DWC Pt. 2 Nutrients & Plants

Nutrients

My nutrients have been delivered. As mentioned in Part 1, I'm using Jacks Pro 5-12-26 Hydroponic and J.R. Peters Calcium Nitrate 15.5-0-0. From everything I've read, this mixture will have everything that my plants need.

Plants

I'm starting with 4 spinach plants started from seed in dirt trays about 3 weeks ago, and 4 strawberry plant shoots dug up from my outside garden. I plan on setting up a 2nd tub in the next few weeks to add some variation.

Again, the water in the tub is filled to just touch the bottom of the pudding baskets until the roots grow down into the water at which point I'll lower the water.

Here is everything planted in Perlite, Day 1.

So that's it! I'll be watching these closely and will update with new photos as they grow.

Simple Deep Water Culture (DWC) Hydroponic Setup

Net baskets 

Here are the pudding cups that I used instead of purchasing pre-made baskets.

3 kids, 8 puddings, less than 24 hours, go Daddy!

 Using the pointed solder tool attachment, melt holes around the sides and bottom of cup.

Lights

The bulbs and shop light unit suspended under a shelf.

Bucket

 18 gallon plastic tote:

Spacing out the cups.

 3" holes drilled into the lid.

Bubbles

The air pump in action. 

The water is filled so it touches the bottom of the cups, this will keep the potting medium moist until the roots grow down into the water. I will lower the water level in the bucket at that time.

Perlite

For this crop, I will be using Perlite as my growing medium. It is readily available locally and priced right.

Nutrients

I ordered Jack's Professional 5-12-26, and the Jack's Calcium Nitrate for $10.80 + shipping, they should be here later this week. After reading around the web, I found the Jack's Professional has as good or better results as liquid nutrients while not as pricey.

Plants

Spinach seedlings patiently waiting to be transferred into the perlite as soon as the nutrients arrive.

Continue to part 2