Mini Kratky Method Hydroponic System II

I was busy tonight.  I now have 5 units which have cost me a little time and the cost of the 20 Net cups which was £6.72 including the Free Delivery from eBay. See previous post on how these are made. 

I'm going to experiment a bit and I'm going to start with Radish, on the basis that if its good enough for NASA it's good enough for me.  I have some Nutrigrow Plant Feed from Greenhouse Sensations that I got with the Quadgrow and some envii SeaFeed Xtra already but there are other products and mixes that you can buy and make up to feed your plants and I will try them as well as see what gives the best results. 

I'm also going to steep (drain water through the compost and collect the other side so it takes the nutrients with it) some compost bought and my own to see how that goes. I was tempted to try comfrey but I'm aware that there is research that suggests that it can be carcinogenic (having the potential to cause cancer) and thought it's not perhaps such a good idea to feed it directly hydroponically to vegetables.

If there are any Hydroponic companies/ suppliers out there that want to send me your wonder feed to trial please feel free the more varieties of feed I can get my hands on the better. 

For more information on Hydroponics check out Wikipedia Hydroponics it covers all the buzz words and is a great source of information.  

Mini Kratky Method Hydroponic System

Take one empty washing machine detergent capsules plastic container, and peel off the labels. Mark the top and carefully cut out four holes that will allow No 1 hydroponics mesh cups to be inserted and there you have it. A mini passive hydroponics or Kratky method hydroponic system to play with.

There is nothing like repurposing plastic containers before ultimately recycling them.

Re-Purpose Rubbish

Wife says to me "Why haven't you put the polystyrene from the new furniture in the rubbish?"

"I have a use for it on the allotment in my new greenhouse!", said I
"I should have known It had to be something to do with that Bloody Allotment" she replied

And so I bought a pack of No 2 Black Hydroponic / Aeroponic Mesh Pots and now I have cut the polystyrene to fit and the holes for the Mesh Pots and I know how many I'm ultimately going to need I have bought some more and they are on their way.

I see some late Winter Lettice in the new greenhouse being a possibility this year.

Anyone else having a bash at this?

Also on its way to make the magic happen ......

Solar Powered Oxygenator Water Oxygen Pump Air Pump Aerator Pond Fish Tank UK 

Description:

Item type: Oxygen Pump

Usage: 1. Long press the power switch (press for 3 seconds) blue light, which began to play oxygen, this time for the long-term oxygen mode, 2. Press the power switch (press 1 times) Oxygen mode is switched to intermittent Mode, (stop for 2 seconds, oxygen cycle mode for 8 seconds), 3. charge

Battery: 3.7V/3600 mA

Oxygenation mode: long-term oxygenation, intermittent oxygenation

Product size: 100*80*38mm

Charging input: DC 5V / 1A

Weight: 560 grams

Battery capacity: 3.7V/3600mA/h

Gas volume: 2L/min

Specifications: sky blue

Pressure: 0.15mpa

Working hours: full of 24H or more

Package includes:

1 * Oxygen Pump

1 * Solar Panel

1 * Check valve

1 * Air Stone

1 * Charging Cable

1 * Screws

4 * Footpad

1 * Hanging buckle

As the pump comes with a globe air stone I have also purchased a 400mm or 16 inch long air stone to better oxygenate the large gravel tray