HYDROPONIC GARDENING
I come from cold country where the soil is rich and loamy. We grew abundant summer gardens, picked apples, pears and peaches in the fall, and canned our wealth. Ferns, and ivies, Christmas cactus and other indoor potted and hanging plants were carefully tended in the winter. Our gardens inside and out grew in dirt!
TIP – You can lower pH with one teaspoon at a time of vinegar or lemon juice. More is not better. I wrecked a tower by putting too much vinegar in.
We have a pool, and my husband and I take care of it ourselves. Temperature, weather (rain, rain, sometimes hail, more rain), and light, dark, atmosphere and chemicals, and season affect its pH; everything is connected. Is it not?
Research the plants you want to grow, what nutrients they need, and if they like their feet wet. You’ve probably already talked about this with Nicole. You may purchase well-established seedlings.
Or, maybe you want to germinate your own seeds.
GROWING HINT: Hydroponics is a more hygienic and efficient method of germinating compared to soil based growing.
ALTERNATE METHOD: Purchase some seed cell plug trays and another tray to set them in. Using slightly moist potting soil (or another grow medium – cocoa core, rock wool), plant your seeds 1/8 inch from top, cover with a thin layer of potting soil, and lightly water.
If you bought seeds in a packet, (most times) the sprouting/germinating instructions are on the back: germinating time, water and light requirements, i.e.; full sun, shady, etc.
I’ve had good success with all of the aforementioned germinating mediums.
TIP –Once the seeds sprout, the key is to let them really root well before transplanting to the tower. Thirty days is a good rule of thumb.
GROWING HINT: No matter how much research you do, some plants won’t survive. Home Hydroponic gardening is somewhat trial and error, and seasonal.
Consider keeping a journal right from the start. Over time you will log and learn what grows best and when.
Nicole and I compare growth progress. Busy with designing towers, she often trusts her own towers’ eco-system and lets them be. Her plants thrive… or not.
I test, and fret, and experiment and journal. My plants thrive… or not. We’ve both transplanted our towers at least three times since February. It is now the end of August. Coleus love getting their feet wet.
Lettuce grows best in cooler weather. Okra goes nuts and may require special tending, like trimming its roots now and then.
TIP -Have Fun. Sit back sometimes and let nature takes its course.
Happy Gardening!
