I’ve been growing hydroponically for over 3 years now. There are some things I’ve noticed about it all. This isn’t a study or comparison. This isn’t hard facts so if you’re here expecting definitive answers, this isn’t for you. These are simply observations after a few years of hydroponic growing and my 4 keys for hydroponic success. Are hydroponic methods and thoughts hogwash & myths? Maybe some of it? Maybe we don’t understand it fully? Some of my keys are contrary to a lot going on out there. What do you think about it all?

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Music: Up Above by Letterbox .

A little about my setup. I have a hydroponic greenhouse. I grow in a system I call FAWN which is a modified hydroponic drip system. The media I grow in is aged rice hulls with parboiled rice hulls mixed. This has proven to be a great mix for me. I use Masterblend fertilizer as my nutrients to every plant grown. I’ve been pretty successful with my setup growing hydroponic tomatoes, peppers, broccoli, squash, cucumbers, cabbage, cauliflower, lettuce, turnip greens, corn, potatoes, kale, carrots, beets, spinach, onions, leeks, and even okra! Everything a gardener would desire. I also dabble in other areas like growing in raised beds, growing in a ground garden, grafting, pond activities, growing fruits, and other projects on the homestead.

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Finished setup of the no-weed garden. I’ve got 60 containers growing squash, tomatoes, peppers, eggplant, watermelon, and cantaloupe in those containers. First time growing in such a manner. Follow along and see how it goes.

I love chatting with folks and answering questions. If you enjoy my videos, please like, comment and subscribe! You can subscribe by clicking this link and then you’ll get a notification every time I upload a video: http://www.youtube.com/user/c3voyage?sub_confirmation=1

Now, I’m on Facebook! Share your gardening thoughts and pictures! https://www.facebook.com/c3voyage/ .

A little about my setup. I have a hydroponic greenhouse. I grow in a system I call FAWN which is a modified hydroponic drip system. The media I grow in is aged rice hulls with parboiled rice hulls mixed. This has proven to be a great mix for me. I use Masterblend fertilizer as my nutrients to every plant grown. I’ve been pretty successful with my setup growing hydroponic tomatoes, peppers, broccoli, squash, cucumbers, cabbage, cauliflower, lettuce, turnip greens, corn, potatoes, kale, carrots, beets, spinach, onions, leeks, and even okra! Everything a gardener would desire. I also dabble in other areas like growing in raised beds, growing in a ground garden, grafting, pond activities, growing fruits, and other projects on the homestead.

Thank you so much for stopping in!
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My 4 Keys for Hydroponic Success

| Hydroponic Gardening | 29 Comments
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29 Comments

  • Roberto Maurizzi

    Nice video (and overall channel, last night I had insomnia and watched your greenhouse construction videos, really helpful!).
    Regarding your idea that you are seeing improvements due to some biological effects, I've heard at least a couple of experts on aquaponics (one being Bright Agrotech's Nate Storey) saying that bacteria in the system are actually protecting the plants from some diseases, because they "colonize" the media and the roots, kicking out potential bad bacteria and some pests. Using organic media should allow those bacteria to colonize your system and maybe you're seeing their effects.

  • Jeb Gardener

    It's so awesome when you say "it's not a big deal". You have some solid data here. Love it!

    I think you got the NPK wrong on your nutrient blend though. So plants need even less fertlizer than we think!

  • steal threaded

    Its not chemicals from the plants it's a unique micro flora(beneficial bacteria) that populate your system over time.
    I think of it as aquaponics without the fish. Every single surface of your system that is in water is colonized with bacteria that help your plants. If you wash it out all the time that goes away and you have to start watching your parameters much more.

  • Ed Silva

    Great job there Brent ! Your greenhouse is looking great, what ever you are doing is working really good. I'm trying this for sure. I've been using master blend too but full strength and I have big green but the fruiting process isn't all that great. Thanks for the video it was really helpful!

  • Jeff Sullivan

    Good theory Brent. I like the way you go at things. Have you considered having the water tested to see just what is in it? I know you've had success but I'd be concerned that you may deplete 1 or more nutrients by recirculating all year since PPM isn't measuring specific nutrients. You can't argue with success but aren't you just a bit curious exactly what's in the water?

  • Rev John O'Toole

    I think I will recirculate next year, just trying to get a basic setup in place a little bit better than last year. the foam board was delivered today and get the holes done between mad attacks of black flies.
    baby steps

  • D C

    Thanks for the prompt return on your info. I think I understood your reply very well. Good job of explaining! I am relatively new to this hydroponic thing (and love it by the way) and gathering information can be hard. I have combed the internet for hours on end. Your videos have been the most informative of any video/videos I've watched. Your response to comments is second to none! We appreciate you..we really do!!

  • BobMels Gardens

    So you and your buddy CB are rebels and don't want to do it by the books. GOOD FOR YOU. Thanks Brent. Good bloopers. Most of the time I edit mine out and my videos are still second rate at best. Best wishes Bob.

  • Daniel B

    What is the ppm of your water from the tap? The "normal" 12, 6 , 12 in 5 gallon puts me in the 1400 range with my well water. This is my first year with my greenhouse and hydroponics so thanks for the videos they really help. My cucumber plants are growing so fast I have to keep dropping them down and cutting off the lower leaves and cucumbers that have set but not started growing. I think lowering the nitrogen would help. Thanks for the tip. You don't know how many times I've gotten an idea and did a google search and found one of your videos where you had done it. Ever have problems with big beef tomatoes not being able to support the cluster? I've had two break partly off. They didn't fall off completely but just a little bit left holding them on. Wondering if I should tie up the clusters. Well thanks again for the videos.

  • Midwest Gardener

    Thanks for the warning, lol. I know just enough to know that I don't know squat, but I know a guy in Arkansas that really knows his stuff! Thanks for the laughs at the end. I really enjoyed that! I thought I was the only person who couldn't do it in one take.

  • mevofr

    Always great videos Brent ! According to the theory (I'm only repeating here, I have no idea how accurate this is), a little higher N (nitrogen) is good for plant growth (so essentially at the beginning), but then a little less N and a little higher P (phosphorus) would be better for flowering, blooming and fruiting. Seems to be what you are experiencing.

    Maybe you can use the full amount of calcium nitrate when you start your season to speed up a little things and then scale back, like you're doing. Just an idea, of course you do what you want in your greenhouse ! 😉

  • Jim Battaglia

    Brent great video and your FAWN is proof you are on to something. I have a small FAWN set up this year after following you last year. It is working as you described and my lettuce is looking great. Best year I have had so far.

  • Wayne St Amand

    I am glad you came clean with your nutrients. Unfortunately, I don't do hydroponics this year. My system is small compared to yours. I went with a Dutch bucket system. Seems good so far. Good video.

  • smallcityfarmer

    nice the best setup i have seen!!! I wanted to ask do you think if the property sloped that it would still irrigate about the same. say like a 10-30 degree hill. i could see it draining after its off, but do you think it would fill before it drains and make about the same water to each plant.

  • Fensterfarm Greenhouse

    Does it travel underneath the PVC in between the string when the pressure from the pump goes off? I ended up with mosquitoes breading in the puddles on my plastic when I did this outside. With the exception of the rain puddles, your method would eliminate most of the puddling and the mosquitoes! Another great idea Brent.
    Chuck

  • Forum Fitness Center

    Love your innovations. I would suggest putting a bypass valve in the pump tank and just bypass a portion of the water volume and not have to stress the pump. You could also create some aeration by doing that.

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