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Subjects

In regards to aeration: hydroponics more enviro friendly my plants have been getting root rot
a way to lower the plants time plants should stay in the solution should I thoroughly rinse perlite?
your source of P ? MH and HPS lights at lowe's pumice mentioned
1" thin wall pvc. start with drip or a flood system? offering a complete kit
this system for flower garden? light sideways instead of hanging it down? How big a plant can you grow

Date:
20 Nov 2000
Time:
06:42:34

Comments

Just a tip for watching BBS for new info. I use NetMind: http://mindit.netmind.com/ Enter the URL that you want it to monitor and it will email you when the page is updated. If you're like me, you want to know every time someone posts to the board, but you don't wanna check it everyday.

Have fun and keep growin'! Erik - Ohio - ehoover@netdotcom.com

Now that is something I can use. Thanks Erik.

Date:
21 Nov 2000
Time:
14:06:49

Comments

im new at this i just started today for an school project and im wondering where i can find rockwool cubes

Date:
21 Nov 2000
Time:
18:06:23

Comments

I'm almost finished with my 11-plant garden. Thanks for all the info Ron.

In regards to aeration: I'm using a submersible pump (170GPH). I don't want to run another power cord to a air pump. Can the submersible be used somehow? Can I split the output from the pump and just let one output churn around in the nutrient tank?

Also folks, at smarthome.com (and other sites) you can get an X10 starter kit for 29.95. The IBM branded version. If you have a computer (which seems a given if you are reading this) this seems a good timer option. I had to order a 3-prong(e.g. grounded) controller for my pump, but those are also being cleared out (Magnavox branded: $4.99).

Thanks again. And, I'm TUI (typing under the influence), so feel free to edit... :)

Yes you can aerate that way. A lot of submersible pumps (Power Head) comes with an aerator tube built in.
Yes I have been using X10 stuff along time now. I have their hole house control system but have yet to set it up because I have so many things hook to my computer now, I ran out of IRQs or something like that.
I use their remote cameras to keep an eye on my property because they are so cheap.
    

Date:
21 Nov 2000
Time:
23:22:56

Comments

You don't need to aerate your nutrient solution. The easiest way to do it if you really want to, is to allow the pump to continue for 30 seconds or so longer than is needed to reach the overflow. The nutrient solution falling back into the tank will aerate it.

Date:
22 Nov 2000
Time:
13:02:52

Comments

im looking for some information about hydroponics, i am building a farm for my agriculture class and for a FFA project. i am wondering what i need to do to sprout the seeds before i plant them and i also need to know what are some good quick growing plants to grow, and if i could get any tips on quick growth i would really appreciate it. Josh Buoni If you can e-mail me with info i would be very grateful Dragonhcky@aol.com (or) spyderjmb@aol.com thank you

Date:
22 Nov 2000
Time:
17:06:31

Comments

hydro tomatoes in a 7' tall greenhouse. plants are at the roof. is there a way to lower the plants without breaking the main stem? have been keeping the plants pruned so the lower part of the plant is all stem. need more growing room.

Yes slowly  lower your string, thus lowering the plant slightly down and to one side. Only lower it about 6 inches at a time to prevent braking the plant. Start at one end of your row a do the same thing to each plant in the same way and direction. 

Date:
22 Nov 2000
Time:
20:27:07

Comments

Ron, I saw a pic of you planting brussel sprouts? How did they turn out? I saw some at the nursery today and was wondering if its worth a try.

I haven't seen anything yet that looks like a brussel sprout. I will check again.

Date:
23 Nov 2000
Time:
19:45:32

Comments

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.  

Date:
24 Nov 2000
Time:
14:30:07

Comments

pzing: I saw your post on Peters's Hydrosol. Where do you get yours at? Do you add any chemicals to it? I saw it was a tad low in Nitrogen. Do you know where I could get any information on it other than NPK ? Nurse Duckett

Date:
27 Nov 2000
Time:
04:29:46

Comments

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

Date:
25 Nov 2000
Time:
01:04:07

Comments

I like the cloning information about tomatoes. has anybody tried cloning engl cucumders.westa

Date:
25 Nov 2000
Time:
09:50:57

Comments

On your order form for the 11 plant garden, there isn't hand 90 deg. fitting/2 liter cap or the two 90's for the overflow. I can't find anyone in my area that sells 1" thin wall pvc. Is there any suppler on the internet?

