View Full Version : Hydroponics for begginers
Dalmatiansoap
08-04-2009, 05:00 AM
As I dont know allmost nothing about hydroponics can somebody expllain basic procedure and equipment needed for start.
:woohoonaner:
Ohio'sBest
08-04-2009, 06:52 AM
Basic Concepts of Hydroponics...
There are 6 basic types of hydroponic systems; Wick, Water Culture, Ebb and Flow (Flood & Drain), Drip (recovery or non-recovery), N.F.T. (Nutrient Film Technique) and Aeroponic.
There are hundreds of variations on these basic types of systems, but all hydroponic methods are a variation (or combination) of these six.
Ebb and flow- Simple, reliable and the most common way to grow plants hydroponically. A nutrient reservoir periodically fills the grow tray to hydrate the soilless grow substrate, providing nourishment to the plants.
Aeroponics- Plant roots are suspended in air within a grow tray while roots are misted by a high-pressure pump providing a super oxygenated environment to the root system, thus achieving accelerated growth rates. Plants also excel by being propagated this way. This is a great feed method for rapid growth rates and for the inspection of bare plant roots.
Top Feed Drip- Emits nutrient solution through drip lines during periodic intervals. The grow substrate generally will hold more air space than an ebb and flow system and is also more desirable because of its smaller reservoir.
Nutrient Film Technique (N.F.T.)- An oxygen rich nutrient solution runs along the bottom of a grow channel forming a thin nutrient film solution allowing long roots to feed and upper roots to breathe oxygen. This method is popular with lettuce gardens.
Deep Flow- Roots are growing in a constant deep flow of super oxygenated nutrient solution. This is a great system for cooler environments and for growing lettuce and gardens on a floating raft board.
Passive Container Garden- This method is ideal for gardeners to grow lush healthy plants without having to water very frequently. A soilless grow substrate is used to allow the substrate to sit in the nutrient solution without getting water logged like conventional potting soil.
The system the gardener chooses to grow with will ultimately depend on their particular gardening needs and requirements.
Here are some helpful links
Simply Hydroponics - Replace bulb (http://www.simplyhydro.com/system.htm)
Home Hydroponics - Virginia Cooperative Extension (http://www.pubs.ext.vt.edu/426/426-084/426-084.html)
Hydroponics - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hydroponic)
Bananaman88
08-04-2009, 07:00 AM
Nice! Glad to see a new section for this. I've been doing a lot of reasearch about it the past couple of weeks. CropKing.com | Helping to Establish and Grow Your Hydroponic Greenhouse Produce Business for Over 25 Years. (http://www.CropKing.com) is a great source of info.
Ohio'sBest
08-04-2009, 07:07 AM
Assembled here is a list of the most commonly used terms in the industry, and their definitions.
- A -
ACID an acidic solution has a pH below 7
AERATION directly supplying roots and grow medium with air or oxygen
ALGAE any of various chiefly aquatic, eukaryotic, photosynthetic organisms, ranging in size from single-celled forms to the giant kelp
ALKALINE a term describing a grow medium or nutrient solution with a high pH (over 7)
AMPERE (AMP) this is the unit used to measure strength of an electric current
- B -
BACTERIA any of the unicellular prokaryotic microorganisms of the class Schizomycetes, which vary in terms of morphology, oxygen and nutritional requirements, and motility, and may be free-living, saprophytic, or pathogenic in plants or animals
BALLAST a device used to regulate flow of electricity to match the needs of a specific bulb
BLOOM (1) the flower of a plant (2) the action of a plants flower reaching maturity
BLOSSOM BOOSTER a fertilizer with a high phosphorous rating which increases flower yield
BOLT a plant which has gone to seed prematurely
BUD a small protuberance on a stem or branch, sometimes enclosed in protective scales and containing an undeveloped shoot, leaf, or flower
BURN leaf tips which turn noticeably dark from excess fertilizers or salts
- C -
CANOPY the uppermost reaches of your crop; those leaves most readily available to the light source
CARBON DIOXIDE (CO2) a colourless, odourless, tasteless gas in the air necessary for plant life. It occurs naturally in the atmosphere at .03%
CELL DIVISION The process by which a cell divides to form two daughter cells. Upon completion of the process, each daughter cell contains the same genetic material as the original cell and roughly half of its cytoplasm
CHITIN a tough, protective, semitransparent substance, primarily a nitrogen-containing polysaccharide, forming the principal component of arthropod exoskeletons and the cell walls of certain fungi
CHLOROSIS a sick plant displaying yellowing leaves due to a sub standard chlorophyll process; commonly caused by nutrient deficiency or imbalanced pH
CLONE a plant which has been produced through asexual reproduction (i.e. cuttings, layerings, and tissue culture)
CONDITIONING the method used to bring an inert growing medium to optimum pH levels, such as soaking new rockwool in an acidic solution to lower the pH from 8.0 to 5.5
COTYLEDON a leaf of the embryo of a seed plant, which upon germination either remains in the seed or emerges, enlarges, and becomes green. Also called seed leaf
CULTIVATION the act of processing the fruit of a mature plant
CYTOKININ any of a class of plant hormones that promote cell division and growth and delay the senescence of leaves
CYTOPLASM- The protoplasm outside the nucleus of a cell.
