Where can I find the most inexpensive hydroponic setups?

[OahuAmateurChef]

So I can grow herbs/small veggie plants indoors without pesticides.

Also, is it possible to grow hydroponic with heirloom seeds from mail order? Or do you need a special hydroponic seed?

[foodpump]

Uhhh, this is coming from a city (Vancouver) that has a reputation for pot grow-ops, and as a result this area has an large amount of "gardening" stores that specialize in hydroponics. I must confess however that I don't know much about the whole scene except that a new type of ferris -wheel style rotating system is the new darling of the hydroponics world.

[Luc_H]

I sense some ironic humour in that reply Foodpump (chuckle)

Now all plants are suitable for hydroponic (meaning growing in water only). You will be restricted to things like lettuce and some herbs...

although I did find this article that is interesting: http://www.ctahr.hawaii.edu/oc/freepubs/pdf/HG-44.pdf

Luc H.

[simplecreations]

It will probably be cheaper to build your own system. You can get all of the parts at your local co op. If you do it this way you can get a system to better suit your needs without spending a boatload of money.

[ChefsJoy]

ebay probably

[FR33_MASON]

As far as growing pesticide free, pests do not care about what medium that a plant grows in. However, for the sake of taste and aroma for what you grow, I suggest that you use a mix of the following for a growing medium: for every 4L of peat moss add 1 cup of pearlite and one cup of sterile top soil. Mix well. for plants such as Thyme and rosemary, add another 1/2 cup of pearlite and reduce top soil by 1/2 cup. as they like poor, well drained soil. Pot your plants in an appropriate container that has drain holes and place in a shallow tupperware container that has 1" of washed pea gravel. Use whatever H.I.D. lighting you prefer (I use a 430W HPS with a son t agro bulb) watering most plants is easy, just stick your finger in the pot to about 1" deep and if there is moisture wait. If it is dry to the touch at that depth, water.

EDIT: Geeze, where you live just place you plants in a sunny spot no need for lighting in hawaii unless your location chosen has no windows that is!

This setup is simpler and more forgiving and you get a far superior result for taste and aroma.

[OahuAmateurChef]

Originally Posted by FR33_MASON

...Geeze, where you live just place you plants in a sunny spot no need for lighting in hawaii unless your location chosen has no windows that is!

Tropical climate = lots of growing sun, but also = lots of tropical pests! And I don't want to use pesticides.

I am not an experienced gardener, but little white fuzzy bugs eat anything i put out on my balcony. I don't know how they climb up there, but they do.

[web monkey]

Originally Posted by OahuAmateurChef

So I can grow herbs/small veggie plants indoors without pesticides.

Also, is it possible to grow hydroponic with heirloom seeds from mail order? Or do you need a special hydroponic seed?

Assuming you live in the land of warmth and sunshine, you should have no problems.

Although you can build your own for around $100-$200 if you have lots of spare time, you might want to just buy one, since it will save you a ton of time finding and cutting pipe, getting the right pump, throwing out the stuff that you bought and ruined or was just wrong.

These guys have a really nice selection and have been around for a long time: Hydroponics | Hydroponic Supplies

I will mention that you'll need to grow only a single type of thing in each system, since the plants have different nutrition requirements and you'll need to change the nutrient solution, depending on what you're growing.

For example, you can easily grow lettuce and basil, but if you want tomatoes you'll need to grow them in a separate system, since their requirements are different.

Other than that, it should work great. I got a ton of stuff out of mine, although living in the Great White North, I finally gave up due to the cost of running a 400W light and pump 18 hours/day for months, and spending time doing maintenance just to get $200 worth of herbs.

Terry

[chefstat]

i ran a backyard hydrofarm (bibb lettuce and basil) using a DIY nft system when i was working in the central coast ca. i grew a lot of other vegetables as a hobby well.

if i had to pick out one system I would recommend using dutch pots which have a small reservoir using coco coir / perlite 50/50. initially you will probably do best using general hydroponics flora series. once you gain some experience i would recommend trying out some of the organic hydro mixes.

[OahuAmateurChef]

Ok, I'm getting away from the indoor idea. The sun is cheaper than grow lamps, and I'll just have to figure out to overcome the whiteflys.

I was thinking about this $20 model through mail order:



I'd rather not spend $100 if I can help it.

What do you think about this DIY setup?

Looks like I could probably build a bubbler-style hydroponic setup in a food grade 5-gallon bucket for under $20.

I haven't found too many DIY dutch pot websites yet....well the kind used to grow food anyway...