Tag: indoor hydroponic garden

Delicious Home Hydroponics Salad Harvest

Organic Hydroponic Garden
Thriving Mesclun in a mini DWC system.

Why should you use hydroponics to increase your yields?  The same reason you started a garden!  If you have ever had a successful harvest, you know the feeling I’m talking about.  Some growers are discouraged by organic fertilizers when it comes to hydroponic gardens.  Fear not growers, water soluble organic fertilizers are available online and at local hydroponics shops.  Some greens can even be grown using tiny amounts of fertilizers. Basils, lettuce, mesclun, and other leafy plants can be grown organically in hydroponics system with very little fertilizer.

Organic indoor gardens can be maximized with the use of hydroponics.  Organic hydroponic systems are like normal hydroponic gardens, but with a little more care to detail and quality.

Organic Hydroponics
The seeds for this plant were started in soil. The container with the soil was planted directly into a mini DWC System for extremely explosive vegetative growth.

The salad mix in the picture was started in a jiffy pot full of soil.  When the seeds sprouted, the jiffy pots were put into a mini DWC system.  The roots grew through the soil and into the DWC environment.  There was explosive root growth when the roots entered the high humidity environment.

The salad grew very fast under simple CFL lighting.  Small hydro setups can produce big results with the right knowledge.

Indoor Organic Garden
This is a single 3 inch jiffy pot full of soil. Each Jiffy yielded at least 2 or 3 servings of salad greens under only CFL lighting.

GUIDE: Homemade Recirculating Drip System

Drip systems are economical and save time.  They ensure plants are fed daily with the correct amount of water and nutrients as specified by the gardener.  A digital timer is a useful tool for any drip system.  The timer will turn your water pump on daily at a specified time so you don’t have to be there to manually turn it on.  If you are trying to plan for a new garden, sketch out your ideas before you go to the store.  You may be overwhelmed by all your options.  If you have a rough idea when you get to the hydroponics shop, you can show someone working there.  They will help you choose the tools you need.  Setting up your first drip system or building your own hydroponics set up may seem hard, but it is actually simple.  Gardeners can choose to build a really simple drip system or a very elaborate system with self regulating levels of nutrients.  Start with what you understand so you can experiment with more options as you learn.  I suggest reading the Introduction to Drip Systems if you are new to drip hydroponics and do not understand all the parts required.



The two types of water tubes used in this system are 1/4 inch and 1/2 inch Connect clear air tubing to an air stone to add oxygen to your nutrient reservoir.
The size of air pump you need depends on how many gallons you plan to aerate. The box will usually tell you the size range the pump is meant for. A little extra aeration doesn't hurt!!!
This is one configuation of drippers you can use depending on your needs.

Before you buy anything do some research.  Find out what parts you need for your drip system.  Be creative!  Since you are not buying an out of the box drip system you get to choose what parts to use.  I recommend a filter for your half inch tubing.  The filter will catch nutrient pieces and other contaminants that could potentially clog your drippers.  Also grab on/off valves for your 1/2 inch tubes and your 1/4  inch tubes.  The on/off switch will allow you to use the same tubes every time without having to cut the ones you are not using.  Don’t forget to turn the switches back on when you go to use the system!

TIP: Always test your drip systems!  A clogged dripper or a mistake in a drip line could leave you with wilted plants.  MAKE SURE TO WATER PROOF YOUR GROW SPACE!  If you are growing plants inside make sure the space is water proofed and all electrical pieces are off the ground and away from water spray range.  Spills happen in ways you wouldn’t think of and can cause major problems including mold or an electrical fire.  Keep towels around the grow space in case a spill does happen you will be prepared.  Having a “it won’t happen to me” attitude will not save your precious plants or floors.

The pictures are pretty easy to follow, but I’ll add instructions to go along with the pictures.  The system that the pictures model is an open recirculating system.  An open recirculating drip system is used as a nutrient reservoir and waste run off all in one.  The plants are fed and the run off runs back into the reservoir which is not air tight.  If you don’t have a PH or ppm meter I suggest using run to waste methods until you are comfortable with reservoir changes.  The run to waste method does blow through nutrients, but it ensures a good crop and a relatively steady PH.  Use the guide on Building a Simple Drain Table to use the run to waste method.  The exact same system explained in the drain table guide can be used for a recirculating system.  You just add the components I am about to discuss in the bottom reservoir and fill it with your nutrient solution.

Be careful not to punch the hole all the way through the other side.
This is a hole put in the 1/2 inch tube by the tool in the picture. You use a connector to connect the hole to a 1/4 inch drip line.

