Hydroponic Gardening DIY

maumau said:
@carnajo the big pots are a very good mix of compost, pro grow (not growpro) potting soil, bonemeal, 2:3:2. Autopot mix is coco peat/vermiculite in the ratio 50:50. With the autopot system the plant food is mixed, say once a week, in a container which feeds through to the roots automatically.

Tomatoes were treated regularly with the biomix organic range. The ones in 10 litre pots were fed every 2 weeks with biomix/nitrosol.
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Thanks for the info, can't wait till next tomato season!
 
My pump packed up yesterday... it had a head height of 2.5m which I restricted with a ball valve by about 85% to get my flow correct, is this possibly why it died..?

I was under the impression they are the same as fish thank pumps, which run on a magnetic impeller? and hence restricting them is not a problem?
 
Basil959 said:
My pump packed up yesterday... it had a head height of 2.5m which I restricted with a ball valve by about 85% to get my flow correct, is this possibly why it died..?

I was under the impression they are the same as fish thank pumps, which run on a magnetic impeller? and hence restricting them is not a problem?
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I think you answered your own question there.What brand of pump was it?
 
So I've read that Autopots shouldn't be outside because rain in the pots can cause problems, this seems to rule them out for me unfortunately :(

Though I guess I could fashion a rain cover of sorts, any tips/tricks?

Also what do you guys suggest for growing in the winter season?
 
yes, rain does collect in the autopots but i've ignored it and let the tomatoes absorb it. just continued using the hydroponic mixture as normal.

my autopots are outside but i have made a cover from green shadecloth and conduit to protect the plants from hail and harsh sun.
 
Seriously said:
There are seasons in Hydroponics? :confused:
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Um, well, I don't have a greenhouse...

maumau said:
yes, rain does collect in the autopots but i've ignored it and let the tomatoes absorb it. just continued using the hydroponic mixture as normal.

my autopots are outside but i have made a cover from green shadecloth and conduit to protect the plants from hail and harsh sun.
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Ah, well, that's okay then, was worried I'd have to build a greenhouse (see above ;) )

Thanks!
 
@Carnajo, I don't know much but I would just do it, I'm sure it's not too late.
 
Carnajo said:
So I've read that Autopots shouldn't be outside because rain in the pots can cause problems, this seems to rule them out for me unfortunately :(

I think they are making this a bigger deal than it is imho.I wouldnt worry about rainwater,its great for the plants,otherwise just fashion a cover of sorts.

Though I guess I could fashion a rain cover of sorts, any tips/tricks?

Also what do you guys suggest for growing in the winter season?
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Whereabouts in RSA do you live? We have pretty decent weather year round so you can grow anything really.

Seriously said:
There are seasons in Hydroponics? :confused:
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He is referring to seasonal fruit and veg.All flowering fruits and veggies will be ready in RSA at mid to end April (Autumn/Fall).But in RSA your fruits/vegs will still continue to bear fruit throughout the year if you look after them.

Basil959 said:
@Carnajo, I don't know much but I would just do it, I'm sure it's not too late.
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Its never too late to start planting... :D
 
Got my new section running nicely now, uses far less water than the dutch buckets do! Got cauliflower, broccoli, lettuce and a herb or two in there...

IMG_20140219_062956.jpg
 
SirFooK'nG said:
Got my new section running nicely now, uses far less water than the dutch buckets do! Got cauliflower, broccoli, lettuce and a herb or two in there...

IMG_20140219_062956.jpg
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Looks awesome, can't wait to see how the cauliflower, broccoli do? How hot does it get in the green house this time of year?
 
Really struggling to grow from seed.. got a little humidity dome with rock wool, the seeds germinate and after a about a week they become limp and die. I've tried adding half nutrient mix half water but same thing..

I suspect they are getting to hot? But from what I have read the idea is to create "humidity".. Any ideas, I place the dome in the middle of the house to avoid the direct sunlight.
 
Basil959 said:
Really struggling to grow from seed.. got a little humidity dome with rock wool, the seeds germinate and after a about a week they become limp and die. I've tried adding half nutrient mix half water but same thing..

I suspect they are getting to hot? But from what I have read the idea is to create "humidity".. Any ideas, I place the dome in the middle of the house to avoid the direct sunlight.
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I move the seeds as soon as they germinate to my buckets...
 
Basil959 said:
Really struggling to grow from seed.. got a little humidity dome with rock wool, the seeds germinate and after a about a week they become limp and die. I've tried adding half nutrient mix half water but same thing..

I suspect they are getting to hot? But from what I have read the idea is to create "humidity".. Any ideas, I place the dome in the middle of the house to avoid the direct sunlight.
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THis is an easy one, simply remove the dome when the seeds pop above ground, and move to a sunny window.The increased humidity is not required when the seed breaks soil, and actually causes a disease called "damping off" disease.
 
Garden Porn incoming :

Carrots :
carrotfar.jpg
Close up:
carrotclose2.jpg

Brinjal/Eggplant :
brinfar.jpg
Close up:
brincloseup2.jpg

Chillies :
chillieclose.jpg
Coriander/Dhania : See the ladybugs? This plant is going to seed already.
dhaniacloseLB.jpg
 
Cont.

Heirloom Tomatoes (Brandywyne Sudduths):
Tomclose.jpg

Lettuce/Rosemary/Thyme :
lettrosethyme.jpg
 
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