Hydroponic for Phrags

[grasshopper]

Hi All,
Im thinking of using up some stuff laying around the house and wanted some opinions, I have some of those mesh bucket lids that fit into a 3 or 5 gallon bucket, kind of like a oversized mesh pot. Id like to try some hydroton, diatomite, or rockwool cubes or a mix of all three with a large growing phrag or maybe a "compot" machine, the idea being that it could be watered continously by using a pump or airlift or something, anyone ever try such a idea, seems like at least in theory it would be ideal. Thought Id *** around for feedback before I spent the time. Thanks:wink:

 

[Ray]

1) Use a medium that is quite airy - I would think Hydroton would be the best choice of those 3 (especially considering diatomite is, for all practical purposes, no longer available).

2) You will want to restrict the setup to a single plant, as sharing a common nutrient bath is the best way to share plant pathogens, effectively risking everything planted.

3) Spend some time reading about Semi-Hydroponic Culture, as you'll likely get some good ideas about your whole concept.

 

[grasshopper]

Thanks Ray,
Ive been to your site and find it very informative, so whats up with diatomite being not available, I use it for phals, neps, phrags it would be terrible if I can no longer get it, as it seems to be a good ingredient in my mix. Maybe I should stock up?

 

[Ray]

If I recall correctly, Maidenwell is no longer mining it, or possibly simply no longer exporting. Joe DiDomenico, owner of DiatomiteUSA, has shut the business down, so as far as I know, it's Dyna-Rok II or a lucky stash somewhere as the only US sources.

 

[NYEric]

put the diatomite or hydroton on the bottom, and rockwool on top. a simple pump like a Fluval 1 from a pet shop will work.

 

[grasshopper]

Curious as to why you say top coat with rock wool? Does it keep added moisture around the top layer? Sorry to hear that about the diatomite, I think its good stuff, I quess ill have to hoard some (LOL)

 

[NYEric]

LOL! I ordered another bag of diatomite last night!
If you put the rockwool low it will get very soggy, every application w/ rockwool I've seen had it all the way or on top. I'm allergic so I dont use it.

 

[cnycharles]

problem I had with some large s/h pellets was that the top area (for plants that really like wet roots) of the root zone would get drier and emerging roots would have problem. rockwool would keep that top moist. might be good to find a slanted rockwool thing of sorts for propping up climbing besseae-types

 

[grasshopper]

Hydro phrags

Hello Everyone,
Thanks everyone for the input. I managed to get some time and whip up a little system to try out with two cheapo phrags. Im excited to see how this works, its basically a modified waterfarm, not wanting to buy anything and use strickly what was around the house this is the result. There is a small pump mounted to the bottom of the mesh pot that pumps the water up a stand pipe, I would have rather used a drip ring style but again didnt want to spend any cash and my wife likes the fountain style thing.....do I need to say anymore(lol) Im shure there could be improvements but I want to see what happens first before I do any more. Im concerned of salt buildup but ill have to wait and see if its an issue, it should have better wicking since it will only have to travel horizontal out from the stand pipe and not vertical like the semi-hydro pots, and airation should be excellent from the constant dripping from the mesh pot to the water below. I may have to experiment with the fertilizer ratio, any sugestions? I started at 1/4 teaspoon per gallon of max sea

 

[grasshopper]

Hydro phrags

Whoops, forgot the pix!

 

[John D.]

The issue of salt build up is not hard to deal with. In semi hydro as Ray has indicated the pots are flushed each time they are watered since excess solution is added. In your case, with a closed system, start with your desired concentration and top off with RO or rain water to replace what is lost by evaporation. When you do a complete drain and clean go back with the fert soluntion.

 

[grasshopper]

Hello,
Sounds easy enough, I know this is premature and maybe its my imagination, but they do look rather perky since I moved them....we shall see...If not anything else the water trickling is soothing to my ears

 

[Ernie]

I think they'll do great.

If they ever have problems, you can use the defibrilator in the background. :rollhappy:

-Ernie

 

[NYEric]

Good luck!

 

[grasshopper]

Thanks!, The stuff in the backgorund is my "geeking" area (LOL)

 

[NYEric]

Funny, I have 13 trays w/ water circulating; if I didn't have that sound I don't think I could sleep for the city noise!

 

[grasshopper]

Oh wow, you using bottom circulation with many pots in a tub?

 

[NYEric]

Yep.

 

[grasshopper]

I assume its working well for you, any pros or cons that are worth mentioning? Do you use a dilute nutrient bath?

 

[NYEric]

Yes, I water w/ ro or 1/6 strength fertilizer. The plants in plastic s/h style pots have to be watered from to since the holes are so high up water can't flow in. Since I use a mixed semi-organic media the breakdown rate is fast and most problems I've had have been from not catching that problem quick enough.