Simple & Easy Home Aquaponics - Hydroponics ?

[Lazy Gardener]

Absolutely. Generally, the lettuce will reach full harvest size before the nutrients in the container are used up.

 

[Daisy]

Can you use that method on a super small scale? Say 5-10 litre containers? I couldn't see why it wouldn't work the same way. Although the depth would have to be correct and doing the maths for the nutrients may give me a headache lol. Is epson salts from the stock feed the same as what is needed for this? There are no dosage measurements on the bag.

 

[Lazy Gardener]

I use Foxfarms Grow Big solution.

Fox Farm Grow Big


2 tsp/gallon of water. So, that one bottle will last a VERY LONG time. 1 qt jar is the perfect size for a single lettuce or basil plant... or something similar. I use plastic shoe boxes to hold up to 6 lettuce plants. But, in that set up, you would need to keep the solution topped up to about 2" deep. I'd go with gallon size for a small tomato or cucumber plant.

There are other brands of pre-mixed solution on the market. And there are powdered mixes that you can use. Many of those require addition of Epsom Salt and some calcium compound, but are overall less expensive. A quick google search will turn up lots of options for you.

 

[Nifty]

And there are powdered mixes that you can use

Ya, seems a LOT of people swear by "masterblend"

Amazon.com : MASTERBLEND 4-18-38 Complete Combo Kit Fertilizer Bulk (2.5 Pound Kit) : Garden & Outdoor

Amazon.com : MASTERBLEND 4-18-38 Complete Combo Kit Fertilizer Bulk (2.5 Pound Kit) : Garden & Outdoor

amzn.to

 

[Lazy Gardener]

My understanding is that it is cheaper, and you can alter the formulation based on the crop you are growing, it's nitrogen demands, and it's stage of maturity. I use what I use, b/c I was directed to that product as a "buy one thing to get started" option. But, moving forward, when I use this formula up, I expect to go to the master blend.

 

[YourRabbitGirl]

Ok, I know this is probably a slippery slope, but I thought I'd DABBLE in this a little bit. I guess technically I already am....

A few months ago I had some green onions from the store and ended up putting them in water. I was SHOCKED at how fast they grew!!!

View attachment 13054

So, I got to thinking it might be fun to take this to a slightly higher level. Nothing crazy, but just a fun little project.

I LOVE the idea of aquaponics (fish + plants + carbon-cycle = FOOD). I'm just worried this may be a bit more commitment than I'm ready for right now... but that depends on how much "work" it is.

Remember, I'm going from "put plants in jar with water" to something a little bit more interesting, but I can't commit to a big ol' project.

This video on basic hydroponics was helpful in making me think "yeah, I can do this"

... or maybe I just KISS and stick with putting some onions and romaine lettuce into a few cups of water.

That sounds like an amazing idea, I hope I can do the same at my house. I'm actually thinking to do a bigger one, since a have a pond at the backyanrd.

 

[Britesea]

So, I'd like to start growing lettuce in mason jars, what do I need besides the jars, seeds, foil, and the Fox Farms Grow Big? I looked on other sites, but I'm seeing lots of variation on what is needed. figured I'd ask someone here what they are doing. @Lazy Gardener ?

 

[Lazy Gardener]

I have tried the pool noodle, and found that I did not like that AT ALL. My favorite is a 2" net pot and hydroton clay pellets. The clay pellets can be washed and re-used, as can the net pots. You can also use a plastic shoe box with an opaque lid. If you can only find clear shoe boxes, you can cut up a black plastic trash bag and line the INSIDE of the shoe box with the black plastic. The edges of the plastic can hang down a bit over the edge, and be taped in place. When you put the lid on the box, the lid will nicely hold the plastic in place. I put 5 - 6 holes in the lid, though 3 would also be a good number. With the shoe box, you will have to top off the fluid now and again. But, it is a more economical use of space.

 

[Lazy Gardener]

If you did not want to buy the hydroton, you could use pea stones, and make your own net cup out of a 2 oz. solo cup which can be bought at the $ store. But, any media you use in the cup must be pH neutral. You would need to cut or burn lots of holes in the solo cup. Or you could use any small plastic container that would fit the mouth of the mason jar.

 

[Britesea]

There is a hydroponics store in town, and we will need to go in to cash DH's disability check so we can pay the bills (they don't direct deposit it); I think I will look there for the items I need.