Log in

View Full Version : Hydopronic Bananas


matt18e
07-18-2009, 08:33 PM
About 3 months ago I grew a bunch of ensete ventricosums from seed. After having right around 56 germinate a few interesting characters from the hydpronic plant shop near my house talked me into trying to grow them hydroponically. After showing me how to make my own bubbler and me buying some nutrients that are high in potash I tried it on 3 of my EV's. So far the results have been really great and the plants have been growing fast. I wanted to post some pics and share with you guys. I also made a bubble bucket for a super dwarf cavendish that I have and I bought a drip bucket from the hydroponic shop here for a basjoo.

The plant on the left in the cup germinated a little over a week before the ones in the bubbler.
http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=19564&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=19564&ppuser=5051)

Same pic as before different angle
http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=19565&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=19565&ppuser=5051)

Roots have grown pretty vigorously in this system. Same plants from last 2 pics
http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=19559&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=19559&ppuser=5051)

Decided to expand a little and made a 6 system bubbler and threw 6 more young seedlings that had 2 leaves on them. One died after a week so I'm down to 5 on this one. The plant on the right is a super dwarf cavendish in a bubble bucket which is the same concept.
http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=19560&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=19560&ppuser=5051)

Inside the reservoie of the 6 plant system I built.
http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=19558&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=19558&ppuser=5051)

This is a basjoo I have in a drip system. Its growing about as fast as my potted basjoo but hopefully that will change when I up the nutrients.
http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=19562&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=19562&ppuser=5051)

Anyway just wanted to share what I've been doing with my little guys. I was surprised at how cheap and easy it is to make these little bubble systems. The drip system was a little costly but its working really well. At a minimun although I've never smoked a dooby in my life if congress ever legalizes pot hopefully I'll have the skills to the pay bills :). A special thanks to the pot heads at the hydroponic shop.

fergus banana
07-18-2009, 08:43 PM
Thats really kewl.
are u gonna keep them the whole time in the hydro system or will they get too big?
Nice job.

matt18e
07-18-2009, 09:11 PM
You know fergus I'm really not sure. The basjoo is in a decent sized container and I figured I'd probably keep him there for a little while as well as the SDC. The ventricosums I think I'm gonna leave til the end of summer and replant one or 2 of them to see how they react to being removed from such a high nutrient environment to a pot. I'll keep you posted.

Ohio'sBest
07-18-2009, 10:55 PM
Nice to see someone one doing Hydro. Thumbs up. Did you have a problem with algae in the clear tub..........LOL.

What nutes are you using Mat?

What are you keeping the PH at?


P.S. I thought Cannabis was semi-legal in Denver?

matt18e
07-19-2009, 11:01 AM
Nice to see someone one doing Hydro. Thumbs up. Did you have a problem with algae in the clear tub..........LOL.

What nutes are you using Mat?

What are you keeping the PH at?


P.S. I thought Cannabis was semi-legal in Denver?

When doing my research on how to do hydroponics I read about the possibility of algae in clear containers so I spray painted the one black. I decided to keep the second one clear just to see what would happen and so I could watch the roots. So far I havent had any problems with algae and its been well over a month. I do have to change the nutes in it around once a week cuz they're sucking up the water so fast.

I'm using Maxigro 10-5-14 for all of them now with the PH between 6.5 and 7.

adrift
07-19-2009, 08:41 PM
At a minimun although I've never smoked a dooby in my life if congress ever legalizes pot hopefully I'll have the skills to the pay bills :).

Always good to have a diverse skill set. You never know the economy or an SOB boss might cause you to do in order to keep food on the table.


A special thanks to the pot heads at the hydroponic shop.


LOL

The people at the hydro shops make me nervous. I'm always thinking like, "If the police raid this place am I going to have a good explanation for why I'm here for my wife, mom, and boss?"

Richard
07-19-2009, 09:58 PM
I'm using Maxigro 10-5-14 for all of them now with the PH between 6.5 and 7.

That's a great choice!

