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hi ron i have started two strawberry plants can you give any info on light cycles?
Sorry I only have grown strawberries in natural light so I'm not sure about indoor condition.
Ron, great site! 1 quick question, what could I use instead of the 2 liter bottles? (they're not so easy to find) thanks D
I used plastic drinking cups years ago but they couldn't handle the suns uvr. I am using the same soda bottles gardens I used 10 years ago.
Hello Ron,
Where do you order your fertilizers from?
www.wormsway.com Formula One A&B
How do you determine the correct mix for an 11 plant garden of your design?
Follow the instructions on the bottle on how much to add per gallon or buy a PPM meter.
How much do you need for growing vegetables for one season for this size unit?
A 2 Qt. A&B set would be plenty. About $20.00
Thanks!
New beginner with some questions:
Noticed that you use grow rocks as a medium. Is that all you use to grow plants in, or is that put only at the bottom of growing bottle (container) with another medium that the plants are placed in? What exactly are grow rocks?
A man-made clay fired ceramic material
About how many square inches of growing medium, or size container it takes to grow each large tomato that I plant?
I have grown 10 ft. tomatoes plants in a 2 qt. pot of grow rocks.
If my container is fairly shallow, but has a lot of horizontal room, will a vegetable’s root system grow horizontally in a competent manner?
Won't matter as long as the volume is their.
Does a moderate/heavy rain fill up your growing container and over-soak plants; and if so, what’s your solution – a cover over the plant?
The rain flushing would be good for your plants but will dilute your solution if it isn't redirected when it rains.
Good to read your political views, and most importantly, your total belief in FREE SPEECH. When I get some free time, I'll send you some of my experiences with the government.
Email me at oncale@erols.com
I am looking for a complete hydroponic system for growing fodder for livestock consumption. Does anyone know where I can find such a system?
CAN CITRUS PLANTS GROW IN A HYDROPONICS PLANTER.
I haven't had good luck with woody type plants like roses, shrubs, or trees.
what size pump do i use for 11 plant system
50 to 120 GPH
IS THERE A SITE WERE YOU CAN PURCHASE GRO-ROX AT A GOOD PRICE. I BOUGHT SOME AND PAID $40.00 FOR TWO 15 LITER BAGS THAT PRICE INCLUDES SHIPPING. TWO 15 LITER BAGS DO NOT GO VERY FAR. I LOVE YOUR SIGHT. I FOUND IT THRU THE PERSON WHO SELLS DIRECTIONS TO YOUR SITE, ON EBAY. HE ALSO GIVES DIRECTIONS TO OTHER HYDROPONIC SITES. HE DOESN'T ASK FOR VERY MUCH. AND I WOULD NOT HAVE FOUND THIS AND OTHER SITES WITHOUT IT.
Grow rocks are best bought at a grow store near you
because of the shipping charge.
I don't care if YOU sell directions or information unless you get rich then I
might sue the hell out of you.
I am a teacher in santa clara caif. just starting into hypdroponics and have a section of counter measuring 25in by 30ft. long, what kind of a system can i build and what kind of lighting will I need? Mr. Chandler (schandle@scu.k12.ca.us)
The 2-liter bottle garden can accommodate any size
because it's modular. I would put a row of two bottles12 inches apart from
center to center for so many feet. Then a row of 3 bottles eight inches
from center to center for smaller plants. You can also put a shut off valve
between sections if not in use or add another tank and pump to that section for
a different solution mix.
If you get any natural sunlight from a window then you might get by with florescence
lights but I would put a 250 or 400 W MH or HPS on a track mover with a 6
ft. extension for 2 lights that would give you 15 ft. of coverage. All you need
is two of them to cover 30 ft. Got a lot of money?
hi ron i built your 11 plant system for pot my first experience. im using a bath room it has tub shower combo. i used white 3/4 x 4'x8'styro foam boards i enclosed top and front and made door. the bathroom has a exh. fan, so i put an exh. fan on top of enclosure to blow hot air and smell out i all so put another exh. fan at bottom of shower to pull cool air in. i all so have air condition vent come in to bathroom. size of grow room is 21/2'x5'height is 6' will i need more than a 400 hps lighting. next where can i get seeds? or can you use rag weed seeds or will it just yield rag weed. dose what im doing sound like it will work? thanks ron im also ron.
