Trying hydroponics (kratky method)out for the first time this year. While I am also growing in dirt outside as well, I am doing it more as a test to see if I can do it and what will and won't grow well indoors, with the purpose of being able to grow inside over the winter, and maybe be able to reduce the grocery bill a little. Growing season here is late May to late Sept (Eastern Canada) Using wide mouth mason jars, large cheeze whiz bottles, salsa bottles, etc. Basically anything that will hold a 3" net pot Going to be trying both from seed, and from seedlings. Romaine, Red Robin Tomatoes, Jalapeno, Basil, and we will see what else I can fit in there. Also going to be trying it in tote boxes outside. Mine are the Home Depot 42L totes (tick over 11 gallons). Just use a hole saw to cut the holes in the cover. Figure I can get 2 tomato plants in a box, 3-4 hot pepper plants. Lettuce I would imagine I could get 6-8 in a box easy (may have to watch water consumption more with more plants), going to try corn, and honey dew as well, just as an experiment. Couple things that I have learned after watching hours of hydroponic videos is that you don't want light getting to the water of your container, as it can promote algae growth. Also when putting the net cups in the water with the rock wool, you only want the water to just barely cover the bottom of the cup, otherwise you end up drowning the plants, once the plants root down into the water, it isn't an issue, as the water roots will grow down, while the air roots will stay up and out of the water. If the air roots get under water, the plant drowns. So for mason jars, I have them covered in brown paper (also doubles that I can write on it what is in the jar) and the boxes outside are black plastic with yellow tops, hoping that the black plastic sucks in some heat from the sun and acts like a greenhouse for the roots in a way. The other thing I have seen is once the rock wool goes in, to use the clay pebbles in around the rock wool to not only keep it in place, but to also retain some water and keep light out.
I did a 4 way test last year: kratky, hydropump tower, airgap pots, and regular in dirt. Specifically for tomato plants. Kratky was 2-3 plants per 35 gallon Rubbermaid tote (black plastic painted white outside) and maintenance, watering and growth; kratky won hands down no headache, super fast growth, and great yields. The ONLY headache with kratky was getting the sprouts the right amount in/out of the nutrient water. In hindsight and tip for others 50/50 to 70/30 ratio of roots in AIR/WATER Thanks for the great vid, ended up using the hydro tower for herbs indoors with a few cheap 48" 65k led lights. Won't do the tower again. Blackout tubs are the best thing I've ever used.
Also, as for the netcups, I cut out the inner ring of the bottom to not restrict the roots ( just clipper out the boat wheel) and use small pool noodles for 2in cups big pool noodles for 3in, many videos show miter saw, hacksaw whatever.. I use a sharp kitchen knife, no mess. Cut 1in "donuts" from the noodle, the 2in will need about a 1/2in at edge slice cut out to collapse to size of netcups. Use the left over wedge to stick in hole to support plant. (Barely touching! Wedging it in will choke the plant) This is all based on starting the seedlings other wise and putting in cups with established roots.
Thanks Scott! Good info. I am about to get started doing the same to see what works well indoors for winter months. Probably similar growing season as you, I am in Michigan.
We have been growing greens via Kratky for a couple of years now. We grow ours in quart jars for the most part. I have used 3 gallon totes also. I also start my seeds in peat pellets, three or four seeds per and I do not thin them. Whatever grows, grows be it one or three/four and they still grow fine. After the seeds germinate and have a few roots coming through the pellet I put that pellet in a three inch net cup/pot and in the jar it goes. Obviously the more plants the more each jar uses in solution. I do refill my jars every week and a half or so. It has been our experience that the roots need oxygen so I refill the jars leaving about an inch of air space between the bottom of the net cup and the solution. I have never understood how the roots get their oxygen with floating systems without the use of an aerators which to me defeats the ideal of the Kratky method. My last comment is the color of your tote. Your clear tote will allow light in and you will have an algae bloom that you don't want. I cover my jars with cheap black cloth held on with rubber bands. We was our jars between plantings so the ease of removing the fabric works great for use. We grow as many as 30 quart jars at once and the reward of year round salad greens is worth the work. Our favorite grows are lettuces and bok choy. I also have grown peppers in quart jars and they too grew fine. I wish you success on your project.
When you said, “ Oh, it comes with gloves. I guess I’m suppose to be wearing them. I’ll put them on now!” Mister Rogers came immediately to my mind...😆 Welcome to our neighborhood! You have to admit, you have some of the great characteristics he had. We loved Mister Rogers, just like we love how you help us garden.
