Grow Mediums Ebb an Flow advice needed.

[kenman]

Newbie here so still learning. Hydro farms mega garden system uses 7 inch tall plastic grow containers. These containers have slots cut in them for nutrient/water intake. However these slots are located at the 3 inch's from the bottom of container. This leaves 4 inches of clay pebbles not getting water as the flood table is only 4 inches. The pebbles do not seem to wick. Instructions from HF are worthless. So I my question is how are plants going to get fed when roots cants reach the water?

I know this sounds stupid but Hydro Farm has been around a long time and so I would think they know what they are doing.:no:

 

[Waximus]

Hi kenman, I just looked up the megagarden system, and from the pics I saw, it looks like the plants roots- same as deep water culture, or netpot flood and drain systems- will be growing down through the pebbles to the bottom/flood containers. The area between the flood level of water and the base of the plant root will stay moist, but not saturated, under there. As long as light doesn't penetrate to those "exposed/semi-moist area roots, they'll be fine. Question- is there an airstone or bubbler of any kind in those containers, or is it just oxygenated in the res? I hope someone with direct experience with that specific system can pipe in, but that's what it looks like to me, from a bit of research. Best to you.

 

[pop22]

Newbie here so still learning. Hydro farms mega garden system uses 7 inch tall plastic grow containers. These containers have slots cut in them for nutrient/water intake. However these slots are located at the 3 inch's from the bottom of container. This leaves 4 inches of clay pebbles not getting water as the flood table is only 4 inches. The pebbles do not seem to wick. Instructions from HF are worthless. So I my question is how are plants going to get fed when roots cants reach the water?

I know this sounds stupid but Hydro Farm has been around a long time and so I would think they know what they are doing.:no:

With this system, if it doesn't include drip rings for starting seedlings, then you need a separate way to sprout your seeds until they are big enough that the roots extend at least partly into the hydroton level that will be in water, and the laves are near the top of the basket. The best way to do that is with a clonebox. Make our buy one, it seems the best way to start seedlings for any type of hydroponics. I just transplanted some seedlings to a DWC res. I grew them to be about 3-4" tall from the leaves to root tip, then transplanted to net pots. My waterline covers just the bottom inch of hydroton. It only takes maybe a week to sprout the seedling to be large enough. Once in your hydro system, it won't take them more than a day to acclimate if that! I've seen new growth within a day of transplanting.

 

[kenman]

Thanks guys. I'm still uncertain so I'll call Hydrofarm tomorrow. I'll post what I learn.