Grow Mediums Mini Kratky 1.0 test - All organic......Will it work?

[pop22]

Enjoying watching ya work on this! Have you found the organic liquids to go anaero and spoil much in the kratky? I know if I mix up some food from my GO box and don't use it all within a day, it goes mad stinky and I must presume it went anaerobic and spoiled. I think I saw some hydro guys say the same when they tried organic hydro, but maybe the specifics of kratky would somehow make it work out.

The only problem I've had so far, was the plant just not getting enough nutrients. When I have some nice, fresh worm compost from my new worn bin, I'll try making a compost tea that includes the worm castings. I think that may be all it needs.

My root got very brown, but it was just from the dirt. Leaving enough airspace is the key to keeping out root rot. Even my bucket with the Maxigrow in it never had a problem and that ran for well over 30 days. I'll be starting the bucket again soon, trying to decide on a victim....err... candidate...

 

[realcarlos]

Hey! That's cool. I'm trying to find a minimalist baseline for growing. That's my whole goal with this. Can I grow something that will grow well enough, with that absolute minimum input on my part. A working Kratky bucket running on organics would be the perect lazy man's grow! For myself, I find I'm liking simplicity for simplicity’s sake. plant it, add water when needed, not nearly the potential for pests that soil has, what's not to like?

And however it all turns out, it keeps me out of trouble thinking this stuff up to do...LOL! :Sharing One:

The best way to do this would probably, have a reservoir with warm casting tea or another organic tea with a dripper around the stem with either a timer or slowly dripping I think that would make everything automatic

 

[jackmc]

pop, how's the patient? Do you think it would help if you pressed the organic matter in something like cheese cloth or a strainer to get more nutes out of your soil? I've just started using a controller and have something growing in the stagnant water in the controller. Those bubblers really keep the water clean. Do you know why oxygenating the water does that?

 

[pop22]

pop, how's the patient? Do you think it would help if you pressed the organic matter in something like cheese cloth or a strainer to get more nutes out of your soil? I've just started using a controller and have something growing in the stagnant water in the controller. Those bubblers really keep the water clean. Do you know why oxygenating the water does that?

She's recovering thanks to Gh Maxigrow lol! I have a couple of ideas for the organic bucket but I want to wait until I put it into action. I am considering running three kratky buckets, each with a different approach or tea and see what happens. I may have some interesting seeds coming to test in these methods.

 

[jackmc]

I'm rooting for you! I can't wait to see what you come up with. I've never spent any significant time around air pumps until this week. I've had one running in my small home office the last 3-4 days and I can't wait to turn it off. :tiphat:

BTW how is your shoulder holding up? Have you tried those self adhsive heat pads? They're great for my lower back injury.

 

[GodAmJT]

pop, how's the patient? Do you think it would help if you pressed the organic matter in something like cheese cloth or a strainer to get more nutes out of your soil? I've just started using a controller and have something growing in the stagnant water in the controller. Those bubblers really keep the water clean. Do you know why oxygenating the water does that?

The reason oxygenation of the water is beneficial is because of the bacteria and other beneficial organisms that live in the root mass also live in the reservoir, and while it's being oxygenated, those microbes are using the oxygen to live, along with any of the loose debris or sugary additives that we add to the reservoirs. Without that oxygen source, those microbes that multiply in the millions, consume all of the available oxygen in the water, and eventually suffocate themselves.. With the addition of the air space for the Kratky, it's sorta counter-intuitive because there's just the airspace above the water for the root zone that prevents the pythium/rot..

But, I suppose there must be something to the science, since it's working pretty well!! Well, I'm sure pop being a whiz at this stuff probably helps too!! lol

But think about it.. Ever been to a pond where the water is stagnant?? Lots of life still thriving, but most of it is algae, moss, fungus, aquatic plant life, bugs, etc... Go to a stream, or an area of moving water.. Nearly no signs of life in the water, other than fish and some other things.. The moving water prevents the build up a lot of the negative microbes, whereas the stagnant water provides a harbor for them..

 

[pop22]

The reason oxygenation of the water is beneficial is because of the bacteria and other beneficial organisms that live in the root mass also live in the reservoir, and while it's being oxygenated, those microbes are using the oxygen to live, along with any of the loose debris or sugary additives that we add to the reservoirs. Without that oxygen source, those microbes that multiply in the millions, consume all of the available oxygen in the water, and eventually suffocate themselves.. With the addition of the air space for the Kratky, it's sorta counter-intuitive because there's just the airspace above the water for the root zone that prevents the pythium/rot..

But, I suppose there must be something to the science, since it's working pretty well!! Well, I'm sure pop being a whiz at this stuff probably helps too!! lol

But think about it.. Ever been to a pond where the water is stagnant?? Lots of life still thriving, but most of it is algae, moss, fungus, aquatic plant life, bugs, etc... Go to a stream, or an area of moving water.. Nearly no signs of life in the water, other than fish and some other things.. The moving water prevents the build up a lot of the negative microbes, whereas the stagnant water provides a harbor for them..

Your pond analogy is a good one but the key factor in algae blooms is light, thus the reason for keeping the res light free. that leaves only anaerobic bacteria as a potential problem. What the factor is that Kratky found I don't know, I have not found in depth analysis of his experiments on why the airspace works, but it obviously does as kratky grows even work in greenhouses so we know that temperature alone is not a factor. The airspace concept works in DWC/RDWC also. We all know DWC can get root rot, yet I suspect that it may happen most often when running full buckets with no airspace below the netpot. There has to be a combination of factors that triggers pythium growth, I just don't know what all the factors are, a subject worth researching I think!

 

[jackmc]

Thanks!

 

[pop22]

Mini 1.0 is still doing ok, but still small. mini 2.0 is looking poorly, but I think I transfered the clone too soon. I may start a new clone and try again. Thinking of putting mini 1.0 under 12/12 light sched. to see what happens lol. I checked the roots in both and no sign of root rot! Res haven't been changed in mini 2.0 at all, the mini 1.0 has been on GH nutes for about3 (?) weeks now. Topped with RO with Cal/Mag about a week ago.

Also, the 2 gallon Kratky bucket ( I thought it was a 3 gallon but...lol ) is doing nicely The Auto Trainwreck is growing fine. she's a little spotted, but that's my fault think I dribbled some PH up treated water on it. I mix my ph products with water just before use, creates less shock to the res when you need to adjust ph in an active res.

2 Gallon bucket

 

[pop22]

Update:
Yesterday, I pulled the clone from Mini Kratky 2.0. I cut a new clone from the large, DD x Cheese I have growing. I decided to try another experiment also. I prepped the clone, including scraping the last inch or so if stem with a razorblade to increase root sites. I then placed it directly into the kratky tank. I decided I'd see how well, if at all, it would do, being placed directly into a medium strength hydro solution. Its been almost 24 hours, and she still looks good, that's usually a good sign she well survive a while! Now lets see is she will root and thrive!