Cheers!
next crop
- Thread starter daveb
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well this is being an eventful batch growing, trying a different fertilizer mix, i should have gone with gut feeling at the start and increased its amount so this group off plants started out on a poor note.
#1 Some seeds did not germinate well so had to restart them for a few types 3 times. was testing some older seeds that had not been stored proper.
#2 Test of a different mix of nutrients.
#3 Timer Failure so nutrient wasnt circulating
#4 And recently the area where going we had a few spell that the temperature dropped out to mid to high 50's F ( 12 to 15c )
i stopped running pellet and wood stoves cause weather has been so erratic a few days in the 20 the high 79's and 80's then back down cold so either comfortable or roasting to death if wood stoves on.
So anyways i took some pictures earlier in week just didnt upload from phone to PC to post them, i have popped off a few leafs to try in a bowl with a light flavored dressing and surprisingly very sweet with a very crisp snap to them
red salad bowl and ruby red - Bronze Mignonette in the back
buttercrunch with a tiny tim tomato
another Tiny tim
#1 Some seeds did not germinate well so had to restart them for a few types 3 times. was testing some older seeds that had not been stored proper.
#2 Test of a different mix of nutrients.
#3 Timer Failure so nutrient wasnt circulating
#4 And recently the area where going we had a few spell that the temperature dropped out to mid to high 50's F ( 12 to 15c )
i stopped running pellet and wood stoves cause weather has been so erratic a few days in the 20 the high 79's and 80's then back down cold so either comfortable or roasting to death if wood stoves on.
So anyways i took some pictures earlier in week just didnt upload from phone to PC to post them, i have popped off a few leafs to try in a bowl with a light flavored dressing and surprisingly very sweet with a very crisp snap to them
red salad bowl and ruby red - Bronze Mignonette in the back
buttercrunch with a tiny tim tomato
another Tiny tim
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Lookin' good @daveb ! Well done on catching onto those issues and correcting them.
@Nick Freeman That's the spririt! And even a failure can be something good; you have learned and now know more. It's the way or learning in my opinion.
@Nick Freeman That's the spririt! And even a failure can be something good; you have learned and now know more. It's the way or learning in my opinion.
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regardless how we grow in soil - areoponics - hydroponic they are all learning curves as you saw in my hydroponics a simple painted milk or water jug or if you want a good laugh even the 2 lb plastic coffee cans , start simple and gradually work way up. i've got herbs that have been growing over a year in hydroponics they pull up all the water in the jugs in a matter of day .
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With the kratky method if you need to add more water how do you recommend? Because I know as they absorb water they make air roots. Can those go underwater again or not? I'm very curious what the process is. As you say you've had things growing for over a year drinking all there water.
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i always leave no less the 1 to 2 inches of air space under the crown of the plant roots. As the plants are using the liquid it will pull the level down gradual, as long as it has water in bottom inch to 2 inches you are fine just top it up and let it pull it down. the only trick you need to get a feel is how the plants are growing and water or nutrient mix to add. also the reason i used EC meter it tells me the concentration of dissolved salts are in the water ( yes fertilizers are considered salts ). and i also after a long period on months will change out the nutrient solution use what i drain out for potted house plants out spray it on the lawn. other option is to get a fresh water aquarium test kit also to measure nitrates / nitrites / hardness and Calcium hardness then you could reuse the same liquids over and over just replenish what the plants use but then you are getting in to extreme levels of testing.
final option is a reservoir , and a float valve in the kratky vessel so its always at same level regardless of how the plants grow , i think it is posted somewhere i know i had talked with Mandy on it ages ago and given her links i will look later
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i just thought one thing i had forgotten about duhhhhhhhh i had shortened the time cycle also for the lights so basically simulated a little shorter a day , lol which will cause plants to grow slower reduced it a couple hours total which overal does not sound like massive but 15% less light and had my notes to gradually lengthen as they grew guess who forgot to manually adjust the timerLookin' good @daveb ! Well done on catching onto those issues and correcting them.
@Nick Freeman That's the spririt! And even a failure can be something good; you have learned and now know more. It's the way or learning in my opinion.
, i need to pull out old lap top and plug in a breakout board to use as a controller so i can simulate the day cycle also more red in morning and evening and more blue during main part of day to mimic true sunlight- Joined
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well now that back on track with lights back to extended cycle coming on about 30 minutes earlier and staying on 40 minute loner at end of day, no pump issues and from timer and nutrient back where it should be for level now we are cooking on growth like that should
red salad bowl and ruby red - Bronze Mignonette in the back butter crunch to right side the butter crunch at right with tomatoes around it look close at the tomato in the front a few more days i will start pollinating buds
red salad bowl and ruby red - Bronze Mignonette in the back butter crunch to right side the butter crunch at right with tomatoes around it look close at the tomato in the front a few more days i will start pollinating buds
They're all looking amazing and already so delicious 😋 Do you have any advice or any tips on using the rock wool? I tried once and had horrible results, but I assume I was doing something wrong. I have so much of it left over and want to give it another go, or fine another use for it if I can. Friends of ours have given us some hydroponics set ups since they've upgraded and I'm hoping to get them going soon. Thanks in advance if you have any ideas to pass along!
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what type of a system do you have ? throw some photos up as you get time, each system has its own little quirks and needs. We are duplicating nature on a different level water and nutrients, warmth ,and light.
First the rock wool you can buy it in numerous shaped forms and sizes. the one i have i cut off a stock sheet block cheaper then i can buy the individual press formed shapes. i place each cube into a net pot. This allows nutrient you get to the rock wool while the seedlings start. as roots develop the water is allowed to drop so the plants has some roots in water some in air. wool wool is just a support media while the seed starts. first i dip the rock wool in water and let it drain natural for a couple minutes ( do not squeeze them ) the light loose spun fibers allow the roots to passed freely through, i poke a hole in top of each cube about 1/4 inch deep with a chopstick drop in seeds and the loosely pull the edges of the rock wool back over the seed drop into a net pot and into a seed starter tray. no need to feed until the plats show signs of starting first set of true leafs and then only a mild weak solution 1/8 to 1/4 strength
here is a view of net pot upside down on table and setting up a used milk just to do plants in
Thank you so much for taking the time to help me out! When I get my setup finalized I'll share some photos. My rock wool just wasn't getting the water, I don't think. So that's something I need to focus on this time. Now I have a better starting place thanks to your assistance
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forgot to upload this yesterday, next to photo from a week ago, my lettuce has gone crazy and growing like wildfire. lettuce to left of tomato was starting to cover the tomato and i've been just going around breaking off lettuce daily for a couple salads a day for myself and neighbor. the areas circled are same branch of plant. look close at right you in the right hand image you can see the tip of another tomato well below the light cross over wire and the recent picture at left the same plant is up past the wire
😍
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teases slightly this is about salad 10 or 11 might be 12 this week i've lost track , fresh balsamic basil garlic dressing
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salads are always good to have with a meal.... i know dang tease. i am starting new area within the next few week be about 12 x 16 so will get abut 10 beds in it. have a temp tenant staying here so the loft area got put on hold for them to use so one of the back rooms is going over to growing
Yeah, I have recently started putting salads with our meals as well. It's been pretty good.
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well sad to say i have to revise how i do my tomatoes . lettuce growing so aggressive and the tomatoes are in positions i cant get at them easy to pollinate them someone didnt plan ahead this batch lol
someone didnt plan ahead this batch lol
Haha oh no! A "failure" due to it thriving so well, haha. Good on ya mate.