Hydroponic nutrients

TorontoJoe

TorontoJoe

Administrator
Putting this out there to anyone into hydroponics. I’ve been growing my family’s greens (mostly lettuces) in my basement hydro setup for some time. I found a rhythm for succession planting now so we haven’t had to buy any of this stuff for years. It’s all cut and come again…. And we go back a lot.

Recently I decided I want to switch to organic nutrients. I never looked into it that much. Finally today I went to a local hydroponic shop, that’s one of the better ones in the city. I asked them about it and they suggested that it’s a pretty tough thing to do. They had some products but none of them seemed especially “complete”.

They had one called “Medi 1”, 4-3-3 that is certified OMRI but I was pretty blown away that one key ingredient is Sodium Nitrate. I can’t imagine how they have OMRI certification with that in there.

I’m wondering if any of you hydroponic growers have done this successfully and what you’re using?

IMG_9184.jpegIMG_9400.jpegIMG_8758.jpeg
 
So I’m no expert on hydroponics but I did buy a cloner and started all of my cuttings that way a few years back, then uppotted to tree pots. I really gotta say I think I had beginners luck because I asked lots of questions to our hydroponics store owners and they set me up for success! I’ve used the Jacks 3-2-1 method and I have 200 + trees now that I still can feed with that same fertilizer. I called the makers of that product and they told me it was safe to use on plants in soil so I’ve done just that. If you look on YouTube, that’s how I learned how to mix it and use it. I’ve used it 4 yrs on and off with lots of success so give it a try and tell me what you think, thanks!
 
TorontoJoe said:
Putting this out there to anyone into hydroponics. I’ve been growing my family’s greens (mostly lettuces) in my basement hydro setup for some time. I found a rhythm for succession planting now so we haven’t had to buy any of this stuff for years. It’s all cut and come again…. And we go back a lot.

Recently I decided I want to switch to organic nutrients. I never looked into it that much. Finally today I went to a local hydroponic shop, that’s one of the better ones in the city. I asked them about it and they suggested that it’s a pretty tough thing to do. They had some products but none of them seemed especially “complete”.

They had one called “Medi 1”, 4-3-3 that is certified OMRI but I was pretty blown away that one key ingredient is Sodium Nitrate. I can’t imagine how they have OMRI certification with that in there.

I’m wondering if any of you hydroponic growers have done this successfully and what you’re using?

View attachment 3710View attachment 3711View attachment 3712
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Is the vino a special ingredient?
 
DeannaKolenda said:
So I’m no expert on hydroponics but I did buy a cloner and started all of my cuttings that way a few years back, then uppotted to tree pots. I really gotta say I think I had beginners luck because I asked lots of questions to our hydroponics store owners and they set me up for success! I’ve used the Jacks 3-2-1 method and I have 200 + trees now that I still can feed with that same fertilizer. I called the makers of that product and they told me it was safe to use on plants in soil so I’ve done just that. If you look on YouTube, that’s how I learned how to mix it and use it. I’ve used it 4 yrs on and off with lots of success so give it a try and tell me what you think, thanks!
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Is this an organic product? I’ve been using General Hydroponics Maxi Gro plus added calcium for a long time and it works great. I’m just trying to find something as clean as say, Gaia that’s soluble or liquid
 
Look into compost teas and vermicompost teas. You can also use manures, fish meals, bone meals, etc. But I think teas are easier to manage.

If you get into worm composting yourself, you can use your own worm castings to create tea if you like.

You can also use “teas” from minerals as well. Those aren’t really brewed though like a compost tea is.
 
Inflorescence said:
Look into compost teas and vermicompost teas. You can also use manures, fish meals, bone meals, etc. But I think teas are easier to manage.

If you get into worm composting yourself, you can use your own worm castings to create tea if you like.

You can also use “teas” from minerals as well. Those aren’t really brewed though like a compost tea is.
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What do you think of the idea of doing a tea from something like this? To perhaps make it more complete?

I like the ingredients, but do you think it would release everything?

www.gaiagreen.com

All Purpose | Gaia Green Organics

GAIA GREEN All Purpose is an excellent product for landscape and garden use. This fertilizer combines the best of our products, creating an outstanding blend for all your fertilizing needs. ORGANIC GAIA GREEN All Purpose is approved for use in organic agriculture by Ecocert Canada (in compliance...
www.gaiagreen.com www.gaiagreen.com
 
TorontoJoe said:
What do you think of the idea of doing a tea from something like this? To perhaps make it more complete?

