Hydroponics Static Solution Culture
 

:D I just call it starting seed but Sandman insists I use the correct term.

Here are a few pics of his new found hobby.

All he needed to start was an aquarium, styrofoam, tinfoil, plastic cups, vermiculite, perlite, a perforated tube, air pump, and a grow lamp. He also chooses to test the pH (oy, he had to correct that, "it's a CAPITAL H mom" :laughing: ) level of the water.

How it looks put together.

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The top view. He used a knife to cut out holes in the styrofoam...what a mess!

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Front view. He used his dad's drill :rolleyes: to put holes into the plastic cups. He has to fill the tank up with more water so they're closer to the grow lamp.

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We welcomed Roman Chamomile who was born sometime during the day yesterday :stork-baby: :D.

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Congrats on the new sprout! :highfive:

Man, that's a weird looking set-up, though! What's the foil do? :confused: And do you add nutrients to the water then?

[QUOTE=hazelrunpack;888448]Congrats on the new sprout! :highfive:

Man, that's a weird looking set-up, though! What's the foil do? :confused: And do you add nutrients to the water then?[/QUOTE]

Oops, forgot about the nutrients :o. I'll get Sandman on to explain it, it is [I]his[/I] hobby :rolleyes: :D.

The foil is to keep sunlight out of the water, since direct light would promote algae growth, which is obviously bad for the plants. I do use a nutrient solution as well, it is PureBlend Pro Grow from BotaniCare, it is 3-2-4, mainly used for herbs and such.

So why is the grow light ok and not sunlight :confused:?

Won't the grow light promote algae growth, too? (Can you tell I have no idea how they grow stuff hydroponically? :o I've always wanted to grow my own hydroponic tomatoes, though :D)

Since the StyroFoam is partially in the way, and also since the light is fluorescant, it's not the same as direct sunlight.

Ooooohhh...that makes sense.

I'm excited to see how well your herbs grow, sandman! :goodvibes: I wonder how big a set-up I'd need for a tomato plant? I suspect it would have to be bigger than one for Roman Chamomile? :o

[QUOTE=hazelrunpack;888459]Ooooohhh...that makes sense.[/QUOTE]

Really? I'm lost :laughing:.

Sandman, if you just covered the lower part of the aquarium, like below the level of the styrofoam, would that still be ok?

[QUOTE=hazelrunpack;888459]I wonder how big a set-up I'd need for a tomato plant? I suspect it would have to be bigger than one for Roman Chamomile? :o[/QUOTE]

You can use a regular plastic pail for plants like tomatoes. Sandman wanted to use an aquarium so we could see the root growth.

What's the tubing for underneath?

[QUOTE=luckypenny;888463]You can use a regular plastic pail for plants like tomatoes. Sandman wanted to use an aquarium so we could see the root growth.[/QUOTE]
Really? :eek: Hmmmm....I'm gonna have to look into this. Imagine--homegrown tomatoes in the middle of winter! :flirt:

Sandman went to bed...he reminded me it was past his bedtime :o. I'm such a bad mom :D.

[QUOTE=hazelrunpack;888465]What's the tubing for underneath?[/QUOTE]

It's a perforated tube, kinda spongy like, that the air pump pushes air through to oxygenate the water. We picked the pump and the tubing up in the fish department of a pet supply store.

Oooooohhhh.... I didn't realize you had to oxygenate the water....but that makes sense, too! :o

Absolutely ingenious! :thumbs up

Cool setup it'll be neat to see the roots :cool: Yay little sprout :highfive:

I can't believe I missed this thread :o

I'm a huge fan of homegrown hydroponics :o

Such a neat project Sandman, please keep us updated, so interesting :thumbs up

Note to Mum: Being in the Furniture Refinishing business for 25 years, those little bottles of different solution that are sitting on the table.....careful that a drip or two does not remove the finish on the table top.

We need a picture update please :D

Yes, please! How are the little sprouts doing? Have they got names, yet? :D

Very cool hobby Sandman. How are the little green sprouts doing? Ho Ho Ho... Green Giant (please somebody remember that commercial... :o)

Well that looks almost good enough to sniff LP!:laughing:

[QUOTE=Dog Dancer;898231]Very cool hobby Sandman. How are the little green sprouts doing? Ho Ho Ho... Green Giant (please somebody remember that commercial... :o)[/QUOTE]

:laughing: I do I do :eek:

It is with great sadness that we regret to inform you of little RC's untimely passing due to a tragic drowning :(. Sandman tried his best to resuscitate but it was not meant to be :cry:.

:rip: RC :candle:

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you plant a seed in his memory.

[SIZE="1"][COLOR="Yellow"]And in honor of RC's short, but memorable life, Sandman will renew his project using expanded clay pebbles to prevent such an accident from recurring [/COLOR]:rolleyes:.[/SIZE]

Arrrggghhhhh! :yell: I feel so sorry for the family :cry:

At least RC gave his (her?) life to the cause of science and further botanical glory! :angel:

:candle: Roman C