Thanks, JJ

Try a True Value Hardware Store and ask the manager to order you some from a store in Florida where they do sell thinwall PVC. Or just order what you need from me

Date:
26 Nov 2000
Time:
18:35:32

Comments

Has anyone herd of pinecrest, a commercial hydro farm based in Florida ? they say they have been researching plant nutrition for about 3 years and have come up with the most the most efficient nutrient solution & growing system there is. they say there nutrient has over 80 minerals & vitamins. they say they can get 35 to 40 harvests per year and yeild 10 to 12 lbs. per sq. ft. per year.

Date:
26 Nov 2000
Time:
23:39:40

Comments

can i use this system for flower garden? how? thanks...

Yes you can. I started out growing ornamentals in my 2-liter system in 1993. 

Date:
27 Nov 2000
Time:
06:56:07

Comments

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. 
 

Date:
27 Nov 2000
Time:
17:46:26

Comments

Dear Ron, I have used your plans for the 11 plant system, thanks for providing them, although I am a bit confused on the amount of time the plants should stay in and out of the solution. I am planning on growing container tomatoes in my green house the aggregate that I will be using is leca or the puffed clay. I would also appreciate advice on the best seed starting method. Many Thanks, Jason

The roots only need to be watered every 15 minutes or so. The plants don't need to sit in the nutrient solution longer than it takes to fill the garden. The overflow is provided for people with timers that run longer than it takes to just fill the garden. If it takes 3 minutes to fill the garden to the correct height then set your timer to come on for three minutes every 15 minutes. That is if you can set your timer to do that. 

Date:
27 Nov 2000
Time:
18:01:24

Comments

hey ron, can you buy MH and HPS lights at lowe's (eagle hardware and garden) or true value hardware, if you can do you know about how much they are?

Some members say yes. I know they sell low pressure sodium outdoor lights. Not as good as HPS or MH.

Date:
28 Nov 2000
Time:
12:28:01

Comments

I am a first time user of hydroponics, and I was wondering if it would be easier to start with using a drip system or a flood system. I have heard drip systems produce better results because the root ball stays small and the plant spends more energy on vegetative growth. Then I have heard drip systems take experience, but I have set up drip systems for our vineyard and really wasn't tough. Any answers would be great.

Thank you Grant W Missoula MT

email GW8662000@yahoo.com

Yes the drip system is easier. I am growing 100 tomato plants with the drip system now. I am even using a 10 dollar timer to drip 15 minutes on 15 minutes off. 

Date:
28 Nov 2000
Time:
14:07:59

Comments

does anyone know an easy way to make plant food, and i also need to know what i should use for a medium i have herd of just using pebbles but that didn't seem like it would work Josh buoni(bakersfield, CA)

Date:
28 Nov 2000
Time:
14:09:26

Comments

i am new at hydroponics and im wondering if you just use regular plant lights and if so can you get them at a hardwear store or do you need to go to a special place to get them?????

Date:
28 Nov 2000
Time:
17:25:56

Comments

can you turn a highbay light sideways instead of hanging it down?

Not unless it is a universal bulb which can be used ether horizontal or vertically. It will work but the life of the bulb will be greatly accelerated .   

Date:
29 Nov 2000
Time:
17:20:36

Comments

Hi Ron, I have a system where my plants are in Rockwool and are sitting in an aerated nutrient solution 24/7. This has worked fine for me in the past, but recently my plants have been getting root rot and dying. I'm wondering what the lowest temperature the water could be before the roots start dying. If you have any other suggestions as to why this is happening please let me know. Thanks, your sight has been a great resource.

I tried rockwool with my first garden I bought from HydroFarm 10 years ago and I had a problem with root rot. After that I built the 2-liter gardens that used growrocks and have been with them ever since.
I would use the drip from the top method with rockwool to prevent over watering. 

