10/16/97
Time:
10:24:15 AM

Comments

We are growing plants in a gravel bed hydroponic system. They have recently been infected by a
zoosporic strain of Pythium. This requires treatment with metalaxyl, whose field dose is 1.2 kg per
hectare. Does anyone out there know the required dilution for a re-circulating system, so that
phytotoxicity does not occur.

That sounds like a question for my friend Dr. Guna at Fisk U. E-mail him at mguna@dubois.fisk.edu
Ron

Date:
10/16/97
Time:
3:40:35 PM

Comments

how does hydroponics work

Hydroponics is growing plants without dirt. Because dirt acts as a buffer between the fertilizer and
the plant it is more forgiving than hydroponics.
With hydroponics the fertilizer (nutrient solution) goes directly to the plant threw the roots which
makes it imperative to keep track of how strong it is threw the life of the plant.
Ron

Date:
10/16/97
Time:
8:30:24 PM

Comments

Question: Which is better for figuring out strength of solution? TDS meter or EC meter? I'm just
about to get started growing tomatoes and maybe a few other veggies (might even try a few herbs,
don't know yet). I'm going to use a Floating Bed aerated solution system in old aquariums, growing
indoors in CA. I can't stand the flavor (or lack there of) of store bought tomatoes!!!! Using an
aerated solution method, it seems like solution strength should be more of a concern than in other
systems. True? -LehzGo@juno.com

I think they are one and the same. Kind of like that watts and volts thing. Electrical conductivity (EC)
measures the total dissolved solutes (TDS) in your solution.but does not differentiate among the
various elements so while your EC may be correct the elements may be out of balance. That's why
you should change your solution every 4 or 5 weeks and more often if you suspect it is out of whack.
Nutrient solution strength should be the same with your method as with other hydro systems.
Ron

Date:
10/18/97
Time:
12:47:35 PM

Comments

Hello Ron i am from Venezuela and i have checked out your tomato harvest chart and i notice that
there is only nearly two months of harvest and it seems to me that the amount is low comparing with
what i have read in books, any how as i am new to hydroponics i will like to know from an expert
like you because my idea is to start as practice, but go into comercial sistem as soon as possible,
keep up the good labor Ron, your helping a lot of people like me new in this system
Carlos M

Yes Carlos you are right about the low tomato count. For serious commercial production you use
hybrid tomato seeds breed just for hydroponics. I don't have a fully enclosed climate controlled
greenhouse yet so I am at the mercy of the weather even here in Florida. Mostly from the heat. I also
didn't use any pesticide or fungicide which on a commercial scale it's hard to avoid.
I basically neglect the hell out of them but I make sure the tanks are full of nutrient solution and they
are being watered.
I figure if I can grow anything under those conditions then just think what I could do under optimum
conditions.
PS Just remember to do as I say and not as I do.
Ron

Date:
10/18/97
Time:
7:09:37 PM

Comments

Questions regarding the commercial 1 gallon system. I'm using a 10 X 20 foot greenhouse and would
like to know the optimum spacing and number of plants i should be able to grow. Is gravel the
preferred growing medium or should i be looking into grow rocks? If the system uses top feeding, is
this a 24 hour operation? Lastly, what is the best way to maintain a nutrient reservoir. Should I use a
flushing valve to maintain water level or is it better using an eductor and flushometer. This is my
second year and a half experimenting with hydroponics. Last year i manufactured 4 two foot by
seven foot tables and plumbed them together to yield 56 plants using perlite as the medium with
approximately 6 feedings per day since i live in California. What i did learn quickly is that i have to
cool the greenhouse significantly and i hope to accomplish that this year with screening. (due to lack
of funds). What i would like to do is expand and modify the grow tables to use the sewer pipe. I like
your site because it is the only one i've seen that appreciates the initiative of it's members rather than
trying to sell over-priced minute systems based on traditional growing methods. Thanks in advance
for any support.