Looks like a good project, But I've heard that out in the dirt have a healthy plants with more vitamins and minerals.Yes the hydro is better than not having lettuce. Thanks for the teaching Sir
I took orange cherry tomato cuttings in September and plopped them into vases of water in my south-facing window. (I did use a small grow light through the winter as well.) When they rooted, I put them in dirt. One plant kept getting too tall and I cut it down three times and re-rooted it. I just potted it and it's pal (sideways, like you showed us) less than two weeks ago, and they are dark green, sprouting new leaves like gangbusters and blossoming! I also grew a flat of marigolds and two flats of Matt's Wild Cherry plants, from seeds my aunt sent me from IL (I'm in WA). I wish I could send pictures. The tomato plants are gorgeous, dark and fluffy, and the marigolds were from seed I dried from last year's plants. I was able to separate the colors, so they are the variegated red, orange, gold and yellow, as I had hoped. This is my first time of doing any of these things. A lot has to do with your TH-cam page, which I share with complete strangers in garden centers! Pretty sure I can't afford the ViparSpectra XS 4000 (even with a coupon), so I guess I'll stick to small potatoes (not literally, haha) when growing indoors. But it's been a really fun experience! P.S. I have planted about half of my tomato starts so far, not just the Matt's but several other varieties as well, and I am using your rock phosphate/calcium/potassium mixture in the soil. So far, the plants I have planted this way are just thriving!!! And our growing season actually seems to start after the Fourth of July, so I feel like I have a real jump on things this year! XOXOXOXO
If you are doing Kratky you can’t have them sitting directly in the water. They will drown unless you have an air stone. With Kratky, the plants need to be suspended above the water with just the end of the roots in the solution so they will produce “air” roots to get there oxygen from the moist air between the water surface and the bottom of the lid. Unless, of course, this is a different Kratky method than I have seen. 🤷♂️
That's my understanding as well eventually they need air as well. My other concern is with the clear tote growing green amoeba unless you will be changing the water not just adding.
@@marilynrafla6628 algae is definitely a concern. If you are not able to find an opaque container, you can use aluminum foil or paint to block the light.
You need a big ol’ southern biscuit cutter to cut your circles. 🤣🤣🤣🤣. What a great tip about wetting your fingertip to select the fine seeds!!! Can’t wait to see the results ❤️
Very cool video! I like that you are doing this in real time as an experiment rather than publishing ex post facto. I have grown “certain” herbs indoors successfully and it’s probably time to give some conventional veggies a try!
My journey to hydroponics was adventurous. I made a mistake and planted cherry tomatoes that grew 2 meter tall right in my house. It worked and I got lots of fruit but it was very scary :) Now I know I should have picked tiny Tim or Tom variety, which I am trying next. Also experimenting with summer breeze rose strawberries, yellow bell peppers, some herbs and even Tulsi (holy basil).
Kratky was the hobby my kids learned last year during lock down... kratky doesn't float... the plants will drown, you need an air stone for this(then its not kratky) Best thing you could do is use this tote... cover in foil or paint the outside to block light or buy an opaque tote A 2 inch hole saw in the lid will fit a pool noodle perfectly without needing the net cups! Grow microgreens... and then just put the baby plant into this system!
Just a few things to think about. Aero garden has the seed already in the pod when you get them. No need to sit them on top for awhile. 2 algae can cause you problems. Cover the top with foil or card board and put something around your container or paint it black on the outside and the top. Good luck.
Fascinating! And it seems quite doable for an ordinary gardener like me. I live in the low desert so growing lettuce in this season is an exciting prospect.
Also I have a air stone running all the time. Helps keep water from getting stagnant, and helps plant roots with air so they don't drown. My two cents worth if it helps!
Kratky ftw ;) . As someone who has done this quite often I give you advice of buying a black tub from home Depot. You're going to end up with a whole bunch of algae in that tub.
Love your work! My 8 yr old daughters love your videos on all bugs 🐛. Would love if more of the individual product companies would partner with you for affiliated links. Many of us have left Amazon as customers this last year but still wish I could support you when I go to shop.
I have two systems an 8 plant NFT rail system using LED grow lights growing Buttercrunch and a species leafy variety and an Aero Garden with Deer Toung and some Romain. I am adding a Kratky system soon
9 gallons is maybe for a pumped system supply tank. Could have less for static, but rainwater gutter could be similar with a gravity. Float valve top up with small fish tank pump circulating the feed water. Static water gets smelly quickly. Will the styrene be affected and leaching into the feed , your going to eat these lettuce. Best check that out.
I applaud your efforts to grow lettuce hydroponically! I've had the best (and - by far - simplest) success by growing cut-and-come again romaine in a used black plastic To-Go container with good quality soil, under a Daylight Spectrum CFL hood (worked well for microgreens as well). I've tried hydro lettuce and - honestly - soil grown was much happier. I am eager to see your results (or maybe try a comparison experiment 😉)
A local hydroponic grower uses some type of cpir-type substance in the pots (for those who warned against Rockwool). She also has a pump system that circulated the water so no algae problems. I'm wondering if I can do this indoors without air conditioning (which we don't have).
It's not the pump that helps with algae, keeping your container dark or covered is what keeps algae from forming. Using it with a pump is called DWC, deep water culture. Definitely a great way to grow. But Kratky is good. I do both. :)
They make a Styrofoam cutting tool that is sold at craft stores. It kind of burns through the Styrofoam. It's smooth and easy and if I remember right, not nearly as messy, but it has been several years.
