Initial Growing Experience

Initially, on March 19, 2020, I began growing plants in my bedroom. I filled red solo cups halfway with perlite and placed seeds in the cups. I then added a nutrient solution to the cups. At the time, I did not have any pH strips, so I was unable to test the solution. I mixed the solution based on the instructions provided on the packaging. This was successful at first. The tomato and lettuce seeds began to sprout, which makes sense because they are able to tolerate the most variation in their growing conditions.

Approximately a week after I set up my system, I noticed that the water was looked murky. I realized that there wasn’t a way for me to change the water without disturbing the plants. I decided to discard the plants because there was no way to change the water and my room had begun to smell.

This initial try at growing plants made me realize that hydroponic setups must allow the user to easily change the water.

Second Growing Experience

On April 28, 2020, I set up a new hydroponic system. Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, it took a long time to get the materials needed for this set-up.

Step 1

Mix the nutrient solution.

For most plants, the ideal nutrient solution will have a pH value between 6 and 6.5

To create the nutrient solution, I filled a container with approximately 4 liters of water. I added 1 1/2 tablespoons of Miracle-Gro Plant food to this. While writing this and reviewing the instructions on the packing, I realize that I should have only added 1 tablespoon of the plant food.

Step 2

Test the pH of the nutrient solution.

Testing the pH of the solution is very simple, but also important.  You can buy a roll of pH strips on Amazon for very cheap.

Initially, the pH of my solution was approximately 4.5. This is lower than the pH value needed for plant growth.

I added a small amount of baking soda to the solution to increase the pH (make the solution more basic). I was able to get the solution the pH of the solution to 6.

Step 3

Soak the Rockwool cubes.

It is important not to squeeze the cubes after soaking them.Step 4

Place seeds in the hole of the Rockwool cubes.

I am growing carrots, cucumbers, eggplant, lettuce, peas, peppers, and tomatoes.

Step 5

Put your set up somewhere where it is able to get ample sunlight.

I placed my Rockwool cubes on a cookie sheet wrapped in tin foil (so that the cookie sheet wouldn’t rust). It is currently sitting on my front porch. I poured the remaining nutrient solution onto the cookie sheet.

In the red solo cup, I broke up 2 Rockwool cubes and added nutrient solution. I am going to see if these plants will grow any differently.

Conclusion

Once the plants reach their transplant age, I plan to investigate how to transplant the seedlings into another hydroponic setup without causing a disruption to the plants.