DIY: Irrigated Kratky Hydroponics For Lettuce - First Full Nutrient Flush. Algae & Components Check.

Описание: DIY: Irrigated Kratky Hydroponics For Lettuce - First Full Nutrient Flush. Algae & Components Check.

This indoor irrigated Kratky system went into production over eight months ago on Valentine's Day. To date, a total of 43 batches of lettuce were cultivated on it. Been harvesting gradually 2-3x per week, with about 80-130g per harvest. Good for one salad serving.

Not once it was cleaned. Nutrient solution was never flushed. Only added 2 liters of nutrient solution per week, 4 liters last summer. Never had any problems (Except for that one time when my bike fell on one trough because I clumsily parked it next to it. Then bumped on the bike and it fell on it. One conduit between troughs started leaking water. But repaired it with silicone sealant, that is, after draining the water below the port. And letting it cure for 24 hours).

Almost all of the plants before this exhibited nutrient issue. There are only a few reasons why plants grow bad in this setup: light, nutrients and ventilation.

Leaf problems indicate nutrient imbalance. I could send a water sample to a lab to find out what nutrient is missing, or flush the whole system. I did the latter. Due to the fixed series setup of the system, I'm unable to wash the troughs. (Will alter the design in the future.) I only washed the reservoir and its components.

It's been four weeks since the flush, and things are doing great!

#Hydroponic #IrriatedKratky #NutrientFlush #HomeGarden #Lettuce #PakChoi #Kale