www.hydroponicsonline.com

Question and Answer Page 73

 

Subjects

lots of places on the net for weed stuff where to attache pump  to the 11 plant body. start seeds in Jiffy pots
white and green pest 90 day harvesting rate for tomatoes make your own Hydroponic Lights
i leave the system flooded all the time suffering blossom end rot & cracking what kind of hose to use
using rockwool is asking for problems homemade nutrient solution roots will grow right into the tubes
tomatoes are stress cracking release of chlorine gases in the nutrient solution. what does it mean hydroponic
Date:
12 Jun 2001
Time:
20:52:55

Comments

hello i was wondering if anyone had any good ideas to keep a enclosed area with a hid light in it from showing up on and infrared cameras say like the kind the police use on there choppers?

If you are that worried about it then I would call your local police and tell them that you are growing tomatoes and for them to please not kick in your door because you are not growing what they think you are growing. Is that good enough of an answer officer. Get back to fighting real crime or get a real job.

Date:
13 Jun 2001
Time:
16:03:39

Comments

I am not trying to be a di<k but I dont think that this is the place to ask Weed stuff Its cool that ron has been nice about it

There are lots of places on the net for weed stuff like

http://www.overgrow.com/ http://www.hightimes.com/ http://www.hempbc.com/ http://www.cannabisculture.com/

go there and ask questions and read FAQs

yea. and stop taking that poison ecstasy  

Date:
13 Jun 2001
Time:
19:15:51

Comments

i agree, give ron a break. dope is for dopes, go to the proper site!

Date:
14 Jun 2001
Time:
06:20:45

Comments

Trying to reduce the cost of my fertilizer:

Check out www.gardensalive.com , Fruit Trees Alive- Build-Up Formula Fertilizer in their catalog. This fertilizer claims to have a high concentration of micronutrients. One catalog list copper and sulfur as some of the macro/micronutrients. At 9.95 for 3lbs, this stuff would be a lot cheaper, even with the $5 shipping than what I am paying for fertilizer ($12.50 for 1 lb at the local store). Given I have a fruit tree I can use this stuff on if it doesn't work, I am going to order a 3lb bag. Just thought I posted this, so, someone else might also give it a try. The real trick is figuring out how much to add to each gallon of water.

Also, I having been adding one liter of compost tea into each ten gallons of water along with my dry hydroponic fertilizer. My plants seem to love it. It also lowers my PH and seems to help to keep it low.

Date:
14 Jun 2001
Time:
17:33:23

Comments

Hey folks, I have a 6 plant system with tomatoes that have been growing for about 6 weeks. Most everything is going well, I have 20 tomatoes about the size of 1/2 dollars. However, in the last few days, these white and green pest have showed up. They are very small but have almost covered one entire plant and are creeping slowly onto the others. I have also noticed some brown pest that are very similar in size and shape. My question: can someone suggest a homemade remedy for getting rid of these lil' creepy crawlers? My brother suggested putting 1/2 cap of bleach to one gallon of water and lightly misting the plants, has anyone ever heard of this? sounds like the bleach would kill the plants.....any assistance would be gratefully appreciated. Tony

Date:
14 Jun 2001
Time:
19:56:07

Comments

Regarding the green and white creepy-crawly pests... a couple of things you can try that don't cost much... first, soap. A little soapy water in a spray bottle. It won't hurt the plants, it'll wash off easily (and cleanly!) from the Toms, and the bugs will not like it one whit. If you know someone who smokes (yich... hey, I'm a Libertarian... I think you should be able to put just about anything in your body that you want, but cigs are foul, man, foul...) you can bum a cigarette off of them and soak the terbacky in water. Strain it, add THAT to your spray bottle. Again... it won't hurt your toms, but it'll be toxic to the bugs. And humans -- don't get that stuff in your eyes or ingest it. Yick, again. Last, one of the most potent natural bug killers comes from Marigolds. Pyrethrins are what they produce, and natural pyrethrins as well as synthetic pyrethRUM are found in all sorts of bug-killer products, from RID (the lice-killing shampoo) to the once-a-month drops you put on your doggy's back to the plant sprays they sell at Lowe's. If you need a fast-fast-fast fix, go to Lowe's and ask for some, or, buy some of the RID shampoo and add a LITTLE to the water in your spray bottle, or, if you've got the time, get some marigolds, chop'em up (blender?) and let 'em soak... then use THAT water. Or, soak 'em in vodka, mix THAT w/ water -- don't drink it, spray it on the bugs. Or, if all that is too much trouble, spend a couple of minutes each day pickin' 'em. Hey, you're bigger than the bugs, right? It's a matter of pride, right? They're "dissin'" you, man. Stealing food right out from under yer nose. You gonna let 'em get away with DAT!? HELL no! Show 'em who's boss! Hit 'em where they live, mano a mano... Grab those little bugger right between your fingers and squish! No more problem! And, as an added benefit, it releaves stress and is a good isometric exercise. ;-) I'd start w/ the soapy water, tho'.