Once you have your home made drip system planned out you are ready to get into the action.  Punch holes into your half inch tubing where you want 1/4 inch tubes to come out. If you mess up there should be plugs with the hole punch you bought.  You can get extra plugs at the hydroponics shop.  Try not to mess up because the plugs are some what of a duct tape fix and they may leak if the hole is too big.

  
Having a picture to look at will give you an idea of what you want to do. This picture has 2 types of feeding delivery systems. There are rings of drip emitters and open ended 1/4 inch tubing.
The connector at the end can go to another 1/4 inch line or be place in the holes created by the hole punch to bridge 1/4 inch tubes to 1/2 inch tubes.

I use the straight connectors to go into the 1/2 inch tubing instead of T connectors.  Every time I have tried to use a T connector directly from 1/2 inch tubing, it leaks.  Other indoor gardeners sometimes have better luck, but I don’t like to take chances.  Be sure to push the tubing as close to that inner circle as you can to avoid leaking.  I cut my tubing straight at the ends so there is no open space for leaks at the connections.  Home made drip systems require basically the same work as an out of box drip system.  Systems don’t usually come pre-cut because you don’t know what lengths you want or the amount of drippers per plant.  Drip kits usually just come with the parts you need to build a starter drip system.

Put the connector in snug so it doesn't leak.
This is what the bridge looks like sitting in the 1/2 inch tubing before the 1/4 inch tubing is connected to it.
The T connector can turn one 1/4 inch tube into 2 drip lines or be used to complete a circle drip delivery system so the whole root zone is watered

Connect 1/4 tubing to your bridge and run it the length you need plus some extra.  I used a T connector to start the circle for the drip system.  This type of system will ensure the whole root zone gets water/nutrients.  It is hard to remove once the plants get big but they should need a transplant by the time they reach that size.  Be careful on the type of drip emitters you choose.  There are many to choose from.  The main difference you need to know about is the difference between inline and compensating drip emitters.  Inline drip emitters are meant to be in a straight line on a flat surface.  I used inline drippers for this system.  If you are watering different types of plants in different types of containers you may need compensating drippers.  Compensating drip emitters can go up hills and drip at the correct rate.  Inline drip emitters may not work properly on a hill.  Compensating drip emitters also go at the end of the 1/4 inch tube and are usually not run in a series.

This T connector connects the 1/4 inch tubing coming from the 1/2 inch tube to the 1/4 inch tubes that are connected to the circle of drip emitters.
Connect your Inline drippers to form a circle or straight lines depending on your garden.
Connect as many drip emitters in a series as you need but make sure your pump is strong enough to handle the load.
Circle of Inline Drip Emitters to be placed in a container with the plant in the middle.

Repeat the process as many times as you need for the amount of containers you want to water or feed. They don't have to be the same size!

Bend the 1/2 inch tubing so there is a good kink. Wrap it a few times so it is triple kinked.
After a triple kink the 1/2 inch tube should be closed off so it wont leak. The clamp will pressurize the tubing so the whole system is filled with water.

Put the other end of the 1/2 inch tubing snugly onto the 1/2 inch connector.

The water pump is submerged in the nutrient solution which is aerated by your air stones connected to your air pump.  For this open system I use a grate that was once a shelf to hold the containers for the plants.  The containers in this system only have holes on the bottom.  The nutrient solution rinses through the growing medium then back into the reservoir.

This picture shows the end of the 1/4 inch tube that is cut off and pumps out your nutrient solution at the fastest rate.

These are some shots of what your system may look like.  This guide is to serve as a sketch for you.  It should spark ideas on exactly what you want to do with your system.  Experiment with different things to find what works best for you and ultimately your plants.  You will have to play with your timer settings to find the right amount of time for the drip emitters to run to obtain maximum absorption.  If anything is unclear please mention it in the comments and I’ll clear it up for you!  Hydroponic Economics is here to help you set up the most efficient hydroponics garden possible!  Good luck Green Thumbs!

Using Hydroponics for Self-Sustaining Food Production

Today I was watching TV and saw a special on the damage a high magnitude earthquake would do to a city like San Francisco, California.  The damage was unbelievable!  Traffic in and out of the city would be at a stand still, if it was even operational.  Communication lines would be down.  A whole mess of things I don’t want to be in.  A specialist said the people who were the most independent and self-sustaining, would be the most likely to survive in a crisis like that.

Hydroponics is a clean and green way to grow food practically anywhere.  Not only can you grow anywhere, you can MAXIMIZE anywhere.  Hydroponic systems are very efficient and practically run themselves with the right equipment and knowledge.  The point is the people of San Francisco and all other urbanized areas, can be just as green as anyone else.  Just because you are a renter in a small apartment with zero yard space does not mean you can’t have a small wheat grass box, a flood and drain tomato table, and a simple deep water culture herb tote for all your cooking spices.  35-40 cubic feet of space(a 3×3 box about 4 or 5 feet high) is more than enough to take up a serious hydroponic hobby and home food production center.  There is nothing better than the satisfaction of eating your own harvest.

