Vegetable garden in the apartment Step # 5 - The Kratky Hydroponic Method

This is a final set-up of a small hydroponics system. It is simple and can be made of for example baby can food. The only condition that a can must have at least fulfil is that of course does not dull the water and it's not transparent that would not create algae.

Box cover are drilled to, and it's inserted hydroponics pots. These pots can be ordered online or purchased at hydroponics stores. I have bought this particular in hydroponics store and paid 33 cent. When the box is finished, poured into, a prepared solution of water and fertilizers.  Regulates PH value of the liquid and it is very important that the liquid poured right so that it touches the bottom of the pot.

 
The pictures shows that the little root came out of the pot and it is very important that the root has contact with water to the plant could be fed. Another important note is that when the plant is poured water, and the roots began to grow downhill, does not need to add more water. Rots also need a air for breading, adding to much water will drown the plant.
 

Vegetable garden in the apartment Step # 4 - PH value correction

What is often make a problem in hydroponics cultivation, is the PH value of tap water.

Why is the PH value so important?
To plant could

absorb nutrients from the water it needs certain PH value.

What is the ideal PH value?
Science says that the best PH value stands between 5.5 and 6.5

How can we measure the PH value?
Easiest way is with PH test paper:

Test paper is dipped into the water and after a few seconds, we can see the result.

Here we can see that the PH value is approximately 7. That is a little bit high, and mostly urban city tap water is between 7 to 9 on average. It should be noted that the PH value should be measured after the addition of liquid fertilizer because PH percent can be raise or fall down .

How to treat the water when we see that PH is to high?
There are two ways: First we can use a few drops on PH down preparation into the water, not match because is to strong.

If you do not have PH down preparation, simply use lemon. Squeeze half a lemon, that it also can reduce the PH of water.

After the addition of liquid to reduce the PH, is measure again and see the result:   

 

Even if we do not have a Test paper, we can feel free to squeeze half a lemon into tap water and fertilizer, we cann't make a mistake. 

Vegetable garden in the apartment Step # 3 - two weeks from germination

Only a few pictures how plants looking after two weeks from germination

Roots began to break down in the water. When they look so beautiful white that means, that the plants are healthy and happy

Vegetable garden in the apartment Step # 2 - first week

After a few days the seed began to germinate

Or even closer

Now is the time for phase two:

Hydroponic cultivation does not support a root system, we must use a starter media, such as e.g.. this provide by ikea:

The soil also contains all the nutrients needed by the plant. Instead of soil we use water that is poured into prepared liquid fertilizer from which the plant will be fed.

When preparing the mixture of water and liquid fertilizer starter is inserted into the tub for a few minutes to absorb  prepared liquid:

Seeds that germinated carefully inserted into the hole that we drilled and which will keep the root of the plant:

Everything was capped and plants grow up to phase three, move to the substrate where it will be up to the harvesting.
 

Vegetable garden in the apartment Step # 1 - germination

The journey  of 1,000 miles begins with the first step and we are doing right now.


This series of posts will follow all the steps from seed to food. Cultivation of vegetables in ordinary apartment without a terrace or balcony.


The first question what to grow? Although theoretically we can grow anything you want, I have seen on various forums that people in apartments and potatoes are grown, we'll go from the simplest plants to grow in the apartment and that the salads and herbs. For growing Hydroponic technique is used the same seed as well as classic grow in the soil.


Select seed immerse it in a bowl of water (see picture below)