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Question and Answer Page 49

Subjects

How about those 500W halogen shop spotlights Can i use larger cups asked about cantaloupe
wetting agent help in hydroponics PVC Thinwall Plumbing timer at Wal-Mart for eight bucks.
GREENHOUSE GRADE CALCIUM NITRATE 3-liter bottle cap for those without access to thin wall PVC
For the Gurgling Bucket. pollinate my tomatoes reduce my high power bill?
plans for a greenhouse? Gurgle garden modification: rockwool medium in the 2 liter bottles
Date:
15 Jul 2000
Time:
15:34:22

Comments

RE: growing legal tobacco
Ask any of my relatives in Kentucky, or any of the farmers in Tennessee. (* smile *)
Yes, there is no law against growing tobacco.
There are even ornamental tobacco plants (nicotina, I beleive).
I was talking to a friend who is a tobacco farmer, and he even grows the starts for the plants, you guessed it!, hydroponicly/hydroponically (whichever is correctly spelled!)
Take it easy.

Signed, --HillJack--

Date:
16 Jul 2000
Time:
03:32:42

Comments

Where can I purchase a high pressure sodium light in the Yorkshire area?

Date:
16 Jul 2000
Time:
11:20:57

Comments

How about those 500W halogen shop spotlights you can get from a hardware store for $7. Would that work any better than fluorescents yet be cheaper than MH?

Halogen lights like incandescents are very expensive to operate. Their lumen-per-watt output is very low.
Their color spectrum is in the far red end. Only 10 to 15 percent is in the visible spectrum.

Date:

17 Jul 2000
Time:
10:00:38

Comments

How do i make a simple hydroponics unit, using things i can get around the house or local hardware stores?

Date:
17 Jul 2000
Time:
12:26:11

Comments

To ? about hallogen, they get very hot and are expensive to run, go with MH or HPS you can get them at homedepot or other hardware stores.

To ? about how can I build a system: Read the site!!!, all info is here you just must read, here is link to the 11 plant garden http://www.hydroponicsonline.com/11plant1.htm

DC420

Date:
17 Jul 2000
Time:
19:30:29

Comments

Ron, I was wondering if there is any such thing as a testing kit or process for determining the sex of a plant as a seedling. I like to skip the forcing process if possible. I know that Cornell University has been working on this for years. What can you tell me? Thanks cjs

Nothing yet, but interesting.

Date:
17 Jul 2000
Time:
20:19:50

Comments

Just starting out. Does a wetting agent help in hydroponics, like the one from AMWAY?

I have used a wetting agent only with dirt.

Date:
18 Jul 2000
Time:
12:11:03

Comments

I don't know about a wetting agent being used with hydro but I don't know why it would help, wetting agents (aka soap) is used to help retain water. In hydro you control in with pumps, timers, holes, etc so you don't really need them. If you do need to improve water retention in dirt or hydro systems a wetting agent will help a lot but don't go spending a lot of $ on one as you can just use a little dish soap with water and get the same effects. DC420

Date:
19 Jul 2000
Time:
11:27:29

Comments

RON, WHERW DID YOU FIND YOUR HYDRO GREENHOUSE GRADE CALCIUM NITRATE 15.5.0.0 I'M IN VIRGINIA. YOU HAVE A PICTURE OF IT IN IMAGES. I BUILT YOUR 11 PLANT GARDEN AND IT WORKS GREAT.

THANKS, DAVE

Try www.aquaticeco.com 

Date:
19 Jul 2000
Time:
12:57:51

Comments

For the Gurgling Bucket. Turn the tee that's in the reservoir 90 deg so that the air in is going into the single end and suspend it so the liquid will enter the bottom and the air bubbles will push the nutrient up the line. Other words put the tee section as the input and one end as the pump output. Exchange the to lines and rotate 90 degrees. I hope this is clear.

I built it and now I'm not clear. Send me a drawing. Here is another Air Powered Hydroponic Garden (103 KB) that I got off the internet. You can modify this garden and use grow rocks or other medium instead of rockwool.

