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Post by golddustpeak on Apr 16, 2021 7:18:46 GMT -5
I've been trying Krathy in Qt. jars for several months now as many as five different plants now (mini much cucumbers and various versions of basil and parsley).
The jars are all near and receiving light from my AeroGardens and I'm using about 3 ml of AG nutrients per Qt. of water with airspace between the plant and water.
None of my attempts have shown anything but super slow growth.
Any thoughts?
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Post by ERR0R1755 on Apr 16, 2021 8:36:20 GMT -5
Do the plants show any signs of issues when they're growing? (dried/brown edges on leaves, pale complexion, etc)
For all of my Kratky plants, including various types of basil, the official curly parsley pods, lettuce, and other greens - I've always used 1.25ml of AG nutrients per quart of water. Basil is always very slow to start but grows like crazy once it has a few true leaves.
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airscapes
AGA Bounty
Lettuce eat Cake!
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Post by airscapes on Apr 16, 2021 9:37:51 GMT -5
What water did you use? If the ph is too high the plant will not absorb the nutrient.
You might want to do a test and redo one or start another using distilled water and the 1.25ml per quart and compare to what happened the first time. The reason I bring this up is that I just bought a higher end ph/ec meter and the actual ph readings of my tap water in the city is 7.3 which is a bit higher than the 5.5-6.8 that most plants we grow need. The ph of the CVS distilled water I have here is 5.3, so maybe mix a little tap with mostly distilled and see what happens!
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Shawn
Administrator
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Post by Shawn on Apr 16, 2021 9:56:21 GMT -5
I know many test pH. I used to and would always adjust water. It became too much. Ever since then I no longer check my water. I trust the AG nutes as they have what is needed. Of course this is with Aerogardens, not kratky or others.
Especially as a beginner with AG's, do you think too much about that when starting out. Just plug and plant  . ERR0R1755 knows a lot and should be able to assist.
That is my two cents since I know nada about anything by AG's.
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Post by Quantum on Apr 16, 2021 16:34:21 GMT -5
I rely on using a TDS meter to measure PPM. The meter is easy to use and inexpensive to purchase. I use FoxFarm BigGrow Hydroponic (NOT soil) plant food 3-2-6 for nutes. There are a couple of websites showing the appropriate PPM range for the different vegetables.
Your issue may well be pH related. Unfortunately there are many cheap and worthless pH meters on the market. I own a mid-range priced meter; but pH testing should only be necessary with your initial mixture. When necessary you may need to use pH up or pH down, but in my experience this is rarely needed and I don’t worry about doing this unless I find there is an issue.
What I would verify in your case is there sufficient lighting? Slow growth is a symptom of insufficient or improper color temperature lighting.
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Sher
AGA Farmer
Posts: 7,025
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Post by Sher on Apr 16, 2021 17:24:49 GMT -5
From what I have read here, I think Quantum's suggestion about the plants not getting enough light is most likely. |
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Post by golddustpeak on Apr 16, 2021 19:08:06 GMT -5
OK I'll back down the neuts to 1.25 ml per QT. for my next feeding.
None of my attempts have exhibited any yellowing or burning of the leafs.
All of my jars are directly (within inches) of an AeroGarden system and ARE NOT shaded by other plants, and are wrapped in foil.
That's why I'm so confused.
As to the water, I've never measured it as I've been growing AG stuff for three or four years or so without a problem.
Still confused, Goldi
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Post by Quantum on Apr 16, 2021 19:13:17 GMT -5
Are you able to share a pic of your setup?
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airscapes
AGA Bounty
Lettuce eat Cake!
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Post by airscapes on Apr 17, 2021 8:28:01 GMT -5
How developed are the root systems? A plant without a good root system will not grow larger than the root system can support.
What medium did you start the seeds in and what are they in now.. A picture would be helpful but I know that can be rather difficult on this particular forum.
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Shawn
Administrator
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Post by Shawn on Apr 17, 2021 9:08:50 GMT -5
How developed are the root systems? A plant without a good root system will not grow larger than the root system can support. What medium did you start the seeds in and what are they in now.. A picture would be helpful but I know that can be rather difficult on this particular forum.
I do give detailed instructions with several repositories on how to post to this forum. It really is not that hard. If anyone needs help they can always post to that thread and tell me what platform (phone/tablet/computer) and repository and I can always try to help.
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Post by golddustpeak on Apr 17, 2021 10:03:45 GMT -5
Sorry I'm not able to supply photos.
The root systems appear to be as undeveloped as the plants themselves.
I have used a QT jar with a lid designed to support ab AG plastic pod. I then place a AG or like sponge with the seeds in it in the pod and place the pod in the holder.
After sprouting I monitor the water level to insure an airspace between the water and pod with some roots in the water.
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airscapes
AGA Bounty
Lettuce eat Cake!
Posts: 642
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Post by airscapes on Apr 17, 2021 10:07:59 GMT -5
How developed are the root systems? A plant without a good root system will not grow larger than the root system can support. What medium did you start the seeds in and what are they in now.. A picture would be helpful but I know that can be rather difficult on this particular forum.
I do give detailed instructions with several repositories on how to post to this forum. It really is not that hard. If anyone needs help they can always post to that thread and tell me what platform (phone/tablet/computer) and repository and I can always try to help.
Shawn, I was not trying to be offensive, I totally understand why pictures files are not hosted locally on your personal forum, they are large, take up space and the forum provider charges more money for that. Many of us older folks, including highly tech savvy people don't have cloud based hosting accounts or choose not to use them. I happen to have my own webserver I use, but otherwise would not be posting pictures. The process of inputting a url is simple, but if you images are on your phone and you have no place to upload them or do not wish to do so, then it is somewhat more difficult. This thread is not really the place for this, gain I apologize. Please delete my post if you so wish to clean this up. |
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Post by ERR0R1755 on Apr 17, 2021 10:24:07 GMT -5
After sprouting I monitor the water level to insure an airspace between the water and pod with some roots in the water. How much airspace are you leaving and/or how long are the roots when you transplant it? When I move seedlings into a Kratky setup, I do not leave an airgap - I would rather have the plant start out by focusing on roots and create its own airgap by drinking the nutrient solution. (if you're moving a mature plant in, however, you definitely need to create an airgap - and you need to leave an airgap whenever you refill the container) |
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Post by golddustpeak on Apr 17, 2021 12:21:02 GMT -5
I do not transplant ... everything is done in the QT. jar from the beginning.
As I said before "I have used a QT jar with a lid designed to support a AG plastic pod.
I then place a AG or like sponge with the seeds in it in the pod and place the pod in the holder.
After sprouting I monitor the water level to insure an airspace between the water and pod with some roots in the water.".
I do watch the water level go down and then I maintain the airspace when adding water (which may or may not contain neuts. depending on a two week feeding cycle). |
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Sher
AGA Farmer
Posts: 7,025
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Post by Sher on Apr 17, 2021 12:39:42 GMT -5
Is there any chance you could add some LEDS to a clip on spotlight? The Aerogardens are very good at lighting what is directly underneath them. But just like tomato or pepper leaves that grow out from under the light, they don't thrive and often have to be removed.
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Post by golddustpeak on Apr 17, 2021 18:34:06 GMT -5
The plants are not shaded by over growth that I can see. I did look for LED spotlights but found a few clamp-on units that will not work for me.
I guess that I'll give it a couple more days and say that it won't work for me and just stick with my AeroGardens.............
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