- D -
DAMPING OFF FUNGUS disease which attacks young seedlings and cuttings causing them to rot at the base. This is generally caused by over watering.
DISSOLVED SOLIDS the amount of dissolved solids, usually fertilizer salts, that are measured in parts per million
DRIP SYSTEM an efficient water delivery system which employs a plumbed main hose filtering nutrient through various drip emitters, one drop at a time.
- E -
ELECTRICAL CONDUCTIVITY the ability of a solution to carry electrical energy as a result of the elements and compounds in the solution
- F -
FERTILIZER see nutrient
FLOOD TABLE a large flat, walled basin used to hold and support grow medium and plants. Nutrient is then flooded into the basin at regular intervals
FOLIAR FEEDING using a mister or spray bottle to deliver fertilizer solution directly to the foliage
FULVIC ACIDS - the fraction of humic substances that is soluble in water under all pH conditions. They remains in solution after removal of humic acid by acidification. Fulvic acids are light yellow to yellow-brown in color.
FUNGICIDE a product which destroys or inhibits fungus
FUNGUS GNATS minute, blackish, gregarious flies destructive to mushrooms and seedlings
- G -
GERMINATION the process of causing the initiation of a plant from seed
GRAFTING uniting (a shoot or bud) with a growing plant by insertion or by placing in close contact
GROW MEDIA / MEDIUM the material used to support a plants root system and store nutrient solution in a hydroponic garden
GUANO a substance composed chiefly of the dung of sea birds or bats, accumulated along certain coastal areas or in caves and used as fertilizer
- H -
HALOGEN any of the elements chlorine, bromine, iodine and astatine existing in a free state. Halogens are in the arc tube of a halide lamp
HARDEN OFF to gradually acclimatize a plant to a harsher environment. A seedling must be hardened off before planting outdoors
HID High Intensity Discharge. This generally applies to the light bulbs used in hydroponic gardens
HOOD the reflective cover of an HID lamp
HOR abbreviation for Horizontal. This is commonly stamped on some HID bulbs to provide instructions as to how they should be mounted
HORMONE chemical substance that controls the growth and development of a plant
HUMIC ACIDS - the fraction of humic substances that is not soluble in water under acidic conditions (pH < 2) but is soluble at higher pH values
HUMIDITY wetness in the atmosphere
HUMIN - the fraction of humic substances that is not soluble in water at any pH value and in alkali. Humins are black in color.
HUMUS a brown or black organic substance consisting of partially or wholly decayed vegetable or animal matter that provides nutrients for plants and increases the ability of soil to retain water
HYBRID an offspring created by combining two plants of different breeds, variety or genetic make-up
HYDRATED LIME instantly soluble lime, used to raise or lower pH
HYDROPONICS cultivation of plants in nutrient solution rather than in soil
HYGROMETER instrument used to measure the relative humidity in the atmosphere
- I -
INTENSITY the magnitude of light energy per unit. Intensity diminishes as light travels away from the source
- K -
KILOWATT-HOUR the measure of electricity used per hour. Ex: a 1000 watt HID uses one kilowatt per hour
- L -
LEAF CURL leaf malformation indicative of over watering, over-fertilizing, lack of magnesium, insect damage, fungus damage or negative tropism
LIGHT CYCLE see PHOTOPERIOD
LIGHT METER a device used to calculate and measure the effective light in a tested area
LIGHT MOVER an apparatus designed to simulate a natural horizon by slowly changing the position of a lamp and its influence
LUMEN measurement of light output. One lumen is equal to the amount of light emitted by one candle that falls on one square foot of surface located one foot away from the candle
- M -
MACRO-NUTRIENT one or all of the primary nutrients N-P-K or the secondary nutrients magnesium and calcium
MAXIMUM YIELD MAGAZINE the number one source for the latest information pertaining to the hydroponics industry
MICRO-NUTRIENT also referred to as trace elements, which includes the minerals S, Fe, Mn B, Mb, An and Cu
MICROBIAL a minute life form; a microorganism, especially a bacterium that causes disease
MODULAR HYDROPONICS the method of growing plants hydroponically in which each individual plant has its own contained grow medium and structure
MONOCHROMATIC producing only one colour
- N -
NEMATODE unsegmented worms with elongated rounded bodies pointed at both ends; mostly free-living but some are parasitic
NFT Nutrient Film Technique. Nutrient is fed into grow tubes where the roots draw it up. A thin film of nutrient allows the roots to have constant contact with the nutrient and the air layer above at the same time
NITROGEN (N) a nonmetallic element that constitutes nearly four-fifths of the air by volume, occurring as a colorless, odorless, almost inert diatomic gas, N2, in various minerals and in all proteins and used in a wide variety of important manufactures, including ammonia, nitric acid, TNT, and fertilizers. Atomic number 7; atomic weight 14.0067; melting point -209.86°C; boiling point -195.8°C
N-P-K -This term refers to the ratio of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K) in fertilizers.
It is always expressed as N-P-K.