I like the ingredients, but do you think it would release everything?

www.gaiagreen.com

All Purpose | Gaia Green Organics

GAIA GREEN All Purpose is an excellent product for landscape and garden use. This fertilizer combines the best of our products, creating an outstanding blend for all your fertilizing needs. ORGANIC GAIA GREEN All Purpose is approved for use in organic agriculture by Ecocert Canada (in compliance...
www.gaiagreen.com www.gaiagreen.com
Click to expand...
You definitely could do a tea from that. It should release a lot of it in the water, especially if you use an inoculant to help break it down.

You could ferment it JADAM style in like 30 days and keep it going. That would get the most nutritional value out of it, but it would have an odor from the anaerobic fermentation. The rock dusts in it actually help control odor, so I’m not sure how much it would smell. Wood charcoal can also be added and that helps to control odor. The older it gets the less it smells as well. Depends on how much fermentation interests you.

But otherwise, using a tea from compost that is already broken down and nutrient available would be the option to avoid fermentation odor.
 
TorontoJoe said:
Putting this out there to anyone into hydroponics. I’ve been growing my family’s greens (mostly lettuces) in my basement hydro setup for some time. I found a rhythm for succession planting now so we haven’t had to buy any of this stuff for years. It’s all cut and come again…. And we go back a lot.

Recently I decided I want to switch to organic nutrients. I never looked into it that much. Finally today I went to a local hydroponic shop, that’s one of the better ones in the city. I asked them about it and they suggested that it’s a pretty tough thing to do. They had some products but none of them seemed especially “complete”.

They had one called “Medi 1”, 4-3-3 that is certified OMRI but I was pretty blown away that one key ingredient is Sodium Nitrate. I can’t imagine how they have OMRI certification with that in there.

I’m wondering if any of you hydroponic growers have done this successfully and what you’re using?

View attachment 3710View attachment 3711View attachment 3712
Click to expand...
They look great. Just wondering, did you make the system or buy it? I have being thinking about this for our salad uses.
 
That’s a beautiful setup. The one thing I really like about it is you won’t get any bugs or catapillars trying to munch on them. That deserves 5 stars 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
 
LaFigGwr18 said:
They look great. Just wondering, did you make the system or buy it? I have being thinking about this for our salad uses.
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It's a little bit of both. it's built around a bare bones system like this


Many types and styles are available but I chose this one because I like that the growing rails aren't part of the frame. So I can remove them for cleaning without dealing with the frame.

They usually come with a pump. I would get a backup to keep it running during cleaning. This way if your reservoir isn't large you won't overflow when cleaning the pump

I got four strips of these for each level and mounted them to 1/2" rigid insulation with zip ties.

I run the lights on a timer. 12 hours on, 12 hours off. That might change depending on exactly what you grow. I have mine come on at night when power is cheaper here.

Note I spray glued this mylar reflective sheet to all the undersides of the insulation as well as the four panels that surround the system to reflect as much light as possible back.


You'll never get 108 plants in there. they're spaced too close. I cap the unused openings with these to keep light out and the algea down. Check ebay for 30mm black plastic cap

cap.jpg

Also to keep algea down you want to get an aquarium aerator pump and stone. This solved a lot of problems for me nd really keeps things clean. I good big stone helps a lot

For my reservoir I use a home depot squeegee bucket. I think they're 23 liters

bucket.jpg

You'll notice the kit doesn't have anything over the top to hang lights over the top level. I just fashioned up structure from dollar store broom handles and bolted them together

top.jpg

Last thing is you really need a fan on every level. I use these clip on fans on a lamp timer. They come on and off every 15 minutes

General PDP Template

www.canadiantire.ca www.canadiantire.ca

The base I built was to contain possible leaks. You're going to get some drips here and there so best to do this somewhere where that's ok. In my case it's a basement over a concrete floor. I actually sit mine on casters directly over a sump pit

for medium in the net pots. I don't like the foam they give you with the kit. Rockwool cubes cost a fortune and are too large. I buy big, cheap slabs of Grow Slabs and cut to size with a knife I'm not too fond of. You can get these pretty cheap at any local hydroponic shop. I typically germinate the seeds in the rockwool in a warm spot then transfer into the net pots and place in the nft system

www.incredigrow.ca

Rockwool - Gro-Slabs 6"x 100cm

Grodan - Gro-Slabs are for the second or third stage of a plant's life. Slabs are available in a variety of sizes and come with instructions on the wrapping. These slabs come in clearly marked biodegradable UV resistant poly sleeves. The poly sleeves have several functions; Comfort in handling...
www.incredigrow.ca

I think that's it but if you have any questions, fire away.

