My winter indoor hydroponic/late crop grow log.

I am going to make this thread my grow log will update at least once week

Updated 9/10/12

I finally have tomatoes and peppers from the garden this year and a side by side comparing them to even vine ripened tomatoes is night and day. my yeilds dropped way down so I had to go to a grow store because the crappy potting soil in my raised bed ran out of CaMg so the tomatoes i have are flowering but not setting fruit. The store was filled with all sorts of hydroponic goodness. picked up the fertilizer i needed and came home the whole night the gears started turning wondering the feasibility of doing a indoor garden over the winter. Spent the greater part of the evening googling researching/obsessing.

I am going to try a deep water culture 5 gallon bucket. one for tomatoes and the other some variety of hot pepper. Deep water culture is basically a bucket with a net pot in the lid that uses a air pump to oxygenate the water that has nutrients in it. I can not afford the light system that i need at the moment so i decided to do a test run spent less than 40 dollars on a little system that will be perfect for starting cuttings and lettuce when i get the big plants going. all parts except the net pot can be bought at the Depot but i bought them all from the grow store to save time.

I am going to start the cuttings in this one and plant them outdoors with a wall of water type thing and than plant some lettuce

lettuce has a fairly low light requirement so i found an old t5 size aquarium ballast this will be the light source for this little one i will need to get a 200 watt high pressure sodium light for the maters and peppers... need some OT first.



liquid thinking serum also know as homebrew Altbier

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8290/7...c1ccc0db84.jpg
IMAG0974 by post_james86, on Flickr

the finished product

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8285/7...27354797fd.jpg
IMAG0975 by post_james86, on Flickr

air pump 7.3 l per minute

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7128/7...a8fe6c8950.jpg
IMAG0976 by post_james86, on Flickr

bubble bubble bubble

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7130/7...01c0a86dd5.jpg
IMAG0977 by post_james86, on Flickr

airstones that need to be attached somehow a wrench suffices for now

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7121/7...00a7e2d6fc.jpg
IMAG0978 by post_james86, on Flickr

the net pots 2" in size these would be to small for maters but perfect for cuttings which is in there now and lettuce

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8294/7...3f4c47c979.jpg
IMAG0979 by post_james86, on Flickr

keep us updated. never done winter/indoor stuff.

How important is it to oxygenate the water? You should look into hydroponics... Leaves out the soil and most of the mess.

Only done this with an Aerogarden. Got great results. Please keep us updated, as fresh tomatoes, peppers, and lettuce would be pretty bomb.

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Originally Posted by HoneyBadger

How important is it to oxygenate the water? You should look into hydroponics... Leaves out the soil and most of the mess.

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Critical to have oxy water.... And this is hydro

Quote:

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Originally Posted by DFBrews

Critical to have oxy water.... And this is hydro

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I thought hydroponics was growing plants in just a water solution, no soil involved?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by HoneyBadger

I thought hydroponics was growing plants in just a water solution, no soil involved?

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The plug is made of recycled tree bark. It is a lot like a sponge very absorbing this will be done with no soil. If my cuttings survive I will use the clay balls to support the plant

I read that tomatoes wont set fruit if the temperatures exceed 86 degrees F.
Is this true?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by DFBrews

The plug is made of recycled tree bark. It is a lot like a sponge very absorbing this will be done with no soil. If my cuttings survive I will use the clay balls to support the plant

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Oh neato. Thanks for the info. Good luck! I've been growing cooking herbs inside my house for about 2 months with a similar set-up. The multiple 100+ degree days and the almost constant 20 mph winds here were just killing everything I tried to grow, so I moved it all into a more controlled environment. Because space is limited, I haven't tried growing anything more than herbs though. Right now I have basil, oregano, mint, parsley, cilantro, and rosemary. I'm growing enough to dehydrate and save a bunch of it, but now that I moved it inside, I can keep it alive through the winter and keep my cooking ingredients fresh!

My wife and I LOVE cooking. :D

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9f068rVb790
if you want a simple air based ebb and flow system


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ugc71...eature=related
window garden

Quote:

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Originally Posted by HoneyBadger

Oh neato. Thanks for the info. Good luck! I've been growing cooking herbs inside my house for about 2 months with a similar set-up. The multiple 100+ degree days and the almost constant 20 mph winds here were just killing everything I tried to grow, so I moved it all into a more controlled environment. Because space is limited, I haven't tried growing anything more than herbs though. Right now I have basil, oregano, mint, parsley, cilantro, and rosemary. I'm growing enough to dehydrate and save a bunch of it, but now that I moved it inside, I can keep it alive through the winter and keep my cooking ingredients fresh!

