Here we are at week 3 since I planted these baby greens. The mini-aquaponics system is on the left, Kratky-method non-circulating hydroponics on the right. I lost a cilantro on the left and an arugula on the right. My bok choy is bolting on the left, and the arugula is bolting on the right. I am still not happy with how things are going on the Kratky side though.
(p.s. That is one of my Nigerian bucks, Dusty, on the picnic table outside. I didn't even notice he was in the picture until I put it up here.)
Let's take a closer look at the two planters.
Here is the aquaponics system (below). The plants are healthy and ready for me to start harvesting leaves.
(p.s. That is one of my Nigerian bucks, Dusty, on the picnic table outside. I didn't even notice he was in the picture until I put it up here.)
Let's take a closer look at the two planters.
Here is the aquaponics system (below). The plants are healthy and ready for me to start harvesting leaves.
Now, here is the non-circulating hydroponics system. I'm not impressed, and I actually feel a bit sorry for this crowd of plants.
I'm even less impressed with the root growth. Yuck!
Shown next is the root system of one of the greens from the aquaponics side. Most of the roots are inside the pot, but look at the lovely white primary root coming out of the bottom of the pot. Keep in mind that I used 2-inch net pots for the Kratky setup and 5-inch ones for the aquaponics. And, the pots in the aquaponics system are not suspended. I just set the pots on the floor of the planter and allow the flush-and-fill system to water/aerate them.
Here are the things I did to try to get the Kratky side to fare a bit better:
1) I flipped the piece of foam insulation over so the silver, reflective side is no longer facing up. Maybe there was too much radiation causing plant stress?
2) I drained the planter (saving the nutrient-filled water to use on my outdoor plants). I filled with fresh water and nutrients to a TDS of 1200 above my initial water reading.
3) I moved the spindly, bolting arugula plants as well as one of the smaller greens to the aquaponics side. I just set them in the planter in their tiny pots.
4) I planted 5 bok choy in the vacated holes. Bok choy can be happy anywhere, so I will be surprised if they don't thrive.
Here is the adjusted setup:
1) I flipped the piece of foam insulation over so the silver, reflective side is no longer facing up. Maybe there was too much radiation causing plant stress?
2) I drained the planter (saving the nutrient-filled water to use on my outdoor plants). I filled with fresh water and nutrients to a TDS of 1200 above my initial water reading.
3) I moved the spindly, bolting arugula plants as well as one of the smaller greens to the aquaponics side. I just set them in the planter in their tiny pots.
4) I planted 5 bok choy in the vacated holes. Bok choy can be happy anywhere, so I will be surprised if they don't thrive.
Here is the adjusted setup:
That is a sodium lamp on the left, thus the yellow tinge. Wish my baby greens luck!
RSS Feed
