Maddie Moate looks at the little things you can do in your everyday life in order to have a more sustainable lifestyle, from growing your own food to create fertiliser with your waste:
Fish Poo and LED Lights. Is this the future of food?! -- BBC:
Showing posts with label Hydroponic. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Hydroponic. Show all posts
"Urban Crops" company - LED, hydroponic, indoor growing
Belgian broadcaster RTBF about Urban Crops (17th June 2016):
More info: https://www.urbancrops.be
Related reading:
Vertical Farming Innovator Urban Crops Opens U.S. Regional Headquarters | Growing Produce http://buff.ly/2ffO0GL
More info: https://www.urbancrops.be
Related reading:
Vertical Farming Innovator Urban Crops Opens U.S. Regional Headquarters | Growing Produce http://buff.ly/2ffO0GL
How to calculate the cost of electricity for running indoor grow lights?
Use the Electricity cost calculator:
http://www.tomorrowsgarden.net/content/electricity-cost-calculator
You need to know:
1. Wattage of Appliance?
2. How long is it used each day? Hours
3. Cents per KWh?
You can get the answer for Q3 by looking at your electricity bill and calculating it from there.
For example, Hydrofarm JSV4 4-Foot Jump Start T5 Grow Light System (http://www.amazon.com/Hydrofarm-JSV4-4-Foot-Start-System/dp/B0001XLSGQ) uses 54W:
1. Wattage of Appliance? 54W
2. How long is it used each day? Hours = 12
3. Cents per KWh? 12 cents in Florida
http://www.tomorrowsgarden.net/content/electricity-cost-calculator
You need to know:
1. Wattage of Appliance?
2. How long is it used each day? Hours
3. Cents per KWh?
You can get the answer for Q3 by looking at your electricity bill and calculating it from there.
For example, Hydrofarm JSV4 4-Foot Jump Start T5 Grow Light System (http://www.amazon.com/Hydrofarm-JSV4-4-Foot-Start-System/dp/B0001XLSGQ) uses 54W:
1. Wattage of Appliance? 54W
2. How long is it used each day? Hours = 12
3. Cents per KWh? 12 cents in Florida
Simple $5 DIY Hydroponic Setup - deep water culture in a bucket (video)
From MI Gardener: "This Hydroponic setup is easy, cheap, quick, and can be made for under $5. I recommend for beginning hydroponic growers all the way up to advanced hydroponic growers. No need for complex systems, and you can have fun, and get hands on with this super simple DIY version. Give
hydroponics a try today!"
Materials you will need:
air pump
3 ft. air hose
1 5 gallon bucket w/ lid
Circle bit
4 net cups (or one depending on your setup)
4 cubes of rock wool
MI Gardener also offers o.99 Heirloom Vegetable Seeds: http:www.migardener.com/store
Backyard aeroponics: self-sustaining farm in Wisconsin cold (video)
From Kirsten Dirksen YouTube channel: "Benjamin Staffeldt grew up on a farm and works in a garden center so when he and his wife Sara moved into a rental home (a duplex), it was only natural he'd want to start farming his (shared) backyard. They began with containers and then bought a kit greenhouse to extend the growing season and were selling to local supermarkets and restaurants, but the heating bills to farm during Wisconsin winters (with temperatures as low as -70°F) was cutting sharply into their profits.
They knew they had to maximize greenhouse space so they decided to grow vertical and to grow differently. They experimented with hydroponics and finally settled on aeroponics. "So aeroponics is similar to hydroponics using water rather than soil, but it's mist," explains Benjamin. "It's a mist that comes on inside the growing chamber, and it comes on every 3 minutes for 10 seconds, it's a really high oxygen water that's hitting that root. The method was actually developed and is being used by NASA because it uses so much less water and the speed of growth is much faster."
They're hoping to commercialize their hybrid system - what they call Art Garden- and have posted to kickstarter for funding. It's geared toward those looking to grow in a cold climate and in a small space (one unit fits into 4 square feet). This is all part of an increasingly customized growing world that Ben hopes might make farmers out of more of us.