Date:
19 Jul 2000
Time:
21:25:02

Comments

I know you are all tired of this question, but can anyone shoot me the plans for a greenhouse? Thank you much.:)

Todd

todd_arc@hotmail.com

Basic Plans For 30' X 96' Solar Greenhouse (about 80 KB each) 

  1. First Page
  2. Second Page
  3. Third Page

Date:
19 Jul 2000
Time:
22:12:08

Comments

Here's a link to greenhouse plans.

http://www.sherrysgreenhouse.com/TomUhll.html

CM

Date:
20 Jul 2000
Time:
11:27:47

Comments

Would it be alright if I just cut the bottom couple inches off the 2L bottles and made the overflow pipe higher in the 11 plant garden in order to use larger cups(30-35oz) for the bigger roots of bigger plants.

Thanks.

Yes! Now your thinking. It really isn't that hard to figure out different ways to modify the gardens for your needs.

Date:
20 Jul 2000
Time:
12:11:47

Comments

Is PVC Thinwall Plumbing or electrical.

Thanks.

Plumbing. It is used mainly for irrigation in the south where we don't have a freeze zone. That is why they don't sell it up north because it in thin and will crack in the cold.

Date:
20 Jul 2000
Time:
12:33:19

Comments

after u have ur system up,do u place ur rockwool in the solo cup, and then place the solo cup into the bottle?

Yes but I use grow rocks instead of rockwool.

Date:
20 Jul 2000
Time:
18:32:04

Comments

Jeeze! Ron doesn't use rockwool. He uses grow rocks. And yes, plant in cup with grow rocks and then into solo cup.

Date:
20 Jul 2000
Time:
18:33:07

Comments

Thinwall PVC is in the plumbing area at Home Depot.

And if they don't. Make them order you some. That is what they are their for.

Date:
21 Jul 2000
Time:
12:55:31

Comments

Building the second 11-bottle system even though I'm still waiting to order the grow-rocks. I took a 3-liter bottle cap to the hardware store & it will fit tightly inside of 1 1/2" Sch. 40 PVC pipe. Have seen the question asked several times on the site & had to find out. My next system will be a 3-liter bottle one.

Jim Morton III

DID EVERYONE GET THAT. Thanks Jim 

Date:
22 Jul 2000
Time:
04:11:48

Comments

Re: 11--3 liter bottle system

Curious as to what brand drink bottle you using for your system. Are these the wide mouth bottles similar to Gatorade?

I just trashed 4 cucumber plants that were in 16 oz. Solo cups and was amazed that I had about 24 ounces of roots packed in them. The plants developed an uncontrollable case of powdery mildew. Really upset me as they were developing beautiful fruit. I replaced them with bell peppers.

It seems clear to me that the roots of hydro plants need more root room in some cases. I believe that in the future, I will grow all my plants from seed and transplant them because I no longer have any faith that when you buy at a nursery, there's no guarantee that plants are healthy.

Tailwheel

Date:
23 Jul 2000
Time:
09:51:58

Comments

hey ron,

I have very healthy plants in your 11-bottle system but I have been unable to pollinate my tomatoes and green pepper. I read on this sight to shake the vine between 11.00am and 12 and also flick the flower. I am in a condo. what to do ?

Try using your vibrator. If you have one. A fan might help. Are you or your neighbors afraid of bees?  

Date:
23 Jul 2000
Time:
19:46:31

Comments

Gurgle garden modification: If you attach a piece of aquarium airline tubing to the end of the "T" that sucks in drops of nutrient, run it down a couple of inches below the "T", then put a piece of rigid airline in the end and pinch it almost shut with pliers, you will be able to pump your droplets to a greater height. Plus, if there is a power outage, your system will get started a lot quicker once the power comes back on. I am using the gurgle method in this way to pump nutrient to several plants in different locations and draining them back to a central 10 gallon tank. I am using a dual diaphragm, two speed air pump and splitting the air flow between 8 nutrient "splitters" using gang valves. In this way you can also adjust the nutrient output of each splitter independently. Very cheap, flexible, and easy to set up. I suppose you could even use it on a PVC pipe garden.

