my own little computer program on what other mix to use just to make my hydroponic solution

yes, peters hydrosol is not enough to make your plant grow well, need to put in more stuff in it

pzing

Is hydroponics more environmentally friendly than organic gardening? What are the benefits?

You can't get any more environmentally friendly than hydroponic growing because the nutrient water in hydro systems are retrievable and don't run off into the ground, season after season. Even organic gardening in dirt creates a problem over time.
Not even 20 miles from me here in Central Florida the state had to buy out the vegetable muck farms north of Lake Apopka. Because of decades of fertilizer runoff into the lake it virtually killed one of the largest lakes in Florida.  Birds are dieing and the alligators are even born deformed.
Their is a restoration project going on to try and save it.
Hydroponics is the future and will be the only way to grow as more dirt farms disappear.  

I am new to hydroponic gardening and I have small children. Are any of the materials harmful to children? Do I need to be careful about keeping them away from my garden (other than for the obvious reason of avoiding damage to my plants!!)?

Some houseplants are harmful to kids and animals but I don't know which ones. 

Ron, What is the best way to root tomato cuttings? Will the tomatoes not develop correctly if the cuttings have flowers on them. Im not growing indoors so i can't really adjust the light cycle.

Also, do you have a favorite homemade hydroponic design that I could try building? I'd like to try one that I could keep inside or out in case I decide to grow indoors. I built a decent water culture system as well as a scrappy ebb and flow.

Finally, I'm saving up for a MH light and mover. Where could I get a good deal? Thanks!

Trent San Clemente, CA

With vermiculite. Flowers don't matter. If they fall off they will grow more. You live in California the home of Indoor Grow Stores, You should have no trouble ordering a light close to home for shipping cost consideration.

how do i care for my hydrangia bushes ?

I don't do plants, I do hydroponic gardens.

what is the best hydroponic method to grow lettuce?

NFT

Is it good to cultivate Lettuce in Aeroponic or Hydroponic system , which is the best? Ibrahim Ali

NFT

Cam anyone recomend a type of tomato for hydroponic growing? Also, does anyone know what type of pepper is used in a chili rejeno? Thanks Mike

I'm looking for a company to assist our family farms in a complete hydroponics conversion. Not just an equipment supplier, but a company that can plan, build, install, train, etc. The whole nine yards.

Any suggestions?

There is a hydroponic company in Hawaii that will be partners with you and give you all the money and help you need. But they won't even talk to you if you don't have at least a 5 acre greenhouse. 
But I can't remember their name. They use to be here in Florida but moved to Hawaii because of the perfect greenhouse growing conditions. 

Differences between planting hydro and ground.

On June 1, I transferred plants bought from Home Depot into my 16 bottle system. I had a cucumber left over, so I put it into the ground. The plant in the ground is about 3 times the size of the ones in the hydro system. The difference is, that the hydro plants have several fruit and the one in the ground has only 1 fruit. The hydro plant roots are just now peeking out of the holes in the cups, so obviously, the hydro roots are smaller resulting in smaller plants and leaf structure.

The question? Is this normal?

The reason hydro plants do not need as much roots as with dirt is because you are force feeding the plant every 30 minutes. With dirt plants the roots need to go searching for food and water in the ground to grow. Thus all the energy goes into root production instead of fruit production as with hydroponic plants. 

I just finished another system 49 cups, using 1 liter water bottles and Dixie 16 oz. cups. I have a hell of a time finding 2 liter soda bottles, but the caps are the same and I can change later to 2 liter bottles when I collect them. I planted white corn from seed into most of the cups and transferred the plants from my first system to the new one. It looks pretty crowded, but if the thought about smaller plants is true, I should be OK. I'll try to get pictures off to Ron today. The system is 50 in. X 50 in. and uses a 20 gal. nutrient solution on a 30 min. timer. I plan to use it for corn, peas, and other crops that grow up, not out.

Yesterday, I bought a storage box at K-Mart that's 24"X36"X8" deep. I can make 9 4" dia. holes in the lid about 7-1/2 in. apart, and use 4 sprinklers inside the box which will be the tank. It's a 19 gal capacity and I figure that I can use a 10 gal. nutrient batch as the spray will be contained in the box itself. I will send Ron pictures as the project is finished. I experimented with several spray heads to find something that would work using a low pressure pump, and finally had to modify a off the shelf head to work. I can adjust the spray to any shape I want using a Rio 600 pump. I have a design in mind that I can connect 5 of these trays together and have 1 tank feeding all 5. The system will be 10 ft. long and 3 feet wide.

