Learning Journal: January 26th 2019 - Hydroponics Begins
OK, first steps taken.
Bought some seeds, some nutrient solution and a bubbler for fish tank and started germinating some Green Peppers and Tomatoes. Also have an order coming in from Amazon with some grow cups and some clay pebbles to help transplant the seedlings into them.
Planning for 4-6 with maybe a max of 8 plants to start. Basically, more than one so I'm not as concerned about duds but, not so many that I'm investing a ton of money.
This brings me to what prompted me to write this. The internet is both amazing and a dumpster fire of information all at the same time. Thankfully, I did a little hydroponics project back in elementary school. Because, if you Google how to start in hydroponics you get expensive, scalable solutions.
Ask Google what kind of lighting you need? You get article upon article about expensive grow lights. How to germinate seeds? Buy seedlings or buy growth medium. What kind of setup do you need? A small army of pre-fab kits costing $100+.
I don't mean to put any of those things down. If you're serious, eventually you'll be buying and doing many of those things.
But, none of it covers the basics or tells you how to get your feet wet. Again, thankfully I remembered some things from my last attempt. Like the fact that I germinated the seeds in paper towel. Google how to germinate seeds for hydroponics and you'll dig for hours before you find this technique. It costs almost nothing. And is PERFECT for the beginner.
Next, you can find a lot of setups, but everyone has their favorites and their recommendations. I wanted a low maintenance DIY setup. A lot suggested mason jars for this. But, the problem there is water maintenance. You need to change the water every few days. Increase the cost of your build by the cost of a cheap fish tank bubbler and you can go weeks.
Yes, it is an added cost which can dissuade a beginner, but my reasoning is pretty simple. A beginner is also least likely to succeed in keeping the water fresh every couple of days, especially while there is little to no growth. Whereas with a bubbler, changing the water every few weeks means each time you need to tend to the plants you probably A) need to adjust the solution anyway, and B) there is actually something to see. Also, the cost increase isn't massive if you're just getting your feet wet with a small scale project.
But, that isn't the point. The point is this; try and find a site which explains beginner friendly options and the reasons behind each suggestion. I looked, and I honestly couldn't find that option. MOST suggestions talked about creating larger PVC based monstrosities or 20-40 gallon setups for tackling 10-20 or more plants at a time. The ones which did talk about simpler setups really just told you how to make them and nothing more.
And, the bubbler should add more than just convenience. It should mean that even part the roots submerged in water get more oxygen. Which should actually mean greater chances of success and a better quality product.
Anyway, I'm looking forward to how this turns out. I'm trying a modification of sorts on the paper towel germination method where the seeds are effectively placed under a moist paper towel in a zip lock bag. Apparently, this should cause the roots to try and grow towards the bag rather than into the paper towel making transplanting them later a lot easier.
I have a few more things to consider, like where I'm going to do this longer term and how much I'm going to invest in it. But, right now, everything I need for germination and growing was either in my house or cost under $75 CAD.
Bought some seeds, some nutrient solution and a bubbler for fish tank and started germinating some Green Peppers and Tomatoes. Also have an order coming in from Amazon with some grow cups and some clay pebbles to help transplant the seedlings into them.
Planning for 4-6 with maybe a max of 8 plants to start. Basically, more than one so I'm not as concerned about duds but, not so many that I'm investing a ton of money.
This brings me to what prompted me to write this. The internet is both amazing and a dumpster fire of information all at the same time. Thankfully, I did a little hydroponics project back in elementary school. Because, if you Google how to start in hydroponics you get expensive, scalable solutions.
Ask Google what kind of lighting you need? You get article upon article about expensive grow lights. How to germinate seeds? Buy seedlings or buy growth medium. What kind of setup do you need? A small army of pre-fab kits costing $100+.
I don't mean to put any of those things down. If you're serious, eventually you'll be buying and doing many of those things.
But, none of it covers the basics or tells you how to get your feet wet. Again, thankfully I remembered some things from my last attempt. Like the fact that I germinated the seeds in paper towel. Google how to germinate seeds for hydroponics and you'll dig for hours before you find this technique. It costs almost nothing. And is PERFECT for the beginner.
Next, you can find a lot of setups, but everyone has their favorites and their recommendations. I wanted a low maintenance DIY setup. A lot suggested mason jars for this. But, the problem there is water maintenance. You need to change the water every few days. Increase the cost of your build by the cost of a cheap fish tank bubbler and you can go weeks.
Yes, it is an added cost which can dissuade a beginner, but my reasoning is pretty simple. A beginner is also least likely to succeed in keeping the water fresh every couple of days, especially while there is little to no growth. Whereas with a bubbler, changing the water every few weeks means each time you need to tend to the plants you probably A) need to adjust the solution anyway, and B) there is actually something to see. Also, the cost increase isn't massive if you're just getting your feet wet with a small scale project.
But, that isn't the point. The point is this; try and find a site which explains beginner friendly options and the reasons behind each suggestion. I looked, and I honestly couldn't find that option. MOST suggestions talked about creating larger PVC based monstrosities or 20-40 gallon setups for tackling 10-20 or more plants at a time. The ones which did talk about simpler setups really just told you how to make them and nothing more.
And, the bubbler should add more than just convenience. It should mean that even part the roots submerged in water get more oxygen. Which should actually mean greater chances of success and a better quality product.
Anyway, I'm looking forward to how this turns out. I'm trying a modification of sorts on the paper towel germination method where the seeds are effectively placed under a moist paper towel in a zip lock bag. Apparently, this should cause the roots to try and grow towards the bag rather than into the paper towel making transplanting them later a lot easier.
I have a few more things to consider, like where I'm going to do this longer term and how much I'm going to invest in it. But, right now, everything I need for germination and growing was either in my house or cost under $75 CAD.
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