For example, a fertilizer labeled as 24-6-6 has a minimum of 24% nitrogen, 6% phosphorus, and 6% potassium
In this example, the remaining 64% of the fertilizer is comprised of inert matter
NUCLEUS-A large, membrane-bound, usually spherical protoplasmic structure within a living cell, containing the cell's hereditary material and controlling its metabolism, growth, and reproduction.
NUTRIENT plant food, essential elements N-P-K, secondary elements and trace elements which are fundamental to sustaining plant life
NUTRIENT DEFICIENCIES low and improper levels of nutrient being supplied to a plant
- O -
ORGANIC of, marked by, or involving the use of fertilizers or pesticides that are strictly of animal or vegetable origin
- P -
pH a scale from 1 to 14 that measures acid to alkaline balance.
PARABOLIC REFLECTOR a concave reflector with a series of honeycombed panels used to reflect light
PERLITE (1) a sand or volcanic glass, expanded by heat, which holds water and nutrients on its many irregular surfaces (2) mineral soil amendment
PHOSPHOROUS (P) of, relating to, or containing phosphorus, especially with valence 3 or a valence lower than that of a comparable phosphoric compound
PHOTOPERIOD the relationship between the length of light and dark in a 24 hour period
PHOTOSYNTHESIS the process by which plants use light energy to collect carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and convert it to chemical energy in the form of sugar
POLLINATION the transfer of pollen from a stamen to a pistil. This process is often enhanced by environmental manipulation, plant movement through shaking or vibration or the introduction of bees into the growing area
POLYPLOID an organism with more than two sets of chromosomes
POTASSIUM (K) a soft, silver-white, highly or explosively reactive metallic element that occurs in nature only in compounds. It is obtained by electrolysis of its common hydroxide and found in, or converted to, a wide variety of salts used especially in fertilizers and soaps. Atomic number 19; atomic weight 39.098; melting point 63.65°C; boiling point 774°C; specific gravity 0.862; valence 1
PREDATORY INSECT any variety of insect introduced into a grow area used to combat pests or detrimental infestations
PROPOGATE (1) Sexual to produce a seed by breeding different male and female flowers (2) Asexual to produce a plant by taking cuttings
PROTOPLASM-The complex, semifluid, translucent substance that constitutes the living matter of plant and animal cells and manifests the essential life functions of a cell. Composed of proteins, fats, and other molecules suspended in water, it includes the nucleus and cytoplasm.
PRUNING to cut off or remove dead or living parts or branches of a plant to improve shape or growth
PYRETHRUM natural insecticide made from the blossoms of various chrysanthemums
- R -
REFLECTOR the highly reflective, smooth finished hood placed above a lamp to more efficiently direct its light
RESERVOIR (or RES) any container of a variety of constructions which holds water in reserve for use
REVERSE OSMOSIS (R/O) water which has had all of its contaminates and salts removed
ROCKWOOL inert, soil less growing medium consisting of thin strand-like fibres made from rock
- S -
SECONDARY NUTRIENTS Calcium (Ca) and magnesium (Mg)
SEEDLING a young plant that is grown from a seed
SHORE FLY any of numerous minute black flies of the family Ephydridae, living in damp or marshy places
SPIDER MITE any of various small red mites of the family Tetranychidae that feed on vegetation, causing damage to the leaves
STIMULATOR any product used to specifically increase one designated area of a plants growth cycle
STRESS the effect a plant faces when it is subjected to a detrimental environment
SUN- is the intensely hot, self-luminous body of gas (mainly hydrogen and helium) at the center of the solar system. The Sun is a medium-size main-sequence star.
SYSTEMIC a term used in reference to a disease within the plant tissue, not initiated from the external cells. This also refers to materials and compounds which are taken up or absorbed by the plant and designed to fight disease
- T -
THRIPS any of various minute insects of the order Thysanoptera, having usually four narrow wings fringed with hairs, and many of which are major pests of various plants and trees
TRACE ELEMENT a chemical element required in minute quantities by an organism to maintain proper physical functioning
TROPISM - The turning or bending movement of an organism or a part toward or away from an external stimulus, such as light
- U -
ULMIC ACID- is the acid radical found in humic matter which is soluble in alkali.
UNIFORM GROWTH ensuring the entirety of the crop receives equal environmental stimulation resulting in equal growth of all plants
- V -
VERMICULITE mica processed and expanded by heat
- W -
WETTING AGENT compound that reduces the droplet size and lowers the surface tension of the water, making it wetter
WHITEFLY any of various small whitish homopterous insects of the family Aleyrodidae, having long wings and a white waxy body, often injurious to plants
WICK part of a passive hydroponic system using a wick suspended in the nutrient solution; the nutrients pass up the wick and are absorbed by the medium and roots
WORM CASTINGS the nutrient rich fertilizer created by earthworms
BananaAddict
08-08-2009, 07:24 AM
I am interested in this thread. I have an idea aboy hydroponics. But since this thread is in this banana.org, I am thinking that you will discuss hydroponics for bananas. Are you? Is it possible, given the size of banana plant?:waving: thanks...
Ohio'sBest
08-08-2009, 07:36 AM
Yes, hydroponics for bananas. Just like container grown bananas, no difference, except Hydro speaking. Pretty much anything that can be grown in soil, can be grown in Hydro...........faster, stronger, ect.