Hydroponics are by no means limited to vegetables.  If you are like me and really like fresh strawberries all year round, you have a reason to start an indoor garden!  Not only will you have your favorite fresh fruit to eat whenever you want, but you will also learn A LOT about the plant you choose to grow.  You may find that you can grow a better berry than the local farmers depending on your area.

Pass this knowledge on to a friend whom you think is wasteful or unaware of the many benefits of having a home hydroponics garden.

Hydroponic Cloning Tips

If you have wilting clones there could be a number of issues with your hydroponic cloning method.  Make sure to have a thermometer to measure temperature and humidity accurately throughout the day.  You can find digital ones at a department stores or hydro shops that will tell you the current and high/low temps and humidity throughout the day.  The digital ones aren’t expensive in comparison to the knowledge you’ll have.  If you are using a metal halide or other high powered lighting system, the clones must be a few feet away so they receive minimal light.  If they get too much light they will try to work too hard with roots they don’t have.

If the temperature is getting to be in the 80’s F move the lights up more or add a circulation fan on a timer so the humidity stays high.  Having a fan on for an hour at a time 2 or 3 times a day will really help to move the hot air.  Try to use cool burning bulbs like fluorescent tubes so your temperature will stay down.  A high humidity of 90% or higher will help your fresh cuttings more than anything else.  Spray the walls of a clear container with water and put it over your cloning system.  You can also attach spray emitters to a small water pump to spray water automatically for the first few days to ensure success rate.  The humidity needs to be high so the leaves of the cutting can absorb water from the air because it does not have any roots to do that job yet.  It may need a small hole or two for air flow so the temperature stays low and the cuttings have access to as much oxygen as they need.

Use an aeroponic or deep water culture method with aerated water to keep the roots or stems in a 100% humidity environment until they are established for transplant.  You can find cloning systems at your local hydroponics store, online, or even build your own!  Hardware stores and hydroponic shops should have pretty much everything you need to build your own.

Reminder – Keep the Grow Space Clean

No matter what plant you are growing or where it is, cleaner conditions can help you and your plants. Here is a list of some quick tips for a clean growing environment.

1. Wash your hands before and after each session with the plants. Wear gloves when handling the plants.

2. Keep special clothes and shoes to wear in your grow area. Keeping outside contaminates away from the grow space can save you the worry of pollen being on your clothes, it could keep out potential pests, and it will reduce the amount of germs brought into the space.

3. Sterilize your equipment including scissors when ever you can.

4. Wash out old containers or throw them away. If you let them sit they could grow mold or mildew and this could become a problem if it goes unnoticed.

5. Vacuum or sweep any medium or soil on the floor so pests can’t make nests in places you aren’t even growing plants.

Plants get enough stress the way it is. If you make sure to reduce as much stress as you can your plants will thrive. These simple cleaning tips will keep your grow space clean and your plants happy!

The Importance of a Reliable Ballast

Recently when I was away from my house and garden for almost two weeks, I learned a valuable lesson about the importance of a good ballast.  The ballast is the box that cord set comes out of for HID lighting.  Ballasts usually come with metal halide and high pressure sodium lighting systems so if you are using a high powered lighting system in your hydroponics garden, you most likely have a ballast.  As a novice I didn’t realize the importance of a good ballast.  I learned my lesson when a large crop of berries was wiped out because of a ballast failure.

I was using a cheap ballast that came with the kit and did not even have casing to cool the outside temperature of the device.  It was an old fashioned magnetic ballast.  The ballast died while I was gone on vacation and when I came back the berries had been sitting under darkness for days, like a three or four day solar eclipse.  To make matters worse the berries weren’t using any energy because there was no sunlight, but the water pump for the nutrient reservoir was still running on schedule.  The berries were being pumped with nutrients every day during their bloom phase while they were receiving no light!  There was no way for the berries to use the nutrients being fed to them.  They were just starting to bloom so they mostly died and there was no fruit for all the work I had put into them.

The lesson here is no matter if you get a magnetic or electronic digital ballast, make sure its GOOD QUALITY.  Your crop may depend on the reliability of your ballasts.  Hopefully indoor gardeners all over can read this tragic story of loss before they make the same mistake I made.

