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Question and Answer Page 30

Subjects

inexpensive CO2 monitor is the thin wall sdr26 or sld 26 How big of a reservoir for 11 plant
nutrient solution compositions (in ppm) i want to buy pvc thin wall water once a day enough
cheaper medium roots have grown down the pvc 400wt hps closer to my plants
11 plant garden watering curling the edges of the 2 liter bottles? slow down growth to clip the roots?
plants we grew are rotting. question on ppm reading cheap way to determine the PPM
Date:
19 Feb 2000
Time:
13:43:58

Comments

Hi Ron, first, thank you for answered my first question about the control of humidity. Now, I want to know if you have another tip for me, I explain: I want to project my air outdoor by the dryer conduct, but I don't want that everybody think I use the dryer all the day long. Do you have a tip to reduce the appearance of the expulsed air?
Thanks a lot! Your site is fabulous!! And sorry for my english!!!
Quebecgold

Move out to the country.

Date:
19 Feb 2000
Time:
15:26:42

Comments

Can you recommend an inexpensive CO2 monitor or monitor/control device. John Lunghusen

Sorry their is no cheap CO2 equipment and CO2 monitors cost even more. CO2 Generators cost more than injectors and tanks but will save money in the long run because propane to run the generator cost less than bottled CO2. 

Date:
19 Feb 2000
Time:
20:39:03

Comments

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)

Date:
20 Feb 2000
Time:
04:44:02

Comments

in the current pictures of the Gurgle Garden. Question=What is the cheaper medium you have found ?

I'm using wood chips in one garden that didn't cost me anything but nothing works better than grow rocks.

Date:
21 Feb 2000
Time:
11:42:39

Comments

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.

Date:
22 Feb 2000
Time:
11:57:25

Comments

I am a FFA member going on to a regional competition and need information on Hydroponics. What is it> Is it more expensive way to grow? Is it the future for space? Let me have PRO's and CON's of this amazing way to grow food. Thanks Kasey_CA@hotmail.com

Date:
22 Feb 2000
Time:
12:24:30

Comments

I could use some help growing plants for a project in school. The plants we grew are rotting. What are we doing wrong?

Over watering.

Date:
22 Feb 2000
Time:
15:22:34

Comments

is the thin wall sdr26 or sld 26

It seems to depend on the manufacturer. They also rate it at 200 PSI. 

Date:
22 Feb 2000
Time:
15:25:25

Comments

i want to buy pvc thin wall . home depot ant got it who has

A store that sells irrigation supplies. I get my thin wall at Home Depot but that is here in florida. Maybe they don't stock it up north because of cold weather. I'm sure they will order you some if you ask.

Date:
22 Feb 2000
Time:
16:16:42

Comments

hey ron,400 hps again, things are much better now with venting,18 hours on time, they are doing much better. I have come across another problem, i told you before i was using rockwool, the thing is the roots have grown down into the pvc, not the problem, the problem is that they are clogging the hole, and a couple aren't getting water up in the rockwool, they still get water on the bottom roots, so they are still alive, but not doing as well as others, I don't think i can do much now, but prepare for future plants. ever hear of this? thanks

Some members use a paint strainer to keep the roots out of the pipes. One of the main reasons I grow in 16 oz solo cups is so I can lift the plant out of the 2-liter bottle and clip any roots that may be clogging up the system. 

Date:
22 Feb 2000
Time:
17:50:46

Comments

What is the best plant to grow in a pot?

Annuals

How can you test the pH levels?

With a pH soil tester. 

I don't like buying things on the net. Can you recommend a store that I can buy Nutrient Solution?

Any Home Improvement store, Hardware stores or any store that sells plants.

Date:
23 Feb 2000
Time:
02:43:22

Comments

ron,what is the purpose of curling the edges of the 2 litre bottles?

It makes the bottles ridged and also holds the cup up slightly keeping it from blocking the hole. And makes them look pretty don't it.