Date:
14 Jun 2001
Time:
22:25:01

Comments

Thanks man for all the input........I will try the soapy water in the morning, It supposed to rain here tomorrow evening, maybe I can get rid of some of those lil bast**ds before then. One good thing, there are no signs that the fruit is being damaged....just those bugs all over the stems and leaves........I'm sure they have a purpose in life, but it's not on my deck eating my tomato plants! I will dominate them one way or another! Tony in Va.

Date:
15 Jun 2001
Time:
12:10:57

Comments

Mr. Ron, We know Fertilizer isn't yur thing. But can u suggs. a pre-mix for Dwarf Orianco & Super Dwarf Cavendish nanner tree ?

Thanks,

Bill

Yea the kind I sell. 

Date:
17 Jun 2001
Time:
16:34:04

Comments

Can Epson salts be used around cucumber, green pepper, and eggplant?

Thank you, Carol L. Harper cbharp@dmv.com

yes

Date:
17 Jun 2001
Time:
23:22:27

Comments

Those looking for an inexpensive timer may find one at Wal-Mart. My local store has the GE 24 hour Lamp and Appliance Timer Model PM613US for $4.47 + tax. It handles 15amp load. There are 96 push out segments which will allow you to do 15 min. minimum on-off cycles around the clock.

And it also has a ground for those with pumps that need one.

Date:
18 Jun 2001
Time:
09:27:37

Comments

hey, I built your 11 plant garden Ron and it works great but when i started the setup the plants were doing nicely then after i rinsed out the water with the grow minerals in it and put some fresh nutrients in there the leaves sides on the older leaves are curling up and turning yellow! my ph is at 6 i leave the system flooded all the time with a pump to keep it circulating. and right now Im at 24/7 light but i thing Im going to cut down a little bit what do u guys think i messed up with?

You can't flood the garden continually. You are drowning your plants. That is why you use a timer. 

Date:
18 Jun 2001
Time:
10:27:06

Comments

Hi:)

I wish to learn all about garlic hydro growing.Plz help..Thank-you.

Date:
18 Jun 2001
Time:
16:22:52

Comments

when using rockwool in an ebb and flow system, the system featured on your page (11 plant), how often should the watering occur and at what duration. please e-mail me useful links pertaining to this information or send me direct answers. thank you. Supa14@hotmail.com

don't hold your breath

Date:
18 Jun 2001
Time:
16:33:51

Comments

actually, never mind rockwool.. i realize that using rockwool in that system is probably asking for various problems, but i would still like to know about the watering duration and frequency.

If you use grow rocks you can water every half hour or so.

Date:
19 Jun 2001
Time:
00:15:08

Comments

Ron, I have great banana & sweet green peppers,plush purple basil,towering yellow crooked neck squash amd green beans. I also have several Patio tomato plants, a Rutgers and a Sweet 100. All these are going great. Only problem is with the Patio and Rutger tomatoes. They are stress cracking. The patios had about 19 to 20 tomatoes per plant and the larger Rutgers about 10. I have always watered 15 on 15 off 24 hrs. Water , nutrient and ph are in good control at all times. The cracking has come about during the ripening phase and at a time when the temperatures are reaching 90 deg. daily. Is it likely that the temperatures plus limited root system in the solo cups is causing the cracking. I have now installed shade, pruned lower limbs and raised my overflow level about 3/8th inches. Can you suggest the cause for the cracking and what might be done to control it???? Thanks, Jay

Fruit cracking is caused by infrequent water cycles and high temperatures.

Date:
19 Jun 2001
Time:
23:49:28

Comments

BLAKE,

I know you have received a lot of requests for plans covering your aeroponics system and the howtohydroponics. If your still in the mood to share, I'd sure appreciate a copy of each.

Thanks Jay Corry e-mail:jcorr@worldnet.att.net

Date:
20 Jun 2001
Time:
07:25:07

Comments

Hey i was looking at the plans for the 11 plant system and I want to build one. The only part that confuses me is where the submersible pump attaches to the 11 plant body. Can you explain how that works..there was not a diagram about it. thanks

You can put the intake anywhere in the lower body of the garden. I put it in the center post so it will fill evenly.

Date:
20 Jun 2001
Time:
10:30:20

Comments

Hi Ron,

We just put a hydroponic garden (tomatos peppers and basil) out on our deck and find that we are constantly putting in pH down every day. Is this what is to be expected all of the time or will the pH problem level off. Also, is the 90 day harvesting rate for tomatoes from seed to harvest?

I haven't a clue about the pH problem.
90 days is what it says on most tomato seed packages.

Date:
20 Jun 2001
Time:
21:03:54

Comments

hey ron do you or any one else know what i can use that is a easily obtainable source of nitrogen? thanx

Date:
22 Jun 2001
Time:
04:46:47

Comments

Mr. Ron, We know Fertilizer isn't yur thing. But can u suggs. a pre-mix for Dwarf Orianco & Super Dwarf Cavendish nanner tree ?
Thanks,
Bill

Yea the kind I sell.

