Kratky Container Discussion Thread

[ERR0R1755]

This thread is to discuss different containers for Kratky usage. If you've found something that works great for you, or something that works horribly for you, share it here!

Here are some that I've tried and my thoughts on them:

Standard plastic soda bottles (clear, green, blue) - they do not prevent algae, and they can tip over if the water level gets too low (especially for things like tomatoes). Due to the narrow neck, you need to start seedlings beforehand and move them in once they have enough root length or otherwise you risk the nutrient solution evaporating faster than the plant can grow roots. Transplanting out of the bottle is difficult but possible by carefully cutting open the bottle. Works best with a 7/8 inch net pot.

Standard glass soda bottles (clear, dark brown) - the dark brown (think beer) bottles will prevent algae while letting you see the water level! No tipping issue like plastic has thanks to the heavier glass, but you still need to be careful to make sure the roots are long enough. Transplanting out of the bottle is not feasible, sometimes you can lift the plant straight out but you're more like to rip roots. Works best with a 7/8 inch net pot.

Gallon jugs (clear, from things like milk or water) - they do not prevent algae, and can tip over due to plant weight and low water but are less likely to than plastic soda bottles are. You can start seeds directly in them, and a gallon of nutrient solution is enough to grow one lettuce plant without refilling. I have also had success growing basil, mustard, and other greens in a gallon jug without refilling. Easier to refill than soda bottles due to the larger hole. Works best with the AeroGarden pods.

Soda cans - they prevent algae due to the opaque material, but can be tricky to use. I haven't found any net pot that can go into the drinking hole, so I normally use a can opener to completely remove the top and then place a net pot in that. In my opinion it's not worth the effort, but it can be a fun option if you have a can that you like.

[Sher]

I liked the red plastic Folger's cans with the black lids. You can use a hole saw or cut a circle out with an Exacto knife blade.

The only reason I stopped using them was there were too many individual containers to keep up with. I am moving to totes because you can maintain water level and nutrients for several plants at one time. It's lots less work.

Individual containers are still great for experiments and specialty plants, though.

My first Gerbera daisy didn't work in a single vase. But I am going to try it again because I think it would look beautiful there.

I like your ideas for using what you have on hand.

[airscapes]

This could be a Kratky without the air stone..  Made this as a place for my tomato seedling to get started before I move it  outside to a 5 gallon bucket.   Just a black out bucket and a 1 qt takeout container inside.  I hope I can safely remove the plant from this lid and insert it into the bucket lid without damaging the root.  I guess if the roots are getting large I can move to the bucket lid and keep using the small container inside.  I was going to do that until I realized I would have no room for the other stuff.
Also, the bottom with the standoffs was to insert 1/4 dowels to act as a trellis but I have yet to play with that to see if it will work.  the blackout can just sits in that bottom part.

[shad]

NOODLE FLOAT....Here is something that I came up with that you might find helpful... Checking the water level on my kratky Jars has always been a necessary chore.. my new approach has made this chore much easier...I call it my NOODLE FLOAT...I take a light colored pool noodle and cut a nice 3/8 inch slice off the bottom of the noodle, then I cut the slice into a half moon..then i carefully float the noodle float in my kratky jar next to the narrow window on my painted jar...the noodle will float on top of the water held in place by the roots of the plant. The water level is quickly visible thru the window...this is super easy and allows quick assessment of the water level and works for all size jars... .for even more convenience I place a masking tape arrow on the side of the jars window to show me the maximum water level that I do not want to exceed when filling the water... perhaps this idea for a FLOATER NOODLE will be something you will find beneficial in your kratky jar gardening..photos follow.. GOOD GARDENING TO EVERYONE...

[Shawn]

shad, can you post a picture?

[shad]

I dont know how to post picture from droid z phone..I am kinda slow I guess..

[lynnee]

This week I've been 3D printing Kratky covers for Mason jars. There's a nice pattern in .stl format available on Thingiverse: Hydroponic Kratky Jar Covers.

The covers don't fit all of my mason jars--turns out that the Ball jars are not 100% identical--but I found several jars that they fit. If you use a high-speed build setting, they take 8-10 hours.

The pretty brown cover on the left is one that I bought from someone on Etsy. It's 3D printed, and available in a wide variety of colors and patterns. The tall amber jars are 2-qt. jars from Amazon.

[Sher]

Your Katky jar covers are very pretty, lynnee. I need to get something like that.

l used to just put aluminum foil or dark plastic over mine. But they looked ugly and were a pain to see the water level in. 

[Shawn]

The covers are nice

[airscapes]

lynnee Looks Great!

A way to speed that process up is to increase the nozzle size when doing large items.  If your printer manufacture offers larger nozzles you may want to consider trying one.  I have a .75 I use for large items and hate switching to the .35 for one or 2 small items.  You have to slow the print speed down with a big nozzle  so the heater can keep the plastic flowing, but each thread is larger and you can print tall layers, as high as .5mm.  With a .5 layer and  .8mm Extrusion width jobs that take 10 hours with a .4 nozzle can be cut in half or better.  Of course your outside finish will not be as nice  and  smooth as it is with .2mm Layer, but you can get done a lot faster and the texture grows on you.  You could still print with small layer height so it is just as smooth, but you will increase print time dramatically.  The cover you have there is estimated at 5:19 with a .5 20% infill .5Layer and a speed of 45mmS  and at a lower layer of .2  jumps to 13 hours.   
Anyway, just thought I would mention it as I really hardly ever remove the .75mm nozzle, as most things I make are larger.

