The Kratky Chronicles [COMPLETED]

[petunia]

I had been putting off doing any Kratky for a few months . . . 

But then an emergency caused me to move the Thai Basil and Mustard Greens.  It's been about 5 days now and they are doing okay 

[Sher]

Kratky is a life saver for emergencies like that.

I grow all my lettuce in Kratky to save the Aerogardens for plants that live longer, like flowers, peppers and tomatoes.

[petunia]

Grateful for it! It would have been upsetting to lose these plants.
I am slowly getting my (very light) green areogarden thumb 

[petunia]

THAI BASIL and MUSTARD GREENS

Plants are 51 days old and have been in Kratky for about 14 days.

The Mustard greens are starting to grow again 



(I will take a better picture of them next time)

[Sher]

So much fun to watch!

[petunia]

Another Kratky Emergency 

The Red Sails Lettuce had the same sponge condition as the Genovese Basil so it's now in Kratky.

Baptism by fire 

[Sher]

Sorry, petunia, but what were the sponge conditions? Too crowded, mold, algae?

Anyway, yay Kratky!

[petunia]

Sept 21, 2020 16:30:16 GMT -5 Sher said:

Sorry, petunia , but what were the sponge conditions? Too crowded, mold, algae?

Anyway, yay Kratky!

Root rot at the sponge 
Has taught me to really inspect my plants
But I'm good now 
Yay!! Kratky is working!

[joes]

I have been using sour cream and cottage cheese containers (trying to recycle and be cheap) in a window, but it has not worked that well. They allow in too much light and algae grows. I just saw the aluminum foil. Of course that would stop the light. I already have blackout primer spray coming in the mail, I hope that works but, I will likely soon be using aluminum foil too. Or I may just use those recycled containers mostly for germination and sprouting and take them out of the sun.

I guess I am not really using Kratky though, I bought an aquarium bubbler and have a network of tubes delivering air. That probably makes the algae even worse.

[petunia]

Sept 23, 2020 6:28:31 GMT -5 joes said:

I have been using sour cream and cottage cheese containers (trying to recycle and be cheap) in a window, but it has not worked that well. They allow in too much light and algae grows. I just saw the aluminum foil. Of course that would stop the light. I already have blackout primer spray coming in the mail, I hope that works but, I will likely soon be using aluminum foil too. Or I may just use those recycled containers mostly for germination and sprouting and take them out of the sun.

I guess I am not really using Kratky though, I bought an aquarium bubbler and have a network of tubes delivering air. That probably makes the algae even worse.

I have been using 1/2 gallon milk containers. May "upgrade" to a gallon jug for my tomato transplant once it gets bigger.  Are you going to use the black paint for mason jars?

[joes]

I am not using mason jars, just old food containers (cottage cheese and yogurt mostly), including plastic coffee cans. Other than the coffee cans, I am using them only for early growth and then transferring them to AGs or these...

www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07QKVRFNQ

[Sher]

joes, are you having any algae problems with the light colored box?

I like the looks of that system.

[joes]

No problems with algae in the systems from Amazon, not yet.

[petunia]

Lookie here   . . .

The mater transplant is growing bigger!!

[petunia]

I did it!

I moved the mixed Kale AND Arugula to Kratky.
(I had a meltdown after a long day because this is the third time the Arugula tried to bolt on me   )

I feel better now 

[Sher]

Fantastic job!

[petunia]

Sept 25, 2020 0:08:16 GMT -5 Sher said:

Fantastic job!

Thanks Sher01    I was really unsure about kratky so I'm thankful it's working out so well me for 

[petunia]

Kratky Update - I've been hungry and munching on most of the plants.  

[Sher]

You have a lot to choose from. I love grazing on my plants, too.

[Shawn]

That is one of the great things about growing indoors.