After watching a video recording of your presentation at UH, and taking some notes from Khang Starr (who also learned by studying your method of hydroponics), I grew my first lettuce plants without soil, air pumps, or constant monitoring. Now, without any hassle, we easily grow all the lettuce we wish to eat every week. Thanks for the research, and for sharing your findings!
Thanks, As you always mention on your video about the "cut and come again concept" , it is 100% applicable on green onions. I have tried it and they grow back in just about a couple of weeks if you just cut the top. Just a long as the bulbs are not submerged in the nutrients.
Aloha! Thanks for sharing, I frequently make adjustments to my growing methods based on your videos. I found using 2 storage tanks for nutrients nearly eliminated my precipitate issues, in contrast to adding dry nutrient directly.
I'm so thankful to get to watch another wonderful video produced by the legendary Dr. B.A.Kratky. Your videos have always inspired me to try new things and think outside the box. Nice name drop, "Larry Hall"! Your veggies and fruits never disappoint and always look so beautiful. Thanks for sharing and as always keep building👍
Thank you Dr. Kratky for sharing your information for so long. I discovered your method through Larry Hall and MHPGardener. I found your Channel from fellow UA-camr Mike Vanduzee. Thanks again! I just subscribed as well!
I'm aware that some plants commonly grown for food have parts which are safe to eat and other parts which are not. The beautiful roots shown in so many videos of edible plants grown in hydroponic systems makes me wonder how many of these roots are as edible and nutritious as the other parts normally consumed as food. How much additional edible biomass could be available with no additional investment? Are there any accessible references for this topic that you could point out?
I live in Central Florida I think we have the same humid temperatures as you do in Hawaii. Therefore I was wondering how your growing lettuce outside in the heat. I've tried growing lettuce many times in soil and hydroponically here but the humid temperatures seem to eventually kill off the whole crop before I can really harvest anything. So what I'm asking is what do you do to have such beautiful looking lettuce crops in the warm humid weather that you have in Hawaii?
Temperatures above the mid 80s with full sunshine are rough on lettuce, but 30-50% shade screens help. The winter months are a few degrees cooler than summer months in Hilo and that makes a huge difference. Higher elevations are cooler and lettuce quality is greatly improved.
Greetings from the other side of the world, Prof. Kratky and happy Earth-day :) I was wondering if it is a viral infection on the pepper-leaves at 5:51, and _if_ and _how_ one would get rid of it..
There was an insect issue with those plants. If plants truly have a virus infection, the best thing is to remove them before they infect adjacent plants.
@@lileelisamc.4722 I heard that we should never use organic fertilizers for this particular method because of the natural bacteria etc. in the organics...will grow and create issues. I am the same way, but will not use them in Dr. Kratky's method
Very educational. Now, I want to have non-circulating hydroponics at home! Where so you suggest we should we keep our non-circulating hydroponic kit, indoor or outdoor? If outdoor, how much sun & shade are needed? Thank you!!
If you don't have a greenhouse, the next best approach is to get some protection from rainfall by placing it under the overhanging roof of your house - preferably on the south side (assuming you are living in the northern hemisphere).
Hi Dr. Kratky! Thanks for all your great videos! I also live in Hilo and am having a problem with whitefly infestation on my pepper plants. I've tried neem, peppermint oils. Any suggestions?
Hi Derek, My best suggestion is to talk with the Master Gardeners and extension folks at the Komohana Ag Center located at 875 Komohana St. in Hilo. I think they will have some effective alternatives.
@@growkratky5558 Thanks Dr. Kratky! I found the number for the master grow line on the CTAHR website! Also, found your inclusion of iron chelate in the stock solution helpful! I was having an issue with noticeable yellowing in basil. The addition has helped all the plants with much greener leaves! Mahalo!
Hello from Canada. Im just getting started on your method. Can you tell me what those small seedling blocks are? It looks like you just drop them into net pot and leave them be, no hydropon pellets or anything to cover them , also no visible roots. Thankyou.
These particular foam seedling blocks are no longer being produced. However, Oasis seedling blocks are similar and work fine. There may also be some other seedling blocks on the market.