I have found some greens do much better than others and can recommend a few to start with it you like. Lettuce doesn't like it especially warm so basement it a good place if you have that available.
 
Figgerlickinggood said:
That’s a beautiful setup. The one thing I really like about it is you won’t get any bugs or catapillars trying to munch on them. That deserves 5 stars 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
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You reminded me to mention this. Yes, you are very correct, but be careful not to come in from your garden directly into your indoor growing space. Clean yourself up and change your clothes. I made this mistake twice. Once it was aphids and the other it was thrips. Once you get them it's nearly impossible to eradicate them. After long battles I ended up having to shut down the entire system, clean the area and leave it dry for up to several months before restarting. The best solution is prevention. Don't bring anything in there. No other plants.... especially from outdoors. And change your clothing if you've been in the garden. Both thrips and aphids are difficult to see and destroyed my entire crops.
 
TorontoJoe said:
I have found some greens do much better than others and can recommend a few to start with it you like. Lettuce doesn't like it especially warm so basement it a good place if you have that available.
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Thank you for all that information. That is very informative. I would love to hear what greens you found that works.
 
Sodium Nitrate is the Dirty Little Secret behind all, and I mean every one of the synthetic fertilizers that really pack a punch. It's the same for figs. The salt forces fluids into the plant cells which then carry with them the nutrients that cause the ((explosive growth)) using synthetic fertilizers. Hopefully pH dialed in neutral fluid solution. That's why those organic fertilizers never pack the same punch. I recommend a balanced combination of both types of fertilizers. Use the organic after initiated explosive growth with the synthetic fertilizer. Without the sodium a synthetic fertilizer just won't work the same. Of course @Inflorescence JADAM teas work best, but involve a lot of time, and planning. So don't be surprised Joe to see Sodium Nitrate in the fine print of those synthetic hydroponic fertilizers. That's why you get the salt build up when using synthetics. BTW I'm going to build the system like yours. Lettuce is just too expensive in the supermarkets these days. It's insane.
 
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LaFigGwr18 said:
Thank you for all that information. That is very informative. I would love to hear what greens you found that works.
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Grand Rapids lettuce is the top producer. Delicious large leaves that are easy to harvest as cut and come again. It also grows extremely quickly. It’s the fastest germinate and mature lettuce that I know.

Barilla is a Butthead and one of the best tasting lettuce I’ve ever tried. Unfortunately, it’s no longer for sale in Canada and I can’t find seeds anywhere. If you come across this particular variety, please let me know as I would love to get my hands on some more seeds.

Tango grows quickly and is very tasty. That’s the massive one I have pictured next to the wine bottle

Mizuna mustard is delicious and matures in a month.
 
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Figless said:
Sodium Nitrate is the Dirty Little Secret behind all, and I mean every one of the synthetic fertilizers that really pack a punch. It's the same for figs. The salt forces fluids into the plant cells which then carry with them the nutrients that cause the ((explosive growth)) using synthetic fertilizers. Hopefully pH dialed in neutral fluid solution. That's why those organic fertilizers never pack the same punch. I recommend a balanced combination of both types of fertilizers. Use the organic after initiated explosive growth with the synthetic fertilizer. Without the sodium a synthetic fertilizer just won't work the same. Of course @Inflorescence JADAM teas work best, but involve a lot of time, and planning. So don't be surprised Joe to see Sodium Nitrate in the fine print of those synthetic hydroponic fertilizers. That's why you get the salt build up when using synthetics. BTW I'm going to build the system like yours. Lettuce is just too expensive in the supermarkets these days. It's insane.
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This is the thing. It’s synthetic. The Medi-1 is OMRI listed and sold as organic, but when I flipped to the ingredients, sodium nitrate was right there. How can they claim as organic? This has me questioning OMRI


IMG_3617.jpeg
 
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