Art Garden - "Revolutionary Vertical Gardening System" by Benjamin Staffeldt — Kickstarter http://buff.ly/1qYyBeN
Art Garden: artgardenllc.wix.com
They knew they had to maximize greenhouse space so they decided to grow vertical and to grow differently. They experimented with hydroponics and finally settled on aeroponics. "So aeroponics is similar to hydroponics using water rather than soil, but it's mist," explains Benjamin. "It's a mist that comes on inside the growing chamber, and it comes on every 3 minutes for 10 seconds, it's a really high oxygen water that's hitting that root. The method was actually developed and is being used by NASA because it uses so much less water and the speed of growth is much faster."
They're hoping to commercialize their hybrid system - what they call Art Garden- and have posted to kickstarter for funding. It's geared toward those looking to grow in a cold climate and in a small space (one unit fits into 4 square feet). This is all part of an increasingly customized growing world that Ben hopes might make farmers out of more of us.
Art Garden - "Revolutionary Vertical Gardening System" by Benjamin Staffeldt — Kickstarter http://buff.ly/1qYyBeN
Art Garden: artgardenllc.wix.com
Dutch Bucket Hydroponics for Tomatoes
Bobby has been building a new Dutch Bucket hydroponic system. This is a very simple recirculating hydroponics system that works great for fruiting vegetables such as tomatoes, peppers, and cucumbers. It can be set up inside a greenhouse, in your backyard, or on your porch.
For nutrient mix, he uses Masterblend 4-18-38, mixed to the manufacturers specifications. It is available online at various places, but I order from Morgan County Seeds out in Missouri. Other types of hydroponic fertilizers can be used just as well.
Here's the link to the video where I explain how to mix it: http://youtu.be/vYv9iu2NI3M
For nutrient mix, he uses Masterblend 4-18-38, mixed to the manufacturers specifications. It is available online at various places, but I order from Morgan County Seeds out in Missouri. Other types of hydroponic fertilizers can be used just as well.
Here's the link to the video where I explain how to mix it: http://youtu.be/vYv9iu2NI3M
Hydroponic Fertilizer: What to Use and How to Mix It
From MHP Gardener: "I get a lot of questions about the fertilizer that I am using in my hydroponic setups for growing lettuce and tomatoes. This is a thorough explanation of exactly what I am using. But keep this in mind, there are many different fertilizers on the market, some commercial, some organic. As long as you choose one that allows you to provide the proper nutrients for the plants, you should do just fine. "
How to plant seeds in different hydroponic mediums (video)
As seen in Hydroshow SE1.1 EP 2. If you're looking for more information on planting seeds, see the article 'Getting Seedy' in Hydromag here: http://issuu.com/hydromagazine/docs/issue_006low/23
How to plant seeds in Coco Cubes, Rockwool Cubes, Jiffy's and Organic Pellets:
Personally, I use 2-inch net pots filled with a 50:50 mix of coconut coir (or peat moss) and perlite (or vermiculite).
Related products:
How to plant seeds in Coco Cubes, Rockwool Cubes, Jiffy's and Organic Pellets:
Personally, I use 2-inch net pots filled with a 50:50 mix of coconut coir (or peat moss) and perlite (or vermiculite).
Related products:
Kratky hydroponics as simple as 1-2-3
The Kratky hydroponics method is as simple as 1-2-3:
- 1 1-gallon container (3 quart container will also work). You can buy such containers for $1 each at Dollar Tree.
- 2-inch net pot
- 3-component (N-P-K) fertilizer for hydroponics, for example, dry soluble fertilizer MaxiGro (N-P-K 10-5-14).
These are the main components of the model. You will also need several others things and most of them are common sense items required for growing vegetables: seeds, potting mix (coconut coir or peat moss and perlite or vermuculite), water, optional lining for the container (for example, 1-gallon freezer bag), black spray paint, 2-inch hole saw and electric drill, grow lights (if growing indoors).
Buttercrunch lettuce in Kratky hydroponics at the time of transplant to a net cup:
Lettuce grown with Kratky hydroponics, after 1 month:
Lettuce under grow lights - Kratky hydroponics:
Containers for Kratky hydroponics can be made from a variety of sources: Note the 2-inch hole for a net cup in the top cover of the containers, and black spray paint or aluminum foil that blocks the light from entering the water/fertilizer chamber:
Herbs on toast, all grown in Kratky hydroponics: parsley, thyme, savory, dill:
Dr. Bernard Kratky's American Society for Horticultural Science horticultural talk on non-circulating hydroponics. Graduate of Purdue University and professor in Hawaii, Dr. Kratky's patented methods are known around the world.