@@growkratky5558 Good morning from BC Canada! I was just (now) on the Oasis website, reading the reviews for these PH neutral blocks. People LOVE them. They come in 3 sizes, what size do you use in a 2 inch net pot.. 1 inch, 1.25 inch, or 1.5 inch. Thankyou so much.
@@mssavedin92 I use 1-inch size blocks which often lean or tip in the net pots, but the lettuce or other crops grow just fine. I suppose the larger blocks would be better, but they cost more.
@@growkratky5558 I ended up buying a tray of 98 1.5 inch rock wool blocks yesterday, they cost me about $17.00 CAD...I dont know if thats a super good price or not but it was from a local hydroponics store..I also bought a good little ph meter...and i hear the rockwool is good at holding water..so I figured they would be a good choice to germinate the seeds in AND grow the leafy greens in. Im using white 2 inch net pots, Do I need to add hydropon or anything around these? Or am I good to go.I also bought the masterblend tomato and lettuce fertilizer 3 part solution. I put 6 holes in a 10 gallon roughneck rubbermaid container lid and thats the plan for all the leafys. I want to try cukes too but will use 3 inch net pots and probable use just 2 holes in those containers and seal up the other 4.
Dr. Kratky, I have a quick question: we are using your earlier system that has individual 5-gallon buckets for each plant. (Peppers, Cucumbers, Squash, and Tomatoes) and they are doing extremely well. However, they are really using a lot of water here in the hot midwest. Do we replenish with plain (reverse osmosis filtered) water, or should we be adding more of the nutrient-rich solution like we started with? (Masterblend 4-18-38, PowerGrow Epsom Salt, and PowerGrow Calcium Nitrate mixture.) Also, keep the bucket about half-full of solution?
Refill solution should be with the nutrient solution as advised in the video. However, during very hot and drying conditions, lower EC solutions such as 1.0 to 1.5 mS might be used. Yes, maintaining the buckets at about half-full is a good approach.
@@growkratky5558 Thank you very much, Dr. Kratky. We really appreciate you and your hard work. Where we live (NW Arkansas) there are CWD Prions infecting our topsoil. As you probably know, Prions are absorbed by the plants and can transmit the deadly Prions directly to humans. So, we are having to use RO water, and hydroponics. I believe that Prion Disease is an emerging threat in our food supply, but you have given us a perfect solution. Thanks again! www.virology.ws/2015/06/25/prions-in-plants/
Thank you for posting these wonderful videos! I've been successfully growing greens using the Kratky method for several months. However, recently a white spherical mold has been growing in the nutrient solution, under the waterline. It grows on the roots and the sides and bottom of the jar. I have tried sterilizing the jars, seeds and growing medium but the mold keeps growing in the new set ups. I would love any insight that you can provide. Thank you!
I don't have a direct answer for you. However, we had noticed that a white microorganism film developed on our Chem-gro stock solutions, but this ceased to happen when the magnesium sulfate was added to the Chem-gro stock solution. This is why we use 2 stock solutions - Chem-gro and magnesium sulfate in Stock Solution A and calcium nitrate in Stock Solution B. The film did not develop on the calcium nitrate stock solution.
Beautiful garden, thanks for sharing! It was interesting to see you try growing onions with non-circulating hydroponics. Your tomato plants are loaded with fruit, and the eggplant has grown very large. Do you find that you have a current favorite growing system, whether it is the tubs, the float valve system, or other methods?
Thanks, Matt. I prefer the 'set it and forget it' method, because all the water and fertilizer has been added and there is nothing to do until harvest time. It's getting close to planting time in the Midwest and I wish you a very successful gardening season!
Thanks! I learned a lot from you! Did you already try Mibuna from Seeds in HP? I have, but the plants dies in 2-3 weeks. Overnight ... i have no Idea why. I use for Nutrition GHE FloraDuo. Greetings from Austria! :)
You might try Fukuda Seed Co. or order from Johnny's Seed Co. Also, since I don't live on Oahu, check with one of the CTAHR County agents or Master Gardeners there. My preferred watercress seed was ordered from Stokes Seed Co.