I just ordered a plant tower and it should arrive on Friday. I am going to try to grow some lettuces and other plants that don't like our 100 plus daily summer temperatures. I don't know if I want to try hydroponics yet.
Your floating raft won't work, unless you have a good air pump. The Kratky method is better for lettuce and a Dutch Bucket System is better for Tomatoes. Normally, I see them filling the Dutch Bucket with perlite, and run a water pump on a timer for 30 minutes, 3 times a day, but I have also seen some one use the same system with a 5 inch net basket with pea pebble that fits on a 5 gallon bucket with the pump running 24 hours. There is a 12 inch air gap from the 2 inch reservoir. The advantage is no perlite and less substrate with the disadvantage of electricity cost. However, I think we could turn the pump off at night once the roots reach the water and we could also increase the water level, so it happens sooner.
You dont need a filter or anything to move the water around and aerate it? I have a small store bought hydro system and it has a water pump and filter system.
3 ปีที่แล้ว
Hi there, real exciting to see how your aquaponics will take! Great fun and good luck! I have a few mild suggestions though :) I can see a few comments down below already regarding giving your plants roots some oxygen. Either let the roots go through air into the "stale" water or you need to add oxygen to the water via pump or the like. Also, algea will be a problem if light is introduced into the water. I suggest you cover up the surface with a larger floating platform and the sides with some dark material (like scraps of cardboard)
@@tombryant4518 Yes, although in the Kratky method the plant is fixed in hight. So while the plant pulls out water of the container the roots get exposed to air. Hence they can consume oxygen. In a floating raft the water level will be the same, then there is risk of roots not getting enough oxygen and start to die/rot.
@ Yep. I agree 100%. You just called it aquaponics though. For a seemingly knowledgeable gardener, he’s sure not doing anything correctly. Unless of course he’s doing it on purpose to attract more attention and get the algorithm swinging over in his favour.
3 ปีที่แล้ว +1
@@tombryant4518 He's doing just fine. Just missed the detail about the roots in the Kratky model (although an important one). I have learned loads from his channel, just trying to pay it forward😊.
I've had great success in growing lettuce indoors. I use a 5 gallon bucket with 3x 2 inch of those black cups drilled into the buckets lid. I don't put the seedlings in until they are a few inches tall. I simply start them in a Rockwood cube in a small plastic grow tray that has a lid. 3 lettuce heads per bucket work well and I simply add water after a month. As a side note... I don't know if Rockwood is the right thing to use anymore.. While I have used it before both in growing and as an insulation in my home, there has been growing concern about what happens when the wool strands become airborne and you breath them in. In short it's similar to asbestos, you breath it in, it sticks in your lungs and since it's not biodegradable your body coats it in mucus and then bad things happen.
I do not know anything about hydroponics but I wondered about the clear tote. Would it not encourage algie to grow? Is there some type of prohibitor in the solution? I have seen a few videos on it but they usually used a dark colored tote or wrapped it in dark tape or painted it. I have also seen some put a fish tank air stone in.... but I don't know if it was an experiment or just a different type of hydroponic growing method. Just curious. I can't wait to see how it goes.
thats not the Kratky method. you can NOT have the foam float: that will kill the plant when they get bigger. best thing to get is the totes with the yellow top, cut he lid and put your net pots in it. when it runs out of water ONLY fill the tote half way.
Rockwood is volcanic rock spun in threads and hardened... def not metal... only real drawback is Rockwool cannot go in the compost pile and will never bread down!
Basalt has metal oxides. But even the silica or any hard fiber is bad in your eyes. I got the fibers in my eyes and have the scars now which cause vision issues. It is dangerous. Use other options.
I have a composting question. Would Rid-X help to activate the pile? If it breaks down waste in a septic system I thought it might be helpful in composting.
You should use organic alfalfa pellets from your local feed store. Just place the pellets in a bucket of water then add them to the compost pile. It should heat up the pile; also fresh grass clipping do the trick too!
Am currently growing Mixed Microgreens and Salad Bowl Lettuce via Kratky method, and have a few others (Kale, Spinach) just started. Peppers, tomatoes, etc. now outdoors in pots or planters. Can you identify the frame you're using to suspend the lights? I bought a cheap one this past year, and would like to replace it before 2022 grow begins.
Someone to check out for kratky growing system, check The Survival Podcast TH-cam page. He did a whole series on kratky on his TH-cam Styrofoam cutting, a soldering iron to melt the foam, it's exponentially cleaner.
Awesome! Very fun and easy to try. I too struggle with out doors, late season, Southern California lettuce. Heat and critters, I can't control them where I'm at. Question for anyone willing to help, what temp would be best to try and maintain? Thank y'all in advance.
