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Question and Answer Page 22

Subjects

what type of timer move a plant from soil to hydro? When I germinate seeds
which brand pump I have a banana tree technical questions
neem oil white fuzz around the top grow rocks a paragraph on hydroponics
How far apart should the bottles be spaced the simplest way to grow it reusing rockwool
hydroponic fertilizing solutions recommend any fertilizers I built your 16 plant garden
Date:
03 Dec 1999
Time:
23:51:15

Comments

Ron, what type of timer would be used with the 11 plant system? is there a certain brand name that is best? what is the cost and where to find? thank you nate.

I have been using Intermatic 48 pin 24 hour timer which is a 30 minutes on 30 minutes off timer (cost about $10.00) at Home Depot. Some times I can find 15 minutes on & off which is better for small gardens like the 11 plant because it doesn't take much time to fill a small garden. That is what the overflow pipe is for. So the pump can flow until the timer shuts off even though it doesn't need to run for a half hour.

Date:
03 Dec 1999
Time:
23:53:33

Comments

Ron, you said that the 60 GPH pump was the best for the 11 plant garden, can you say which brand you find to be the most reliable? and where to find it? thanks again, nate.

Of all the pumps that I have bought through the years all have been great. Green Giant is the leader but any will do. Size is more important than brand.

Date:
04 Dec 1999
Time:
03:30:15

Comments

neem oil keeps spider mites from mounting so they cant breed then they die it also is a grate fungicide look at the store for product by green light called rose defense i guess in the old days people would bath in it thinking it had healing properties

Date:
04 Dec 1999
Time:
12:56:02

Comments

Hi,

I am interested in obtaining the following nutrient solution:

Nitrate Nitrogen 6% by weight Ammoniacal Nitrogen 2% by weight Phosphoric Acid (P205) 8% by weight Potash(K2O) 20% by weight Calcium 4% by weight Magnesium 4% by weight

MICRONUTRIENTS

Cobalt .002% by weight Iron .150% by weight Manganese .060% by weight Molybdenum .002% by weight

NOTE: This formula is a close representation of Dr. Chatelier's formula developed in 1938. Missing are trace elements of chlorine, zinc, and copper which will be added via a filtered tap-water base. Also, I will need to add FeEDTA at the rate of a milliliter per liter of water. (EDTA ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid)

I have been told that this formula and the FeEDTA are available in premix solutions. While I see many products listed from various suppliers, I have not yet found any that offer this particular formula or the equivalent under some particular brand name.

e-mail help with this to tomjgun@yahoo.com Thanks

Date:
04 Dec 1999
Time:
17:18:36

Comments

I hope to legally grow pot for medicinal purposes. I plan to use the 2-liter system. My questions: How far apart should the 2-liter bottles be spaced, center to center, to grow pot to full term.

Indoor pot plants need one square foot per plant so that's 12 inches from center to center. Try to keep your plants small, under 30 inches at term.

Second, which hydroponic fertilizing solutions would you recommend for the growth stage and the budding stage?

Any of the liquid concentrated hydroponic solutions work well but my favorite is Formula One A & B because it's cheaper than the others and you use the same mix for veg and bud stage, you just increase the PPM for budding.

Ron, I've studied hydroponics in books and on the Net for many months. No other person has more solid knowledge on hydroponics than you do. Thank you so very, very much for the incredible work you're doing to help people like me throughout the world. You're truly one helluva human being!

Ah shucks

Date:
04 Dec 1999
Time:
21:49:30

Comments

Hi, I just finished transplanting my brugmansia to the gurgling garden. First, does it work well to move a plant from soil to hydro?

Plants do go through a slight shock period but not as bad as going from hydro to dirt.
I have gone both ways with no problem at all as long as you water them often until they take.

Second, I'm using "Green Light Super Bloom" as a nutrient solution... it contains: 12% nitrogen, 55%phosphoric acid, 6% Potassium, and .10% iron. Is that a good nutrient solution?

As good as any if you want to bud brugmansia, what ever brugmansia is.

Thanks, Ron420

Date:
05 Dec 1999
Time:
09:25:03

Comments

RON- I am 15 and I have been coming to your site every day. I grow everything. I have a banana tree like you do. I use 3 bags of perlite, and not grow rocks. (man those thing are high.) I put some cheese cloth around all the openings so it doesn't get back in the system. I just thought I would tell you that. Cameron Burnett

I would like to post a picture of your banana tree. If you don't have a digital camera then send me a picture and I will scan it for you.

Date:
06 Dec 1999
Time:
06:56:35

Comments

Ron, I am getting very disappointed with my attempts at hydroponics! I made a ebb and flow in a long narrow trough using 6, 6" clay pot. I cleaned every thing with a 10 percent bleach solution (three separate times} and I still be a white fuzz around the top grow rocks. No matter what I plant, I get white fuzz!! Help!!! JJ

You didn't say if the fuzz is hurting your plants. You may have to try a fungicide.

Date:
06 Dec 1999
Time:
12:12:49

Comments

just found this site- there is a god- where or what is best information on small (very small)indoor growing for #1 cash crop ie. step by step info start to finish? any suggestions

Read ever page on this web site from start to finish.

Date:
06 Dec 1999
Time:
14:23:02

Comments

i need help on getting started growing hydro. i need to know the simplest way to grow it. thanks

Click here and here and here and here and here.

Date:
07 Dec 1999
Time:
09:13:09

Comments

I'm doing a science fair project on hydroponics, so what should I do?

Click here.