@@growkratky5558 Thanks so much Dr. Kratky! My mission to grow watercress is starting off great! When I first saw your PDF about non-circulating methods for growing watercress I reasoned it was impossible for an individual gardener. I guess the sheer amount of scientific words made it seem like a quite a feat. However after hearing your name mentioned in multiple videos and finally seeing your own videos I have renewed confidence. Thanks again!
Some years ago, I checked the pH for these methods and it was around the 6-7 range. I haven't been checking it lately and didn't check it at all for these crops, but probably should have.
I have been using Chem-Gro lettuce formula 8-15-36 which also contains micronutrients and it is manufactured by Hydro-Gardens in Colorado. It has been a reliable fertilizer for me. I'm sure there are other reliable fertilizers available, but since this works for me, I stick with it.
After watching a video recording of your presentation at UH, and taking some notes from Khang Starr (who also learned by studying your method of hydroponics), I grew my first lettuce plants without soil, air pumps, or constant monitoring. Now, without any hassle, we easily grow all the lettuce we wish to eat every week. Thanks for the research, and for sharing your findings!
When I move back to Indonesia this will all be very valuable. In Wisconsin right now.
Thank you fo mentioning Larry Hall .... God bless his soul,
Thanks, As you always mention on your video about the "cut and come again concept" , it is 100% applicable on green onions. I have tried it and they grow back in just about a couple of weeks if you just cut the top. Just a long as the bulbs are not submerged in the nutrients.
Dr. Kratky, I love listening to you. Please share updates of your 2020 garden. Thanks!
I enjoyed the video. Thanks.
Thanks, Jeb. I really admire your video production skills.
A master and his apprentice spotted in the wild
Excellent work, Dr Kratky! Thank you for your continued contribution to gardening.
Your climate really loves these plants!
Wonderful video and most magical garden! Thank you Dr. Kratky for sharing your work!
Aloha! Thanks for sharing, I frequently make adjustments to my growing methods based on your videos. I found using 2 storage tanks for nutrients nearly eliminated my precipitate issues, in contrast to adding dry nutrient directly.
Nice to see you posting. Will share with my Krarky Facebook group.
I'm so thankful to get to watch another wonderful video produced by the legendary Dr. B.A.Kratky.
Your videos have always inspired me to try new things and think outside the box.
Nice name drop, "Larry Hall"!
Your veggies and fruits never disappoint and always look so beautiful.
Thanks for sharing and as always keep building👍
Thank you for your kindness and I'm glad you see the value of alternate approaches to a project.
Thanks Dr Kratky. Keep the updates coming!
Thank you for sharing your knowledge with us all.
Thank you Dr. Kratky for sharing your information for so long. I discovered your method through Larry Hall and MHPGardener. I found your Channel from fellow UA-camr Mike Vanduzee.
Thanks again! I just subscribed as well!
Thank you Dr Kratky for your kind sharing. Such a pleasure to hear from you!
I'm aware that some plants commonly grown for food have parts which are safe to eat and other parts which are not.
The beautiful roots shown in so many videos of edible plants grown in hydroponic systems makes me wonder how many of these roots are as edible and nutritious as the other parts normally consumed as food.
How much additional edible biomass could be available with no additional investment?
Are there any accessible references for this topic that you could point out?
Aloha! Dr. Wonderful to see how your garden grows. Have you ever come across a vegetable that you cannot grow using your method? Best Wishes.
So lovely. I can't wait to try this.
Amazing setup, Beautiful Garden!
I live in Central Florida I think we have the same humid temperatures as you do in Hawaii. Therefore I was wondering how your growing lettuce outside in the heat. I've tried growing lettuce many times in soil and hydroponically here but the humid temperatures seem to eventually kill off the whole crop before I can really harvest anything. So what I'm asking is what do you do to have such beautiful looking lettuce crops in the warm humid weather that you have in Hawaii?
