Hydroponic grow experiment #1

Dec. 10, 2009

I am experimenting growing vegetables and herbs in hydroponic and aeroponic systems as well as soil less potting mix. In the turbogarden (aeroponic) I am growing four varieties of lettuce including red oak leaf, outstanding red romaine, buttercrunch and waldens dark green lettuce. I am also growing a basil plant and garlic chives. In the ecogrower I am growing a relleno pepper, two basils, bouquet dill, english thyme and peppermint. In the Cocogrowers I'm growing Chadwick cherry tomatoes and Brandywine heirloom tomatoes.

The primary nutrients I'm using are General Hydroponics 3 part flora series. I supplement with Florablend, Floralicious plus, Cal/Mag, Koolbloom, Sweet and Silica blast. I am using Great White Mycorrhizae for the roots.

The lighting system I am using is a 12 lamp T-5 Badboy, with red and blue spectrum lamps. I am growing in a Growlab 5'x5' grow tent with exaust ports and a viewing window. For an air intake, I went to home depot and bought a 6" inline fan for $30. I put a 150 micron stainless steel screen on the outside of the fan to catch carpet hairs and dust as well as pesky bugs. I don't have an active exhaust, meaning I let the air naturally escape through the 6" exhaust hole in the ceiling of the tent. By doing this, I can keep the humidity up around 65%. The temperature is steady around 78F. during the day and 69F. at night.