BananaAddict
08-27-2009, 12:47 PM
This is a nice thread. I am interested. Please include the costs. I have a lot of questions in mind, like, if we use hydroponics in banana, will the growing period be hastened and thereby having fruits earlier? Is it necessary to put the plant in a greenhouse? How deep and wide is the root of banana normal growing condition? Should we have the same size of pot or container if we will use hydroponics? I read aeroponics is cheaper that hydroponics and since there is no stagnant water, it is beneficial to the roots of the plants. I am just wandering, is it possible to aeroponic banana, considering its enormous size? What's the difference in yield between the normal growing condition and hydroponics for banana? How about the taste of the fruit, is there a difference, maybe sweeter in hydroponics? How about pests, can we still plant like Gros Michel without worrying about the attack of Panama Disease? Thanks. :lurk::2722::0519:
artemis_sssf
10-15-2009, 05:46 PM
This is great to see, I have been wondering if bananas can be grown hydroponically too. Most specifically, I want to know if, when the wind blows down a tree, can I salvage the half ripened fruit and hydroponically get it to grow, as if it was still on the tree? How do I know what nutrients it needs at this stage? This would save so much wastage if it could be done.
Look forward to your comments
Artemis-sssf
brycast!
10-17-2009, 05:00 PM
I just bought an aerogarden, and was wondering, will I be able to germinate and grow a banana seed in there?
sandy0225
11-06-2009, 10:10 PM
I have one of those aeroponic cutting rooters, an ez-clone. If you leave the cuttings in there too long, like you get busy and forget about them, run the thing nearly out of water and then fill it up with fertilizer water from the greenhouse, you can grow things in there indefinitely. I have brugmansia and hardy sweet pea cuttings in there from mid-summer but they are getting really tall.
I don't know if you could germinate a banana seed in an aerogarden,but I would think you would be able to keep it alive if it did germinate. at least until it got too big. Those things are pretty little aren't they?
wordwiz
11-07-2009, 11:16 AM
One of the must have items in hydroponics is a way to measure pH levels. They can vary tremendously but need to kept within a reasonable range. It also helps to have a meter to measure the ppm or EC (amount of nutrients in the water).
I'm growing/have grown tomatoes, lettuce and peppers in DWC systems. Once the solution gets stabilized, there is not much work to it - check the nutrient solution, ppm and pH once a week or so and add whatever is necessary. The investment is small - a five gallon bucket, air pump, pot to hold the plant and rocks/hydroton to keep it standing upright, a bit of air tubing and something to diffuse the air. You can buy air stones rather cheap but IME, they tend to break down or clog up and can ruin a plant. I use 1/4" water soaker hose you can buy from a hardware store. Total cost of system - maybe $10.
Mike
brycast!
11-12-2009, 11:11 PM
I have one of those aeroponic cutting rooters, an ez-clone. If you leave the cuttings in there too long, like you get busy and forget about them, run the thing nearly out of water and then fill it up with fertilizer water from the greenhouse, you can grow things in there indefinitely. I have brugmansia and hardy sweet pea cuttings in there from mid-summer but they are getting really tall.
I don't know if you could germinate a banana seed in an aerogarden,but I would think you would be able to keep it alive if it did germinate. at least until it got too big. Those things are pretty little aren't they?
yea it is pretty small... it is like about 2 ft or 2.5... some where around there... but if it does germinate, i could just transplant it on dirt right?
sandy0225
12-01-2009, 08:09 PM
You could theoretically keep it growing until it got too tall for your little light fixture. But you could transplant it to soil at any time. Does it have instructions for growing anything from seeds with it? Like are you supposed to start lettuce for example from seed in it?
brycast!
12-01-2009, 09:36 PM
You could theoretically keep it growing until it got too tall for your little light fixture. But you could transplant it to soil at any time. Does it have instructions for growing anything from seeds with it? Like are you supposed to start lettuce for example from seed in it?
yea the system comes with a seed kit.. already prepared to just put in the seed pods in the aerogarden with the seeds in it... but i took some of the seeds out and planted a germinated musa nagensium seed... i germinated it in pure peat moss... germinated like in about a week and a half... :woohoonaner:
Want Them All
08-31-2010, 01:32 PM
Is there any variety of bananas (small, so it can stay in a pot) that I can put in my pond? Kinda like a bog plant, partially submerged in water?
Thanks,
Jack Daw
08-31-2010, 02:11 PM
This a slightly more "eco" or "bio" method...
VermiPonics (http://www.redwormcomposting.com/gardening/vermiponics/)
Btw. great site, great info, great people there. ;)
alpha010
12-10-2010, 05:46 PM
Nice! Glad to see a new section for this. I've been doing a lot of reasearch about it the past couple of weeks. CropKing.com | Helping to Establish and Grow Your Hydroponic Greenhouse Produce Business for Over 25 Years. (http://www.CropKing.com) is a great source of info.