Temperatures above the mid 80s with full sunshine are rough on lettuce, but 30-50% shade screens help. The winter months are a few degrees cooler than summer months in Hilo and that makes a huge difference. Higher elevations are cooler and lettuce quality is greatly improved.
Fun video. My garden is only dirt this time of year. :)
Greetings from the other side of the world, Prof. Kratky and happy Earth-day :)
I was wondering if it is a viral infection on the pepper-leaves at 5:51, and _if_ and _how_ one would get rid of it..
There was an insect issue with those plants. If plants truly have a virus infection, the best thing is to remove them before they infect adjacent plants.
This is really impressive
Good stuff🤙love this idea..my question is,do the chemical fertilizers have any adverse effects on your health?
Mahalo nui
will pass on the chemical fertilizers
@@lileelisamc.4722 I heard that we should never use organic fertilizers for this particular method because of the natural bacteria etc. in the organics...will grow and create issues. I am the same way, but will not use them in Dr. Kratky's method
Very educational. Now, I want to have non-circulating hydroponics at home! Where so you suggest we should we keep our non-circulating hydroponic kit, indoor or outdoor? If outdoor, how much sun & shade are needed? Thank you!!
If you don't have a greenhouse, the next best approach is to get some protection from rainfall by placing it under the overhanging roof of your house - preferably on the south side (assuming you are living in the northern hemisphere).
Hi Dr. Kratky! Thanks for all your great videos! I also live in Hilo and am having a problem with whitefly infestation on my pepper plants. I've tried neem, peppermint oils. Any suggestions?
Hi Derek, My best suggestion is to talk with the Master Gardeners and extension folks at the Komohana Ag Center located at 875 Komohana St. in Hilo. I think they will have some effective alternatives.
@@growkratky5558 Thanks Dr. Kratky! I found the number for the master grow line on the CTAHR website! Also, found your inclusion of iron chelate in the stock solution helpful! I was having an issue with noticeable yellowing in basil. The addition has helped all the plants with much greener leaves! Mahalo!
Hello from Canada. Im just getting started on your method. Can you tell me what those small seedling blocks are? It looks like you just drop them into net pot and leave them be, no hydropon pellets or anything to cover them , also no visible roots. Thankyou.
These particular foam seedling blocks are no longer being produced. However, Oasis seedling blocks are similar and work fine. There may also be some other seedling blocks on the market.
@@growkratky5558 Good morning from BC Canada! I was just (now) on the Oasis website, reading the reviews for these PH neutral blocks. People LOVE them. They come in 3 sizes, what size do you use in a 2 inch net pot.. 1 inch, 1.25 inch, or 1.5 inch. Thankyou so much.
@@mssavedin92 I use 1-inch size blocks which often lean or tip in the net pots, but the lettuce or other crops grow just fine. I suppose the larger blocks would be better, but they cost more.
@@growkratky5558 I ended up buying a tray of 98 1.5 inch rock wool blocks yesterday, they cost me about $17.00 CAD...I dont know if thats a super good price or not but it was from a local hydroponics store..I also bought a good little ph meter...and i hear the rockwool is good at holding water..so I figured they would be a good choice to germinate the seeds in AND grow the leafy greens in. Im using white 2 inch net pots, Do I need to add hydropon or anything around these? Or am I good to go.I also bought the masterblend tomato and lettuce fertilizer 3 part solution. I put 6 holes in a 10 gallon roughneck rubbermaid container lid and thats the plan for all the leafys. I want to try cukes too but will use 3 inch net pots and probable use just 2 holes in those containers and seal up the other 4.
Dr. Kratky, I have a quick question: we are using your earlier system that has individual 5-gallon buckets for each plant. (Peppers, Cucumbers, Squash, and Tomatoes) and they are doing extremely well. However, they are really using a lot of water here in the hot midwest. Do we replenish with plain (reverse osmosis filtered) water, or should we be adding more of the nutrient-rich solution like we started with? (Masterblend 4-18-38, PowerGrow Epsom Salt, and PowerGrow Calcium Nitrate mixture.) Also, keep the bucket about half-full of solution?