Sorry for not answering your questions sooner but I got five things going at once. Got to make a
living.
For a 10 x 20 greenhouse I would space them 24 inches from center to center. I would add as many
rows as you can with room to walk between rows for harvesting. Tomato plants can get big so I
would give each plant 4 sq. ft. for room to grow.
Yes I drip feed from the top 24 hours but you don't need to when the sun goes down. A photocell
switch would work well. With hydroponics you want to automate as much as possible.
Gravel is ok if it is porous enough. I prefer grow rocks because it is lite weight. Gravel can get pretty
heavy.
Here in Florida we have to use swamp coolers to cool greenhouses even in the winter.
Ron

Date:
10/19/97
Time:
11:51:51 AM

Comments

The temperature in the greenhouse reaches about 120 degrees. With a 50% shading material, is
there a ballpark figure about the amount of degrees the interior should decrease by. I've removed
insect screening from the front and rear walls and replaced them with door screaning to allow for
better air circulation. glepage@worldnet.att.net

During June, July, and August it gets just to hot here in central Florida to grow anything but tropical
plants. Swamp coolers are cheep and easy to build for one way to lower the temperture about 10
degrees lower than the outside air.
Ron

Date:
10/21/97
Time:
3:43:43 PM

Comments

How would I go about growing lettuce with hydroponics? Is it cheap and inexpensive?

Lettuce is one of the easiest plants to grow hydroponicly. Most commercial lettuce growers use the
NFT system but any hydro system works well with lettuce. Leaf and bibb lettuce is easier to grow
than head lettuce.
Ron

Date:
10/21/97
Time:
4:03:19 PM

Comments

How would I go about starting a small hydroponics growing system for one or two plants?
Travis

Hi Travis
Here is a picture of the most simple hydro system you can build. Raise the solution bucket higher
than the bucket with the plant until it waters than lower it to the floor to let it drain. Raise and lower
the solution bucket five or six times a day.
This next ebb and flow picture will cost more but it will be automated.
Ron

Date:
10/23/97
Time:
9:42:02 PM

Comments

I have been a hobby hydroponic buff for about 3 years now and love experimenting around.
Although I hate zuchinni after the first plant, to keep peace in the house I am giving it a try. On a
"surfing evening" I came across a web page that mentioned Tipo Zuchinni which has a perfect flower
just like hybrid cucumbers (both male and female in the same flower. I have tried to refind this page
(I didn't bookmark it the first time) but no luck. Anyone out there have knowledge of this or any
other perfect zuchinni seed? Thanks Brian

Date:
10/24/97
Time:
10:41:51 AM

Comments

Hi Can anyone tell me if you can grow roses and orchids in a hydroponic system. I have a phototron
which I would like to use to grow something that is different My E-Maail address is critter@inu.net
Thanks Charlie Ritter.

Date:
10/24/97
Time:
4:17:44 PM

Comments

Hi Ron, tanks for your answer, i am getting more and more interested with all i read in this bulletin
board it's a great idea to help us go on in our hydroponics proyect; i have read in one of your answer
about a swamp cooler, can you give me an idea of how to build one, is there a blueprint or some
picture to guide me. here in Venezuela is as hot as Florida and for tomatoes and lettuce is a very
hard tempeture.
Carlos M.

Hello Carlos
Here is a picture of a swamp cooler. You can buy different kinds of pads that cost more but horse
hair is the cheapest per square foot.
Ron

Date:
10/25/97
Time:
10:57:19 PM

Comments

How do you propagate seedlings or clones when using Growrocks ?

I start seedlings and clones in vermiculite and then transplant when they are 3 or 4 inches tall.
Ron

Date:
10/28/97
Time:
7:57:44 PM

Comments

Hi,
Can anyone tell me where I can find an expanded clay wholesaler who would be interested in
wholesale to Western Australia?

Date:
10/30/97
Time:
9:58:42 AM

Comments

Does anyone know where I can buy time-released hydroponic fertilizer for my house plants? thanks,
Glenn

Date:
11/1/97
Time:
1:24:15 AM

Comments

Is there a place in the US that sells PU slabs contact me at benlomand@msn.com

Date:
11/27/97
Time:
3:01:25 PM

Comments

You can purchase PU slabs through Hydroasis 1(888)355-GROW.

Date:
11/2/97
Time:
11:54:04 AM

Comments

Hi Ron, for weeks now I've been evaluating various Hydroponic systems. Now that my research is
at end, I'm need input from experienced users.

What I am a loss for is whether my Tomatoes will grown better in a drip system or a flood and drain
system or whether to use an NFT setup.

I've never grown Hydroponic vegetables before and I have planned an indoor 10-10 grown area
enhanced with Co2.

What do you recommend? I love to tinker and experiment but prefer to build my own setup to keep
the cost down.