- 1 1-gallon container (3 quart container will also work). You can buy such containers for $1 each at Dollar Tree.
- 2-inch net pot
- 3-component (N-P-K) fertilizer for hydroponics, for example, dry soluble fertilizer MaxiGro (N-P-K 10-5-14).
These are the main components of the model. You will also need several others things and most of them are common sense items required for growing vegetables: seeds, potting mix (coconut coir or peat moss and perlite or vermuculite), water, optional lining for the container (for example, 1-gallon freezer bag), black spray paint, 2-inch hole saw and electric drill, grow lights (if growing indoors).
Buttercrunch lettuce in Kratky hydroponics at the time of transplant to a net cup:
Lettuce grown with Kratky hydroponics, after 1 month:
Lettuce under grow lights - Kratky hydroponics:
Containers for Kratky hydroponics can be made from a variety of sources: Note the 2-inch hole for a net cup in the top cover of the containers, and black spray paint or aluminum foil that blocks the light from entering the water/fertilizer chamber:
Herbs on toast, all grown in Kratky hydroponics: parsley, thyme, savory, dill:
Dr. Bernard Kratky's American Society for Horticultural Science horticultural talk on non-circulating hydroponics. Graduate of Purdue University and professor in Hawaii, Dr. Kratky's patented methods are known around the world.
How to grow hydroponic spring onions
Here is step-by-step description of growing green onions in a floating raft hydroponic setup:
How To Grow hydroponic spring onion (Scallion) - (Photo Tutorial) http://buff.ly/1fN2zMC
Related reading:
http://www.hydroponics101.com/sw_tips_GreenOnions.php
http://homeguides.sfgate.com/grow-green-onions-using-hydroponics-28877.html
How To Grow hydroponic spring onion (Scallion) - (Photo Tutorial) http://buff.ly/1fN2zMC
Related reading:
http://www.hydroponics101.com/sw_tips_GreenOnions.php
http://homeguides.sfgate.com/grow-green-onions-using-hydroponics-28877.html
Basic Pre-assembled Hydroponic Kit - $43 from "Stealth Hydroponics"
This Basic Pre-assembled Hydroponic Kit is available from Amazon or directly from the manufacturer. You can also build your own. The real question is: Do you really need a circulating hydroponic kit? You can achieve similar results with the
Kratky method of non-circulating, off the grid hydroponics.
This video shows you how to set up the Stealth Hydro DWC Basic Kit:
Related reading:
Stealth Hydroponics, Inc - Deep Water Culture http://buff.ly/1fN1Wm9
3 Ways to Build a Homemade Hydroponics System - wikiHow http://buff.ly/1ddk1tY
Free Hydroponic Setups Plans http://buff.ly/1fN1VOU
Kratky method of non-circulating, off the grid hydroponics.
This video shows you how to set up the Stealth Hydro DWC Basic Kit:
Related reading:
Stealth Hydroponics, Inc - Deep Water Culture http://buff.ly/1fN1Wm9
3 Ways to Build a Homemade Hydroponics System - wikiHow http://buff.ly/1ddk1tY
Free Hydroponic Setups Plans http://buff.ly/1fN1VOU
Cost-effective dry nutritients for hydroponic solution: MaxiGro and MaxiBloom
MaxiGro™ and MaxiBloom™ are water-soluble, dry concentrated nutrients. Designed to work in Coco, Hydroponics, Soilless and Soil.
MaxiGro™ is used for vegetative growth - greens, leaves. If you are growing "greens" - lettuce, herbs - that's all you need to use. If you are growing blooming/fruiting plants (tomato, pepper), you will need to switch from MaxiGro™ to MaxiBloom at some point.
The manufacturer of MaxiGro™ and MaxiBloom™, General Hydroponics, started as a business in the 1970s, as an offshoot of a scientific project at Berkeley University. They still fund research projects at the university. The manufacturer is somewhat unique in having large greenhouses and outdoor gardens where they test their products and sell the produce.