Finally, I have been using the 1 tsp. Miracle grow, 1/4 tsp. Calcium Nitrate, Epson salts/gallon formula. My first fruit I grew got blossom end rot. This indicates a lack of Calcium according to information I've found on the web. Ron, would you suggest that I increase the amount of Calcium nitrate in the solution?

Tailwheel

Yes you should double the Calcium Nitrate and Epson salts for mature plants. The 1/4 teaspoon is for seedlings and young plants.

does the plant grow more fast while using the hydroponic method

Amigo Ron:
I just started with my 25, two-liter-bottle garden and I had a hell of a time trying to come up with the right amount of fertilizer and so on. My system works with a sumergable pump (2100 lt/hr) and the reservoir has an 80 lt capacity and I'm using triple 14 as fertilizer and 80 cc of folial fertilizer, too. The Ph level was too high and I used hydrogen peroxide (9% v) to make it go down to about 6.8.
What I would like to know, besides the rigth proportions of fertilizer, is what products can I use to rise or lower the Ph without ruinnig the plants and ,of course, the fertilizer mixture? Can I use the same products people use to adjust the Ph in swimming pools? If so, I will appreciate a list of what i can and cannot used and the amounts in grams, please.
Thank you and best regards
Saludos
Julian Pena D Venezuela

Hey Ron, Quick Question. I am considering opening a hydroponic retail store in a large city. The closest place to buy anything hydro is at least an hour away. Do hydropnic dealers make a decent living? And can you direct me to some wholesalers that can get me started? Thanks.

I would like to start out real basic with a passive wick system. Any good literature on setting this system up? Pros/cons, wick thickness/# wicks for 1/2 gallon containers with 6" rockwool slabs? etc. Some say this is great beginner system while others say it keeps the medium too wet etc.

Hello Ron -- do you have a "minature greenhouse" plan for our perusal?? The one you built for your hydroponic systems is perfect for our needs since we have limited space and at the sametime, want a roof for our system. There are a couple of minature greenhouse snapshots in your picture index, using pvc pipes (for frame) and clear fibergalss/plastic (for roof). It would be greatly appreciated if you share the plan with us. Thanks, Wayne

Hi Ron, I am a novice at this and my results are varied. I'm using a commercial two step nutrient solution in a drip system with perlite and metal halide lights My tomato plants do well until they start to flower, and then the leaves start to turn yellow and curl up, sometimes with brown spots. I thought they were getting too much water so cut back to 2x a day, but from what I read, most other hydroponic gardens get watered much more often. Drainage does not seem to be a problem, but my roots did look somewhat brown last time I pulled a plant...Any suggestions?

looking at buying a Cropking 4 bay hydroponic system would like to know if anyone knows anything about Cropking and there systems please E-mail me at krohm@mail.ohio.net thanks

Question: I would like to get started on a beginner's scale with hydroponics in our hobby greenhouse that is 10 by 48. Do you have any suggestions where I could get a setup that would get me started? Mike S

i need to know how to/when to feed my homemade hydroponic system

Hi I have started a new hobbie with hydroponic gardening for the elderly folks I take care of and was wondering if anyone could donate some books or magazines on the subject? Would be much appreciated. Thankyou Sincerly Bonne

Would fish be able to grow in hydroponics solution? i have an idea for a very cool garden if you can lmk i am very curious.

No but some hydroponic plants will grow in fish water.

if mixing a two part hydroponic solutions together tends to precipitate some compounds, making them unavailable to the plants, would it be possible to feed the plant with solution "A" for five (5) minutes, followed by five minutes break, then finally five minutes of solution "B" Jerry Ching

I doubt it.

I'm having trouble finding calcium choride, is there any chemical than can replace calcium chloride in a nutrient solution? Or do you have any suggestions on where to find it. None of the places around here sell it or hydroponic nutrient solution.

I order everything I need on the internet. Me and the UPS driver is on a first name bases.
Try:

	www.wormsway.com
	www.aquaticeco.com
	www.hydro-gardens.com
	V-J Growers Supply 800 222-4503