Date:
23 Feb 2000
Time:
08:24:53

Comments

hi ron

i have a question on ppm reading

what is the implication of a situation where the ppm reading increases as days pass while the water level decreases ?

thanks

taulava, tongo

ppm can rise over time from root mater and other small medium particles draining back to your tank. You also have to remember that although your ppm is correct it does not differentiate among the various elements in your solution so even you may think your solution is ok but it may have to much or little of an one element.
If their is any hint of a problem dump it and start over. 

Date:
23 Feb 2000
Time:
18:41:38

Comments

How big of a reservoir should I use for the 11 plant system? Also what are the dimensions (I'm not sure if it will fit in the closet or not)?
Thanks for you time!

It's a 11 Gal. / 41.6 L rubber maid sweater container that I bought at Walmart but you can use any size you want. The garden doesn't have to sit right on top of the container if you lengthen the pump hose and over flow pipe. The smallest closet I would use is 2 ft. x 3 ft. Room for the garden but tight with the plants.  

 

Date:
24 Feb 2000
Time:
17:02:52

Comments

i did use the paint strainer,the roots went right through em

bad ass roots. clip the bastards. that will show um.

Date:
25 Feb 2000
Time:
08:57:39

Comments

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)

Date:
25 Feb 2000
Time:
11:34:04

Comments

hi i have the ingredients i need to grow my plant. they are gravel, perlite, desert sand. all i need to know is what order to place them in the growing tray. thank you. -colleen

Now I have never used gravel, perlite, or desert sand so this is only a guess. Start with the perlite and go to the gravel and leave the desert sand in the desert. Compacts to tight to hold oxygen which your plants need to thrive.  

Date:
25 Feb 2000
Time:
14:07:51

Comments

hi again. i need to know: i water my plant (which is very small, using a small, simple system) with water once a day and it drains out through a different channel. but im not sure how much nutrient solution to give the plant. 1 cup? 2 cups? im not too bright on the subject. thanks -colleen

If you are using a well draining medium that holds a lot of oxygen then you can't over water your plant. I water my plants ever 30 minutes and thus force feeding the plant roots every 30 minutes. The plant will only use the nutrients it needs at the time of the watering but you don't want your plant sitting and thinking; "I'm hungry!  When is that bitch going to feed me! 

Date:
26 Feb 2000
Time:
13:18:22

Comments

ron, can i get my 400wt hps closer to my plants if i put a clear piece of glass in the bottom of the light? if so- how close? thanks op

Yes but be careful if the glass isn't tempered it could crack from the heat and chop a plants head off. You can buy a  tempered one from a glass store for under 20 bucks then you can put your 400 w light as close as 10 inches from the plants.   

Date:
26 Feb 2000
Time:
20:12:23

Comments

it doesn't hurt, or slow down growth to clip the roots? or you just clip back enough to keep em under control? 

right. it shocks them a little but the alternative is the roots plug the system up and the plant dies.

i was thinking....since you cut the bottoms off the 2-liter bottles, I trimmed one down, drilled some holes in it and placed it in the bottom of a 2 liter, underneath where the rockwool would go) thinking this may keep them dang roots under control. it will be another month or two before i will get a chance to try it, sounds good though huh? 400hps

Anything wouldn't hurt to try. The 16 oz solo cups I grow in I don't burn any holes in the bottom, just the sides so the roots will grow out the side instead of strait down the garden pipe.

Date:
27 Feb 2000
Time:
00:28:56

Comments

hi ron,

i was reading a book on agriculture production and it says ...

growth = photosynthesis - respiration

i wanna know what are the factors that affects respiration rate of plants

thanks

taulava

Accessing. scanning data banks. later. 

Date:
27 Feb 2000
Time:
16:51:19

Comments

Short of spending a lot of money on a garden method I have never tried before, is there a quick or cheap way to determine the PPM or TDS of the nutrient solution? Fortunately I have an old pH meter that works so don't have to buy one of those. Thanks.....Jim jbrenan@ccis.com

Sorry there just isn't an easy way to test PPM like there is with pH like drops or litmus paper. The only way to keep track of you PPM without a meter is to try to keep track of how much concentrated nutrient solution you add to each gallon of water. 
I would have to say that a PPM meter is one of the most important pieces of equipment that you should purchase when growing hydroponicly.

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