My organicish hydroponic grow system experiments.

[Betticus]

Okay, my first ever hydro/aero system. I figure that I'll go through a few versions before I settle on what will work best for me.

This pic is the overall system. I have an ultrasonic transducer with 5 heads on order so I can do away with using a bastardized humidifier. Also, I want my humidifier back in action because the air in my home is getting dry. The plant on the left is a galia melon, I have two more sprouted that I'll move into this system. The two plants on the right are both exotic south american potatoes, one purple and one golden. They are throwing out some impressive roots but I also have some of them growing in a pot with regular potting soil. The humidifier is self explanatory and is just running a fog of water vapor. The bottom container has the nutrient solution and water pump. There is a hole in the center of the top container that goes all the way down to the second and that is where the power/water lines are routed. Next time I'll do it all in a single container. The pump automatic timer is sitting on the windowsill behind the whole contraption and it's in a bay window on the south side of the house so it is using sunlight and not grow lights.

[IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v484/betticus/Hydro/IMG_3372.jpg[/img]

This is a shot of it with the lid propped open, you can see how foggy it gets in there, even thicker with the lid closed. The five head fogger I ordered may be overkill.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v484/betticus/Hydro/IMG_3361.jpg

Galia melon plant from the top.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v484/betticus/Hydro/IMG_3362.jpg

Both potatoes from the top.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v484/betticus/Hydro/IMG_3363.jpg

The melon's roots.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v484/betticus/Hydro/IMG_3357.jpg

The potatoes roots.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v484/betticus/Hydro/IMG_3365.jpg

I'll have to break out the tripod and better light, also shut off the fogger so pics will be more clear and then crop out detailed portions in full resolution with photoshop so you can really make out a lot of detail, these were quick as I just wanted to document where the plants are right now for comparison later. When I get ahead of my bills which should be in a month I'll have more resources to dedicate to these projects so it should start picking up.

 

[Betticus]

Oh, the dark parts on the roots is from where they were sprouted in soil. The white root bits are new growth that happened after transplanting into the hydro system.

C'mon strawberries!!! I'm going to order some alpine strawberries.

 

[ultramarineblue]

This is such a cool way to grow a garden.

 

[FurryFury]

This is totally awesome!

 

[Betticus]

In a little while I'm going to turn off the misting heads and run it on pure fog. I already mixed up five gallons of fresh nutrient solution.

 

[Netzach]

This is amazingly cool, and a total mystery to me.

 

[Yasashii_Kaze]

That's so cool! I've always been intrigued by hydroponics. Maybe after the move I'll get the chance to set up a system. It would help with the short growing season we have here.

 

[ZoGoZo]

You hydroplants are way cool. What do you use for nutrients?
There is a Hydro Lettuce farm near me. It produces year round here in New England and uses geothermal & solar for energy.

 

[Betticus]

You hydroplants are way cool. What do you use for nutrients?
There is a Hydro Lettuce farm near me. It produces year round here in New England and uses geothermal & solar for energy.

Right now I'm just using a water soluble plant food with a lil miracle gro plant food and a supplemental plant hormone. There is a place in El Paso that carries nutrients specifically for hydro growing and I'll get some next time I get the chance to run down there.

 

[ZoGoZo]

Interesting. Try to go organic if you can. Hydro is great as you do not have to use as many nutrients and you are getting a purer plant. Thus, going organic makes it even better.

I would grow lettuces, herbs and tomatoes. Possibly a few pot plants too, depending upon the laws were you live.

 

[satindesire]

Careful, Snoop Dogg might show up on your porch wanting a peek at your garden.

 

[Betticus]

There's something a bit off with it still as growth is sluggish. I'll get it worked out eventually though, I think I might have overfed my cocoa tree. Darnit...