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!

Getting the medium and planters ready for the rooters.

Now, I'm not going to go through how to put the system together, or how to build it. I will probably get into building at some point, but I already had my system put together, so I'm just going to run through what I did this morning to get it ready for my plants.

First, let me give you a little advice. Take your bathmat out of the damn tub before you do this. I spared you the pictures of that cleanup. You're welcome!

I used a steamer basket from our brewing pot (6 gal) to wash the clay pellets. I ran water over them until it ran clear. The pellets then went into the blue bin, waiting for the planters.

I then filled the planters halfway with the medium. I shoved the wick down to the bottom, held it upright, and filled up the rest, minus the depth of my rooters.

Then I put the planters in the system, which is now ready for our rooters.

From this point, I dug out a space for the planter, folded the wick underneath, and filled to cover.

Here the seedlings are planted in the clay pellets, and ready for nutrients.

The setup.

Here's the hydroponic setup I've got. I have the 7.5 gallon Hydrofarm Megagarden system. It has 15 planters, and it set up for ebb and flow operation.

The light is a Hydrofarm 400W HPS/MH Switchable system. I mounted it on a metal garment rack. The distance from the top of the planters to the bottom of the reflector is 4' even.

The planters will be filled with Hydrotron Expanded Clay Pellets. But that's not until we have some plants to put in them. For now, it's all about the seeds!

This is what I have to germinate my seeds, or take care of the seedlings from seeds germinated elsewhere. It is the General Hyroponics Rapid Rooter 50-planter. It has the dome to keep the humidity up, which is oh-so crucial in our dry desert climate.

I've only dropped 15 seeds in so far. I've got 15 planters, along with some materials for a small 1 or 2 plant setup. I can't assume a 100% germination rate, but whatever does sprout will go into the system. One of each of the following were put into the system: sugar nap pea, jaltomate berry, huckleberry, everbearing strawberry, black sea man tomato, banana pepper, garden salsa pepper, sweet red karma pepper, and cool breeze cucumber. There are also 6 random pepper seeds from a rainbow pack.

So that's what's in. I also put some pepper seeds in a wet paper towel in some foil to germinate, in case it doesn't work in the dome. I will transplant those guys in here once they pop a little root. I have read everything I can find about germinating seeds. So much contradictory information is out there, even on the same plants. I've decided to go with the MH lamp, on from 6am until midnight daily. I figure if I give the plants the lights they're going to get as adults, that makes sense. Also, because of the different temperature needs of the seeds, when the light is on the dome is about 80°F, which is good for the peppers. The rest of them like the lower 70°s, which they get at night. I figure the light and temperature difference will give them some idea of day and night. Maybe I'm wrong, I'm sure many seasoned gardeners could set me straight, but only one way to learn. So here we go, let's hope for some sprouts!

Grow it, cook it, eat it, love it.
The Green Guisador