Here is the catalog with all their products: http://generalhydroponics.com/site/gh/docs/GenHydroCatalog.pdf
They have a blog: http://genhydro.com/blog
I have extensive experience with MaxiGro ($14 for 2 lbs from Amazon) for Kratky method for growing lettuce, parsley, basil, thyme. It works well. I use a mixture of 8 tsp per 5 gallon bucket.
Each Kratky container consist of:
- 3-quart plastic container with lid. They are available from Dollar Tree for $1 each. The containers and lids are painted black with spray paint ($3.70 from Home Depot). A 2-inch hole saw and drill are used to drill one 2-inch hole in each lid.
- Net pots with plants. Plants are grown from seed in 3-inch net pots. Once the seedlings have one set of true leaves or the roots are seen from the bottom of the net pot, they are ready for transplanting in the Kratky container.
- Hydroponic solution. I place one 1-gallon plastic bag inside each Kratky container. The diluted MaxiGro solution is poured inside the plastic bag, inside the container. Net pots have to be dipped about 1/2 inch in the solution.
Related reading:
Urban Nursery Michigan http://buff.ly/1ddi4O6
OutdoorHydro http://buff.ly/1fMZqfI
MaxiGro™ is used for vegetative growth - greens, leaves. If you are growing "greens" - lettuce, herbs - that's all you need to use. If you are growing blooming/fruiting plants (tomato, pepper), you will need to switch from MaxiGro™ to MaxiBloom at some point.
The manufacturer of MaxiGro™ and MaxiBloom™, General Hydroponics, started as a business in the 1970s, as an offshoot of a scientific project at Berkeley University. They still fund research projects at the university. The manufacturer is somewhat unique in having large greenhouses and outdoor gardens where they test their products and sell the produce.
Here is the catalog with all their products: http://generalhydroponics.com/site/gh/docs/GenHydroCatalog.pdf
They have a blog: http://genhydro.com/blog
I have extensive experience with MaxiGro ($14 for 2 lbs from Amazon) for Kratky method for growing lettuce, parsley, basil, thyme. It works well. I use a mixture of 8 tsp per 5 gallon bucket.
Each Kratky container consist of:
- 3-quart plastic container with lid. They are available from Dollar Tree for $1 each. The containers and lids are painted black with spray paint ($3.70 from Home Depot). A 2-inch hole saw and drill are used to drill one 2-inch hole in each lid.
- Net pots with plants. Plants are grown from seed in 3-inch net pots. Once the seedlings have one set of true leaves or the roots are seen from the bottom of the net pot, they are ready for transplanting in the Kratky container.
- Hydroponic solution. I place one 1-gallon plastic bag inside each Kratky container. The diluted MaxiGro solution is poured inside the plastic bag, inside the container. Net pots have to be dipped about 1/2 inch in the solution.
Related reading:
Urban Nursery Michigan http://buff.ly/1ddi4O6
OutdoorHydro http://buff.ly/1fMZqfI
Rooftop hydroponics on NYC restaurant
From faircompanies.com:
Chef John Mooney believes so strongly in local food that for his latest restaurant in Manhattan's West Village, most of his produce travels just 60 feet from the building's roof to his kitchen.
He's able to grow nearly two-thirds the vegetables for his restaurant because he doesn't rely on soil. Instead, Mooney and his partner Mick O'Sullivan installed 60 vertical tower hydroponic systems.
References:
Soil-less sky farming: rooftop hydroponics on NYC restaurant - videos - *faircompanies http://buff.ly/1iOhkUF
Chef John Mooney believes so strongly in local food that for his latest restaurant in Manhattan's West Village, most of his produce travels just 60 feet from the building's roof to his kitchen.
He's able to grow nearly two-thirds the vegetables for his restaurant because he doesn't rely on soil. Instead, Mooney and his partner Mick O'Sullivan installed 60 vertical tower hydroponic systems.
References:
Soil-less sky farming: rooftop hydroponics on NYC restaurant - videos - *faircompanies http://buff.ly/1iOhkUF
Kratky hydroponic method using one-gallon ($1) container for lettuce, parsley, etc.