Hi Anthony. I’m above you in Sacramento and was so frustrated not to have greens over summer. I did a little bit of homework and am now growing New Zealand spinach, summer crisp lettuce, and fire lettuce as all three can handle up to 100/full sun without bolting. All seeds were found on Amazon. Try and see how it goes? So far up here my baby lettuce handled that crazy 105F heatwave we just had. The nz spinach wilted but bounced right back when they were in evening shade again.
I don’t know for sure... 🤔 it might be toxic... 🤢 but maybe a soldering iron could deal with styrofoam and create less mess? Maybe not for the soldering tool, but the styrofoam maybe...? I would recommend trying that outside if you were to experiment.
It looks like he's using the 3" pots, but said he would link to some smaller ones, as the rockwool cubes seemed sized for a smaller pot. I'm not sure if he did that, but if you buy rockwool cubes, see what size pot they recommend.
Having them float on the top is not the Kratky method at all. It requires air roots etc and a humid air pocket for them. I have many and they are down to a few inches of water at the bottom of the tub. They start with the water right at the top and as they use it in a sealed environment they create the humid air pocket as the water/fertz drop.
Just the glimpse of the fertilizer pack did'nt seem organic, so just for me I don't think I'd go to the bother of purchasing all that. I wonder has anyone tried to make their own hydroponic organic solution & how did things turn out? Maybe I should have done a google search first.....
these day what i am growing is lettuce, peppers, tomatoes, herbs. though thats just in the areo garden to start. the lettuce and herbs make it outdoors at this time of year. the peppers and tomatoes go to the grow room in 3 to 5 gallon containers and grow for 9 months till i run out of space. then cut it out. plant something new in the containers under the frow lights.
Uh... you know that styrofoam leaches chemicals into the water, right? I suggest paying for food storage totes (the semi opaque white ones such as restaurants use in their coolers) and cut the pot holes in the lid. If you must use styrofoam, use it as a false wall and top lid for the initial seed sprouting humidity retention and then take it off.
Trying hydroponics (kratky method)out for the first time this year.
While I am also growing in dirt outside as well, I am doing it more as a test to see if I can do it and what will and won't grow well indoors, with the purpose of being able to grow inside over the winter, and maybe be able to reduce the grocery bill a little. Growing season here is late May to late Sept (Eastern Canada)
Using wide mouth mason jars, large cheeze whiz bottles, salsa bottles, etc. Basically anything that will hold a 3" net pot
Going to be trying both from seed, and from seedlings. Romaine, Red Robin Tomatoes, Jalapeno, Basil, and we will see what else I can fit in there.
Also going to be trying it in tote boxes outside. Mine are the Home Depot 42L totes (tick over 11 gallons). Just use a hole saw to cut the holes in the cover. Figure I can get 2 tomato plants in a box, 3-4 hot pepper plants. Lettuce I would imagine I could get 6-8 in a box easy (may have to watch water consumption more with more plants), going to try corn, and honey dew as well, just as an experiment.
Couple things that I have learned after watching hours of hydroponic videos is that you don't want light getting to the water of your container, as it can promote algae growth.
Also when putting the net cups in the water with the rock wool, you only want the water to just barely cover the bottom of the cup, otherwise you end up drowning the plants, once the plants root down into the water, it isn't an issue, as the water roots will grow down, while the air roots will stay up and out of the water. If the air roots get under water, the plant drowns.
So for mason jars, I have them covered in brown paper (also doubles that I can write on it what is in the jar) and the boxes outside are black plastic with yellow tops, hoping that the black plastic sucks in some heat from the sun and acts like a greenhouse for the roots in a way.
The other thing I have seen is once the rock wool goes in, to use the clay pebbles in around the rock wool to not only keep it in place, but to also retain some water and keep light out.
I appreciate you sharing these great tips! I will implement some changes you recommend!
@@NextLevelGardening Whoo, pinned comment. Honored. I am by no means an expert, just watched a lot of videos, and that was the take away.
I did a 4 way test last year: kratky, hydropump tower, airgap pots, and regular in dirt. Specifically for tomato plants. Kratky was 2-3 plants per 35 gallon Rubbermaid tote (black plastic painted white outside) and maintenance, watering and growth; kratky won hands down no headache, super fast growth, and great yields. The ONLY headache with kratky was getting the sprouts the right amount in/out of the nutrient water. In hindsight and tip for others 50/50 to 70/30 ratio of roots in AIR/WATER
Thanks for the great vid, ended up using the hydro tower for herbs indoors with a few cheap 48" 65k led lights. Won't do the tower again. Blackout tubs are the best thing I've ever used.
Also, as for the netcups, I cut out the inner ring of the bottom to not restrict the roots ( just clipper out the boat wheel) and use small pool noodles for 2in cups big pool noodles for 3in, many videos show miter saw, hacksaw whatever.. I use a sharp kitchen knife, no mess. Cut 1in "donuts" from the noodle, the 2in will need about a 1/2in at edge slice cut out to collapse to size of netcups. Use the left over wedge to stick in hole to support plant. (Barely touching! Wedging it in will choke the plant)
This is all based on starting the seedlings other wise and putting in cups with established roots.