So far I havent had any problems with algae and its been well over a month.

If you do see problems, here are some choices:
1. one drop of Physan-20 per 5 gallons of water, or
2. one drop of Naccosan per 5 gallons of water, or
3. one teaspoon of hydrogen peroxide per 5 gallons of water, or
4. one tablespoon of all-natural Grow More Pond Clear per 5 gallons.

fergus banana
07-20-2009, 10:20 AM
[QUOTE=

I'm using Maxigro 10-5-14 for all of them now with the PH between 6.5 and 7.[/QUOTE]

Try a lower pH of around 5.8-6.0.

Ohio'sBest
07-20-2009, 11:30 AM
The best nutes I've found for Hydro is General Hydroponics 3 part. I know it is Old School, but it has been tried and proven for years IMHO. I don't know what your using as a PH meter, but the best tool is a Tri-meter.....PH, Temp, and TDS. Keep the water temp between 68-72 and the ph from 5.6 to 6.0. Once you add your acid(PH down) to 5.6 it will drift up. This is good because at different levels of PH the plant will absorb different levels of nutes. Top off with PHed water when low and change out nutes every two weeks since you have a static system. Just my.02

Richard
07-20-2009, 04:12 PM
The best nutes I've found for Hydro is General Hydroponics 3 part.

I don't believe there is a "best" fertilizer for hydroponics. Instead, there are optimum fertilizers for each of the different plant types you would grow hydroponically. For example, if you feed lettuce the formula for cut flowers, the lettuce will start blooming within two weeks.

Ohio'sBest
07-20-2009, 04:25 PM
I don't believe there is a "best" fertilizer for hydroponics. Instead, there are optimum fertilizers for each of the different plant types you would grow hydroponically. For example, if you feed lettuce the formula for cut flowers, the lettuce will start blooming within two weeks.


That's why it is broke down into 3 parts.

Richard
07-20-2009, 04:48 PM
That's why it is broke down into 3 parts.

It is very low concentration and thus very expensive. Also, there are many types of edible plants for which you could not form a satisfactory combination of the three. Looks great though for some plants.

Ohio'sBest
07-20-2009, 04:53 PM
Soil nutrients and Hydro nutrients are different like night and day. Just like the PH ranges. I have been doing hydroponic gardening since 1983.

Richard
07-20-2009, 04:54 PM
I have doing hydroponic gardening since 1983.

Great!!

I consult for large hydroponic concerns here in southern California.

Ohio'sBest
07-20-2009, 05:03 PM
What Matt is doing is different than a Commercial Hydroponic setup.

fergus banana
07-20-2009, 06:23 PM
i think ohiosbest is merely trying to say what has worked for him - this is how hydroponic growers learn from others.

General Hydroponics makes good stuff, also try House and Gardens hydroponic nutrients.

I just got some melons growing in a hydro bucking. i sprouted them in rockwool and am using House and Garden Aquaflakes. They look good so far.

Peace.

fergus banana
07-20-2009, 06:23 PM
i meant hydro bucket, not bucking.

Richard
07-20-2009, 07:27 PM
Suppose you are going to grow green leaf veggies hydroponically. For $10 you can get a 2-lb bottle of General Hydroponics 5-0-1, or you can get a 5-lb bag of water-soluble concentrate designed for hydroponic green veggies, made from natural minerals and kelp. Not only do you get more quantity, but the water-soluble is more concentrated and hence you use less of it each application. In total, the water-soluble lasts 10 times as long, or conversely the General Hydroponics costs 10 times as much.

Lagniappe
07-20-2009, 07:47 PM
When doing my research on how to do hydroponics I read about the possibility of algae in clear containers so I spray painted the one black. I decided to keep the second one clear just to see what would happen and so I could watch the roots. So far I havent had any problems with algae and its been well over a month. I do have to change the nutes in it around once a week cuz they're sucking up the water so fast.

