Easiest Kratky Method for Hydroponic Growing
This Video is from the Youtube channel: “Keep on Growin’ with Mike VanDuzee”.
Easiest Kratky Method for Hydroponic Growing. If you love growing in a non circulating, hydroponic system like the one Dr Kratky started, then you will love this. I have eliminated the need for net cups, rockwool and hydroton (clay pebbles). On top of that, you can use free jugs you were going to throw into the recycling bin anyway. This is the cheapest and easiest way to grow.
I love you vids. I built one of the downspout units but I think I let them get too cold. I am going to try it again in the spring when it warms up.
Also built the dollar tree self watering microgreen setups. This is where I got the seedlings from to put in the downspout setup. The microgreen setups worked pretty good. Im going to try leaving them covered longer to cut down on the gangliness of the plants.
What are you using in the pool noodle in this vid? Looks like cotton. I tried to get the little lettuce seedlings going in the pool noodle with the cut out piece to “grab” the seedling but It might be too tight so the cotton or what ever you are using might be better for me to try.
Great vids. Keep up the great work and Greta Luck in your move to the new place!
Wow! What a great new way to look at a dollar store😊. I grow mine in hydroton but I’d definitely try your innovative way of growing.
What’s the depth of submersion of the roots at initial planting? Thanks! God bless you.
Tess D Thanks, I try to get just the roots of my transplant that are already wet into the nutrient solution and leave the base of the stem out.
MrDuzee1 thank you! ❤️all your vids. Very practical & useful!
Tess D Thank you so much! 😎❤
You are a legend! Awesome idol!
Thank you, I am humbled. Really I am just another person sharing knowledge.
Hi Mike, loving your channel and your genuine interest in helping people grow food.👍
When putting the seedlings into the containers for the first time do they need watering as their roots are not in the water yet ?
Subscribed from NSW Australia
Great to meet you, got some garden buddies in Australia (Pepe Fasos and Marty’s Garden)! No watering necessary. When you put the seedling into the pool noodle insert, make sure the roots are long enough to touch the nutrient solution. I partially put them in, pull them out to see if the roots are wet and put them back in. You may lose a few on the first day, but I always have some microgreens setting around to replace them.
Where do you buy your solution in Sydney?
Love this! About to try myself. For growing outdoors do you recommend keeping the plants covered at all times?
Zak Starer It helps, here in Florida it is pretty hot. It is easier to watch the nutrient solution level, the Rain can overflow it and dilute your nutrients. You will have to experiment with where you live.
Thanks for such a fast reply, you’re awesome! Figured as much. We’ll experiment with our placement and will definitely work to make sure the rain doesn’t dilute or overflow nutes.
Zak Starer Cool! Let me know how it goes. Thanks for watching.
Brilliant! Thanks for sharing the tips bro! You’ve just inspired me to have a go on this 🙂
Cool deal, happy growing! Thank you for the kind words.
Your videos are awesome! I’m really ready to go and start my own little kitchen garden. Thank you for making this so simple that I now have no excuses for not trying! Small gardening is the future. I’m excited!!!!!! Peace bro
Thanks so much. Glad you like it. Be sure to let me know when you start growing, send some pics or do a vidro. Happy growing.
You could use a heated metal or ceramic cylinder to melt through also and it leaves a beveled edge. I still use my hole saw a lot too. But the beveled edge is cleaner.
Yes, you are right. I used to do that with the Dixie cups.
I owe it to Mhpgardener for introducing me to masterblend. Best stuff I’ve used. It provides the micro nutrients that the plants need, and it’s apparent that they love the stuff. A small bag goes a long ways, which keeps the hobby affordable.
I noticed that you like to grow on the pvc/vinyl gutters. Any health concerns with growing in pvc/vinyl?
Yes, he is where I first learned about Masterblend. I don’t worry. If it is a concern, they make food grade channels available from mpst hydroponic suppliers.
Mike VanDuzee I wonder why he hasn’t uploaded a video in over 2 years?.. I hope everything is alright with him. I’m now just hoping that Masterblend keeps getting produced for a long time. Eventually I’d like to create a hobby-business with a greenhouse: maybe a hydroponic strawberry farm, or something along those lines
@fg jf Yes, he just kinda disappeared. I think Masterblend will be around for a while, it is made for commercial growers. Good luck on the venture, that would be awesome!
Great idea and cheap too! I am curious as to whether you are using regular seeds, like Burped or sprouting seeds that you can have a jar full of sprouts in 2-3 days?? I love your channel!
A little of both. I mostly just use my microgreens that I grow in the small container.
More detail on the hydroponic nutrient solution would be good. How much nutrient to add for how much water, etc. How to calculate the amount needed for the life cycle plant with the Kratky method would be good. Actually, that should be at the top of the priority list to cover during a tutorial on the Kratky method. “Just add nutrient solution” doesn’t begin to cover it.
I have several videos covering various topics. This vidro is about 3 yrs old.
Do you need to change the water or add more nutrients periodically? Doesn’t it evaporate over time if you don’t? When you initially add the plant, how much touches the water, and at what level should you keep the water?
Keep the level between half and three quarters full at all times. 😎🖒🌱
@Keep on Growin’ with Mike VanDuzee So then you have to lift the plant in its cup out (atleast out enough) to add the nutrient mix, right?
I can’t find calcium nitrate anywhere. Waiting on a delivery from Amazon due in mid July. Do you think I could start with just epsom salts and all purpose miracle grow plant food (I’ve heard that it is comparable to Master Blend), and add the calcium nitrate when it arrives, or am I better off just waiting two weeks and starting with all three nutrients then?
Hi Mike. How often do you change your nutrients ? I’m using the downspout grow box that you’ve shown and I love your channel. Keep up the good job!
Thank you!! Keep it between half and three quarters full at all times. 😎🖒🌱🌱🌱🌱
Always used simple & cheap method👍
This is just what I was looking for, thank you!!
I’d be careful about putting your free hand that close to the spinning drill bit. It would be really easy for your hand to get intimately involved with that hole saw while you were cutting that plastic jug. I’ve seen it happen to people drills slip and grab a LOT.
Thanks for the advice. Everyone be cateful.😎🖒
Hey Mike, what do you use to control the algae when growing in the milk containers? I tried grape Kool-Aid (pH balanced and no sugar) but my seeds wouldn’t germinate. Thanks!
I germinate with straight water and seed starting soil.
For algae control I wrap the containers in landscape fabric and hot glue in place. Lighter side out if it has one.
Thank you for your service to others, making hydroponic systems easy and inexpensive.