I wish I knew beforehand that this place was so close to me! I just might have to take the 30 minute drive to go see them and maybe learn a few things. They have an awesome looking aquaponic setup that they advertise as around $1800 initial cost and only runs on 60 watts! I could fit roughly 8 or so of those in my basement!
momoese
12-10-2010, 07:27 PM
Mike Van who used to post here has turned me on to Auquaponics. This is really cool if you have a little extra space and a green house for colder areas. Protein and veggies!
Friendly Aquaponics, Inc. | Build backyard and commercial Aquaponics systems yourself (http://www.friendlyaquaponics.com/)
CookieCows
12-10-2010, 10:53 PM
Mike Van who used to post here has turned me on to Auquaponics. This is really cool if you have a little extra space and a green house for colder areas. Protein and veggies!
Friendly Aquaponics, Inc. | Build backyard and commercial Aquaponics systems yourself (http://www.friendlyaquaponics.com/)
Mike is the one that got us hooked on it too! My husband went nuts with it! It's really awesome, I love it. We used native fish instead of talapia to withstand the colder climate here.
momoese
12-11-2010, 12:13 AM
Mike is the one that got us hooked on it too! My husband went nuts with it! It's really awesome, I love it. We used native fish instead of talapia to withstand the colder climate here.
Wow that's cool! More info and pictures please!!
brandylorton
05-30-2012, 10:45 AM
Very nice information here regarding the hydroponics beginning by ohio. This kind of information is going to help the beginner like me a lot. The explanation here is quite simple and inspiring.
Funkthulhu
02-12-2014, 05:15 PM
Can we get a sticky on this thread.
Also, More Posts! I'd really like to experiment with some of this stuff this year, I'm curious how many other nanner-heads are still pumping juice over roots...
cincinnana
06-20-2014, 08:01 PM
I got a little experiment going on .....
Will post root structure once everything matures.
What I have.... nothing scientific, or measured, very easy.
Five gallon bucket.
Marineland 660 powerhead.
Any Marineland powerhead will do....you want to oxygenate the water to keep it fresh.
3 gallons water with teaspoon of Miracle grow and a rooting hormone.
5 pounds of Hydroton balls+_. Optional ... just had them on hand from another project, water works just fine also.
Plants I am trying to root.
Truly Tiny @ 9inches
Bordelon@22inches
Orinoco@22inches
Dwarf Cavendish@6inches
AeAe broken corm.
Brugmansia.
Plants are young and small
All are in the same bucket.
This project is in on a backyard patio with 14 hours of sun per day+_ with the solution temperature the same as the ambient air temperature.
I am currently using the same technique with my Brugs.
Brugs respond well to this growing method and the roots will fill a 5 gallon bucket in no time.
But this year it is bananas...so far so good.
Plants have shown good response to their new environment.
I did lose some of the bigger leaves from root prune shock however all were pushing new leaves at the time
This is just for "seeing what I'll get with what I have... by spending nothing"
I will post photos once there is something to look at .
:lurk:
cincinnana
07-08-2014, 06:48 AM
Update
Most terrestrial roots have vanished"rotted" and are slowly being replaced by new white roots that are immersed in the oxygenated solution.
All bananas are responding to the change of being grown in water.
Some are better than others.
I removed the Hydroton balls because they were acting as an abrasive mixture and destroying the roots, in fact they abraded the half of a DC corm away.
I forgot to take pics of the brugmansias before I potted them up however I can pop some cuttings in the bucket if anyones interested in seeing those once roots develop.
Orinoco
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/110357684@N02/14597424461" title="Untitled by Hostafarian, on Flickr"><img src="https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2906/14597424461_e715f4c9f2_c.jpg" width="800" height="600" alt="Untitled"></a>
Other.....with peepers:woohoonaner:
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/110357684@N02/14414066020" title="Untitled by Hostafarian, on Flickr"><img src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5504/14414066020_f6c2973c6d_c.jpg" width="800" height="600" alt="Untitled"></a>
cincinnana
08-08-2014, 08:42 PM
Truly Tiny.
Photos shown just show root growth.
Is is awesome growth....NO, but just a test to see if I could do it with minimum cost.
Note the orientation of the roots ,they are on the opposite side of the current in the bucket.
Plants look ok.
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/110357684@N02/14863183502" title="Untitled by Hostafarian, on Flickr"><img src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5575/14863183502_4fb9b59463_c.jpg" width="800" height="600" alt="Untitled"></a>
Bordelon.
note the bent pstem .... the plant tipped over and had gone unnoticed for a week.<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/110357684@N02/14676951228" title="Untitled by Hostafarian, on Flickr"><img src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3916/14676951228_26a2a96782_c.jpg" width="800" height="600" alt="Untitled"></a>
Brugmansia.
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/110357684@N02/14863228642" title="Untitled by Hostafarian, on Flickr"><img src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5561/14863228642_2d255b4e47_c.jpg" width="800" height="600" alt="Untitled"></a>
cincinnana
08-20-2014, 01:07 PM
Time to plant them in a soilless mix before the season ends soon.
All materials shown except the 5 gallon bucket.
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/110357684@N02/14978708871" title="Untitled by Hostafarian, on Flickr"><img src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5583/14978708871_d633b27df3_c.jpg" width="800" height="600" alt="Untitled"></a>
.Brugmansia roots
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/110357684@N02/14795259037" title="Untitled by Hostafarian, on Flickr"><img src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5555/14795259037_9ca29250a7_c.jpg" width="800" height="600" alt="Untitled"></a>
.Planted in a soilless mix and ready to go.
