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Subjects

I do sell gardens once again. ever heard of Peter's Fertilizer? How big of a pump for a large gallon set up?
I'm afraid of spraying with pesticides Is 15 minutes on every 1 1/2 hr enough. Why is fertilizer formulated without the necessary Ca, Mg
16oz solo cups large enough to grow tomato or pepper plant? light types and light levels. cutting and curling their 2L bottles.
experimented with an Aeroponics set-up? Metal Halide vs Mercury Vapor lighting? is 2 liter bottle capable of growing 6 foot plants
hydro places charge and it is a disgrace plants wilt and the roots turn brown air stone in an ebb and flow system
Date:
06 Dec 2001
Time:
08:22:03

Comments

What kind of crap is that - it should read "Buy this Book" atleast www.gurglegardens.com gives you free plans!!

Date:
06 Dec 2001
Time:
15:50:14

Comments

Is there a way to tell male and female plants from the seeds?

No

Date:
07 Dec 2001
Time:
08:57:29

Comments

Geez Ron!! From looking through your pics I must say, you are very ingenuities. Very impressive!! Just curious, are you making a living with your Hydroponic ventures??

Barely and only because I don't have a family to support. Also I work 12 hours a day every day including holidays. Can't afford to higher help yet. But my goal for the future is to open the largest home hydroponics grow store in the country in Deland Florida in a couple years. 

Date:
07 Dec 2001
Time:
09:38:20

Comments

If anyone can get hold of Grotek Gen-X formulas. I suggest you do. The results are unbeliveable. They are worth every penny. Wow!

and now a word from our sponsor.

Date:
08 Dec 2001
Time:
07:01:08

Comments

11 plant bottle spacers - if anyone is in the hardware store looking for 1" SLD 26 PVC and can`t find it, the more common name in this area is SCHDL 200. Hope this helps

Date:
08 Dec 2001
Time:
11:08:18

Comments

Read through an older post - stated you are no longer selling complete Gardens, is this true or old info?

Yes old info. I do sell gardens once again. That is why my web site has suffered because I spend all my time building gardens. Would you like to buy one. Click here.

Date:
08 Dec 2001
Time:
13:15:37

Comments

Supplies and avocado

I live in Oklahoma and i have been trying to find a supplier of hydro equipment ect... I know there was one in the 80's because i bought a load of stuff..but now I'm back into it i cant find a local supplier. Grow rocks are my main purchase item even thow I have had grown with perlite.

Like I posted before i have avocado's in the water starting root, i plane to put them in one for my 11 plant gardens till spring. then put them in a stand alone gurgle garden in the green house. I'm not trying to make the trees fruit but it will be cool to see how big they get.

Thanks for getting me started in hydro again Ron.

My kids (little ones) and I are having a blast. Frank

Date:
08 Dec 2001
Time:
17:52:45

Comments

In my hydroponics system, I'm growing basil. We have a major whitefly problem. I'm afraid of spraying with organic pesticides because the leafs will go black. How do I get rid of the whiteflies organically???

The only real safe way is with predator mites ( Encarcia Formosa) that lay there eggs in whitefly larvae. But you have to introduce them to your garden early and a lot of them to be effective. 
Or just use Safer Soap bug spay and yellow sticky traps like I do.  

Date:
08 Dec 2001
Time:
23:33:26

Comments

I was just wondering if the 16oz solo cups are large enough to grow a full size tomato or pepper plant?

For a patio type tomato plant that only get about 3 ft. yes. But for them 12 ft or so verities I use at least the gallon size. 

Date:
09 Dec 2001
Time:
05:34:03

Comments

Ron, You are a good man, thanks for answering my questions, your info is very helpful and appreciated.

Date:
09 Dec 2001
Time:
09:53:59

Comments

Does anyone know much about the American Agritech Sea of Green Hydrogarden?? GurgleGardens has it on special for $205 and I`m wondering if this is a good unit?? Has anyone messed with anything by American Agritech??