Thanks Scott! Good info. I am about to get started doing the same to see what works well indoors for winter months. Probably similar growing season as you, I am in Michigan.
We have been growing greens via Kratky for a couple of years now. We grow ours in quart jars for the most part. I have used 3 gallon totes also. I also start my seeds in peat pellets, three or four seeds per and I do not thin them. Whatever grows, grows be it one or three/four and they still grow fine. After the seeds germinate and have a few roots coming through the pellet I put that pellet in a three inch net cup/pot and in the jar it goes. Obviously the more plants the more each jar uses in solution. I do refill my jars every week and a half or so. It has been our experience that the roots need oxygen so I refill the jars leaving about an inch of air space between the bottom of the net cup and the solution. I have never understood how the roots get their oxygen with floating systems without the use of an aerators which to me defeats the ideal of the Kratky method. My last comment is the color of your tote. Your clear tote will allow light in and you will have an algae bloom that you don't want. I cover my jars with cheap black cloth held on with rubber bands. We was our jars between plantings so the ease of removing the fabric works great for use. We grow as many as 30 quart jars at once and the reward of year round salad greens is worth the work. Our favorite grows are lettuces and bok choy. I also have grown peppers in quart jars and they too grew fine. I wish you success on your project.
When you said, “ Oh, it comes with gloves. I guess I’m suppose to be wearing them. I’ll put them on now!” Mister Rogers came immediately to my mind...😆 Welcome to our neighborhood! You have to admit, you have some of the great characteristics he had. We loved Mister Rogers, just like we love how you help us garden.
That process looks much easier than I imagined. Will be following this series with great interest.
If you want to challenge, try aquaponics. Balancing nutrients gets very tricky, when keeping fish in the same water with no external ferts
I’d suggest covering the sides of that container with dark paper. Or an algae bloom is inevitable.
Yep.
Yes I told him to get the black tubs from home Depot. They come in various sizes they're cheap. This is what I use.
@@karenlatham4053 That's what I use as well.
Yep. Not gonna watch the rest of this for that reason...doesn't seem like good info.
@@marybrannan8961 Don't know if I would go that far. Everyone has to learn.
Looks like a good project, But I've heard that out in the dirt have a healthy plants with more vitamins and minerals.Yes the hydro is better than not having lettuce.
Thanks for the teaching Sir
I have been growing lettuce all winter. I also managed a few cherry tomatoes and mini peppers.
I’m so excited to see hydroponic method. Thanks for all the education you give us you share so much.
I took orange cherry tomato cuttings in September and plopped them into vases of water in my south-facing window. (I did use a small grow light through the winter as well.) When they rooted, I put them in dirt. One plant kept getting too tall and I cut it down three times and re-rooted it. I just potted it and it's pal (sideways, like you showed us) less than two weeks ago, and they are dark green, sprouting new leaves like gangbusters and blossoming! I also grew a flat of marigolds and two flats of Matt's Wild Cherry plants, from seeds my aunt sent me from IL (I'm in WA). I wish I could send pictures. The tomato plants are gorgeous, dark and fluffy, and the marigolds were from seed I dried from last year's plants. I was able to separate the colors, so they are the variegated red, orange, gold and yellow, as I had hoped. This is my first time of doing any of these things. A lot has to do with your TH-cam page, which I share with complete strangers in garden centers!
Pretty sure I can't afford the ViparSpectra XS 4000 (even with a coupon), so I guess I'll stick to small potatoes (not literally, haha) when growing indoors. But it's been a really fun experience!
P.S. I have planted about half of my tomato starts so far, not just the Matt's but several other varieties as well, and I am using your rock phosphate/calcium/potassium mixture in the soil. So far, the plants I have planted this way are just thriving!!! And our growing season actually seems to start after the Fourth of July, so I feel like I have a real jump on things this year! XOXOXOXO
Love love love kratky started last year grow indoor and outdoor everything my cucumber is going crazy
If you are doing Kratky you can’t have them sitting directly in the water. They will drown unless you have an air stone. With Kratky, the plants need to be suspended above the water with just the end of the roots in the solution so they will produce “air” roots to get there oxygen from the moist air between the water surface and the bottom of the lid. Unless, of course, this is a different Kratky method than I have seen. 🤷♂️
That's my understanding as well eventually they need air as well. My other concern is with the clear tote growing green amoeba unless you will be changing the water not just adding.
@@marilynrafla6628 algae is definitely a concern. If you are not able to find an opaque container, you can use aluminum foil or paint to block the light.
You are absolutely right James. Kratky is based on the air roots forming above the nutrient solution.