The Kratky Method of Non-circulation, non-electric hydroponic system was developed by Prof. Kratky from University of Hawaii. It works best for growing lettuce. You only need to fill the hydroponic container once during the grow cycle, when the planting the lettuce. No pump or aeration is needed. The most complete and practical description of the method is available in PDF form here: http://bit.ly/173799I
Buttercrunch lettuce in Kratky hydroponics at the time of transplant to a net cup:
Lettuce grown with Kratky hydroponics, after 1 month:
Containers for Kratky hydroponics can be made from a variety of sources: Note the 2-inch hole for a net cup in the top cover of the containers, and black spray paint or aluminum foil that blocks the light from entering the water/fertilizer chamber:
You will need:
- one plastic gallon container with a lid
- black trash bag for lining the container. Alternatively, you can use black spray pain to paint the container, or you can wrap it in aluminum folio.
- 2-inch net pots
- mix of peat moss/coconut coir and perlite/vermiculite
- hydroponic fertilizer
- CFL daylight bulbs (if growing inside) and 15-inch desk lamp
- vegetables seeds
- plastic tray for germination
- 3/8 drill and 2-inch hole saw and mandrel
Fill the net pots with the mix and place in the plastic tray. Moisten the mix. Plant the seeds. After the seedlings have their first true leaves, assemble the hydroponic setup (see the PDF above). Make sure the net pots a submerged by 1/4 inch in the hydroponic fertilizer.
The containers are often available in Dollar Tree for $1.
Most of the the supplies for this setup are available from Amazon.com
A suitable spray paint is Rust-Oleum Paint Plus 12-oz. 2x Spray Gloss Black ($3.40 at Home Depot). It attaches to plastic and glass and does not require a primer.
Buttercrunch lettuce in Kratky hydroponics at the time of transplant to a net cup:
Lettuce grown with Kratky hydroponics, after 1 month:
Containers for Kratky hydroponics can be made from a variety of sources: Note the 2-inch hole for a net cup in the top cover of the containers, and black spray paint or aluminum foil that blocks the light from entering the water/fertilizer chamber:
You will need:
- one plastic gallon container with a lid
- black trash bag for lining the container. Alternatively, you can use black spray pain to paint the container, or you can wrap it in aluminum folio.
- 2-inch net pots
- mix of peat moss/coconut coir and perlite/vermiculite
- hydroponic fertilizer
- CFL daylight bulbs (if growing inside) and 15-inch desk lamp
- vegetables seeds
- plastic tray for germination
- 3/8 drill and 2-inch hole saw and mandrel
Fill the net pots with the mix and place in the plastic tray. Moisten the mix. Plant the seeds. After the seedlings have their first true leaves, assemble the hydroponic setup (see the PDF above). Make sure the net pots a submerged by 1/4 inch in the hydroponic fertilizer.
The containers are often available in Dollar Tree for $1.
Most of the the supplies for this setup are available from Amazon.com
A suitable spray paint is Rust-Oleum Paint Plus 12-oz. 2x Spray Gloss Black ($3.40 at Home Depot). It attaches to plastic and glass and does not require a primer.
Kratky Method: Non-circulation, non-electric hydroponic system
The Kratky Method of Non-circulation, non-electric hydroponic system was developed by Prof. Kratky from University of Hawaii. It works best for growing lettuce. You only need to fill the hydroponic container once during the grow cycle, when the planting the lettuce. No pump or aeration is needed. The most complete and practical description of the method is available in PDF form here: http://bit.ly/173799I
Buttercrunch lettuce in Kratky hydroponics at the time of transplant to a net cup:
Lettuce grown with Kratky hydroponics, after 1 month:
Containers for Kratky hydroponics can be made from a variety of sources: Note the 2-inch hole for a net cup in the top cover of the containers, and black spray paint or aluminum foil that blocks the light from entering the water/fertilizer chamber:
The medium placed in the net pots is a mixture of peat and perlite. However, any non-soil growing medium can be used as long as it is sterile.
Prof. Kratky has described 3 non-circulating hydroponic methods for growing lettuce, which do not require electricity, pumps or wicks, with multiple variations. All of the nutrient solution is added prior to planting or transplanting.
- In the simplest system, lettuce is seeded in a tapered plastic net pot filled with growing medium and placed in a darkened, 4-liter plastic bottle filled with nutrient solution with the lower 3-cm-portion of the pot immersed in nutrient solution. Plants are automatically watered, because the entire growing medium in the net pot becomes moistened by capillary action. Plant growth reduces the nutrient solution level, creating an enlarging moist air space. Meanwhile, the root system expands and continues to absorb water and nutrients. Leaf and semi-head lettuce cultivars are usually harvested at about 6 to 7 weeks after seeding.
