Hi there!

I was thinking of trying out a kratky pot of something that’s supposedly quite easy, like basil (or strawberries? But that’s probably more involved).

However, the info on the web is quite patchwork-like with even videos for “absolute beginners” skipping over how to mix your nutrients. And the slop makes it even harder to filter for the info that’s actually useful for absolute beginners.

So I wanted to ask you folk which sources you’d recommend for absolute beginners. Youtube channels, blogs and preferably: books for when google gets drowned in all the slop so you don’t find anything anymore (but I guess that there’s probably not too many books which want to jump the bandwagon of a trend).

Maybe it would be cool to have resources like that also listed in the sidebar.

I’m looking for the full lifecycle:

  • planting
  • transfering to the hydro-setup
  • managing
  • harvest

I know a bit about each process, but still not confident enough to actually start.

Thanks in advance! (:

  • stiephelando@discuss.tchncs.de
    2·
    13 days ago

    Hi, since you specifically mentioned mixing the nutrient solution as one of your issues: just follow the guidance that comes with the fertilizer. It’s not rocket science. Liquid fertilizer is way more expensive than the ones you buy as solids.

    What I underestimated when I first got started was water quality. Where I live the water is quite hard and unsuitable for hydroponics. PH Down doesn’t really fix it. I’ve switched to using rain water, which works very well but ofc needs to be collected first. If that isn’t an option you might have to look into water filters as an option. Getting good water is absolutely crucial! I don’t think you need an EC pen to get started, but testing the nutrient solution’s pH is essential. At the very least you should get pH test strips. Hope this helps! I’m not that experienced yet myself, but I hope this is helpful!

    • Prunebutt@slrpnk.netOP
      1·
      13 days ago

      Thanks for the tip!

      I’ve got plenty of rainwater, so thanks for the tip.

      I read somewhere online that the condensate of a clothes dryer is also good for hydroponics (if you’re ok with potential microplastics in your roots.

    • Prunebutt@slrpnk.netOP
      1·
      11 days ago

      Additional question: where can I find the appropriate pH values for the plants I wanna grow? Or should I juse aim for 7?

    • Prunebutt@slrpnk.netOP
      2·
      13 days ago

      About three weeks later: I’m afraid that no one can actually comment any essential resources. Or they simply don’t bother (not blaiming, I really get it).

      From what I gathered:

      • Kratky method
      • the wiki for /r/hydroponics has a rather verbose gettino started guide. Still a bit word-y and not too dense in information
      • “epic gardening” is a bit cringe “join my class” but generally some good info
      • if you buy (or can get) the stuff anyone else uses: the three kinds of fluid fertilizer, or the “general hydroponics” stuff, you can just follow your guts and try the things they claim on the internet (google-skills still required)
      • foxymochakitten@slrpnk.net
        2·
        13 days ago

        Thank you for sharing what you’ve got so far!! Maybe we can be the ones to put together an absolute-beginners guide once we’re no longer absolute beginners. I’ve been thinking of just sticking some basil plants in old wine bottles and seeing what happens tbh