but have not had the time to upload pics.

March 2010

I also have been planning a more suitable box-like setup for the balcony application that negates the problems of exposure and mostly wind.

> Sketchup Pro model and/or pdf available via email.

Monday, December 7, 2009

Growth progress photographed today (day 12) As you can see plants are thriving with the Nutrient mix. I am getting quite a buzz with the progress! Whilst I know hydroponics is not new, it is new to me, I am finding it quite fun as the plants develop. The whole family is excited and has shown a much higher level of interest that I would have predicted. The kids really get a kick out of the growth of the roots as the root system of the plants peek out from the small little pots. I am finding the system is a great way to show my kids how an alternative technology works in a real world application. ‘There’s more than one way to do anything…’ I say (now that I am an family expert!)

On Day 10 – I found the Hydro-engine was reading HIGH for around 2 hours. I was assured this was not a cause for concern. Basically it can mean the EC levels could be up to 0.3 away from the desired 1.8 EC setting (so quite minor in real dosing terms). The other possible issue could be the water level. This was found to be the cause. As the plants used the fertiliser and liquid solution, they use the water and transpire, causing the water levels in the reservoir to drop. This effectively makes the fertiliser solution in the reservoir stronger than   the desired target (set by the fine adjustment EC controller). The plants were also using more water than at any time prior to this. I was told this was due to the development of the plant’s root system. As they grow into the pipes they will ultimately take over the pipe, helping to anchor them, providing support for the plant.

When we harvest some produce which should be in a few days, I am aiming to give as much detail as possible in terms of exactly how much produce/food we get from the system (in weight).

30th December 2009

Root System is now being seen through the holders, Its really starting to feed well now. I feel a little left out of it all now as the plants are happily growing without any attention from me! The Hydro-engine™ Mk 1 is taking all the anxiety out of growing produce hydroponically.

Lettuce root growth - day 5

The plants I purchased certainly were not seedlings, but I have noticed some visible growth over the past 5 days.

growth - day 5

parsley - day 5

DAY 4

Sunday, November 29, 2009

A gusty, day presented some issues of exposure, with the plants being tilted in the holes due to occasional gusts of wind. This issue is something to address immediately as when the unit is mounted on the other side of the balcony handrail, this issue of exposure maybe increased.

I temporarily rigged up a shield using melamine strips to alleviate the problem for now.

I have drawn some basic ideas of a kind of Perspex wind shield in Google Sketchup Pro (as shown here), also thinking that the main pipes would benefit from being also protected from below, which suggests to me a tray/box arrangement on two brackets of metal or wood that the pipes are secured into. This would facilitate nicer look than current, as all tubes, etc could be housed within or under box frame. The returning water pipe can thread through a 100mm gap in my balcony handrails. This will be the determining factor for unit height.

2:30pm – Installed the filter anyway, I figured it will serve its purpose for when I introduce some more plant varieties into the mix.

DAY 3

Saturday, November 28, 2009

EC setting on 1.8 continued without incident.

Solution flow was steady

I purchased a $9.95 filter from a local irrigation shop which is no doubt why the flow had corrected itself. No blockages meant I didn’t get to install filter today as it was no real issue anymore.

Today was another hot one, but fortunately the plants appeared unaffected.

I noticed some tiny white roots protruding from the small containers used to house the plants. I saw this as a great sign of real progress. The larger of the lettuce were first to sprout, with smaller roots on some of the other plants. The roots tended to be more prominent on the larger of the plants as a rule of thumb.

DAY 2

Friday  November, 27 2009

5am – I awoke early as I had much to do today, first check on the overnight progress of the system was very encouraging. No blockages, no issues with the operation of any components.

During the course of the day, we did experience more blockages which was mildly annoying, but knew this would be easily resolved.

Today was quite a hot day and I was encouraged to see the plants not showing any real adverse affects of the heat, the plants all seemed to be standing up proud – to me it suggested they were getting everything they needed.

8:20pm – Hydro-engine™ Mk 1 started to flash the lower left red light suggestin a reading of ‘HIGH TEMP’ which seemed odd given that it was very much night time. This persisted for around twenty minutes and then corrected itself, running smoothly throughout the night…

related posts:

Hydroponics 101 day 3