- A typical expansion of this concept to a commercial scale employs a 14 cm high tank lined with polyethylene sheeting which is filled with nutrient solution and covered with an expanded or extruded polystyrene sheet resting on the
tank frame. Lettuce is planted or transplanted into net pots filled with growing medium and placed in holes in the cover. Lettuce seedlings are initially watered by capillary action, and later, by direct root uptake. The crop is harvested before the nutrient solution becomes exhausted.
- Another modification of this method is a float-support system in long rectangular raceway tanks. Lettuce is planted or transplanted into net pots placed in a sheet of extruded polystyrene. The cover initially floats on the nutrient solution, and then, comes to rest on 2 parallel plastic pipes (10 cm diam) resting on the tank floor as the nutrient solution level recedes due to plant growth. The tank is filled with water immediately prior to harvesting and floating rafts may be easily moved to a harvesting station.
The Kratky method allows you to grow the plants in a static nutrient solution without the need for aeration:
Related products from Amazon:
This is the hydroponic solution (only loaded when planting lettuce) - 2.2 lbs. - MaxiGro - Grow Stimulator - Hydroponic Nutrient Solution - 10-5-14 NPK Ratio - General Hydroponics GH1211, $15 in 2013.
http://amzn.to/1elr8jh
These are the net cups that hold the plants: 100 2-Inch Net Slit Pots for Hydroponic Aeroponic Use, $12 in 2013 http://amzn.to/1elrGFQ
You will need a hole saw to make holes for the net cups in the barrier between the outside environment and the hydroponic solution. A 2-Inch Hole Saw should work best for the 2-inch cups. You will also need a mandrel (often sold together with the hole saw) and a standard 3/8 drill.
Dr. Bernard Kratky's American Society for Horticultural Science horticultural talk on non-circulating hydroponics. Graduate of Purdue University and professor in Hawaii, Dr. Kratky's patented methods are known around the world.
Reference articles by B. A. Kratky:
A Suspended Net-Pot, Non-Circulating Hydroponic Method for Commercial Production of Leafy, Romaine, and Semi-Head Lettuce http://bit.ly/173799I
A Simple Hydroponic Growing Kit for Short-Term Vegetables http://buff.ly/16aFHGl
A suspended pot, non-circulating hydroponic method http://bit.ly/17372uT
A Capillary, Noncirculating Hydroponic Method for Leaf and Semi-head Lettuce http://bit.ly/1736OUs
Growing lettuce by a float-support non-circulating hydroponic method in Hawaii and Pennsylvania http://bit.ly/1736Qf3
Non-circulating hydroponic methods for growing tomatoes http://bit.ly/1736Sn7
Non-Circulating Hydroponic Cucumber Production in Plastic Trash Containers http://bit.ly/1736W6m
Three non-circulating hydroponic methods for growing lettuce. http://bit.ly/1elvtD1
Observations on a Noncirculating Hydroponic System for Tomato Production http://bit.ly/1736ZyZ
Plastic-covered rainshelters for vegetable production in the tropics http://bit.ly/1736YuX
Growing Hydroponic Cucumbers in a Plastic Trash Container http://bit.ly/17374D2
Small-Scale Lettuce Production with Hydroponics or Aquaponics http://bit.ly/17373Pn
More information can be found by searching for "Kratky" here: http://www.ctahr.hawaii.edu/site/Search.aspx
Related reading:
Kratky method from "mhpgardener" YouTube channel http://bit.ly/1eltkqR
Kratky's non-circulating hydroponics - Instructables step-by-step http://bit.ly/1fxbILO
Frequently Asked Hydroponic Questions & Answers - from "mhpgardener" YouTube channel http://bit.ly/1elv3wy
From soil gardening to non-circulation hydroponics | Low-tech Urban Farmer http://bit.ly/1elt0bA
Kratky Method of Hydroponics - Queen D Ranch Gardening http://bit.ly/1elt0sm
An inexpensive Kratky growing container - TheMrArlington - YouTube http://bit.ly/1elupit
Here is a commercial system modeled after the Kratky method: Viagrow™ Kratky Method Hydroponic System | Atlantis Hydroponics http://bit.ly/1elvp6g
Floating Lettuce - Hydroponic system saves space and work - Growing Magazine http://bit.ly/1elwriz
This looks like one of Prof. Kratky's original articles: http://bit.ly/1fxbKDq
Hydroponic Nutrients For Kratky Method Lettuce - YouTube http://bit.ly/19m3Jcp
Buttercrunch lettuce in Kratky hydroponics at the time of transplant to a net cup:
Lettuce grown with Kratky hydroponics, after 1 month:
Containers for Kratky hydroponics can be made from a variety of sources: Note the 2-inch hole for a net cup in the top cover of the containers, and black spray paint or aluminum foil that blocks the light from entering the water/fertilizer chamber:
The medium placed in the net pots is a mixture of peat and perlite. However, any non-soil growing medium can be used as long as it is sterile.
