Kratky Method DWC Compost Tea Hydroponics 2 Hydroponic Tomatoes

I have considered conducting this same experiment.  After skipping ahead to #5 it appears that using synthetic fertilizer won out over compost tea.
It only makes sense if you believe the vast amount of research that has been done around formulas.

Here are the formulas Ive been able to collect from https://hydro-gardens.com/product-category/fertilizers/chemgro/

Tomato Formula 4-18-38
  Dutch Tomato Varieties
     Seedlings
     2.27 gm/gal Chem-Gro 4-18-38
     1.14 gm/gal CaNO3
     1.14 gm/gal MgSO4
     pH = 6.5
     Conductivity 1200ppm + Source water
    (1.60 mhos + Source Water) at 2nd cluster of flowers
   To 4th Flower Cluster
     2.27 gm/gal Chem-Gro 4-18-38
     2.27 gm/gal CaNO3
     1.14 gm/gal MgSO4
     pH = 6.2
     Conductivity 1500ppm + Source water
      (2.00 mhos + Source Water) at 4th cluster of flowers
   Older Plants
     2.27 gm/gal Chem-Gro 4-18-38
     2.27 gm/gal CaNO3
     1.14 gm/gal MgSO4
     pH = 6.2
     Conductivity 1500ppm + Source water
      (2.27 mhos + Source Water)

Heirloom Tomatoes may find this formula a bit too high in nitrogen so some experimentation will be required.
 

Chem-Gro makes several fertilizers.
Below are formulas that balance NPK and nutrients specifically for different crops.
Tomato Formula 4-18-38
Strawberry Formula 8-12-32
Lettuce Formula 8-15-36
Cucumber Formula 8-16-36
Pepper and Herb Formula 11-11-40
Hobby Formula 10-8-22
Southern Vegetable Formula 7-14-36
Hydroponic Special Formula 5-11-26








Strawberry Formula 8-12-32
   After Transplanting
     1.14 gm/gal Chem-Gro 8-12-32
     1.14 gm/gal CaNO3
     0.71 gm/gal MgSO4
     pH = 6.5 - 6.8
   Flowers Begin To Open
     1.70 gm/gal Chem-Gro 8-12-32
     1.70 gm/gal CaNO3
     1.14 gm/gal MgSO4
     pH = 6.5 - 6.8

Lettuce Formula 8-15-36
   Seedlings
     2.27 gm/gal Chem-Gro 8-15-36
     1.70 gm/gal CaNO3
     1.14 gm/gal MgSO4
     pH = 6.4 - 6.7
     1350 ppm + Source Water
     1.80 mhos + Source Water
   Mature Plants
     2.27 gm/gal Chem-Gro 8-15-36
     2.27 gm/gal CaNO3
     1.41 gm/gal MgSO4
     pH  = 6.0 - 6.5
     1575 ppm + Source Water
     2.10 mhos + Source Water


Cucumber Formula 8-16-36
   Seedlings
     2.27 gm/gal Chem-Gro 8-16-36
     1.70 gm/gal CaNO3
     1.14 gm/gal MgSO4
     pH = 6.4 - 6.7
     1350 ppm + Source Water
     1.80 mhos + Source Water
   Mature Plants
     2.27 gm/gal Chem-Gro 8-16-36
     2.27 gm/gal CaNO3
     1.42 gm/gal MgSO4
     pH  = 6.4 - 6.7
     1570 ppm + Source Water
     2.20 mhos + Source Water

 Pepper and Herb Formula 11-11-40
   Seedlings
     2.27 gm/gal Chem-Gro 11-11-40
     1.70 gm/gal CaNO3
     1.14 gm/gal MgSO4
     pH = 6.2 - 6.5
     1350 ppm + Source Water
     1.60 mhos + Source Water
   Mature Plants
     2.27 gm/gal Chem-Gro 11-11-40
     2.27 gm/gal CaNO3
     1.41 gm/gal MgSO4
     pH  = 5.8 - 6.2
     1500 ppm + Source Water
     2.20 mhos + Source Water
 
 Hobby Formula 10-8-22

   Seedlings
     2.27 gm/gal Chem-Gro 10-8-22
     1.14 gm/gal MgSO4
     pH = 6.2 - 6.5
     800 ppm + Source Water
     1.07 mhos + Source Water
   Mature Plants
     4.54 gm/gal Chem-Gro 10-8-22
     1.14 gm/gal MgSO4
     pH  = 6.2 - 6.5
     1500 ppm + Source Water
     2.00 mhos + Source Water

 Southern Vegetable Formula 7-14-36
   Seedlings
     2.27 gm/gal Chem-Gro 7-14-36
     1.70 gm/gal CaNO3
     1.14 gm/gal MgSO4
     pH = 6.4 - 6.7
     1375 ppm + Source Water
     1.83 mhos + Source Water
   Mature Plants
     2.27 gm/gal Chem-Gro 7-14-36
     2.27 gm/gal CaNO3
     1.41 gm/gal MgSO4
     pH  = 6.0 - 6.5
     1575 ppm + Source Water
     2.10 mhos + Source Water

Hydroponic Special Formula 5-11-26
   Seedlings
     2.84 gm/gal Chem-Gro 11-11-26
     1.14 gm/gal CaNO3
     0.57 gm/gal MgSO4
     pH = Adjust to your crop
     1350 ppm + Source Water
     1.80 mhos + Source Water
   Mature Plants
     2.84 gm/gal Chem-Gro 11-11-40
     2.27 gm/gal CaNO3
     1.14 gm/gal MgSO4
     pH  = Adjust to your crop
     1570 ppm + Source Water
     2.20 mhos + Source Water


  

Read More..

An Accidental Experiment

The Control Plant
I didnt intend to compare growth in my aquaponics system to regular soil gardening. But when I couldnt use all the seedlings my daughter started for me in March, the extras got tossed aside. The "control plant" is a squash seedling that continued to grow in the soil under natural conditions. The scissors are in the picture to give a sense of scale.

Admittedly, a seedling in a soil plot that was being tended by a dedicated gardener might be thriving more than my control plant. But I am not a dedicated gardener, so it seems a fair comparison.

The Aquaponic Specimen
Here we have a squash plant that was started at the same time, but has had benefit of growing in the aquaponic environment. Other than feeding the fish and correcting the pH of my system, I have done nothing more to nurture this plant that I have done for the control plant.

If you look hard, youll see the scissors at the base of the plant. The size and maturity difference are significant.

Here are a couple more pics, just for fun.

May blossom #1

May blosson #2

Beets I seeded directly in the hydroton

Read More..