I get the same results with ebb and flow as I do with the drip system.
Ron

Date:
11/3/97
Time:
8:21:06 PM

Comments

dear ron is it possible to grow raspberries, blackberries and blueberries hydroponically? rick/boca
raton,fl

I never tried raspberries plants. Strawberries plants grew well when I could keep the birds from eating
them as soon as they turned red.
Ron

Date:
11/6/97
Time:
12:11:11 PM

Comments

We would like to know what you need for hydroponic Gardening. We are Kids

You need a submersible pump, a timer to control the pump, a nutrient solution reservoir
(Rubbermaid containers work well). Growing medium like GroRox, Rockwool, Perlite, pea gravel,
Here is a drawing of a simple automated hydro garden.
Ron

Date:
11/11/97
Time:
7:34:31 AM

Comments

I am new on the net so bear with me. I have a hydroponic tomato house and this year I have had
some major problems with spider mites. Any help on this pest problem will be appreciated. thanks

Beneficial insects that control Spider Mites seems to be the safest way to go.
The spider mite predator you need is the phytoseiulus persimilis which is one of the most effective
and widely used of all the beneficial insects.
They claim because the P. persimilis reproduces twice as fast as the spider mite, control can be
achieved in a matter of a few weeks.
Check with the larger seed companies or nurseries to get them.
Ron

Date:
11/11/97
Time:
10:58:35 AM

Comments

Hi. My name is Nick. I am an 11 year old science student. I have to do a science fair project and I
want to do one on hydroponics. Can anyone help me with ideas on how to start. I will read this page
again to get someone's help but you can e-mail my dad at jaugus01@shadow.net if you want to.
Thanks.

Date:
11/12/97
Time:
1:43:15 AM

Comments

Question. I am thinking about making a hydroponics setup that will be incorporated into my
aquarium, and i was wondering if anyone had any ideas as to how i could do this. thanks Douglas

Date:
11/12/97
Time:
4:23:55 AM

Comments

???????LIGHTS(wattage)?...REFLECTORS(type)?
So many to chose from. For a 4'X 4'.....watts? and type of reflector? from herbs to fruit(toms.
Thanks for any recommendations
The green toe nail

A 250 watt would work but I would go with 400 watt if you can afford it.
Always use a reflector to increase efficacy.
Horizontal lights are more efficient than vertical ones.
High pressure sodium lights cost more than metal halide but they last twice as long.
Ron

Date:
11/17/97
Time:
10:42:12 AM

Comments

Hello everybody, I'm new to the whole hydroponic system, but I'm about to start a garden with it. I
just have a few questions. I was wondering how many times a day one should flood the growing
area, with a rockwool or growrock medium. I cannot get a meter to check my nutrients, so I was
wondering if I topped my water off every day, and changed my solution every 3 weeks, would it be
sufficient to prevent lack of nutrient? Thanx Kevin my e-mail address is Deadcrib@geocities.com

Hi Kevin
Different mediums will require different watering times because mediums like rockwool holds water
longer than mediums like expanded clay.
Here is one way to know your plants watering cycle. Flood your medium to water the plant, then
unplug your pump and note how many minutes it takes before you see any sign of wilting which will
start at the very top of the plant.
As an example If it takes 30 minutes before you see wilting then set your water cycle at every 25
minutes so that way the plants will get watered just before they run out of water.
If you have different plants in your garden and because some plants suck more water than others,
you will have to compromise on the watering cycle to accommodate them all.

You are doing it right by changing your solution often when you don't have a ppm pen, but make
sure you use with a premix of nutrient solution to top off the tank.
Increase the strength about every week as the plants mature.

Date:
11/20/97
Time:
6:05:23 AM

Comments

Could you explain PPM. I do understand that it is parts per million but the meter that I am Using
reads from 6 up to 40. What is the comparison.

Conductance is expressed as a "Mho." Since such conductivity is small, it is expressed as
"milliMhos/cm," a measurement of conductivity through one cubic centimeter of solution. The desired
range is generally 2.0 to 4.0, depending on the stage of plant growth and vigor. This is from
Hydroponic Home Food Production.