400 W is plenty. You can order seeds from Canada at your own risk because you can't complain if they don't send them to you or they get intercepted by you know who.
hi ron,how tall will my pot plants get in your 11 bottle system. and do they all mature in the bottles.i was reading on another site where they sell a step by step video on hydroponics to grow three plants yielding 4 oz per plant.but requires 9 sq ft.per plant.im getting a confused on needed space for your 11 plant system? my grow room is a tub shower inclosed.thanks ron
1 square ft. per plant is the ideal size for a 18 to 24
inch tall plant. The 11 plant garden bottles are to close for large plants
unless you bend them this way and that way.
I have never heard of someone getting 4 oz per indoor plant. They just
want to sell videos. Weight depends mostly on the seeds you use and not the
system you grow in.
Sub nutrient solution
Hi Ron,
Does the nutrient solution have a limited life time?
Is it possible to recycle the water (economically)?
Tks for your answer. Mike from Botswana
What happens over time is even though you get a correct PPM reading the N P K can get out of whack over time and the only thing to do is change your solution. Use it to water your dirt plants because they can handle it.
HI RON. WANTED TO KNOW REASON PERLITE IS TURNING GREEN ? SHOULD I COVER IT?
That's normal. It's algae and it means that your solution is healthy. It only becomes a problem if it gets so thick it cuts off oxygen to the plants below. Then rinse with water to get rid of it.
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, on your 11 plant system, growing pot how many oz can i expect? and how many males on average will i be getting rid of. thanks for your time.
It's your seeds that determine weight not the system you grow in.
hi, im using your 11 bottle system. my question is about lights i have about 12 sq ft.i have the tub shower grow room. you said 400 hps will do fine but will i get better results using a 1000 hps.or how about two 400 systems one mh one hps. or two 1000 watt systems. can you run mh and hps at same time. I haven't bought lights yet i want to make sure i get the right system for max growth and so i don't have to up grade later.
two 400 W. (one of each) is better than one 1000 W
because the plants get light from two points instead of one.
By using both MH and HPS you can make sure you give your plants the full
spectrum of light needed for maximum growth.
What's the biggest garden ever made?
This one is pretty big. Can't tell what they are growing and what system they are using.
Who first attempted hydroponics or discovered it?
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 totally agree with you that freedom is a must. I'm sure our country's forefathers would agree. My question is: I am in a good situation to purchase very good seeds in the next couple of months. However I won't be able to grow from them for at least one year after purchase. Will the seeds be good until then? What do I have to do to keep them "fresh"? Is there a solution like power, freezing, vacume seal or something? From an interesting seedling
A cool dry dark space is recommended. Your refrigerator is also ok.
Does anyone know why people believe that passing an electrical current around plants tends to enhance growth?
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.
I am looking for a very special tomato. It contains THC. I ran across it earlier today on a site but now I can't find it. Any ideas? Please contact me at chefblaise@yahoo.com if you do. Thanks, The Chef
I have over $1500 of indoor climate control equipment, CO2 equipment, lighting equipment and a variety of other misc. stuff that i'm trying to sell. All as a package for $450 with free shipping in US, or individually with prices and shipping negotiable. All of it is nearly brand new except ballasts and bulbs. If interested e-mail to dennyandmarie@juno.com
Hi,
J.S. Mill, a philosopher who wrote in page long paragraphs, said that "the only time an individual or society has the right to interfere with another individual freedom of thought, expression or action is to prevent harm to others." Or something like that anyway.
Victimless crime - know what I mean ?
Anyway, I badly need to find out about power consumption of a large (40 plants upwards) garden. I realize that a 1000w bulb will equal a KW per hour, and so on. I am worried that a steep level of electricity consumption will attract attention.
I would be grateful for any ideas or links.
One 1000 W light with the fans, exhaust, pump, mover and what ever else you need cost about 60 dollars a month so times that how many lights and rooms you have.
can you please give me a rough idea on how much my electric bill will jump, running a 400 w hps bulb, 24 hrs. a day for a month. I know if probably varies for depending on where you live, but it closer to $20 or $200? Thank u. Your site is great.
closer to $20.
concerning the 11 plant two litre system, are the bottles supposed to remain filled with water or once they are filled am i to turn off the pump and let the roots remain in the solution until all water is gone and then repeat process?? Must i be aware of drowning roots?
No the roots should not sit in water. Wet the roots
about every 30 minutes or so and drain immediately.
That's why I like grow rocks because they hold so much oxygen it is almost impossible
to over water your plants
Can you grow any kind of illegal drugs using hydroponics?
Illegal is relative. It depends on where you live and what special interest groups control your politicians to past laws that benefit them.
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