Date:
09 Dec 2001
Time:
13:54:19

Comments

Ron...AWESOME site!! Have you experimented with an Aeroponics set-up? Can you direct me somewhere if you have not? Thanks alot...again, great site and super info!! ~Ron

Yes I built one last week. Will post pictures this weekend. 
Here they are. Picture 1, 2, 3, 4, 5

Date:
09 Dec 2001
Time:
16:00:51

Comments

I have seen the nutrient prices some hydro places charge and it is a disgrace as the chemistry is simple.

I am starting my lettuce this week and it is my first hydro project. However we grow quite a bit of vegetables and grain so it's not like we're novices or anything.

Here's what I'm doing for nutrient for the lettuce.

Make a stock solution using 24 oz. Millers 9-15-30 with chelated micronutrients, 5 oz. Magnesium Sulfate. Add enough hot water to bring up the solution to 1 gallon.

Mix 1 cup stock solution with 10 gallons of water to make the finished nutrient solution.

You can get a 25 pound bag of Millers 9-15-30 and a 10 pound bag of MgSO4 from a produce supply place for $50 delivered. This is enough to make 1600 gallons of nutrient.

The resulting solution is balanced for most uses and has the necessary micronutrients in proper proportions. It does not include any calcium. We live in a hard water area so the tap water has enough calcium already. They sell calcium nitrate in 50 pound bags at the elevator for $12 each.

Maybe I'm missing something but it seems like this is a simple yet inexpensive way to mix the nutrient solution. The agriculture-oriented sources give you the most for your dollar.

Steve

Or you could buy a 50 lb. box (makes 100 gallons) already mixed fertilizer (8-15-36) from Chem-Gro Lettuce Formula for about 60 bucks. You still have to add calcium nitrate and magnesium sulfate with that.

Date:
09 Dec 2001
Time:
19:29:31

Comments

What is the best Nutrient for Tomato`s? Also, will the same mix work well with Chives and Peppers?

Date:
09 Dec 2001
Time:
21:52:55

Comments

Here`s a cool Idea for a small 4 plant ebb&Flow Garden. Would work great for lettuce. Pic here - http://members.aol.com/runboy7426

Date:
10 Dec 2001
Time:
11:37:41

Comments

Have you ever heard of Peter's Fertilizer? I cannot find it in the stores anymore. I read something about the Scott's Company selling the Peter's line to Alljack Celex. Then I found Alljack makes the KGRO GRO BEST products. Is this the same as Peter's?

Melissa

Peter's is a well known company that makes fertilizer for dirt and hydroponics. 
In this age of big business who knows who owns what. Pretty soon a few companies will own everything. They already own our government.

Date:
10 Dec 2001
Time:
14:49:08

Comments

I am building a drip system using Dutch Pots and Perlite for tomatoes and need a suggested starting point. Is 15 minutes on every 1 1/2 hr enough. I will recycle fluids. Do I run the system at night? Using .5gph drippers.

Thanks Dennis

I would water more often than that if you are using growrocks in those pots.

Date:
11 Dec 2001
Time:
04:58:56

Comments

To All who have questions about light types and light levels.

http://hydromall.com/happy_grower1.html

Date:
11 Dec 2001
Time:
08:21:01

Comments

Was wondering what the advantages of ebb&flow are over say NFT, Drip, and Aeroponics. Also, if a system was built large enough, would a banana do well in ebb&flow??

Date:
13 Dec 2001
Time:
20:04:57

Comments

Hi Ron! Great site!! What's the difference Between Metal Halide and Mercury Vapor lighting? would Mercury Vapor work well enough for veg. growth? appreciate any info you can give on this? also, I have Built your 11 plant Garden, and have recently transplanted my first Crop. I notice that the lower leaves are turning yellow. Is this a nutrient problem? I am using Hydrofarm Bloom/Grow at 1 tsp/Gallon in my 7 gal res. my pump runs for 15 min. every 2 hours and my lights are on 18 hours.

Mercury Vapor puts out the wrong light spectrum for growing. And I don't know enough about plant growing to know why my plants don't turn yellow and someone else's does. When in doubt dump your solution and mix up a new batch. 

Date:
14 Dec 2001
Time:
03:47:51

Comments

I am having a problem with my nutrient solution. I use miracle grow, 1 tsp per gal. This works fine. The problem is when I add the epsom salts and calcium nitrate at 1/4 tsp per gal, the plants wilt and the roots turn brown. I have a 12 gal tank and about 60 lettuce and Brocolli plants in an nft system.

help.