Cool Been looking and it was here with me all the time. High potassium, I saw it but never rung a bell. I tryed to order from http://www.stokestropicals.com/banana_info.html But when I called to check my order, " Oh we won't see it for a couple of days. Hmm asked for confirmation never got. But they did acknowledge CANCELATION ! Oh yea it'll cost yu a dollar more to call yur order in. Well Mr. Ron yu got our Nanner Ferti. order coming soon. Here's were I ordered trees http://www.going-bananas.com/catalog.htm

Just thought I would share pleasant experience with yu all, so yu will be aware.

P.S. Mr. Ron may send yu a crom or 2 if I can't get anything going here!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Bill mailto:locator1@bellsouth.net

Date:
23 Jun 2001
Time:
17:47:38

Comments

hey ron, george in crescent city fl. running a 12 plant gallon system(flow)15 min on,15 min off daylite hours only. various types cherry toms doing great. larger types are all suffering blossom end rot & or radial cracking at the tops. using ionic 2 part grow & bloom solution. the system is outside & in the sun. what gives? tia,george.<bmmcnaught@usa.net>

I had a few tomatoes with end rot but that cleared up but no cracking yet which is caused by the heat. I grow under 70 percent shade cloth and is the only reason they haven't crack even though it has been in the 90's. Cover them bad boys up. Forget what the experts say. I've been told for 15 years that you can't grow in that much shade but I do it every year. Live Archive 6-20-01

Date:
26 Jun 2001
Time:
14:55:05

Comments

Does anyone know how to make a homemade nutrient solution with regular store bought items?

Miracle-Gro for tomatoes:  1 teaspoon per gallon
Epson Salt:                         1/4 teaspoon per gallon
Calcium Nitrate:                 1/4 teaspoon per gallon

Date:
26 Jun 2001
Time:
21:38:42

Comments

Hey, Tony in Va... Where are you at? How's the bug problem coming? M, in Va, w/ tom's out the wazoo, out in the yard...

Date:
27 Jun 2001
Time:
03:44:17

Comments

Dear Blake...Please send your AEROPONIC plans to me too. If you'll also send your address, I have a small token of appreciation to mail to you for your trouble.Thanks...john.balga@att.net

Date:
28 Jun 2001
Time:
10:29:39

Comments

can I use epson salt and a dirt fertilizer in a aeroponic unit without adding anything else? or should I add something else?

calcium nitrate would be nice.

Date:
28 Jun 2001
Time:
22:09:06

Comments

what about pvc and the potential for release of chlorine gases in the nutrient solution. And the deference of pvci and nutrient solutions. Also how do the different grades of plastics react with nutrient solutions and for both questions the role of ultraviolet light on the plastics. And what about recycled plastics with both?

I have been using the same pvc systems for 15 years with no ill effects.

Date:
01 Jul 2001
Time:
19:26:22

Comments

I was wondering if I could start seeds in Jiffy pots, then when the roots start poking out of the pot just put the whole thing in the cup with rocks or do I have to remove the plant from the Jiffy pot?

I would remove the potting mix because sooner or later it will work it's way down the system and make a mess in your nutrient tank. Let them soak in a pan of water for awhile to loosen the Jiffy pots.

Date:
01 Jul 2001
Time:
20:06:46

Comments

I am creating 2 9 plant hydros, one for flowering and one for clones. Can I make the one for the clones more compact? If so, what would I replace the 2 liter bottles with?

Date:
02 Jul 2001
Time:
18:39:48

Comments

Is There a way to make your own Hydroponic grow lights?

Please help

Date:
03 Jul 2001
Time:
08:11:45

Comments

Hey Ron i was wondering if you can make your own Hydroponic Lights and in the 11 plant System do you need to put pea gravel in the cups or just the Plant by itself P.S You have really inspired me to a new Hobby

Yes if you buy a ballast, a socket and a bulb. But then you have to wirer it all together. Home Depot has a 175 Watt HPS yard light for $50.00.
Crushed lava rock would be better than pea gravel and better yet grow rocks.

Date:
03 Jul 2001
Time:
21:08:27

Comments

i was wonderin what kind of hose do use for your 11 plant garden that i built and im using a submersible pump 170 gallons per hour and it has a fan or it looks like a fan a hole that looks like a hose can be connected to it

I use a 1/2 inch hose which is standard for most pumps.  

Date:
05 Jul 2001
Time:
07:55:26

Comments

Has anyone used the new organic hydroponics solution called Metanaturals

Date:
06 Jul 2001
Time:
03:05:30

Comments

Hi Ron i was wondering if there is a way to modify the 11 plant garden instead of using the 2 liter bottles with the 1/2 in holes can i use something bigger cause i noticed that the roots will grow right into the tubes

Water more often and your roots won't have to go looking for water down the pipes. 

Date:
06 Jul 2001
Time:
08:56:49

Comments

what does it mean hydroponic

from the Greek words: "hydro" which means "water" and "ponics"  which means "working" Put them together and you got "water-working" gardens.

LAST PAGE / FIRST PAGE / HOME

Copyright © 1996-06  by Hydroponics Online All rights reserved .Revised:01/01/06