Also, if you prefer pumps, you can do a variation of the above using Maxijet powerheads. Just attach a piece of vinyl tubing to the output with pieces of rigid airline tubing super glued in place. Then all you have to do is plug in your vinyl airline, run it through a valve-- or not-- to your destination. I have this setup going to feed the PVC garden in my back yard. Hope someone finds this useful-- Jason

Very helpful. Thanks Jason

Date:
24 Jul 2000
Time:
01:03:35

Comments

Someone asked about cantaloupe a while ago. I started some from seed and they have been in an ebb and flow tray for a couple of weeks now. Those that get a lot of sun are doing great. Go for it.

CM

I also grew some in my first hydro system and the vines grew 20 ft. long. When a cantaloupe formed I placed each one in a mesh bag and tied them up to mature in the bags. That was 8 years ago before I started taking pictures.

Date:
24 Jul 2000
Time:
01:17:04

Comments

Timers

Found a GE 24-Hour lamp and appliance timer at Wal-Mart for about eight bucks. This one has 96 on and off settings per day. The instructions say it is 15 minutes  for each segment. It is a model # 50225. The number below the bar code on the package is GE5110-71Q/GE50225. Hope this helps.

I also found a 15 minutes on 15 off 24 hour timers at Home Depot. Named Ingraham model # L 12/150/0599003

Date:
24 Jul 2000
Time:
02:21:09

Comments

ive heard of people using fish emulsion as a nutrient for hydroponic units - can this be done? is anything else needed to make it work? by the way your site has helped me out a lot -josh

I have wondered the same thing. Can anyone help me and josh. We might have to do our own testing.

Date:
24 Jul 2000
Time:
13:49:07

Comments

Ron: Here is another way to build the 11 plant garden for those without access to thin wall PVC. I built the garden with 3/4 schedule 40 pvc using 3/4" tees that have 1/2" female pipe thread fitting on the tee. Then I used 1/2"pipe to 1/2" male pipe thread adapters made of CPVC (pipe used for cold and hot water yellow in color) the fitting will fit inside of the 2 liter bottle (since it is a thinner wall than regular pvc) and is a close enough fit that I have been using wet or dry pvc glue ("blue glue") to hold them in the bottles. The bottle then screws onto the tee seems to work great and is an inexpensive solution and CPVC fitting should be available everywhere Thanks for your site Chris R

I bet their is a dozen ways of connecting whatever size bottle to whatever size pvc you wanted if you just take the bottle you want to connect  to the plumbing store and you can find a way to make it fit with all the different pvc fittings they have. 

Date:
25 Jul 2000
Time:
07:32:00

Comments

How can I reduce my high power bill? I am running 3 1000w and 4 400w grow-18/6 bud-12/12 any help would be appreciated. chazza57

By downsizing. If your power bill is out of the norm of your neighborhoods then you might be real close to being raided no matter what you are growing.  

Date:
25 Jul 2000
Time:
12:33:44

Comments

I was hoping to purchase 11 1" PVC Thinwall peieces from this site, but I happen to live outside of the U.S. and noticed that it said "U.S. orders only at this time". Is that still the case and if so is there any way at all of me ordering the parts needed (ie-send extra S&H so it can be sent UPS or Fed Ex). I have been to or called every hardware, plumbing, even vacuum store in my area and an extensive surrounding area. You see the thing is that I have already built the garden and bought the pump and every thing else that is needed. Without these parts I fear the worst, the garden is garbage and the money has been wasted. I have tried a number of alternatives as well and non seem to work.

trouble in T.O.

thanks

You didn't say how far outside the US you lived. If it is Canada or anywhere I can mail them then no problem. 

Date:
25 Jul 2000
Time:
21:18:18

Comments

Hey hows it goin i am a first time hydroponic grower and i have just recently built your 11 plant hydro system but i dont know how far up the water is supposed to go into the rockwool medium in the 2 liter bottles so please help me out and e-mail me if you can! punx_riot@hotmail.com

Haven't never used rockwool with my 2-liter bottle gardens so I don't know for sure but my guess is about an inch because the rockwool will act like a sponge and soak up the solution.

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