Grew buttercrunch and romaine last year
Getting ready to do it again
You need a big ol’ southern biscuit cutter to cut your circles. 🤣🤣🤣🤣. What a great tip about wetting your fingertip to select the fine seeds!!! Can’t wait to see the results ❤️
Empty can of beans or whatever especially if it was opened with a side cutting can opener, press, twist, super clean cut
Oh the possibilities. You have planted another growing technique in my wee brain. Thank you. I love your show.
Very cool video! I like that you are doing this in real time as an experiment rather than publishing ex post facto. I have grown “certain” herbs indoors successfully and it’s probably time to give some conventional veggies a try!
Thanks so much for teaching this.
My journey to hydroponics was adventurous. I made a mistake and planted cherry tomatoes that grew 2 meter tall right in my house. It worked and I got lots of fruit but it was very scary :) Now I know I should have picked tiny Tim or Tom variety, which I am trying next.
Also experimenting with summer breeze rose strawberries, yellow bell peppers, some herbs and even Tulsi (holy basil).
Kratky was the hobby my kids learned last year during lock down... kratky doesn't float... the plants will drown, you need an air stone for this(then its not kratky)
Best thing you could do is use this tote... cover in foil or paint the outside to block light or buy an opaque tote
A 2 inch hole saw in the lid will fit a pool noodle perfectly without needing the net cups! Grow microgreens... and then just put the baby plant into this system!
Just a few things to think about. Aero garden has the seed already in the pod when you get them. No need to sit them on top for awhile. 2 algae can cause you problems. Cover the top with foil or card board and put something around your container or paint it black on the outside and the top. Good luck.
Excited to see how this works.
Fascinating! And it seems quite doable for an ordinary gardener like me. I live in the low desert so growing lettuce in this season is an exciting prospect.
My dad lives outside of Reno and does a half outdoors/half hydro for his own growing and loves it. You should give it a try. :)
Is there an organic hydroponic fertilizer that you would recommend that would be good for growing lettuce and other veg?
I would recommend a darker tote just because I have done hydroponics before and clear totes are breeders for algae! Can't wait to see your lettuce!
And the roots won't like the light.
Also I have a air stone running all the time. Helps keep water from getting stagnant, and helps plant roots with air so they don't drown. My two cents worth if it helps!
@@good-timeshomestead2183 yep. I also had a pump going as well when I was doing it.
Kratky ftw ;) .
As someone who has done this quite often I give you advice of buying a black tub from home Depot. You're going to end up with a whole bunch of algae in that tub.
How cool! I got some lettuce seeds very late for trying to grow here now. But, I think I could do this without screwing it up. Thanks, Brian!
Will there be enough gap between the plant and the solution for the roots to get some oxygen? That's very important for kratky method to work.
nope
I use a fish tank stone and pump in the tub for oxygen.
Very cool. I think I'm going to try this.
Love your work! My 8 yr old daughters love your videos on all bugs 🐛. Would love if more of the individual product companies would partner with you for affiliated links. Many of us have left Amazon as customers this last year but still wish I could support you when I go to shop.
i like your voice and teaching style
I have two systems an 8 plant NFT rail system using LED grow lights growing Buttercrunch and a species leafy variety and an Aero Garden with Deer Toung and some Romain. I am adding a Kratky system soon
I was just talking about doing some hydro lettuce inside!!
9 gallons is maybe for a pumped system supply tank. Could have less for static, but rainwater gutter could be similar with a gravity. Float valve top up with small fish tank pump circulating the feed water. Static water gets smelly quickly. Will the styrene be affected and leaching into the feed , your going to eat these lettuce. Best check that out.
Very interesting although looking out the window this morning it’s not something I will need to do, but I do enjoy learning new things! ☘️☘️☘️☘️
I applaud your efforts to grow lettuce hydroponically!
I've had the best (and - by far - simplest) success by growing cut-and-come again romaine in a used black plastic To-Go container with good quality soil, under a Daylight Spectrum CFL hood (worked well for microgreens as well).
I've tried hydro lettuce and - honestly - soil grown was much happier. I am eager to see your results (or maybe try a comparison experiment 😉)
P.S. My maters are doing great! Thx for responding to my IG messages! You ROCK! 😁
Where did you get the light stand? That looks pretty cool. I ordered large commercial clothes hanging rack to hang mine
A local hydroponic grower uses some type of cpir-type substance in the pots (for those who warned against Rockwool). She also has a pump system that circulated the water so no algae problems. I'm wondering if I can do this indoors without air conditioning (which we don't have).
It's not the pump that helps with algae, keeping your container dark or covered is what keeps algae from forming. Using it with a pump is called DWC, deep water culture. Definitely a great way to grow. But Kratky is good. I do both. :)
They make a Styrofoam cutting tool that is sold at craft stores. It kind of burns through the Styrofoam. It's smooth and easy and if I remember right, not nearly as messy, but it has been several years.
I just ordered a plant tower and it should arrive on Friday. I am going to try to grow some lettuces and other plants that don't like our 100 plus daily summer temperatures. I don't know if I want to try hydroponics yet.