[lynnee]

Apr 9, 2022 0:34:52 GMT -5 Sher said:

Your Katky jar covers are very pretty, lynnee. I need to get something like that.

l used to just put aluminum foil or dark plastic over mine. But they looked ugly and were a pain to see the water level in. 

When I used aluminum foil, it kept tearing when I needed to replenish the solution, and like you said, it was ugly to begin with! On Etsy I was looking for a knit cozy like one that you have, but it wasn't available. So I ordered the 3D printed one, but had to wait a month for it.

The long wait was what made me go looking for 3D printer patterns, as I have a lot of unused PLA filament on hand. It's probably cheapest to buy the covers from the Etsy dealer, when you add in the cost of electricity in CA, though they cost something like $18 each.

[lynnee]

airscapes , my printer is a Dremel 3D40 that I got a a huge discount on, in return for an Amazon review. I don't think there is a large nozzle available, but that's something good to know about if I ever replace the Dremel.

I've been thinking about replacing it for a long time, because it doesn't have a heated platform and only does PLA. Still, I can't justify replacing it unless it breaks. I do love the dang thing, and could watch it for hours if I had the time. (I also have an odd fascination with Windows installer progress thermometers. )

[airscapes]

Apr 9, 2022 14:07:46 GMT -5 lynnee said:

airscapes , . (I also have an odd fascination with Windows installer progress thermometers. )

Truth be told, watching the Defrag block map back in the days of DOS is what made me change Careers from Auto Repair to IT .. 

Far as Nozzles, they do have multiple sizes for your printer and there are videos of how to replace it.  
.6 mm

.8mm

[Sher]

lynnee and airscapes , I thought I was the only one who was fascinated with watching the installation and old defrag screens! 

[blueglasses]

I am new to growing with the Kratky method, but I like using sugar-free Metamucil fiber supplement containers.



The large club size containers from Sams Club, Costco, etc. are about 9 inches tall and have straight, smooth sides, which makes them easy to clean and very simple to wrap with foil. The container itself is white plastic with a shrink-wrapped label that comes off easily.

A 1.7 lb sugar-free Metamucil container needs just over 1 quart of water to fill it to the bottom of an Aerogarden basket (after drilling a hole for it in the plastic lid).

I am lucky enough to get plenty of empty sugar-free Metamucil containers from someone who uses it daily. The sugar formula Metamucil containers would hold even more water because they are a larger diameter, but there are “shoulders” on the container that would make wrapping them trickier.

[lynnee]

blueglasses, I just recently started saving my big Walmucil (Walgreen's house brand for Metamucil) containers to use as Kratky jars. I'm pleased to hear that these actually work! You did a beautiful job of wrapping the container with foil--it's not as easy as you'd think.

dTYNMm

[Shawn]

Welcome to the forum blueglasses!  Great idea on those containers.  I actually have one of those here as I give my pup some daily in each of her meals.  It is almost empty.  Maybe, just maybe I will try a kratky project one day

[smw]

I have 1.5 gallon vinegar containers from costco that I'm going to use, just cut the narrow part of the top off, invert over the container probably don't need a neti pot with the relative narrow opening. Just need to block out the light as it's somewhat transparent, I'll probably use some old wrapping paper or stuff from amazon shipments.

I was thinking of a vertical strip that is just taped at the top so it can quickly flip up to see water levels, but ideally it'll hold the right amount for the life cycle.

[smw]

Has anyone tried wine bottles without cutting them? I’ve seen an elaborate video with cutting and sanding, but I’m lazy and don’t want to buy a special tool if it’s not necessary.

[LoveSalads]

Oct 4, 2024 1:21:37 GMT -5 smw said:

Has anyone tried wine bottles without cutting them? I’ve seen an elaborate video with cutting and sanding, but I’m lazy and don’t want to buy a special tool if it’s not necessary.

Would be a pretty narrow opening at the top and as the plant stem gets bigger you might not be able to get the necessary gas exchange to your roots, possibly causing poor plant health. But you can cut the top off without a special glass tool. I would sand around it when finished but this would only take a few minutes.
 
I have seen in a video on U-tube of using a string and nail polish remover. 
Then lighting it. This isn't the same video I watched but general idea.
Don't forget to wear eye protection when the glass pops specs of glass could launch.




Cutting Wine Bottle Top


Method 1: String and Acetone



Wrap a cotton string around the bottle where you want to cut it, tying it tightly.

Apply a small amount of nail polish remover (acetone) to the string.

Wait for about 10-15 minutes, allowing the acetone to weaken the glass.

Gently twist and pull the string to break the glass, removing the top of the bottle.
Then you need to sand it smooth so no one gets cut.