Refill solution should be with the nutrient solution as advised in the video. However, during very hot and drying conditions, lower EC solutions such as 1.0 to 1.5 mS might be used. Yes, maintaining the buckets at about half-full is a good approach.
@@growkratky5558 Thank you very much, Dr. Kratky. We really appreciate you and your hard work. Where we live (NW Arkansas) there are CWD Prions infecting our topsoil. As you probably know, Prions are absorbed by the plants and can transmit the deadly Prions directly to humans. So, we are having to use RO water, and hydroponics. I believe that Prion Disease is an emerging threat in our food supply, but you have given us a perfect solution. Thanks again! www.virology.ws/2015/06/25/prions-in-plants/
Thank you for posting these wonderful videos! I've been successfully growing greens using the Kratky method for several months. However, recently a white spherical mold has been growing in the nutrient solution, under the waterline. It grows on the roots and the sides and bottom of the jar. I have tried sterilizing the jars, seeds and growing medium but the mold keeps growing in the new set ups. I would love any insight that you can provide. Thank you!
I don't have a direct answer for you. However, we had noticed that a white microorganism film developed on our Chem-gro stock solutions, but this ceased to happen when the magnesium sulfate was added to the Chem-gro stock solution. This is why we use 2 stock solutions - Chem-gro and magnesium sulfate in Stock Solution A and calcium nitrate in Stock Solution B. The film did not develop on the calcium nitrate stock solution.
@@growkratky5558 Thank you!
How many gallons of water do the lettuce containers hold for the 4 ounces of stock solution?
About 8 gallons. The recommendation is to add about 1/2 oz of stock solution A and 1/2 oz of stock solution B per gal of water.
Beautiful garden, thanks for sharing! It was interesting to see you try growing onions with non-circulating hydroponics. Your tomato plants are loaded with fruit, and the eggplant has grown very large. Do you find that you have a current favorite growing system, whether it is the tubs, the float valve system, or other methods?
Thanks, Matt. I prefer the 'set it and forget it' method, because all the water and fertilizer has been added and there is nothing to do until harvest time. It's getting close to planting time in the Midwest and I wish you a very successful gardening season!
@@growkratky5558 Thank you, I am looking forward to another non circulating hydroponic garden!
Have you tried adding a small amount of caffeine to your nutrient solution? I'm interested in finding out if it speeds things up further
No, I have not tried adding caffeine.
Hello do i need to have a shelter overhead for rain when i do this method outside in my yard?
Yes.
Superb!
Thanks! I learned a lot from you!
Did you already try Mibuna from Seeds in HP? I have, but the plants dies in 2-3 weeks. Overnight ... i have no Idea why. I use for Nutrition GHE FloraDuo.
Greetings from Austria! :)
Aloha Dr. Kratky, Could you please recommend where I can find seeds on Oahu - specifically watercress, bok choy, arugula? Thanks so much!
You might try Fukuda Seed Co. or order from Johnny's Seed Co. Also, since I don't live on Oahu, check with one of the CTAHR County agents or Master Gardeners there. My preferred watercress seed was ordered from Stokes Seed Co.
@@growkratky5558 Thanks so much Dr. Kratky! My mission to grow watercress is starting off great! When I first saw your PDF about non-circulating methods for growing watercress I reasoned it was impossible for an individual gardener. I guess the sheer amount of scientific words made it seem like a quite a feat. However after hearing your name mentioned in multiple videos and finally seeing your own videos I have renewed confidence. Thanks again!
Aloooha!
Hello this is a nice set up do you check for ph with these nutrients thanks
Some years ago, I checked the pH for these methods and it was around the 6-7 range. I haven't been checking it lately and didn't check it at all for these crops, but probably should have.
Do you have a link for your nutrient supplier?
I have been using Chem-Gro lettuce formula 8-15-36 which also contains micronutrients and it is manufactured by Hydro-Gardens in Colorado. It has been a reliable fertilizer for me. I'm sure there are other reliable fertilizers available, but since this works for me, I stick with it.
Fancy
Jeb Sent me here... Don't judge me lol
Do you make your own compost? Is your farm organic