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07-25-2010, 11:24 PM
In Nov we vote on MMJ in Az and until then I am resisting the urge to be an illegal grower. As a child we always did gardening never thought much of it until the MMJ scene. As I do research and read every ones grows I realized I will need to practice if I intend to have a good first grow.
So I am teaching myself through growing lettuce, bell peppers, and tomatoes. I have one tomato plant in a combination of hydroton and coir which seems to be going smooth. I can see that dirt is easier than hydroponics until I have a greater understanding.
Now the fun experiment I am growing all the above in hydroton and instead of using store bought nutrients I am relying on an ecosystem called aquaponics. Basically it is fish that poo through bacterial growth in the medium the nitrites are converted to nitrates which in turn is used by the plants as fertilizer.
I am only three weeks into it as I had to slowly build the bacteria. I am just seeing the results as my lettuce are starting to sprout. I have also added a pepper plant that was in dirt and it looks like it is now starting to recover from the shock caused by the transition to the new medium from dirt. Unfortunately the cilantro did not fair as well and died.
When it is time I will experiment with MMJ to see how it works on the Ganja. I think it will work the ph needed for the fish is anywhere between 6.5-8 ideally 6.8 and currently mine is holding at a steady 7.0-7.2 ph it rises when it rains and we are in monsoon right now. According to my Electronic Hanna Combo Grow Check.
Issues that are common to aquaponics are iron deficiency which can be overcome by adding chelated iron slowly not to shock the fish.
In addition I am starting to make my own dirt which should be ready at the same time we will be able to grow. I see organic gardening as expensive if you have to purchase everything so I am trying to be self sufficient for lower grow costs. I am composting and using red wigglers and things are progressing very well. Once I have a good cycle going it should good organic high nutrient dirt.
In addition I have a rabbit the best poo for gardening because you can add it directly without burning the plants unlike chicken poo which must be composted. The worms love the bunny poo!!
To be continued with more pics
So I am teaching myself through growing lettuce, bell peppers, and tomatoes. I have one tomato plant in a combination of hydroton and coir which seems to be going smooth. I can see that dirt is easier than hydroponics until I have a greater understanding.
Now the fun experiment I am growing all the above in hydroton and instead of using store bought nutrients I am relying on an ecosystem called aquaponics. Basically it is fish that poo through bacterial growth in the medium the nitrites are converted to nitrates which in turn is used by the plants as fertilizer.
I am only three weeks into it as I had to slowly build the bacteria. I am just seeing the results as my lettuce are starting to sprout. I have also added a pepper plant that was in dirt and it looks like it is now starting to recover from the shock caused by the transition to the new medium from dirt. Unfortunately the cilantro did not fair as well and died.
When it is time I will experiment with MMJ to see how it works on the Ganja. I think it will work the ph needed for the fish is anywhere between 6.5-8 ideally 6.8 and currently mine is holding at a steady 7.0-7.2 ph it rises when it rains and we are in monsoon right now. According to my Electronic Hanna Combo Grow Check.
Issues that are common to aquaponics are iron deficiency which can be overcome by adding chelated iron slowly not to shock the fish.
In addition I am starting to make my own dirt which should be ready at the same time we will be able to grow. I see organic gardening as expensive if you have to purchase everything so I am trying to be self sufficient for lower grow costs. I am composting and using red wigglers and things are progressing very well. Once I have a good cycle going it should good organic high nutrient dirt.
In addition I have a rabbit the best poo for gardening because you can add it directly without burning the plants unlike chicken poo which must be composted. The worms love the bunny poo!!
To be continued with more pics