My wife and I LOVE cooking. :D

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Nice! post a pic of your setup the more info the better. I just got home and checked on the day old tomato cuttings. no wilting to speak of which i normally see when doing cuttings. i acquired some romaine seeds to plant after i am done with the tomatoes. And got my cardboard grow box tapped in with the light fixture i have. I need to find a cabinet of some kind so that it can be in the family room and not be scorned by SWMBO.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Wulf202

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9f068rVb790
if you want a simple air based ebb and flow system


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ugc71...eature=related
window garden

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I saw those and they are intriguing but i want to stick to the Deep Water Culture to keep everything consistant.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Ralph

I read that tomatoes wont set fruit if the temperatures exceed 86 degrees F.
Is this true?

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I do not know I am quite the tomato Noob still. I did work at the CSU research center dealing with cloning and propagating potatoes though so If you have potato questions I have that covered.[Flower]

Going on vacation tomorrow and I gotta get packing. I'll post some pics when I get back if I remember.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Ralph

I read that tomatoes wont set fruit if the temperatures exceed 86 degrees F.
Is this true?

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We grew them down south just fine in temps well over 86. Egg shells are also good for them (can't remember why has to be something about calcium)

I tried the hydroponics one summer with strawberries and melons, never did get fruit, had it outdoors and it ended up with a huge root ball in the tub think that may have been the problem.

I checked on them today and we have ROOTS and seedlings coming up. Super quick germination times.

the grow box

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7269/7...b91c901fcd.jpg
IMAG0993 by post_james86, on Flickr

seedlings coming up and the cuttings in the back

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8290/7...b341661313.jpg
IMAG0996 by post_james86, on Flickr

seedlings!

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8446/7...3b720c0922.jpg
IMAG0997 by post_james86, on Flickr

roots!! this has only been in the water since the the 7th super fast it will get transplanted monday.

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8425/7...ec999b74e1.jpg
IMAG0998 by post_james86, on Flickr

So the stuff under the grow light has really taken off. to the point where i am going to start hardening off the tomatoes so i can transplant them. I also have lettuce up which will start getting nutrients in the hydro system on tuesday.

the big cutting it was about 4in tall when i cut it off the plant
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8428/7...5a6cac5cfa.jpg
IMAG1021 by post_james86, on Flickr

the other 2 each close to 6 in tall they where 3" ish when cut

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7255/7...466a780682.jpg
IMAG1022 by post_james86, on Flickr

the seedlings and the lettuce... unless we have very late frost i do not expect anything from them but i will put them outside and grab a cutting or 2 for the Deep water culture hydro system and hopefully get some heirloom tomatoes during the winter.

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8288/7...547b047e9f.jpg
IMAG1023 by post_james86, on Flickr

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Ralph

I read that tomatoes wont set fruit if the temperatures exceed 86 degrees F.
Is this true?

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Nope, most tomatos are fine with heat. We used to harvest massive amounts of tomatos in southern AZ where the summer temps avg well over 100deg.

The key is growing varieties that are designed for the climate you are in.

I am loving this thread. Keep the updates coming!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by HoneyBadger

Oh neato. Thanks for the info. Good luck! I've been growing cooking herbs inside my house for about 2 months with a similar set-up. The multiple 100+ degree days and the almost constant 20 mph winds here were just killing everything I tried to grow, so I moved it all into a more controlled environment. Because space is limited, I haven't tried growing anything more than herbs though. Right now I have basil, oregano, mint, parsley, cilantro, and rosemary. I'm growing enough to dehydrate and save a bunch of it, but now that I moved it inside, I can keep it alive through the winter and keep my cooking ingredients fresh!

My wife and I LOVE cooking. :D

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We should have a cooking forum! Share recipes!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by rocktot

We should have a cooking forum! Share recipes!

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Your blind I take it. Look up to the stickies that everyone ignores. http://www.ar-15.co/forums/showthread.php?t=19665[Flower]

I am confused. Are you planning on doing indoor growing over the winter? This seems like you are just starting them indoors, then transplanting them outside.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Irving

I am confused. Are you planning on doing indoor growing over the winter? This seems like you are just starting them indoors, then transplanting them outside.

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doing both i am going to grow a late crop of tomatoes outdoors in grow pots which are the cuttings and hopefully the seedlings. I have the ability to build a little green house if needed, and than i am going to grow a heirloom tomato plant and a chili plant indoors hydroponically both indoor plants will be selected for high yields.