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/110357684@N02/14981808325" title="Untitled by Hostafarian, on Flickr"><img src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3874/14981808325_b176e92b0b_c.jpg" width="800" height="600" alt="Untitled"></a>
PR-Giants
08-21-2014, 09:13 AM
The quickest banana from plant to harvest (less than 200 days) for me has been the Hua Moa and it's also been the best performer growing in water.
Thanks & Great photos Mr. Without Without Bananas
cincinnana
03-05-2015, 07:31 PM
Keeping the thread interesting..
Photo depicts an aquarium powerhead I use to oxygenate my water in a system I had.....
The pump has variable oxygen infusion and a high flow rate with a sponge filter to meet most of your aquatic needs.
Great for a 35 gal or less tub to keep the water moving.
Works very well.. this powerhead will outlive you, some of mine have been pushing bubbles for 30 years....note the aquarium is a five gallon Metaframe circa 60's slate bottom with working full stainless hood......
Shop the powerhead for price...
.Saltwater Aquarium Powerheads | Marineland (http://www.marineland.com/Products/aquarium-pumps-powerheads/penguin-saltwater-aquarium-powerheads.aspx)
.<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/110357684@N02/14848177179" title="Marineland 660 powerhead in action by Hostafarian, on Flickr"><img src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3836/14848177179_c64c0b71b7_z.jpg" width="640" height="478" alt="Marineland 660 powerhead in action"></a>
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/110357684@N02/14676951228" title="Untitled by Hostafarian, on Flickr"><img src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3916/14676951228_4c01a15470_z.jpg" width="640" height="480" alt="Untitled"></a>
cincinnana
03-18-2015, 09:37 PM
Update on a sdc....old post new photo
Note the direction of the roots......same as the flow of the water.....
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/110357684@N02/14863183502" title="Untitled by Hostafarian, on Flickr"><img src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5575/14863183502_631bf1d7f5_c.jpg" width="800" height="600" alt="Untitled"></a>
cincinnana
06-11-2017, 05:42 PM
Materials.
5 gal bucket.
2 gallon plastic mesh insert.
2 gallon hydroton balls.
Marineland 660 powerhead to circulate and aerate the water.
Miracle grow water soluble fertilizer.
1 20 inch Dwarf Cavendish.
2+ gallons of water.
Plant was introduced to full sunlight today @ 12 +- hours.
.https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4286/35081064932_4e811208aa_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/VrZCp7)
Hydroponic dc (https://flic.kr/p/VrZCp7)
by
Hostafarian (https://www.flickr.com/photos/hostafarian/), on Flickr
cincinnana
07-06-2017, 06:12 PM
:lurk:
Nothing has changed plant is still growing
cincinnana
08-01-2017, 09:02 PM
I have a few pups...
Nothing special though.
I will reveal the root structure when I transition from water to my soilless mix in the next month or so.
My outdoor grow window is slowly closing.
The plant does display that is a hydroponic plant in full Ohio sun with some leaf/stress anomalies.
Air temp and solution temp is +- 5 degrees of each other.
https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4320/35859324880_3892dddf62.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/WCLpY5)
hydro balls and pup (https://flic.kr/p/WCLpY5)
by
Hostafarian (https://www.flickr.com/photos/hostafarian/),
on Flickr
cincinnana
08-09-2017, 04:48 AM
Here is a photo of the roots at 60 days.
The plant is outdoors in 10 hours full sun.
Solution temperature is the same as the air temperature plus solar heat gain.
The terrestrial roots are slowly being replaced with new roots conditioned to the hydroponic enviroment.
With the addition of new roots the plant now has a better foundation to grow foliage.
Note the pup growth from the last post 8 days ago.
I am expecting a flag leaf any day now:ha::ha:
Please be aware if I were using hydroponic specific fertilizer solutions and a heater the root structure would probably be much finer and more of them.
.https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4364/36290750002_8a839c8128_z.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/XhTzCf)
Root structure (https://flic.kr/p/XhTzCf)
by
Hostafarian (https://www.flickr.com/photos/hostafarian/),
on Flickr
cincinnana
08-18-2017, 09:05 PM
Ten days after last post...
.Start of process.
.https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4308/36167269235_6545ae7c7f_z.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/X6YH6v)
Dc in hydroton balls. (https://flic.kr/p/X6YH6v)
by
Hostafarian (https://www.flickr.com/photos/hostafarian/),
on Flickr.
.
Showing roots and size of the plant..
The plant is showing a typical transition from soil to solution.
https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4441/36490497132_9621de1d34_z.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/XAxkuh)
Hydroponics (https://flic.kr/p/XAxkuh)
by
Hostafarian (https://www.flickr.com/photos/hostafarian/),
on Flickr.
.
The plant has grown in a predictable fashion from 90 days ago.
https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4430/35850431643_d7fc948d51_z.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/WBYQjp)
Hydroponics (https://flic.kr/p/WBYQjp)
by
Hostafarian (https://www.flickr.com/photos/hostafarian/),
on Flickr
Inside the bucket...