You were growing hydro lettuce at 23 years old!!? Me too!! 😉
Love it. Will do myself one day.
Hi Rockwall is used as a substitute for asbestos and can be just as dangerous I would find something else to use. Good job you discovered the gloves 😂
Your floating raft won't work, unless you have a good air pump. The Kratky method is better for lettuce and a Dutch Bucket System is better for Tomatoes. Normally, I see them filling the Dutch Bucket with perlite, and run a water pump on a timer for 30 minutes, 3 times a day, but I have also seen some one use the same system with a 5 inch net basket with pea pebble that fits on a 5 gallon bucket with the pump running 24 hours. There is a 12 inch air gap from the 2 inch reservoir. The advantage is no perlite and less substrate with the disadvantage of electricity cost. However, I think we could turn the pump off at night once the roots reach the water and we could also increase the water level, so it happens sooner.
You dont need a filter or anything to move the water around and aerate it?
I have a small store bought hydro system and it has a water pump and filter system.
Hi there, real exciting to see how your aquaponics will take! Great fun and good luck!
I have a few mild suggestions though :) I can see a few comments down below already regarding giving your plants roots some oxygen. Either let the roots go through air into the "stale" water or you need to add oxygen to the water via pump or the like.
Also, algea will be a problem if light is introduced into the water. I suggest you cover up the surface with a larger floating platform and the sides with some dark material (like scraps of cardboard)
He’s growing Kratky style.
@@tombryant4518 Yes, although in the Kratky method the plant is fixed in hight. So while the plant pulls out water of the container the roots get exposed to air. Hence they can consume oxygen. In a floating raft the water level will be the same, then there is risk of roots not getting enough oxygen and start to die/rot.
@ Yep. I agree 100%. You just called it aquaponics though. For a seemingly knowledgeable gardener, he’s sure not doing anything correctly. Unless of course he’s doing it on purpose to attract more attention and get the algorithm swinging over in his favour.
@@tombryant4518 He's doing just fine. Just missed the detail about the roots in the Kratky model (although an important one). I have learned loads from his channel, just trying to pay it forward😊.
@ He’ll figure it out. He did say he hasn’t done it in awhile
Use a drill bit that’s for borrowing holes
I've had great success in growing lettuce indoors. I use a 5 gallon bucket with 3x 2 inch of those black cups drilled into the buckets lid. I don't put the seedlings in until they are a few inches tall. I simply start them in a Rockwood cube in a small plastic grow tray that has a lid. 3 lettuce heads per bucket work well and I simply add water after a month.
As a side note...
I don't know if Rockwood is the right thing to use anymore.. While I have used it before both in growing and as an insulation in my home, there has been growing concern about what happens when the wool strands become airborne and you breath them in. In short it's similar to asbestos, you breath it in, it sticks in your lungs and since it's not biodegradable your body coats it in mucus and then bad things happen.
I do not know anything about hydroponics but I wondered about the clear tote. Would it not encourage algie to grow? Is there some type of prohibitor in the solution? I have seen a few videos on it but they usually used a dark colored tote or wrapped it in dark tape or painted it. I have also seen some put a fish tank air stone in.... but I don't know if it was an experiment or just a different type of hydroponic growing method. Just curious. I can't wait to see how it goes.
You are correct. This video is an everything you can do wrong example.
I grow my lettuce varieties indoors in my Aerogarden for years now
thats not the Kratky method. you can NOT have the foam float: that will kill the plant when they get bigger. best thing to get is the totes with the yellow top, cut he lid and put your net pots in it. when it runs out of water ONLY fill the tote half way.
If he gets an air stone then this method will work. SOMEONE GET THIS MAN AN AIR STONE!
Correct if he had some sort of flow it would work a lot better and a darker tote 😆
@@lost2212x if he gets an air stone...then its deep water culture
What seeds, peats and nutsol did you used?
Doing cilantro indoors also!!
It is good information!
"Oh! I just noticed this came with gloves. I guess I should be wearing them." * wipes hand on pants * 🤣🤣🤣
Don't use rockwool. It has metal fibers that get in your hands and eyes. Embeds in the eyes. Try perlite and clay pebbles instead.
No it doesn’t have any metal in it. Look into how Rockwool and Perlite are made.
Rockwood is volcanic rock spun in threads and hardened... def not metal... only real drawback is Rockwool cannot go in the compost pile and will never bread down!
@@jujube2407 Exactly.
Basalt has metal oxides. But even the silica or any hard fiber is bad in your eyes. I got the fibers in my eyes and have the scars now which cause vision issues. It is dangerous. Use other options.
Since lettuce seeds need light to germinate wouldn’t it be better to turn on the grow lights?
I have a composting question. Would Rid-X help to activate the pile? If it breaks down waste in a septic system I thought it might be helpful in composting.
You should use organic alfalfa pellets from your local feed store. Just place the pellets in a bucket of water then add them to the compost pile. It should heat up the pile; also fresh grass clipping do the trick too!