Thank you for clearing that up. I'm interested in how large of a pot you'll need to have to grow what you want.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Irving

Thank you for clearing that up. I'm interested in how large of a pot you'll need to have to grow what you want.

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hydro or outdoors?

I am doing 7 gallon grow bags for out doors with a good soil and intensive fert schedule.

the hydro is a 5 gallon bucket per plant.

Interesting. I happen to have 7 five gallon buckets just sitting around taking up space. One tomato, one lettuce, and one pepper would be a pretty great way to supplement foods. Looking forward to seeing how things go.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by DFBrews

The plug is made of recycled tree bark. It is a lot like a sponge very absorbing this will be done with no soil. If my cuttings survive I will use the clay balls to support the plant

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Where did you get your plugs? What are the plastic pieces that you are supporting them with? I tried using a piece of metal screen to support mine right at the water level, but one of the corners came loose while I was on vacation and most of them washed into my water holding tank and then plugged up my little fish tank pump and I can't get it working again. The 3 seedlings that survived died when the pump stopped feeding them. Project is on standby until I get some time to rebuild it.

Clay medium, river rocks, or even screen tray will work at this point. We have our lil green house going for tropical herbs/spices that would've costed arms and legs from the store.

To sprout.. we use screen tray as pictured...

http://imageplay.net/img/tya22280680/IMG_1809.png

the kids outdoors in their grow bags

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8431/7...72a9e5b7_c.jpg
IMAG1047 by post_james86, on Flickr

the indoor lettuce

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8305/7...bb8bd2c2_c.jpg
IMAG1050 by post_james86, on Flickr

got a in-law who grows using a hydro setup. Not these kinda veggies, but he is legal by todays standards. The amount of science he has into his setup is unreal. The massive abundance that his crops yeild in such a short time line is astonishing to say the least, and the quality of the product is second to none. It is crazy how with the right setup and the proper care what you can do. From grow lights, to homeade CO2 producers, to intake fans wired into t-stats etc. His setup is a true science lab! Last time I chatted with him we got to talking about how I would like him to teach me his setup so that I can grow veggies(the kind I feed to my kids) year round. Looks like this winter my shed will be converted to a legit greenhouse. My wife is excited to be able to give the littleones frsh veggies without the prices from the stores.

How warm do tomatoes & lettuce require it to be? We don't exactly crank up the heat in the winter but have more than ample sunlight in an unused room.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by hatidua

How warm do tomatoes & lettuce require it to be? We don't exactly crank up the heat in the winter but have more than ample sunlight in an unused room.

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Tomatoes originated in Central America so they generally prefer it warmer. But from the below I think you'd be fine in a cooler house.

From the Burpee website.

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In general, tomatoes will stop producing fruit when temperatures drop below 50°F or rise above 90°F.

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And there are varieties of lettuce for warm and cooler temps. Iceberg for example prefers cooler temps.

update on the veggies. the lettuce is going nuts I harvested enough for a salad for 2 people today. I really need to get a dissovled salts meter so i can keep the nutrients at a safe level instead of guessing. the outdoor grow bag tomatoes are close to 2.5 ft tall and already have a couple flower clusters each. going to start fertilizing them tomorrow with a fruit oriented blend.

lettuce
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8300/7...c8d9076140.jpg
IMAG1093 by post_james86, on Flickr

root system

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8459/7...2a4a2ccdda.jpg
IMAG1094 by post_james86, on Flickr

harvested lettuce

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8438/7...749fb11285.jpg
IMAG1095 by post_james86, on Flickr

the grow bags.. they are not turning yellow it is just how the camera judged the light they are quite green

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8454/7...f7e59f3e_z.jpg
IMAG1097 by post_james86, on Flickr

the original plant full of unripe tomatoes the fertilizer is making all the difference

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8035/7...16f747ba_z.jpg
IMAG1098 by post_james86, on Flickr

What do you do about those bags getting top heavy once the plants really start getting big? The tomatoes in my cousin's garden have knocked the lattice work down because the plant is so large.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Irving

What do you do about those bags getting top heavy once the plants really start getting big? The tomatoes in my cousin's garden have knocked the lattice work down because the plant is so large.

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if you look in the last 2 pictures i drove a 6 foot tall hardwood stake into the ground behind each bag. i am tying the plant to these as they grow when they reach the top i am going to run a wire to another anchor point and train the plant along that. I am also killing ALL suckers from the main stem so that they will a little easier to manage.