I'm using Maxigro 10-5-14 for all of them now with the PH between 6.5 and 7.
Looks great!
I understood that roots were photophobic and this is why we don't see roots all over the ground.
You may find root production to be higher in a light-tight system.

Ohio'sBest
07-20-2009, 08:55 PM
They have the Maxi Series in a dry concentrated formula if that works for you.

matt18e
07-20-2009, 09:00 PM
I appreciate the feedback I'm getting from all of you and will definately try these techniques.

I was starting strictly with the nutes that came with my system, flora bloom, flora micro and flora gro and wasnt getting the results I guess I expected. They have all reacted really well with maxigro so far. I read an article by Martin Waterman in the growing edge magazine and it was his opinion that 9-3-19 is ideal for hydro bananas and ph right around 6.5 hence I started using maxigro since it was closest to that ratio and my basjoo is looking alot healthier now and the ventricosums our growing almost 2X faster than the potted ones. I've only been doing this since April and the big thing I have learned so far is that it is alot of trial and error and I definately want to try different techniques.

Ohio'sBest
07-20-2009, 09:03 PM
That's good to hear Matt. Why fix it if it's not broken.

I am wondering since you said it is growing much faster. That if a person grew a banana plant its entire life in Hydro..........Would it speed up the fruiting process if no stress was given to the plant?

Richard
07-20-2009, 09:33 PM
They have the Maxi Series in a dry concentrated formula if that works for you.

No, they charge too much for it. I'd recommend going to a local Ag supply warehouse like American Horticultural Supply or Crop Production Services (no internet sales) -- or directly to a manufacturer and buy something in plain packaging that works better for a fraction of the cost.

fergus banana
07-20-2009, 09:54 PM
I appreciate the feedback I'm getting from all of you and will definately try these techniques.

I was starting strictly with the nutes that came with my system, flora bloom, flora micro and flora gro and wasnt getting the results I guess I expected. They have all reacted really well with maxigro so far. I read an article by Martin Waterman in the growing edge magazine and it was his opinion that 9-3-19 is ideal for hydro bananas and ph right around 6.5 hence I started using maxigro since it was closest to that ratio and my basjoo is looking alot healthier now and the ventricosums our growing almost 2X faster than the potted ones. I've only been doing this since April and the big thing I have learned so far is that it is alot of trial and error and I definately want to try different techniques.

thats interesting to hear. i have my bananas growing in a rockwool, hydroton and coco coir medium. i was using GH micro, flora bloom and gro as well. i was pHing the nutrients to 5.6. I will try ur suggestions.

Thanks.

fergus banana
07-20-2009, 09:57 PM
That's good to hear Matt. Why fix it if it's not broken.

I am wondering since you said it is growing much faster. That if a person grew a banana plant its entire life in Hydro..........Would it speed up the fruiting process if no stress was given to the plant?

i was wondering that about the fruiting process as well cause all my bananas are indoors in hydro growing media under 600WHPS. i feed them hydroponic nutrients that i pH and ppm.

matt18e
07-21-2009, 09:05 AM
Oh yeah I did forget to mention one crucial thing. The same time I started using the maxigro I have also been adding Hormex to my solution. I dont know if any of you have heard of it but it contains an active ingredient of .24% of Napthaleneacetic Acid and .013% Indolebutyric Acid, inactive ingredient consists of 99% Vitamin B-1. After a little research I saw that it supposedly contains the proper vitamins and hormones for healthy root growth. I've been using it on all of my hydros when I got it so I dont really have any comparisons to how well its working. Was wondering what your guys thoughts are about it.

Ohio'sBest
07-21-2009, 09:55 AM
I use it in my cloner as a root stimulator:2180:

Richard
07-21-2009, 10:27 AM
The compounds in Hormex are great for ornamental plants, but outlawed in most states for use on edibles. Seaweed extract (contains gibberellic acid) is an excellent choice in this case. For more information on plant hormones, see: Plant hormone - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plant_hormone)

fergus banana
07-21-2009, 10:34 AM
I have never heard of Hormex. Sounds like it has good stuff in it.