Prof. Kratky has described 3 non-circulating hydroponic methods for growing lettuce, which do not require electricity, pumps or wicks, with multiple variations. All of the nutrient solution is added prior to planting or transplanting.
- In the simplest system, lettuce is seeded in a tapered plastic net pot filled with growing medium and placed in a darkened, 4-liter plastic bottle filled with nutrient solution with the lower 3-cm-portion of the pot immersed in nutrient solution. Plants are automatically watered, because the entire growing medium in the net pot becomes moistened by capillary action. Plant growth reduces the nutrient solution level, creating an enlarging moist air space. Meanwhile, the root system expands and continues to absorb water and nutrients. Leaf and semi-head lettuce cultivars are usually harvested at about 6 to 7 weeks after seeding.
- A typical expansion of this concept to a commercial scale employs a 14 cm high tank lined with polyethylene sheeting which is filled with nutrient solution and covered with an expanded or extruded polystyrene sheet resting on the
tank frame. Lettuce is planted or transplanted into net pots filled with growing medium and placed in holes in the cover. Lettuce seedlings are initially watered by capillary action, and later, by direct root uptake. The crop is harvested before the nutrient solution becomes exhausted.
- Another modification of this method is a float-support system in long rectangular raceway tanks. Lettuce is planted or transplanted into net pots placed in a sheet of extruded polystyrene. The cover initially floats on the nutrient solution, and then, comes to rest on 2 parallel plastic pipes (10 cm diam) resting on the tank floor as the nutrient solution level recedes due to plant growth. The tank is filled with water immediately prior to harvesting and floating rafts may be easily moved to a harvesting station.
The Kratky method allows you to grow the plants in a static nutrient solution without the need for aeration:
Related products from Amazon:
This is the hydroponic solution (only loaded when planting lettuce) - 2.2 lbs. - MaxiGro - Grow Stimulator - Hydroponic Nutrient Solution - 10-5-14 NPK Ratio - General Hydroponics GH1211, $15 in 2013.
http://amzn.to/1elr8jh
These are the net cups that hold the plants: 100 2-Inch Net Slit Pots for Hydroponic Aeroponic Use, $12 in 2013 http://amzn.to/1elrGFQ
You will need a hole saw to make holes for the net cups in the barrier between the outside environment and the hydroponic solution. A 2-Inch Hole Saw should work best for the 2-inch cups. You will also need a mandrel (often sold together with the hole saw) and a standard 3/8 drill.
Dr. Bernard Kratky's American Society for Horticultural Science horticultural talk on non-circulating hydroponics. Graduate of Purdue University and professor in Hawaii, Dr. Kratky's patented methods are known around the world.