Thank you Len. I'll try that.
You need to use a dark tub so the water stays bacteria free. Light will increase the chances of bacteria growth.
Am currently growing Mixed Microgreens and Salad Bowl Lettuce via Kratky method, and have a few others (Kale, Spinach) just started. Peppers, tomatoes, etc. now outdoors in pots or planters. Can you identify the frame you're using to suspend the lights? I bought a cheap one this past year, and would like to replace it before 2022 grow begins.
Cannot find a way to MSG you on this topic. Thanks for the video though.
Are you going to be checking PH as well and then adjusting up or down accordingly?
It’s summer - lots & lots & lots of sun! Why do you need the grow light?
Can i use Hydroponic system as Aquaponic system??
Someone to check out for kratky growing system, check The Survival Podcast TH-cam page. He did a whole series on kratky on his TH-cam
Styrofoam cutting, a soldering iron to melt the foam, it's exponentially cleaner.
I sincerely cannot wait to see how this turns out! 🤐🤣
I cannot find an update, do you know if there is one and where to find it?
@@patriciakruger2695 - There is one but it happened around the time of their move and was more informal.
Awesome! Very fun and easy to try. I too struggle with out doors, late season, Southern California lettuce. Heat and critters, I can't control them where I'm at. Question for anyone willing to help, what temp would be best to try and maintain?
Thank y'all in advance.
Hi Anthony. I’m above you in Sacramento and was so frustrated not to have greens over summer. I did a little bit of homework and am now growing New Zealand spinach, summer crisp lettuce, and fire lettuce as all three can handle up to 100/full sun without bolting. All seeds were found on Amazon. Try and see how it goes? So far up here my baby lettuce handled that crazy 105F heatwave we just had. The nz spinach wilted but bounced right back when they were in evening shade again.
I will be interested to know how much "time and money" it took to get a single head of lettuce with this method.
I wonder if this transparent container will grow algae?
Yes. Especially with no pump.
I used the clear totes for containers and they lasted 1 year due to the light making the plastic very brittle.
For me, rockwool becomes a algae filled mess after a few weeks. Let us know if you have trouble with algae and how you deal with it.
The balls to toss shade on most of the US growing cycles.
I don’t know for sure... 🤔 it might be toxic... 🤢 but maybe a soldering iron could deal with styrofoam and create less mess? Maybe not for the soldering tool, but the styrofoam maybe...? I would recommend trying that outside if you were to experiment.
What size are your net pods? I kept rewinding but either I miss it or you never said it lol
It looks like he's using the 3" pots, but said he would link to some smaller ones, as the rockwool cubes seemed sized for a smaller pot. I'm not sure if he did that, but if you buy rockwool cubes, see what size pot they recommend.
Rockwool is fiber glass. Never touch is bare handed when it’s dry. But you should always wear gloves when it’s wet or dry
It is not, its simply volcanic rock heated and blown. Very few are allergic to it. The plastic gloves are for them.
Soldering iron would cut those holes perfectly with no mess
Hey! Modding a live, but will be back soon.
need to keep light out of the water other than that seem like a good set up.
I "wish" you had results of this process already. Should have put a radish in one of those pots. lol
I don't know why but I can't seem to grow lettuce outside! 😕 Maybe I can give this a try. I just want good, home grown lettuce all summer! 😫
Do not use this method or you won't grow lettuce inside either. These plants are going to drown.
I am growing some in flower pots. It has done great!
@@gardeningcookingandlife2924 I have some outside in grow bags right now. Maybe a flower pot will fix the problem. Thanks for the suggestion!
Having them float on the top is not the Kratky method at all. It requires air roots etc and a humid air pocket for them. I have many and they are down to a few inches of water at the bottom of the tub. They start with the water right at the top and as they use it in a sealed environment they create the humid air pocket as the water/fertz drop.
Just the glimpse of the fertilizer pack did'nt seem organic, so just for me I don't think I'd go to the bother of purchasing all that. I wonder has anyone tried to make their own hydroponic organic solution & how did things turn out? Maybe I should have done a google search first.....
I don't know why but my hydroponic cilantro often goes yellow while tomatoes and strawberries are doing well
I know what kind of hydroponics you were growing at 23, Brian 😏. 😂😂😂
styrofoam seems like a poor choice just for chemical leeching reasons
these day what i am growing is lettuce, peppers, tomatoes, herbs. though thats just in the areo garden to start. the lettuce and herbs make it outdoors at this time of year.
the peppers and tomatoes go to the grow room in 3 to 5 gallon containers and grow for 9 months till i run out of space. then cut it out. plant something new in the containers under the frow lights.
Uh... you know that styrofoam leaches chemicals into the water, right? I suggest paying for food storage totes (the semi opaque white ones such as restaurants use in their coolers) and cut the pot holes in the lid. If you must use styrofoam, use it as a false wall and top lid for the initial seed sprouting humidity retention and then take it off.
This isn't kratky though