I did add this beneficial fungal and bacterial inoculate to all my plants. Its supposed to help the plants take up water and nutrients more efficiently.

Recently, I have backed off on the nutes because i think i started to see some slight nutrient burn. i was giving nutes every other day and have been flushing with plain water for about a week to see how the plants react.

Ohio'sBest
07-21-2009, 10:40 AM
I just called Brooker Chemical Corp.(producer of Hormex) and she said their products meets all EPA guidlines, is not illegal in any state, and is safe to use.


Hormex.net: News (http://www.hormex.net/news.php)

Richard
07-21-2009, 10:42 AM
Of course you can spend $6 on a pint of Hormex or $6 on a quart of Seaweed extract. They both contain B vitamins. The B-1 compound advertised in the Hormex brand (and many other products) has been shown many times to be worthless to plants. It is the other constituents that are beneficial.

fergus banana
07-21-2009, 10:43 AM
thats kewl.
keep us posted on the progress.

fergus banana
07-21-2009, 10:45 AM
what is the benefit of seaweed extract? i have never used that stuff before. if it is cheap and good for the plants then i may give it a go.

Richard
07-21-2009, 10:45 AM
I just called Brooker Chemical Corp.(producer of Hormex) and she said their products meets all EPA guidlines, is not illegal in any state, and is safe to use.


Hormex.net: News (http://www.hormex.net/news.php)

You over-generalized. I said "outlawed in most states for use on edibles". There is a sticker added to the label that says: Do not use this product on plants intended for food or feed purposes.

Ohio'sBest
07-21-2009, 10:45 AM
Of course you can spend $6 on a pint of Hormex or $6 on a quart of Seaweed extract. They both contain B vitamins. The B-1 compound advertised in the Hormex brand (and many other products) has been shown many times to be worthless to plants. It is the other constituents that are beneficial.


So your saying that B-1 is useless for transplant shock?

Lagniappe
07-21-2009, 10:50 AM
You over-generalized. I said "outlawed in most states for use on edibles". There is a sticker added to the label that says: Do not use this product on plants intended for food or feed purposes.

I've been meaning to ask about this. Dip-n-grow has the same warning. Does this mean that I can't use it on pomegranates, Feijoa, persimmons......?
What would one use in it's stead for rooting cuttings?

Richard
07-21-2009, 10:53 AM
what is the benefit of seaweed extract? i have never used that stuff before. if it is cheap and good for the plants then i may give it a go.

There is the cheap stuff (to be avoided) that is sea-shore kelp run through an olive press or similar. These folks are laughing all the way to the bank because it often contains unwanted salts and the nutrients have not been "balanced" for plants.

In contrast, you can find reputable manufacturers that use an extraction process that also utilizes some ionic chemistry to reduce some of the mineral content -- so that long-term application will not adversely effect the growing environment.

Norwegian Kelp is the typical source: Ascophyllum nodosum - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ascophyllum_nodosum)

Richard
07-21-2009, 10:56 AM
So your saying that B-1 is useless for transplant shock?

Products labeled with B-1 contain other B vitamins and hormones (usually gibberellic acid) that typically eliminate transplant shock. The B-1 itself has been shown countless times to have no benefit -- it is a common demonstration in entry-level horticulture classes.

Richard
07-21-2009, 10:58 AM
I've been meaning to ask about this. Dip-n-grow has the same warning. Does this mean that I can't use it on pomegranates, Feijoa, persimmons......?
What would one use in it's stead for rooting cuttings?

Gibberellic acid. Instructions are on most manufacturers' labels of seaweed extract.

Ohio'sBest
07-21-2009, 11:02 AM
I've been meaning to ask about this. Dip-n-grow has the same warning. Does this mean that I can't use it on pomegranates, Feijoa, persimmons......?
What would one use in it's stead for rooting cuttings?


You can clone a plant using a technique called air layering.