Reference articles by B. A. Kratky:
A Suspended Net-Pot, Non-Circulating Hydroponic Method for Commercial Production of Leafy, Romaine, and Semi-Head Lettuce http://bit.ly/173799I
A Simple Hydroponic Growing Kit for Short-Term Vegetables http://buff.ly/16aFHGl
A suspended pot, non-circulating hydroponic method http://bit.ly/17372uT
A Capillary, Noncirculating Hydroponic Method for Leaf and Semi-head Lettuce http://bit.ly/1736OUs
Growing lettuce by a float-support non-circulating hydroponic method in Hawaii and Pennsylvania http://bit.ly/1736Qf3
Non-circulating hydroponic methods for growing tomatoes http://bit.ly/1736Sn7
Non-Circulating Hydroponic Cucumber Production in Plastic Trash Containers http://bit.ly/1736W6m
Three non-circulating hydroponic methods for growing lettuce. http://bit.ly/1elvtD1
Observations on a Noncirculating Hydroponic System for Tomato Production http://bit.ly/1736ZyZ
Plastic-covered rainshelters for vegetable production in the tropics http://bit.ly/1736YuX
Growing Hydroponic Cucumbers in a Plastic Trash Container http://bit.ly/17374D2
Small-Scale Lettuce Production with Hydroponics or Aquaponics http://bit.ly/17373Pn
More information can be found by searching for "Kratky" here: http://www.ctahr.hawaii.edu/site/Search.aspx
Related reading:
Kratky method from "mhpgardener" YouTube channel http://bit.ly/1eltkqR
Kratky's non-circulating hydroponics - Instructables step-by-step http://bit.ly/1fxbILO
Frequently Asked Hydroponic Questions & Answers - from "mhpgardener" YouTube channel http://bit.ly/1elv3wy
From soil gardening to non-circulation hydroponics | Low-tech Urban Farmer http://bit.ly/1elt0bA
Kratky Method of Hydroponics - Queen D Ranch Gardening http://bit.ly/1elt0sm
An inexpensive Kratky growing container - TheMrArlington - YouTube http://bit.ly/1elupit
Here is a commercial system modeled after the Kratky method: Viagrow™ Kratky Method Hydroponic System | Atlantis Hydroponics http://bit.ly/1elvp6g
Floating Lettuce - Hydroponic system saves space and work - Growing Magazine http://bit.ly/1elwriz
This looks like one of Prof. Kratky's original articles: http://bit.ly/1fxbKDq
Hydroponic Nutrients For Kratky Method Lettuce - YouTube http://bit.ly/19m3Jcp
PVC Grow Light Stand
From mhpgardener:
"The first step in the process is starting seeds for the things that I want to grow. To make things easy, I start everything in rockwool cubes. In this video, I'll show exactly how I do it. As the seedlings begin to germinate, it is very important that you get them under some type of grow light. Since I started these inside, I had to build a new grow light stand. The PVC stand that I built is very inexpensive and worked out well."
"The first step in the process is starting seeds for the things that I want to grow. To make things easy, I start everything in rockwool cubes. In this video, I'll show exactly how I do it. As the seedlings begin to germinate, it is very important that you get them under some type of grow light. Since I started these inside, I had to build a new grow light stand. The PVC stand that I built is very inexpensive and worked out well."
Hydroponic products for regular gardening use (video)
John from http://www.growingyourgreens.com/ goes on a field trip to Santa Rosa Hydroponics to share with you his favorite products you can purchase at a hydro store for use in your outdoor garden. After watching this episode, you will be more familiar with some organic pest controls, organic fertilizers and more:
Grow Light System - Hydrofarm JSV4 4-Foot Jump Start T5
The 4-ft wide Jump Start T5 Grow Light System is designed seedlings and house plants. However the height of the unit is a bit low and that limits the size of the plants that can be grown under it. The efficient T5 lights provide 15-20% more light than traditional grow lights. The unit has a toggle clamp for lamp height adjustment.
The JSV4 measures 50 by 18-1/2 by 30 inches. Be sure to get the unit that is 4-ft wide (long). The less expensive one is only 2-ft long.
The Jumpstart Grow Light Systems: In this video the manufacturer explains how to assemble the Jumpstart grow light system.
The unit works very well with the basic hydroponic system by the same manufacturer, Emily's garden, a 16" x 24" x 6" unit with 6 individual planters (Setting Up a Hydrofarm Emily's Garden - YouTube http://bit.ly/QBvCIL).
The JSV4 measures 50 by 18-1/2 by 30 inches. Be sure to get the unit that is 4-ft wide (long). The less expensive one is only 2-ft long.
The Jumpstart Grow Light Systems: In this video the manufacturer explains how to assemble the Jumpstart grow light system.
The unit works very well with the basic hydroponic system by the same manufacturer, Emily's garden, a 16" x 24" x 6" unit with 6 individual planters (Setting Up a Hydrofarm Emily's Garden - YouTube http://bit.ly/QBvCIL).
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