SIMPLE HOMEMADE HYDROPONICS
“
Green is the prime color of the world, and that from which its loveliness arises. - Pedro Calderon de la Barca
Hello! I am Ang Koo Kuay I am here because I believe a simple presentation can change the world. You can find me at @angkookuay
1 The Basic Knowledge
What Plants Need to Grow
⊙ Sunlight ⊙ Water ⊙ Nutrients ⊙ Air ⊙ Soil is not a requirement – As long as the four is met, plants will grow.
KRATKY METHOD
⊙ Named after B.A. Kratky. ⊙ A passive hydroponics method. ⊙ No crazy pumps and lights. ⊙ Just a water reservoir and grow a plant on top of it. ⊙ This passive system will provide plants with what they need.
Partial Kratky
⊙ Recommended to still use soil coupled with expanded clay balls (LECA). ⊙ Soluble fertilizers can be expensive. ⊙ Trying to get the correct PH value can be difficult for beginners. ⊙ Think of it as a low maintenance “self watering” system instead.
2 The Build
What You Need Materials
⊙ Recycled plastic bottle (non toxic ones preferred). ⊙ Cheap cardboard. Waterproof. ⊙ Veggie scraps that you can re-grow. ⊙ Soil and LECA balls. ⊙ Some strings.
What You Need Tools
⊙ A pair of scissors. ⊙ Hot glue. ⊙ Tape – Masking tape, duct tape, whatever that holds things together. ⊙ Spray paint if possible.
⊙ Cut and join the bottles together with glue and tape. ⊙ Spray paint the bottles. ⊙ Make a “holding box” for the bottle. ⊙ Make smaller “pots” to grow the plants in. ⊙ Add water, and secure the setup down with some strings.
3 Maintenance
Semi-regular Maintenance
⊙ Not a totally hands-free system. ⊙ Still need to top up with water from time-to-time. ⊙ Check if pests are growing inside. ⊙ If root rot (brown slimy roots) happens, quickly remove the plant, and change the water.
Thanks! You can read the full guide at http://red-dot-geek.com/easydiy-hydroponics-beginners/
Credits
Special thanks to all the people who made and released these awesome resources for free: ⊙ Presentation template by SlidesCarnival ⊙ Photographs by Unsplash