The solution is usually clear but I had disturbed the filters ..so it is a little cloudy.
Reminder, this is a low budget set up.....
This is just to give you an idea of what you can do with a plant in a season......
Now the tough/possible expencive part is to keep the growth rate for the next 7 months in the winter. Under lights in your home
https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4351/36490496872_b0877c604e_z.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/XAxkpN)Hydroponics (https://flic.kr/p/XAxkpN) by Hostafarian (https://www.flickr.com/photos/hostafarian/), on Flickr
cincinnana
10-01-2017, 07:23 AM
120 days from start roots have somewhat filled a 5 gallon bucket.
And there are two pups.
Current outdoor temperature is 40 F
More photos (https://flic.kr/s/aHsm1hNvGi)
.
https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4395/37325786882_d01ce4dde8_z.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/YSmq2G)
Roots and health (https://flic.kr/p/YSmq2G) by
Hostafarian (https://www.flickr.com/photos/hostafarian/),
on Flickr
.
https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4511/37325786502_888fd74974_z.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/YSmpV9)
Roots and health (https://flic.kr/p/YSmpV9) by
Hostafarian (https://www.flickr.com/photos/hostafarian/),
on Flickr
cincinnana
10-26-2017, 07:14 PM
My plant does not like cool water temperaturres......
Leaves folded and somewhat wilted.
Hydro plants respond to temps much faster than container plants.
My container plants look fine.
Pics soon
Got to 35 degrees last morning....
beam2050
10-27-2017, 11:15 AM
My plant does not like cool water temperaturres......
Leaves folded and somewhat wilted.
Hydro plants respond to temps much faster than container plants.
My container plants look fine.
Pics soon
Got to 35 degrees last morning....
yes, your water circulating around your soilless mix would act like a radiator. it would transfer heat to the outside air much faster than your potted plants sitting on the ground where at least at that point they could stay warmer.
but with a 20 gallon hot water heater set on low, a pump and a thermostat you could turn that around immensely. coarse it would take a battery of plants and containers say maybe 6 or 8, a large kids swimming pool and a pool thermostat.
with that you could cover it with plastic making a small greenhouse of sorts and you could keep your plants outside all year long, even in Canada. probably would fruit a lot faster.
of coarse a large in ground coy pond would work much better than a kids swimming pool.
cincinnana
10-27-2017, 06:57 PM
yes, your water circulating around your soilless mix would act like a radiator. it would transfer heat to the outside air much faster than your potted plants sitting on the ground where at least at that point they could stay warmer.
but with a 20 gallon hot water heater set on low, a pump and a thermostat you could turn that around immensely. coarse it would take a battery of plants and containers say maybe 6 or 8, a large kids swimming pool and a pool thermostat.
with that you could cover it with plastic making a small greenhouse of sorts and you could keep your plants outside all year long, even in Canada. probably would fruit a lot faster.
of coarse a large in ground coy pond would work much better than a kids swimming pool.
Thank you so much for the kind words....
I will check out the koi pond thing soon ....
Here is a photo hydro DC plant on the left in the white bucket.
The plant on the right is a Truly Tiny dwarf.
These are my plants pulled from the yard and lined up and being treated for pests before I bring them in.
Both plants were subjected to 35 degree cold weather, as well as all the other plants in the photo.
The plant in the white bucket did not like it the other plants were not fazed.
https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4446/37975671581_b5c1f3f1af_z.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/ZRMf7i)
Hydroponic cool water reaction (https://flic.kr/p/ZRMf7i)
by
Hostafarian (https://www.flickr.com/photos/hostafarian/),
on Flickr.
beam2050
10-27-2017, 07:46 PM
yes you are right it might be a bit involved for the average laymen.
but once done electricity would be fairly cheap.
but I guess I maybe should have said you would be pumping to and from the pool and not into your buckets. your buckets would stay warm in the pool.
a 1/2 hp above ground pump would do it. with manifolds built on your suction and dish charge. of coarse you would have to build a cover on your pool in which you would insert your buckets. to keep out dirt and leaves and such. like I said a bit involved. the coy pond would be in ground and the ground would act as an insulator keeping the whole area warm.
nothing I have not done before. but not in this.
as always I have to admire your place and your plants and your knowledge in plants.
beam2050
11-02-2017, 02:36 PM
cincinnana; you changed and retracted some of your post. basically the FUNNY part. I can take a bit of criticism. I don't need to be buttered like a piece of bread. I really do appreciate the gesture. your post was done with grace and eloquence. I can only wish I had your gift.
bagging gas. hilarious. :08: hope you do not take this wrong.
cincinnana
11-02-2017, 03:28 PM
cincinnana you retracted part of your post. the FUNNY part. I can take a bit of criticism. I don't need to be buttered like a piece of bread. I really do appreciate the gesture. your post was done with grace and eloquence.
bagging gas. hilarious. :08: hope you do not take this wrong.
lol I knew a true car worker guy would know what that meant.