Ohio'sBest
07-21-2009, 11:08 AM
I've been meaning to ask about this. Dip-n-grow has the same warning. Does this mean that I can't use it on pomegranates, Feijoa, persimmons......?
What would one use in it's stead for rooting cuttings?

You can also use a bubbler cloner(easily made) and use no chemicals at all.

Richard
07-21-2009, 11:25 AM
You can clone a plant using a technique called air layering.

Yes, in fact some plants do not root well but are an excellent choice for air-layering. The opposite is also true. Sadly, there are perennial plants for which neither works.

Lagniappe
07-21-2009, 11:42 AM
Thanks.
I've cloned many plants with my cloner,I've even thrown in bits of cabbage,basil, and other things from the market and had them to grow well, but I have mist beds that I've built for woody stuff and I'm getting ready to fill them with cuttings.

Air layering is not an option, I'm getting cuttings from other people's trees and hundreds from my own.

Richard
07-21-2009, 11:52 AM
Thanks.
I've cloned many plants with my cloner,I've even thrown in bits of cabbage,basil, and other things from the market and had them to grow well, but I have mist beds that I've built for woody stuff and I'm getting ready to fill them with cuttings.

Air layering is not an option, I'm getting cuttings from other people's trees and hundreds from my own.

:woohoonaner:

Please post some pics when the cuttings take off!

Richard
07-31-2009, 09:48 AM
As Chris was pointing out earlier, nutrient availability in a soilless media is optimal around pH = 5.8, while in soil media it is near pH = 6.2. An important point here is that if you are using hydroponic methods and start adding macroscopic soil minerals to your media for beneficial bacteria etc., then: you need to raise your pH from the high 5's to the low 6's, back off of the higher Calcium and Magnesium formulas, and introduce urea nitrates in proportion to the soil minerals you added.

http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=20193&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=20193)

jenny1956
07-31-2009, 11:24 AM
You can clone a plant using a technique called air layering.
Hello Ohio's best, You were talking about air layering. What is it?
It was my birthday the other day and my workmates gave me bunch of roses and cards. The next couple of days i noticed new growth coming from different parts of the rose cuttings. Being an avid gardner i looked on the internet how to plant them. Eventually i came across something but i might not have done it to the book.

I cut the bottoms of the stalks off slanted. With a knife i marked along the side at the bottom of the stalked. Cut the heads of the stalks off. And dug a hole and planted them. Here are the pictures there not the best. http://pictures of roses 001http://pictures of roses 002 http://pictures of roses 003

Richard
07-31-2009, 11:35 AM
Hello Ohio's best, You were talking about air layering. What is it?

Since this thread is about hydroponics, how about discussing air layering over here: Air Layering - Bananas.org (http://www.bananas.org/showthread.php?p=87549#post87549)

damaclese
07-31-2009, 12:59 PM
i have been using sea weed extract for about 2 years now i find that many times in the sumer heat that plants can become kinda exhausted and almost stop growing even decline so i started using the sea weed and they perk right up and start growing again i think it helps with heat stress i also use it on hard to germinate seeds for example i used it on coffee seed they normally take 90 days to grow with the Sea weed they sprouted in 30 iv not seen any improvement to Banana seed germination i think they have a mechanical process but who knows on that I'm sure some one dose but iv given up on Banana seeds except for the ones Scot give me already planted! if i ever get those Ingens to germinate all do a dance naked in my garden LOL fat chance of that happening!

Ohio'sBest
07-31-2009, 01:48 PM
LOL damaclese, might need a permit before you do some of that Exotic Dancing.


Actually Richard, as long as a soiless mix is used in the air layering wrap, it is considered Hydroponics.

Richard
07-31-2009, 02:43 PM
Actually Richard, as long as a soiless mix is used in the air layering wrap, it is considered Hydroponics.

Hmm ... It seems you and I have been exposed to very different definitions of Hydroponics. We should take a survey here in this thread and find out how many different, yet plausible definitions we can come up with!

