by Joie
Timing of lights & nutrients + PH Levels
10:48 pm in How-Tos, Materials and Resources, Nutrients, posts with pitcures!, Projects in Process, Seeking Advice by Joie
Just got the system up and tested it overnight for any leaks etc. before adding the plants. I attached the lights to the bars instead of suspending them as it seemed easier. Success! No leaks or pooling. I think there might have been a slight clog in one of the drip valves, but I blew into the tube slightly to release it, which worked.
Getting ready to put the seedlings into net pots and install, but I’m trying to figure out the timing of the lights and nutrients first. I have a feeling it’s going to be a bit of trial & error. Since my 47″ reservoirs hold 2.6 gallons of water, I’m going to pour 2 gallons into the reservoir to make sure that my pump is always submerged in water. To balance the PH level in the water, I am using a tester kit and PH-Up and PH-Down to adjust the level according to this PH chart for hydroponic gardeners. My mix of herbs (Oregano, Thyme, Parsley, Sage, Verbena, Lavender, Sweet Basil), vegetables (Endive, Hot Peppers, Lettuce) & flowers (Morning Glory, Moonflower, Echinacea) warrants a 5.5-6 to keep everyone happy, I think.
For nutrients, I am using the following products measured to proportion with 2 gallons of water:
(L to R: PH-Up, PH tester, PH-Down, Drip Clean, Multi Zen, Roots Excelerator, Magic Green, Aqua Flakes A, Aqua Flakes B)
My contact at the local hydro store recommended that I turn the drip on 3x a day for 15 minutes to begin with (sun-up, midday, lights off) and to keep the lights on for 18 HRS a day starting from sun-up even though my windows face South.
I would have given you the same advice as the hydro shop. You may end up needing a fourth run of the water.To make sure that three times is enough;put the plants in on a day that you will be home all day (well at lest till noon). Keep a close eye on them to see if they may be wilting a little before the pump turns on. If they are then add a fourth run, but if they look fine and happy three is the number for you. Check on them just before the last time the pump runs too.
With lighting, you can run it 24 hours a day, but plants do things at night they don’t do when they have light. So giving them some dark time may be beneficial to them. I know of experiments that showed no difference in 24 hours vs 18, so you might as well cut your electric bill back.
You will have best results if you have the lights on with the sun light. Even when they are getting the best light of the day, that glass is reflecting a sizable amount of the light at the street. Remember you can’t give your plants too much light, as long as you are not over heating them.
It seems like you’ve figured out the PH level thing. You will likely find a PH meter very handy. They are really nice to have when aiming for a very exact PH, which when mixing plants in the same system often happens. But you’ll get by fine with the liquid stuff. I don’t have a meter anymore, but some times i really miss it.
Just check the PH often at first. You will get an idea of how fast it changes in your system, and then you’ll know how often you really need to check it.
I found that by observing the pump in action you can get a more accurate guess on how long it needs to move all the water to the top reservoir. I’m pumping approximately the same amount of water as you, but only have pump on for 3 minutes. But I’m running my a bit over every two hours.
Did you really cover up the natural sun with some foil and then use cheap florescent lights to grow plants? At least get some high end lights to conserve some energy
1) You should not leave the lights on 24 hours as the plants need time in the dark to fix the starches and repair damage from too much light.
2) There is a difference. If you leave the lights on 24 hours you will SEE the plants have a circadian rhythm just like animals! That’s right, the plants go TO SLEEP! You don’t believe me? Try it. If you watch the plants’ leafs will move downward so that the leaf itself is parallel to the light (minimizing photosynthesis so it can repair the damage from the radical electrons that get released from too much light).
Also, for flowering plants to bud you may need to run a 12/12 on/off cycle. It of course depends on what you are growing.
Hope that helps
P.S. if you have iTunes, try the iTunesU and look for the lectures from this PhD that goes into how plants “feel” there are only 4 lectures and man does she know her stuff, and you will get a great and quick education on plants, light cycles, nutrients, and much more, ENJOY!
P.P.S. The lectures are FREE.