Date:
29 Nov 2000
Time:
17:31:05

Comments

pzing: e-mail at--tharmon4@hotmail.com--concerning Peters Hydrosol and fert program. Nurse Duckett

Date:
29 Nov 2000
Time:
17:33:39

Comments

I HAVE TO DO A SCIENCE PROJECT, AND I DECIDED TO DO IT ON HYDROPONICS. I NEED SOME GOOD INFORMATION ON GROWING PLANTS IN AN NFT SYSTEM. WHAT KIND OF PLANTS SHOULD I START WITH?

lettuce 

Date:
30 Nov 2000
Time:
19:53:50

Comments

what all do i need to start my own growing closet and how much do i need to spend?

more than you have.

Date:
01 Dec 2000
Time:
07:49:38

Comments

For the closet grower. http://www.ganjaland.com/closet.htm

Date:
02 Dec 2000
Time:
11:29:01

Comments

I remember reading somewhere that I should thoroughly rinse perlite before introducing my plants to it. Something about dangerous airborne particles or something. Is this absolutely necessary or can I get by ok with just taking the perlite outside and dumping it into my grow chamber? If I do need to rinse, should I worry about water quality?

Date:
04 Dec 2000
Time:
04:22:18

Comments

Re: Washing Perlite

If you're worried about breathing dust from the Perlite, just take some scissors and clip the corner off the bag and stick a hose in there using low water pressure.

Fill the bag with water and then empty it into a bucket. Wet Perlite won't release any dust. Add some more water and rinse it out a couple of time and then use a kitchen strainer to put it into another bucket.

The dust is in the bag because of handling the stuff during bagging and shipping and once it's wetted there will be no more. The water will not hurt any performance in rinsing the Perlite.

Tailwheel

Date:
02 Dec 2000
Time:
15:09:09

Comments

where can i purchase epsom salts

Date:
03 Dec 2000
Time:
22:58:16

Comments

epson salts can be purchased at any pharmacy

Date:
02 Dec 2000
Time:
15:38:04

Comments

I asked to question about root rot. What do you think is the lowest water temperature that exposed roots could take without dying?? Thanks.

duno

Date:
02 Dec 2000
Time:
21:57:05

Comments

I'm trying to build the system by the book. Today I bought a box of "gro-rocks" from my local hydro store. However, it doesn't look like what most people call grow rocks. I think its pumice. I've seen pumice mentioned several times on the Q&A pages, but no comments from you or anyone else. Am I okay? Or should I return it and get the clay ones.

Thanks

Date:
04 Dec 2000
Time:
04:13:06

Comments

Re: Pumice/Gro-Rocks

The generic name for Gro-Rocks is "expanded clay". There is a hard smooth exterior and a porous interior of the rock. This keeps it lightweight.

The rock is Ph neutral and has no bearing on the growth of the plant as it does not become soggy from absorbing nutrient during the feeding of the plant.

You could also use 1/4 inch pea gravel if you feel that the Ph is OK. I'd say "Don't worry about it." The Hydro supplier isn't going to sell you the wrong stuff. The important thing is to make sure you have a good easy to use balanced nutrient suitable for the plant(s) you're growing.

Tailwheel

Date:
04 Dec 2000
Time:
12:51:12

Comments

If any of you are having problems getting all of the parts for the 11 plant garden-i am offering a complete kit on e-bay. Everything from the pump to the cups. Better yet for every purchase I will donate at least a dollar to the owner of this site. Amount will depend on how well these kits do. This is all high quality stuff-no junk precut and ready to go glue included go to hell to check it out.

At least a dollar. Get real. I want at least 5 bucks a garden. It is one thing to try and make money off my garden plans but please don't expect to advertise on this site. This site is for home and farm information purposes only and not for commercial use. If anyone needs a garden they can order one from me. 
Ron 

Date:
04 Dec 2000
Time:
13:24:21

Comments

: I'm using Rockwool cubes in a tray filled with nutrient solution (1/2 inch) Passive system aerated with an air stone. The root of my plants started to grow out of the rockwool cubes on the sides into the air. Will it affect my plants if I do not put them into plastic pots ? : Please advise, help is appreciated.

Date:
04 Dec 2000
Time:
17:56:57

Comments

I like the idea of the 2 litre bottles - very simple system. Couple of questions.

How big a plant can you grow - (mainly considering chillis and tomatoes)? 

patio tomatoes and chillis ok

What aggregate do you suggest (expanded clay beads seem a good idea). 

yes

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