Gardening: Hydroponics and Square Foot Gardening Update #1
HydroponicsFriend.com This is just a simple update from my first video. I set up a little corner in the laundry room for a work area. I use a plastic four shelf unit and had to remove the top shelf so there would be enough room to suspend a grow light. As you can see you don’t need an entire room or building to get started. You can grow into that later. (Pun Intended). You may also notice I edited the video with Windows Movie Maker. As I am learning about Hydroponics and seed starting I am also learning to do videos. Learning by doing is one of the best ways to learn. I may make a few mistakes but that’s all part of learning too. I like to learn something new everyday. I also like to teach what I learn. I have made some friends here on You Tube who are alot like me, who also like to teach. Learn, teach, enjoy, repeat.
25 Responses to Gardening: Hydroponics and Square Foot Gardening Update #1
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can someone tell me whatare does balls .
LoboDeBayamon
February 29, 2012 at 3:55 pm
rain water is what might be causing the mold and algae
TheFatTony94
February 29, 2012 at 4:29 pm
@bobbyjl07 I agree with almost everything you say. This the first system I ever built and worked ok for what it was. The important thing is I learned a lot about hydroponics by building and using this system. Thanks for taking the time to comment. 🙂
FenderGibsonWashburn
February 29, 2012 at 5:09 pm
Sorry to say but crappy grow. U should atleast spray paint the tub black if u don’t throw that clear trash away and get something not translucent. All u need is rapid rooters not rockwool not sure to grow. They grow algae to easily. Next time cover your plant medium all the way with ur hydroton. And algae wong grow so quickly. Get a sterlite or rubermaid tub bro. Way better for wut ur doin. And not clear. Anything but clear unless u spray paint it. Good luck
bobbyjl07
February 29, 2012 at 5:34 pm
@bikero5 LOL.
ShotgunAndAShovel
February 29, 2012 at 5:52 pm
Hey man,
the cubes have to be covered with black plastic. If it exposed to light it will grow algae! I hope this helps you out.
DjOtis505
February 29, 2012 at 6:45 pm
Hi,
I wrote a blog on indoor tomato growing. It would be cool if anyone checked it out. Please let me know what you think.
-Thanks
juicyindoorgarden.blogspot.com
DjOtis505
February 29, 2012 at 7:09 pm
i found your info GREAT for growing marijuana.
bikero5
February 29, 2012 at 7:51 pm
hey hey, watched a couple of your vids, very informative, can you tell me a little bit more about those soda bottle greenhouses, haven’t seen those before…
KBMemon
February 29, 2012 at 8:10 pm
There is algae because the tray has to be covered in black so the algae does not grow. That is what I have learned after viewing so many videos about hydroponics.
mindy2215
February 29, 2012 at 8:40 pm
@marvrus You can see exactly how I go from a sprout in paper towel to the net pot in my video titled “Hydroponics Transplant for my Home Made Ebb and Flow System”. For the first week I run a half strength nutrient solution. I hope this answers your questions.
FenderGibsonWashburn
February 29, 2012 at 9:11 pm
Hi, after the sprouted seed from the paper towel, do you put them on a tray with water under the light? When do you transfer them to the net pot filled with hydrotons? Once they are in the net pot do you run water or water with nutrients in the hydroponic system. Thanks.
marvrus
February 29, 2012 at 9:39 pm
You should paint the clear plant tray with black paint to block light. This will block any possible “damping off” in the future.
hometownorganics
February 29, 2012 at 9:47 pm
no worries. No ligh means algea cannot grow or survive, so if you already have algea on the cubes and cover em up with mylar, the algea will die but not over night
saumier1
February 29, 2012 at 9:48 pm
@saumier1 Thank you, I will try the mylar idea. Sounds like a great tip for anyone who uses STG cubes with Hydroton.
FenderGibsonWashburn
February 29, 2012 at 10:29 pm
the cubes have algea growing on them, you need to cover the tops with coconut mat or mylar. I make full mylar covers for my cubes and never get a spot of algea.
Hope this helps.
saumier1
February 29, 2012 at 11:28 pm
@demoreal I totally agree with everything you said. It amazed me how well everything worked even with the less than ideal conditions, as you can see in the follow up videos.
I talked to Matt at Sure to Grow about the algae. It was caused by the hydroton wicking solution to the surface of the cube. The algae never penetrated the cube. The ph was fine, any problems were caused by the lack of light protection.
Thank you for taking the time to comment.
FenderGibsonWashburn
February 29, 2012 at 11:49 pm
nice choice for a hobby. you really should block light to the roots mabey pant the coke bottles (the bottom halve) black or wrap with tape. Or real good layer of black to absorb the light then a layer of white to reflect on outside. the hydro unit same thing. don’t let the roots get light. i have a feeling your ph is off. i may be wrong (i didn’t see any bottles of ph up and down) for hydro keep it at 5.8-6.5 and dirt 6.5-7. the algae is from light, place black plastic over it.
peace
demoreal
March 1, 2012 at 12:33 am
@guanobucks From what I’ve since learned about Hydroponics (this was my first system) you are correct. You do not want the roots exposed to light. The amazing thing is that it worked just as it is. It would be easy enough to paint this black or cover it with something to block out the light.
I built this system to learn about Ebb and Flow Hydroponic systems. It’s my understanding adding a bubbler would make it a Sub-aeration system not aeroponic. Thanks for contributing.
FenderGibsonWashburn
March 1, 2012 at 12:36 am
a few comments here hit the nail on the head…you need to restrict all light on roots….i will suggest that you incorporate an air bubbler and make an aeroponic unit, where u can use more water, nutes, and will grow faster….NO LIGHT ON ROOTS AT ALL
guanobucks
March 1, 2012 at 12:52 am
“insert evil laugh here” lmao
Nekosys
March 1, 2012 at 1:21 am
3 times a day during the daylight hours
ic300x
March 1, 2012 at 1:54 am
thank you! i finally understand ebb and flow from your past 2 videos
scotterinsam
March 1, 2012 at 1:58 am
how often does your hydro system fill up with water? how many times a day i mean??? thanks!!
MrOWRK
March 1, 2012 at 2:47 am
@ladygrace1023 Your welcome. I hope to show people that Hydroponics can be easy and inexpensive.
FenderGibsonWashburn
March 1, 2012 at 3:36 am