Date:
07 Dec 1999
Time:
10:50:29

Comments

hello Ron, i am a high school student from s. west Washington, and i am starting my own small hydroponics growing system. i have all of my equip. and i am ready to plant. i have two questions for you; 1.can you recommend any fertilizers to promote fast & healthy growth of tomatoes?

Any of the liquid concentrated hydroponic solutions work well but my favorite is Formula One A & B because it's cheaper than the others and you use the same mix for veg and bud stage, you just increase the PPM for fruiting.

2.what are some of the differences between tomato cultivars used in hydroponics? Thank you for your time, chris

Date:
07 Dec 1999
Time:
13:13:35

Comments

do u use dirt or just water?
water
I am a new bee :
i would have that looked at
O And what type and size pump?
submersible, from 60 to 120 GPH

Date:
07 Dec 1999
Time:
16:54:08

Comments

dear ron,
what do you use to fight bacteria in your nutrient solution ?
have you tried bacteria inoculums ? hydrogen peroxide ?
kurt angles
I never heard of it being a problem so I haven't done anything about it

Date:
07 Dec 1999
Time:
21:16:44

Comments

Dear Ron, What is the better meter to use. An EC meter or a TDS meter. Thanks. Edwin

I only know how to read the one that reads PPM (parts per million). So that's the one I recommend.

Date:
08 Dec 1999
Time:
13:08:39

Comments

When I germinate seeds, is the sprout that comes from the seed the root, or the vegetation of the plant.
I need to know so that when I plant the seed in the medium I will not do it incorrectly.
the root
Also, does a conversion bulb require a special type of ballast, or will the bulb work on a standard Metal Halide or HPS fixture?
There are two kinds of conversion bulbs. HPS conversion bulbs that work in Metal Halide ballast and MH conversion bulbs that are for HPS ballast.
Thanks as always Ron
Deruki

Date:
08 Dec 1999
Time:
19:47:48

Comments

Hi!!Ron, I'm new, in hydroponic stuff, and I really need to know all about de nutrients and chemical substances. I live in Mexico, so please forgive my English. My name is Itzel Morales, thanks. This is very important to me.

Click Here.

Date:
10 Dec 1999
Time:
22:34:54

Comments

Dear sir,

I heard about hyponica developed by Japanese named Nozawa Shigeo. Do you have any idea where I can find stuff about it? Thank you.

Frenky Handinata fhandinata@indonet.com

Sorry

Date:
11 Dec 1999
Time:
07:53:55

Comments

Dear Ron

I have a 200 square meter indoor warehouse please answer the following technical questions if possible.

1. What type of lighting is needed to grow a) lettuce b) peppers c) tomatoes 2. Different wattages for the different crops 3. the distance between lighting 4. the distance between vegetable and lights 5. do the lights have to be raised as the vegetables grow 6. the best/easiest type of vegetable for the least amount of lighting(cost saving) for warehouse purposes. 7.total amount of lights for this warehouse (either 400w or 1000watts) 8. Air circulation (temps range from 19C to 35Celcius in the warehouse) out of interest to you it will be on a gravel bed. the slope will be 1:40 each bed will be 18m x 500mm any further ideas

Thank you for time N. Jiran

You need to order the book Gardening Indoors by George F. Patten

Date:
12 Dec 1999
Time:
05:32:17

Comments

I'm looking for more info on Deep Flow Technique where the roots sit in the nutrient solution reservoir. The solution is aerated and circulated. I've seen just a few good pictures and read of just a few successes doing this both on the hobby and commercial level. Haven't heard much discussion of this technique though. It sure sounds like a simple technique. Have you tried it Ron? Anyone else out there have any input on Deep Flow Techniques?

Steve in NC

Date:
12 Dec 1999
Time:
09:49:29

Comments

Can I get a paragraph on hydroponics?

Hydroponics, from the Greek words (water-working).   Hydroponics is a system of gardening without soil. In hydroponics,
you provide all the nutrients to your plants through a water/nutrient solution. There are lots of ways to apply
hydroponics but, basically, all of them supply nutrient solution directly to the plant's root system. In most cases you mix nutrients into water and feed this solution directly to your plants.
Soil doesn't make plants grow. It's just something for the plants to hold on to while they search with their roots for
the food and water that's mixed into the soil. Since the food and water are randomly scattered about, plants have to
use up energy growing ever-larger root systems to reach out in a constant search for these elements. In a
hydroponic garden, a soil-less, inert growing medium is used and food and water are delivered directly to your
plants' roots. Your plants grow quicker and harvest sooner because they can direct all their energy into the
vegetation growing above the surface instead of the root system below it
.
Ron

Date:
15 Dec 1999
Time:
13:55:32

Comments

I am new to this hydroponic system. I built your 16 plant one, Mr. Ron.

Of course I had leaks all over the place but my observations were.

You need to save that seal that is in the bottle caps and cut a hole in it and put in back in the cap. Or go buy rubber washers at the hardware store.

I was expecting the water to completely drain from the system. However it did not. It wont hurt the root systems to be under water? Does the water stay there till the plants use it up? Have I done something wrong?

The garden will stay full until the pump shuts off. Then the water drains back through the pump to the container.

How long do I run the pump?

Until the plant roots are soaked then drain immediately.

How many minutes an hour do i do this?

3 times an hour

\ The overflow worked well. I am not sure what to expect.

Date:
15 Dec 1999
Time:
17:28:23

Comments

You said that strawberries grown hydroponically need 16-18 hours of light each day. Where did you get that info?

Just where did I say that. The only strawberries that I am growing are under natural light. These strawberry plants are over a year old.

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