Another Reason Hydroponic Gardening is Important

One of the main reasons I chose to start an indoor gardening project was to produce my own fresh, good-tasting, safe food.  Some stores sell fresh produce, but my area lacks in availability for year round fresh fruit.  Strawberries were one of the first things I tried to grow in a hydroponic system.  Once you learn the basics of hydroponics you could set up a system to grow tropical fruit inside your house!  If you have a big back yard you could even create a tropical green house with the sun and the addition of high power grow lights.  Once you are familiar with all the equipment available you can create any environment for any plant.  You can tend to plants with very delicate environmental needs.

If you do not trust the source or are unsatisfied with the quality of your local produce then start a hydroponic or indoor gardening project to perfect the fruit of your dreams!  Anything is possible if you learn enough about the plant requirements.  I try to find books on Amazon.com about organic gardening and plant care.  The books on Amazon don’t cost very much and are usually pretty detailed.  Buying a book centralizes large amounts of information for you to consume.  Searching on the internet for the information you need is fast, but sometimes it is not detailed enough if you are just beginning.  If there is a topic you are confused about or don’t know where to start, try getting a book to get your feet wet.  On the other hand experience is the most valuable knowledge you can get.  Good luck green thumbs!

GUIDE: Setting Up A Simple Drain Table Part 1

This guide is as detailed as possible so that people that are just starting with hydroponics can understand it.  There are ALOT of pictures – You were warned.

Left side – Soil container strawberries Right side – Rockwool cubes waiting for fresh clones

It is very easy to go to a hydroponics shop and just pick up a drain table and an assembly for it to sit on.  This may also include a $100 reservoir to go with the system.  Hydroponic parts add up fast and thats where Do it yourselfers try to save.  By building your own simple drain table you may be able to save money on your hydroponic setup.  The saved money can be used to get bigger containers and more medium for your roots.  The type of table I am going to show you how to build allows you to freely move your plants around in their containers.  This table is useful for soil and hydroponics alike because it allows the excess water and nutrient run off from watering/feeding to drain into a run off container that can hold many gallons so it rarely has to be changed.  It can greatly reduce the amount of maintenance needed daily in between harvests.

Blue tub is for the water to drain into after it goes through the plant.
The clear tray is like a table for your plants. The lid of the container is what the tray sits on, on top of the blue tub from the previous picture.
The blue tub from the first picture can fit two of the clear trays which have about 6-8 inch tall walls.
Another view of previous image.

This is a variation of the table I am making for people with less space. For this version the lid of the blue container would be latched on and the clear tray would sit on top with a drain going to the blue tub.

T

Continue reading this guide: Part 2

Recent Inactivity – West Coast Hydroponics Shops

Its good to be back!  I recently visited California to meet up with some other indoor gardening enthusiasts and check out some west coast hydroponics stores.  Sacramento hydroponics stores are on point!  I visited a couple different hydro shops in the Sacramento and San Francisco area and every shop that I went into had good prices and a good selection of hydroponic equipment.   The ‘vacation’ is what has kept me from posting new articles so I’ll be sure to post some good information tonight to make up for it.  Be sure to check back through the next week to see my hydroponics DIY guide.  I’ll be posting a pretty detailed guide on how to construct some simple and cheap hydroponics systems.

Over Fertilization : Too Many Nutrients

down turned fringes.

I have a few house plants I like to mess around with when I get new sets of nutrients.  In the picture I have my purple passion vine in a condition that is starting to show signs of over fertilization.  These house plants only need nutrients every 2-4 weeks at most but sometimes I’ll hit it every week for a few weeks at a time to see if the growth jumps.  The plant is mostly rooted in the container so it is at its max requirement for nutrition.  I water it every day pretty much.  During today’s daily watering I noticed there was water in the tray and the plant had leaf fringes that were down turned.  This plant naturally curls its leaves some, but i could tell the difference in structure right away.

The down turned leaves could be a sign of over fertilization or nutrient salt build up.  These can both be fixed by simply watering with plain water every day until symptoms disappear.  Good consistent soil waterings can wash the extra salt build up in the plants roots.  If you are running a hydroponics system then do a reservoir change and drop the PPM (parts per million) of your nutrient solution.  If you don’t have a ppm or EC meter there is no need to worry.  Just fill the reservoir up by a set amount of gallons or liters and pay attention to the amount of nutrients added per gallon/liter.  The packaging for the nutrients should say what they recommend to use for soil or soiless grow mediums.   I usually cut their recommended mixture in half to be on the safe side.  You’ll especially want to use a low end estimate if your plants are showing signs of over fertilization.  In a hydroponic reservoir the solution can also be dropped to one fourth the recommended solution to rinse out salt build ups.  Make sure to top off the tank with fresh water or 1/4 solution to keep the levels high before the next reservoir change.

Notice down turned fringe and leaf structure is curled inward.