I bought your mastery course after running into your system and built a 2 rail 4 inch square system back in February. Been very pleased with the results! About to add a two rail 5 inch to start experimenting with strawberries and tomatoes. Anyways, a trick I found to guarantee lettuce germination for me is to plant 2 seeds in each plug and then for the first 3-4 days, I lightly mist the top of the plug once a day if it isn't moist to the touch with water + Neptune's Harvest Fish & Seaweed Blend Fertilizer 2-3-1. If both grow, I snip one. I think I had one plug completely fail to grow in May. Otherwise no issues!
Another way to control water level if you have a strong pump would be to install a ball valve in the supply line from the pump. This lets you fine tune the water input by partially closing the valve. I like your idea of using the plug as a temporary cap until the seed germinates to prevent algae growth.
What about keeping your water level low, and use a wicking material hanging out of your net cup to wick the water up to your peat pellets? Is that an option?
Thank you. Question: what do you use for seed plugs? I don't want to use peat due to eco damage from peat harvesting. I have not had good luck with netted coco coir plugs or using cotton balls with ceramic balls.
Good stuff. What variety of lettuce is in those rails? I've tried a few varieties that get tall and leafy, I'd like to find one that makes more dense compact heads like you have. Thank you!
used your guides to build a home system! I have seedlings that are growing and roots are popping out the bottom of the rockwool. But i noticed the root tips are turning brown. using master blend with the proper ratios and aeration. any tips on what could be causing this and if its a bad sign for the plant? much thanks!
I stumbled across your site and have watched the different videos and I’m impressed. I love gardening but don’t have the room so this system would work perfectly. I’m on a serious budget so I’m buying the materials sparingly. For now I’m going to run a 4 rail system with full length rails “100 inches long”. I’ve purchased the 4 rails and was going to drill the holes while I wait until payday to purchase the connection kit and reservoir. But I’m not able to find the dimensions for the holes and crossovers. I looked in the guide on your website but it’s basically the materials list. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks 🙏
I've been binge-watching and loving your videos. One detail I have not been able to locate on your channel is the size of the structure. I would like to do a four-rail system. And I know I can build it probably with lumber I have stockpiled. However, is there anywhere that you show dimensions for the structure? With my luck, I'd build it and it would be to shallow. Lenght doesn't concern me. Also space between your shelved? Any help would be appreciated. Thanks.
A good rule of thumb is 8 inches of width per rail. So this particular 3-rail system has a structure that is 24 inches wide. My 2-rail systems are on 18-inch-wide wire shelves and they have plenty of space. Vertical distance depends on the plant you're growing and the light. 15 inches between the top of the rails and bottom of the light usually works well for lettuce. That would be about 20 inches between shelves including the height of the rails and light itself.
I have a similar setup and I have been using an EC between 1.4-1.6 with a pH around 5.5-5.8 for my leafy greens. Strawberries I go EC 1.8-2.0 pH 5.8-6.0
I bought your mastery course after running into your system and built a 2 rail 4 inch square system back in February. Been very pleased with the results! About to add a two rail 5 inch to start experimenting with strawberries and tomatoes. Anyways, a trick I found to guarantee lettuce germination for me is to plant 2 seeds in each plug and then for the first 3-4 days, I lightly mist the top of the plug once a day if it isn't moist to the touch with water + Neptune's Harvest Fish & Seaweed Blend Fertilizer 2-3-1. If both grow, I snip one. I think I had one plug completely fail to grow in May. Otherwise no issues!
Another way to control water level if you have a strong pump would be to install a ball valve in the supply line from the pump. This lets you fine tune the water input by partially closing the valve. I like your idea of using the plug as a temporary cap until the seed germinates to prevent algae growth.
what about using a wick to use capillary action to get water up to the seedling? would that be a nice balance of moisture?
These work great if you have something like LECA in the net pots
Have you ever tried to use a wick cord instead of trying to adjust the water level? I am wondering if that would be a good idea.
What about keeping your water level low, and use a wicking material hanging out of your net cup to wick the water up to your peat pellets? Is that an option?
Excellent, as always.
Missed you. Your content is very good. I'm trying to grow inside and you help a lot.` See ya soon'.
Thank you. Question: what do you use for seed plugs? I don't want to use peat due to eco damage from peat harvesting. I have not had good luck with netted coco coir plugs or using cotton balls with ceramic balls.
Just found your videos and love them. I have a quick question. Are the grow plugs use once and throw away?
Great, thanks! Yes, they are one-time use.
Good stuff.
What variety of lettuce is in those rails? I've tried a few varieties that get tall and leafy, I'd like to find one that makes more dense compact heads like you have. Thank you!
The two varieties in this video are Muir (leaf lettuce) and Bauer (oakleaf). I highly recommend both. I ordered from Johnny's Seeds.
used your guides to build a home system! I have seedlings that are growing and roots are popping out the bottom of the rockwool. But i noticed the root tips are turning brown. using master blend with the proper ratios and aeration. any tips on what could be causing this and if its a bad sign for the plant? much thanks!
I stumbled across your site and have watched the different videos and I’m impressed. I love gardening but don’t have the room so this system would work perfectly. I’m on a serious budget so I’m buying the materials sparingly. For now I’m going to run a 4 rail system with full length rails “100 inches long”. I’ve purchased the 4 rails and was going to drill the holes while I wait until payday to purchase the connection kit and reservoir. But I’m not able to find the dimensions for the holes and crossovers. I looked in the guide on your website but it’s basically the materials list. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks 🙏
This is the page to sign up for the guide, it has all the hole and crossover dimensions: www.simplegreenshydroponics.com/build-guide
Great video
hi; How did you choose the color, watt power and distance of the leds? I'm way behind on this. I will be very grateful if you help
I've been binge-watching and loving your videos. One detail I have not been able to locate on your channel is the size of the structure. I would like to do a four-rail system. And I know I can build it probably with lumber I have stockpiled. However, is there anywhere that you show dimensions for the structure? With my luck, I'd build it and it would be to shallow. Lenght doesn't concern me. Also space between your shelved? Any help would be appreciated. Thanks.
A good rule of thumb is 8 inches of width per rail. So this particular 3-rail system has a structure that is 24 inches wide. My 2-rail systems are on 18-inch-wide wire shelves and they have plenty of space.
Vertical distance depends on the plant you're growing and the light. 15 inches between the top of the rails and bottom of the light usually works well for lettuce. That would be about 20 inches between shelves including the height of the rails and light itself.
Does the big lettuce in the back with distant holes have bigger holes or are the the same size as the close holes in the front?
The hole sizes are all the same (1.5")
If you start your seeds together with the more mature plants then what TDS/EC or pH values are we looking at here? thanks
I have a similar setup and I have been using an EC between 1.4-1.6 with a pH around 5.5-5.8 for my leafy greens. Strawberries I go EC 1.8-2.0 pH 5.8-6.0
Does your pump run continously? Or should it run on a timer?
Continuous
Thank You 🙏 Magical Miracles Beautiful Divine Beings and Friends 🌻⚛️
Hello. I am a Masterclass member. I sent an email a week ago and no one has answered me.
Hey Oliver, I replied last week but my email may have gone to spam. I will resend right now.
If budget allows, an aquarium style UV Sterilizer plumbed out of the water pump will eradicate algae and any aquatic pests that find their way in
I put a small pebble inside and empty netcup and set the other netcup inside to raise it