Date:
11/20/97
Time:
8:29:54 PM

Comments

Hi, My name is Bryan and I am in 10th grade. I am in a science fair and I picked hydroponics as my
topic. I can only spend $15. (that is one of the rules) I need some help on getting started. I decided
to use a pvc pipe and we have an old pump. I need to know is how do I get the plants to stay on my
pvc pipe. And is there anyway to use a "homemade" nutrition solution. If you could help me out I
would be very greatful Thankyou Bryan bryan.mn@mailexcite.com

Try the gurgle garden.
Ron

Date:
11/22/97
Time:
5:07:18 AM

Comments

Just when I thought I had it figured out to buy a 250W SunAgro halide with a light rail for a 3' x 5'
tank, I saw info on "daylight" bulbs with a C.R.I. of 92. I don't see these offered for sale on any
hydroponic web sites. Wouldn't these be better?

Never heard of them. Maybe their to new to the market.
Ron

Date:
11/23/97
Time:
4:02:57 PM

Comments

Hi Ron! I am interested in producing cutflowers (roses) hydroponically-what do I start with and
which system would be the best to use?
Thanks

I haven't had to much luck with hard wood plants so far but I am going to try roses and grapes next
spring.
I would use the gallon drip system for large plants like roses.
Ron

Date:
11/26/97
Time:
3:30:16 AM

Comments

I Have noticed some transparent bottles being used in the more recent shots. Clue me in. JD.

I tried not painting the green bottles because someone said they block the kind of sunlight that causes mold (green
slime) inside the cups. But that was wrong. The green bottles cut down on the mold but still should be painted.
Ron

Date:
11/28/97
Time:
8:02:46 AM

Comments

from arti@socrates.piaggio.ccii.unipi.it I wonder if anyone can help with a problem on the
evaporation of picoliter droplets of liquid in which I have dissolved polymers .I'm looking for some
equations to start off with and I want to know how long each drop takes to evaporate, given
temperature, solvent concentration etc. Are there any books or papers on the subject?

what did he say

Date: 11/29/97
Time: 12:10:47 AM

Comments

Dear Ron, I currently have 2 ebb-n-flow tables under (1) 1000 watt metal halide and (1) 430 watt
hps son-agro. I was wondering how many waterings a day I should give my tomatoes and how long
should each watering cycle be? I start clones in 1'x1' rockwool cubes and then transfer to grorocks
in net cups. I have tried to observe the wilting effect to try to set accurate watering intervals, but the
plants do not wilt for many hours i currently water them 4 times a day evenly spaced throughout the
day, even in darkness, and each watering cycle is for about 30 minutes. Is this ok? -Thank you very
much Ron,
-Sincerely, Ernie

Hi Ernie
Your watering cycle sounds right because the watering lasts 30 minutes.
Keep an eye on your roots for signs of rot. Watch for new white roots growing and then you know
everything is right.
Ron

Date:
12/1/97
Time:
6:50:35 AM

Comments

I have an industrial bldg. in New England and am looking to grow hydroponic veg. Does anyone
know of anyone who has done any such thing.

Date:
12/2/97
Time:
9:33:01 PM

Comments

Am seeking information on the starting/raising of pineapples hydroponically. Anyone have any
experience/suggestions? E-mail address: hokkanen@webtv.net

Date:
12/6/97
Time:
12:35:04 AM

Comments

Hi,
I am building a 6 plant flood and drain unit with 2 liter coke bottles....My question is how do I time
the flood and drain.....and how often? I have a 24hr/30min on/off timer but is 30 min. too long to
flood the unit? This is my first time building a unit it will be used for Tomatoes and Cucumbers.
Any help would be great! Thanks,
Tommy Agoitia E-mail (agoitia@stic.net)

Hi Tom
No it doesn't need to water for 30 minutes but with a timer with a 30 minute on cycle you don't have
much choice but to water for 30 minutes.
What you can do is put a flow control valve to slow the water being pumped to your system to take
30 minutes to fill the garden.
It will also take longer to drain so make sure you consider that when you set your watering cycle.
Ron

Date:

12/8/97
Time:
7:07:03 PM

Comments

Order a free hydroponic catalog from eco enterprises at ecoenter@aol.com

Date:
12/10/97
Time:
9:37:36 AM

Comments

Need more plans

Low cost how to dvd's coming soon. Until then try here.
Ron

Date:
12/11/97
Time:
11:32:17 AM

Comments

Hello, my name is Jun, I would like to ask a question: How fast the hydroponics growth rate
compares with thw soils? Thanks

With fast growing plants I have grown them from cutting to maturity in half the time as with soil.

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