Patty in Wisc
07-31-2009, 03:48 PM
........ If I need info on hydroponics, I'll ask Chris, Pete & Matt.
Pauly, if anyone can get those seeds to germinate, it would be you!:) (ooooh m'gosh, you were off topic!!)

Jenny, I do a lot of air layering on some woody plants & can help you with that. It's really easy. Joe Real, a member here (& friend), taught me how. I too got some cut flowers that started rooting & budding out! Except not w/ roses. It was a branch of a leafy squiggely cool looking 'filler' that I rooted in separate glass of water & it is now potted up & growing. I don't think you can root a cut rose though.

OrganicBananac
07-31-2009, 04:34 PM
in the sumer heat that plants can become kinda exhausted and almost stop growing even decline so i started using the sea weed and they perk right up and start growing again i think it helps with heat stress i also use it on hard to germinate seeds

Yes you are correct, seaweed is often recommended as a summertime de-stressing agent for plants and lawns going thru the rough summer months and drought. It does seem to help in the shedding of hard seed shells allowing very strong sprouting, from my experience. Glad things are working well! Keep it up.

Ohio'sBest
07-31-2009, 06:00 PM
Hmm ... It seems you and I have been exposed to very different definitions of Hydroponics. We should take a survey here in this thread and find out how many different, yet plausible definitions we can come up with!

I think if you need to know the definition of hydroponics, a dictionary would be helpful. I for one, already know.

sunfish
07-31-2009, 06:12 PM
Here is what I found.

Hydroponics is a technology for growing plants in nutrient solutions (water containing fertilizers)

Patty in Wisc
07-31-2009, 06:34 PM
and....soil-less. So, in air layering we use peat wetted down w/ water. Air layering was mentioned here at least a few times so I don't think Jenny was out of line to ask about it here. She's a new member & I think it was rude to direct her to another thread that was started after she posted her question.

Ohio'sBest
07-31-2009, 06:59 PM
Merriam-Webster


the growing of plants in nutrient solutions with or without an inert medium (as soil) to provide mechanical support


hydroponic - Definition from the Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary (http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hydroponic)

Lagniappe
07-31-2009, 07:35 PM
Air-layering is an act of rooting, not growing. I see where an inert material like moss or perlite, attached to a limb would be like hydroponics, but it's not the same because the doner plant is being supported by soil or soiless medium. When the rooted section is severed from the doner and grown in an inert medium it could then match up with the definition of hydroponics. Just my opinion.

chong
07-31-2009, 08:25 PM
It appears to me that everyone is arguing over apples and oranges. As a few have already posted, they have found various definition of hydroponics. And each one says it is a method of GROWING plants in mineral nutrient solutions, without soil. Growing is the "apple". Air-layering is a method of plant PROPAGATION. So, Propagation is the "orange".

The origin of air-layering was the observation that some types fallen trees after a storm, whose branches have touched or been embedded in the ground, continue to grow their own roots, and were able to be separated from the main, to live out on their own. Initially, this phenomenon was duplicated by partially breaking part of a branch, and wrapping the injured part in moist common soil wrapped in impervious material, e.g., old tin can, heavy canvas, etc., and enough openings for aeration and periodic watering. Nowadays, common soil is still used in Marcotting. I have a friend in the Philippines who is a full time farmer, and he has a video on how to propagate black pepper by air layering, that shows him putting "dirt" in a ziplock bag and wrapping the soil around node on the black pepper vine, before closing it off with the ziplock bag and rubber band. I believe in the US, practitioners of this method are mixed/divided between soil and soilless potting media.

Soilless potting media, I distinguish from just media. I use a soilless potting media for plants that I intend to send out of state - Fisons Sunshine Mix No. 1. It consists of coarse peat, perlite, vermiculite, and pumice. Using this for hydroponics would be counterproductive. The peat holds so much moisture that it would take several days for it to dry out. Watering it every 15 minutes alternatively would keep the medium wet constantly.