The mix for the calcium nitrate is 1/3 to 3/4 tsp as the plants mature. I don't know if that would help. The mix also could be to strong for a low nutrient user like lettuce.

Date:
14 Dec 2001
Time:
11:11:21

Comments

Dear Hydroponics enthusiasts,

I am a science writer, currently residing in Massachusetts. A few weeks ago, I e-mailed several United Nations refugee relief organizations, in the countries surrounding Afghanistan. I thought that, during the hard winter coming up, they might want to learn about possible ways to use hydroponics to help feed refugees. They responded to my e-mail today, and they are very, very interested.

They are anxious to hear more about websites or companies that focus on educational materials for hydroponics. Their return e-mail to me is appended to the bottom of this e-mail. I thought some of you might be interested in helping, and capable of doing so.

I don't know how you might wish to work things from a commercial standpoint, but it seems like this could be a terrific way to save some lives in Central Asia. They are interested in hearing about educational materials that would help them teach hydroponics. Here is the e-mail address of the UN's FAO (Food and Agriculture Organization) office in Iran, followed by a website you may wish to peruse before contacting them, if you do decide to contact them. FAO-IRN@FIELD.FAO.ORG http://www.fao.org/ag/AGL/AGLW/AQUASTAT/iran1.htm

In the e-mail I sent to the FAO, I very succinctly put forth the suggestion that hydroponics might be a way to help freezing, starving refugees make it through the winter, by helping them learn to grow some vegetables indoors.

I sincerely hope that you are able to come to some kind of arrangement with one another. Please only e-mail them if you have serious, constructive ideas. Also, please e-mail me if you have any questions whatsoever. Best, Ed Sugrue ed_sugrue_alb95@post.harvard.edu

>To: "'Mr. Edward Sugrue'" <EDSUGRUE@HOTMAIL.COM> >Subject: Message from FAO representation in Iran. Learning >Hydroponics >Date: Wed, 12 Dec 2001 15:46:00 -0800

>Dear Mr. Sugrue: >Your message of Dec 01 was forwarded to our representation in Iran >and we would like to welcome any information you may be able to > provide us with on low cost setup for hydroponic production. We will >do our share in preparing this material in Simple Farsi language to >be used both for Iran and Afghanistan for publicaion and possible >distribution. We strongly feel that these small initiatives can >sometime go a long way.

>We will also visit the sites which you have mentioned.

>Thank you for your assistance and Happy holidays. >Ali Y. Hakimi >Officer in Charge >FAO, Iran

Date:
14 Dec 2001
Time:
14:24:14

Comments

Where can I find info. on indoor plant propagation and correct nutrient needs for indoor plants.

Thanks, Roy

Date:
14 Dec 2001
Time:
15:05:50

Comments

Fellow Hydroponic Hobbyist's BEWARE!!! Please don't try using the tiny 5/16 Lava Rock as Grow media!! I thought it would be the perfect media,but now have found that I just about killed 3 of my banana pups. Apparently the stuff packs in so tight that it holds too much water (and doesn`t allow much airation). Roots started turning Black and rotting (and these are in a Gurgle setup). Also spoke with a fellow that says Lava is known for it's ability to hold bacteria. That is why it is used in pond filters. All this after spending hours trying to clean and sterilize the Damn things. I so badly want for nobody to make this mistake that I will sell them 50L bags for $22+ shipping (about $50 delivered) hope this doesn't get me kicked off message board but this is an issue that needs dealing with. If interested contact me through www.gurglegardens.com If you must try the Lava, use the 3/4-1 inch size (but beware) Mike

50L Bags of hydrotron is what I mean in my previous post ($50 is worst case w/shipping depending on where you live) Mike www.gurglegardens.com

Date:
14 Dec 2001
Time:
15:21:28

Comments

Who makes the best lights and why?

Date:
14 Dec 2001
Time:
15:34:06

Comments

What are the 32oz bottles you are using on the 11 plant garden from?? (not the 2 liter`s) Thanks

Oil bottles. 