Now, I got to go out and tag some walls and train cars with graffiti.
cincinnana
11-02-2017, 03:36 PM
yes, your water circulating around your soilless mix would act like a radiator. it would transfer heat to the outside air much faster than your potted plants sitting on the ground where at least at that point they could stay warmer.
but with a 20 gallon hot water heater set on low, a pump and a thermostat you could turn that around immensely. coarse it would take a battery of plants and containers say maybe 6 or 8, a large kids swimming pool and a pool thermostat.
with that you could cover it with plastic making a small greenhouse of sorts and you could keep your plants outside all year long, even in Canada. probably would fruit a lot faster.
of coarse a large in ground coy pond would work much better than a kids swimming pool.
I brought the plant in (white bucket) so I would not have to build a greenhouse with hot water circulating kid swimming pooling so it would fruit faster even in Canada.
.
The plant is under temporary light.
https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4554/38067140496_5651113dce_z.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/ZZS3Cy)
Hydroponic plant (https://flic.kr/p/ZZS3Cy) by
Hostafarian (https://www.flickr.com/photos/hostafarian/),
on Flickr
beam2050
11-02-2017, 03:56 PM
I brought the plant in (white bucket) so I would not have to build a greenhouse with hot water circulating kid swimming pooling so it would fruit faster even in Canada.
.
The plant is under temporary light.
glad were ok. I hope.
built a garage in the mid 70s. 28 by 24 ft. Williston north Dakota. 45 miles from the Canadian border. floor heat. 40,000 btu, 40 gallon hot water heater. wish I had a picture green grass year round around the garage. cheaper to heat the garage than the house both had a cement slab. funny seeing green grass against a 3 ft high snow drift. working under a car it was sooo warm it would put me to sleep.
there are people here, who maybe have most of the materials and the inclination to attempt such a project. I am in florida and there is no need for this here. just throwing something out.
cincinnana
12-09-2017, 08:53 PM
Plant doing well, photos soon.
Growth has slowed indoors .
cincinnana
02-21-2018, 11:55 PM
Last post 12-19.....
Plant is good with diminished light ( 30 % ) maybe...
Pup in doing good in the last photo...
Is the plant awesome....no.
But it is a good indicater of what you can do with almost nothing.
A few plants were grown under these easy low low maintenance conditions.
Plants growing are awesome...under all conditions:bananas_b
cincinnana
04-22-2018, 08:31 AM
It's the first time the hydro dwarf cavendish in the front row has seen real daylight.
The hydro pup in the white container will be separated once the air temps are averaging 65-70 degrees in about 30 days.
I plan on growing lettuce and tomatoes for BLT's
.
https://farm1.staticflickr.com/804/40730010285_c4faf700ee_z.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/254aX3D)
Hydro preliminary setup (https://flic.kr/p/254aX3D)
by
Hostafarian (https://www.flickr.com/photos/hostafarian/),
on Flickr
cincinnana
05-31-2018, 08:48 AM
I went to separate the Super Dwarf Cavendish pups today and found another pup and a tree frog in the reservoir.
Roots and water smell good.
I did sever the largest pup from the stock plant but decided to not separate yet because the roots are wound pretty tight.
Things are a little cramped in the(five gallon bucket) reservoir so I might keep everything together and use a larger container. I have to have somewhere to put it in the winter.
So far this has been interesting to watch and I encourage anyone to try growing any plant hydroponically.
Brugmansia is an awesome starter plant for a simple setup.
.https://farm1.staticflickr.com/894/42422330472_1a104de0a1_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/27CHwSU)
Two hydroponic pups. (https://flic.kr/p/27CHwSU)
by
Hostafarian (https://www.flickr.com/photos/hostafarian/), on Flickr
.
https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1728/41570345505_04200953cc_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/26kqTqV)
Root structure after being overwintered. (https://flic.kr/p/26kqTqV)
by
Hostafarian (https://www.flickr.com/photos/hostafarian/), on Flickr
https://farm1.staticflickr.com/813/40052462115_1c6877a838_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/242ikzD)
Totally cold hardy......just kidding (https://flic.kr/p/242ikzD)
by
Hostafarian (https://www.flickr.com/photos/hostafarian/), on Flickr
Mark Dragt
05-31-2018, 11:10 PM
I agree. Anyone can do this, and there are many ways to make it happen. A simple aquarium air pump and stone can get you on your way.
It's fun to experiment with different plants. FYI ginger loves growing in hydro.
exovetek
06-16-2018, 03:58 PM
Has anyone tried Gunnera Manicata in hydro? I hear that the biggest challenge with this plant is satisfying it's thirst for water. That would solve the problem.
cincinnana
06-24-2018, 07:36 PM
My plant did a few days of 110 heat,,,,
Looking kind of stressed.
The plant looks better in post 47..... and that is in winter
Roots and water look good water smells earthy.
cincinnana
07-13-2018, 04:03 AM
Because of overcrowding in the 5 gallon hydro bucket I split and slightly root pruned two pups off the main Dwarf Cavendish and planted them in a soilless mix a few weeks ago.
So they went from a hydro bucket to 2 gallon containers with a soilless mix
I had expected total root loss in the transfer but it did not happen as much as expected. The pups kept some roots
The two small pups are adjusting to the soilless mix so far.
They did have some leaf wllt and leaf loss but they are sorting themselves out.
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