Did have to start over.

Well, I did have to start another batch of seeds. Only 2 plants survived the trauma in the end, but I think it was for the better. I was beginning to worry about how I was going to change the nutrient solution. I was growing a bunch of plants that would need support, and it would have been very difficult to move the planters due to that fact when it was time to change the nutes. I realized that it would be much easier to grow support-requiring plants in a bed whose nute reservoir is NOT directly attached.

So I think my cats did me a favor, in the end. The strawberry seedling and the jaltomate seedling are all that are left of the first round, since they hadn't left the dome yet. I replanted the huckleberry, but other than that, I went a totally different route than peppers. I decided to plant some greens and herbs, which won't need support, so a nute change will be easier. I also have had to move the system to a closed off room, so those kitties can't get to the plants.

So, I've got the 3 berry seeds, 1 broccoli, 1 dell celery, 1 red stalk celery, 1 1basil, 1 thyme, 1 parsley, 1 peppermint, 1 spearmint, 1 spinach, and 3 random greens seeds that came from a salad greens mix. A lot of the seeds popped root in the 1st 24 hours of planting.

Mixing the nutrients.

This was probably the easiest step. I have General Hydroponics Flora Nova series nutrients. I am using the grow formula now, in diluted quantities. About half strength (normal is 1-2 teaspoons per gallon, I used about 3/4 of a teaspoon per gal). I dissolved it in my water, and tested the pH.


The light from the flash made this look different on the picture than it did in my kitchen. Its safe to say I'm at about 6.5, which is high for peppers. But these guys just came out of the dome, I'm trying not to shock them any more than necessary. I'll keep track of this daily, and slowly get them where they need to be.

I poured it into the system. I have the timer set for 4 feedings a day. This is definitely on the aggressive side. But we live in Southern Nevada, in the damn desert. Its dry. To start, I am going to err on the side of wetness. The pump is going to run for 30 minutes at 7am, 11:30am, 3pm, 7:30pm. I have read in many places that you should only feed when the lights are on, so here goes nothing!