the kratky method
- Thread starter Lemon king
- Start date
First of all, I am not a Hydroponics guy. So my knowledge of the subject may be less than optimum. Now, with that being said, I am under the impression that a "gap" between the net pot and the water's surface of the DWC is standard procedure, as well as an airstone. Am I wrong?
And furthermore: the guy in that video had a bubbler working in that tank anyway! What kind of way is that to demonstrate that the Kratky Method doesn't need an airstone? Has anybody actually tried this "Kratky Method" without the use of any kind of bubbler?
And furthermore: the guy in that video had a bubbler working in that tank anyway! What kind of way is that to demonstrate that the Kratky Method doesn't need an airstone? Has anybody actually tried this "Kratky Method" without the use of any kind of bubbler?
Kratky does seem to work for herb. But, some rules need to be followed: The method does eventually require an air space under the net pot containing the plant...more and more as the plant grows. The whole idea is that there will end up being roots specialized in water gathering, dipping into the nutrient solution, and other specialized in gathering oxygen. Once the seedling has some roots growing through the net pot, it is placed into the top of the Kratky container, so the bottom of the net pot just clears the solution...to as much as 1/2 inch above it, so the roots can find the liquid. Then, as the roots use the liquid, the solution level drops, and the roots differentiate between oxygen and water specialized. But, this specialization means that one can't let the liquid drop way down and then fill it up to the top. That will drown the plant and its "air roots". The liquid solution should not be replenished, "topped up", by more than two inches and also to not more than about half of the distance between the bottom of the container and the bottom of the net pot. That's why the larger the container, the better...more liquid would need to be used up to drop the level a particular amount. If you stay within the above range, an airstone isn't required...though "it couldn't hurt". In general, about a gallon of reservoir is needed, per month of growing, if it's not going to be topped up. Of course, the larger the plant, the faster the uptake of liquid. Another thing to remember is that an opaque container should be used, to exclude light and prevent mold/algae growth. Also, it helps to paint the container white to help keeping the temperature of the solution down if it is exposed to the sun as a light source. I hope this helps!