Hydroponics, as the name implies (hydros=water, ponos=labor), is a method using water with nutrients. When defined as "without soil", it does not preclude sand nor pebbles/pea gravel, which according to the USDA is, in fact, soil. So this growing method is mostly about the growing of plants in water containing the nutrients. The medium is only for support of the plant itself.

On propagating plants from cuttings in water, I'm sure there are many of you that have done this before. Especially, if you've ever ordered Plumeria cuttings. Besides Plumeria (Frangipani), I've done this with Cestrum Nucturnum, Carrissa Grandiflora, Wild Strawberries, some citrus, black pepper, Datura, Brugmansia, even orchid. And yes, with roses, also. With roses though, the plant will develop as the original, however, it would not be very cold hardy because the roots will freeze. So you will have to bring it in during the cold season. That's why nurseries graft them onto hardy rootstock. I suppose that, this can be considered "hydroponics" since the medium is in fact, water. With periodic changing of the water in rooted Cestrum N., I've had them grow in the water for over a year. But they got to be so spindly, though.

Richard
07-31-2009, 08:32 PM
I think if you need to know the definition of hydroponics, a dictionary would be helpful. I for one, already know.

Jeez dude! Nobody is saying you don't know! It's a question of your working definition verses eighteen-hundred and forty seven other working definitions that people have adopted for themselves. I thought it would be fun to find out what passes for "hydro" in our neighborhoods.

For example, some hydroponics shops have been pushing themselves into the drip irrigation market by calling growth of plants via nutrient solutions in any media "hydroponics". I am getting a lot of these folks as fertilizer customers and I have to be careful to find out what media they are using.

Ohio'sBest
07-31-2009, 09:13 PM
Soilless potting media, I distinguish from just media. I use a soilless potting media for plants that I intend to send out of state - Fisons Sunshine Mix No. 1. It consists of coarse peat, perlite, vermiculite, and pumice. Using this for hydroponics would be counterproductive. The peat holds so much moisture that it would take several days for it to dry out. Watering it every 15 minutes alternatively would keep the medium wet constantly.

I use a mixture in a wick type hydroponic system that is simular to yours. 2 parts Peat Moss, 1 part Vermiculite, and 1 part Perlite. For every 5 gallons of mix add 1 cup of hydrated lime. This also works good as a stand alone mix.

Ohio'sBest
07-31-2009, 09:20 PM
Okay, then riddle me this. You have a corm planted in the ground, and in soil in dirt. But one of its pups has its roots in a cup of PHed, air pumped in water with nutrients. Is this pup an apple or an orange?

Is a banana pup a plant of its own, or are all the pups and main plant considered one plant?

Lagniappe
07-31-2009, 11:23 PM
Okay, then riddle me this. You have a corm planted in the ground, and in soil in dirt. But one of its pups has its roots in a cup of PHed, air pumped in water with nutrients. Is this pup an apple or an orange?

Is a banana pup a plant of its own, or are all the pups and main plant considered one plant?

That would be a hybrid system. An orpple, perhaps?

Patty in Wisc
07-31-2009, 11:35 PM
orpples and appanges:)

jenny1956
08-01-2009, 10:24 AM
Hi Patty,
I am sorry to have hi jacked the thread , I am new to forums & had no idea that it is wrong.
I have started a new thread titled rose cuttings.

Patty in Wisc
08-01-2009, 10:52 AM
Jenny, you did not hijack this thread. This thread got wrecked by someone else w/ no fault on your part. All you did was mention 'air layering' which was already mentioned a few times before you. I will go look at your 'rose cuttings' thread now & I hope someone helps you out:)

oldguardmom
08-08-2009, 04:51 PM
Wow Matt the plants look great, I am very proud of you.
Love MOM

jenny1956
08-14-2009, 10:09 AM
Jenny, you did not hijack this thread. This thread got wrecked by someone else w/ no fault on your part. All you did was mention 'air layering' which was already mentioned a few times before you. I will go look at your 'rose cuttings' thread now & I hope someone helps you out:)

I've changed it to rose cuttings if you want to have a look.