Date:
15 Dec 2001
Time:
07:09:09

Comments

How big of a pump does it take to run that gallon set up??

I use about a 500 GPH for about 80 jugs.

Date:
15 Dec 2001
Time:
12:35:47

Comments

Why are Chem-Gro and similar products formulated without the necessary Ca, Mg, and SO4 forcing the grower to fiddle around with CaNO3 and MgSO4?

Can't they just include this stuff in the mix?

Where do the hobby places get off charging $30 a gallon for nutrient concentrate when you can buy the same salts in 50 pound bags at prices that allow you to mix nutrient concentrate for less than a buck a gallon? Everyone has to make money but charging $30 for $.50 worth of chemicals is pretty greedy.

Steve

I did mix them together in a blender until one of my long time members pointed out that that is a no-no. Something to do with chemical reactions or something. I should of stayed awake in science class.

Date:
17 Dec 2001
Time:
07:57:06

Comments

Steve,

The Calcium must be mixed separately because if you don't, it will react with the fertilizer and come out of the solution. The proper way to mix is to:

1. Make the water/fertilizer solution. I use about 1/2 the water I need. 2. Make the water/calcium solution. Use about 1/2 of the remaining water. 3. Make the water/magnesium solution using the rest of the water.

Make sure you keep stirring everything when you mix it together

Date:
16 Dec 2001
Time:
07:21:19

Comments

Steve! What kind of nutrient would you use if you were to use a premade system? What kind of price would you want to pay?? Mike

Date:
16 Dec 2001
Time:
06:46:15

Comments

I understand that one should have a minimum of 20% free drainage from rockwool slabs. My question is how many ml/day of nutrient solution I should be giving my plants? I have been giving 350ml but seem to have about 80% of the given liquid coming out the drain. Is this over watering? Will it have a negative effect on my plants?

Date:
16 Dec 2001
Time:
08:43:23

Comments

Some more Media questions.

Ron i started shaping and glueing in 3l bottle caps today for a larger tomato and squash garden.  I have no local outlet for GrowRox, and i have been using perlite. but i really think grow rocks will be better for the larger plants. My question is. if grow rocks are expanded clay will expanded shell do the same? has anyone tried to purchase from a place called Builex yet? anyway i'm looking at it i will have to drive a long ways. I might try to buy a sample of the buildex land cover...if not i will hav to go to another state in the opposite direction and find a hydro shop. Frank Oklahoma

Date:
16 Dec 2001
Time:
14:54:52

Comments

Why don`t you just mail order some grow rocks Frank?

Date:
16 Dec 2001
Time:
14:06:34

Comments

where is the best place in London to get a tropical fish tank.

From Big Ben go 3 blocks to Barniby Street and then left to the London Bridge in Arizona.

Date:
16 Dec 2001
Time:
14:56:52

Comments

If anyone is having difficulty with cutting and curling their 2L bottles. I just put together a page that I think might be very helpful. Check it out - http://members.aol.com/runboy7426/id17.htm

Date:
16 Dec 2001
Time:
22:09:29

Comments

what size pump should i use with the 11 2liter grow system?

Date:

17 Dec 2001
Time:
11:52:14
 

Comments

what is the fastest way to produce hydro in the greatest quantity.

Date:
17 Dec 2001
Time:
15:20:26

Comments

Tip: Overwatering is the #1 killer of plants, which is not enough oxygen, so water less and with low levels of nutrients or no nutrients in earlier stages, the more nutrients (plant food) the slow it will grow, but the taster!

Hydro Guru

Date:
17 Dec 2001
Time:
19:17:52

Comments

i need to know if a 2 liter bottle is capable of growing 6 foot plants and does it matter what size the supply pipes are.

Supply lines don't matter and 6 ft plants could be a problem with root plug up. 

Date:
18 Dec 2001
Time:
17:17:30

Comments

I was wondering if i need an air stone and pump if i am using an ebb and flow system. I have my system so i have to raise the bucket to water and lower to drain. When i drain don't it suck air down to the roots???? Thanks

An air stone is a cheap way to make sure your roots are getting enough oxygen. And yes flowing water creates oxygen in the water. The more movement the more oxygen.

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