B.A. Kratky - Simple Hydroponics works in Hot Weather

[@growkratky5558]

I'm really pleased to see your plants growing well with these high temperatures. Great video, Matt!

[@MattGarver]

Thank you for taking time to watch and comment, as well as teach me this non-circulating hydroponic method. Professor B.A. Kratky, your research is very interesting. Hopefully, many others will watch your KZbin channel and learn from it.

[@pepperdactyl]

That's a really cool device. Radio Shack brings back lots of memories. I like the part where you showed the roots. It's easy to see the difference between and the air exchange and nutrient feeding roots.

[@MattGarver]

Peter Stanley Thanks, there were several questions on heat and root health and the IR digital thermometer was the right tool for the day.

[@KhangStarr]

Awesome, Matt! I need to try this method out, thanks for sharing!

[@MattGarver]

You do such an excellent job with growing peppers and your youtube channel, that I think you would be a natural fit for this simple hydroponics method. Can't wait to see your success!

[@mikedisher30]

Lol awesome Khang I was going to say, you got me started on all of this 👍

[@scottmillion849]

This is great to see. I live in HCMC Vietnam where it's 75 to 94 degrees all year round and was wondering how successful the kratky method would be in such conditions. Thumbs up.

[@MattGarver]

Thanks for replying Scott, I always hope these videos can help someone. It has been 94 F over past couple days and all my plants are doing fine. Those include cucumbers, summer squash, cantaloupe, peppers, and strawberries this season so far. Some plants categorized as cold season may not do as well, but that is more about climate and not about the methodology used to grow them.

[@Splendid123456789]

God bless you! I needed this info in Phoenix!

[@MattGarver]

Welcome. Keep in mind that even though gas exchange is fine, that each plant has a preference in temperature highs and lows. Shade clothe, misting, and variety choice helps also.

[@mrjceltic]

That was great Matt answered my questions on heat. Quite amazing wouldn't have thought they could handle such water temperatures. Cheers 👍

[@MattGarver]

Glad to share findings with you Mardy. These large containers are a lot more stable, which is one of the reasons that I like Professor Kratky's fill and forget method that he demonstrated with a trash can and cucumber plant.

[@susangarza7818]

Thanks for sharing your findings Matt! Very interesting stuff =)

[@MattGarver]

You're welcome. It is good to find simple ways to grow in the heat.

[@mikedisher30]

Thanks Matt I was worried about my salad boxes being in the greenhouse, mind you I do keep the side wide open👍👍

[@MattGarver]

Mike, I am unsure what your growing temperatures are. While I found my root zone water temperatures to be okay, some cool season crops may still not like hot ambient temperatures. This video shows more of how common concerns about oxygen content, warm water, and root problems are not an issue. Most all of these crops are warm season crops. Note that I have grown cold season crops in early Spring with no issues. Recently, I saw lettuce being grown in hot Florida weather, and think that you should be fine.

[@JebGardener]

I think there is an evaporative effect on the surface of the air roots that helps the plant too. I'm curious what your reading would be comparing the water and the roots above the water. Thanks!

[@MattGarver]

Nice comment, yes each day nutrient water evaporation will condense on the underside of the lids. There is a likely some cooling, as well as a beneficial moist and highly aerated root zone that happens. I will try to collect some temperature readings that answer your question.

[@Ziggazaaaaa]

Thisnis great to see. I live sith my wifenwhich is basically living hell. Its hot down here, kratky will still grow.

[@MattGarver]

Thanks for commenting. You are welcome. Hoping that you get a reprieve from all that heat. 🙂

[@subliminalpain]

Thank you for sharing!

[@MattGarver]

Thanks for watching!

[@BackToBasics001]

Nice gadget! I want one 😎. Was it expensive? Thanks for sharing Matt.

[@MattGarver]

Got mine for under $15, but see them from $12.99 to $45.99 typically. They work great for finding insulation leaks, and checking duct vent temperatures too.

[@edwardcarrington3531]

Nice vid matt

[@MattGarver]

Thanks, just having fun.

[@chickenhawkfarmstead8478]

Thanks for the information. And RIP RadioShack

[@MattGarver]

Appreciate you watching and commenting. Hope this helps.

[@Houseofmycology]

How do you keep the water cool?

[@MattGarver]

My large 27 to 44 gallon containers are fairly stable in zone 5 temperatures. Gas exchange roots over the surface of the water are doing their job. In hot weather it is more about a plants ideal temperature range than this method.

[@StrangerThings72]

All sources I came across warned about higher temperatures, as it would lead to root rot. Surprisingly, trying it out at home with day temperatures reaching 43°C, the roots appear to be unaffected. I have now been growing for four weeks in tropical conditions, and the plant is thriving. In fact, growing indoor with artificial lighting the plants grew about 20 cm on average in the first four weeks. In comparison, growing outdoor without any cooling of the water, the growth is a staggering 60 cm in the same time frame. There is no sign of root rot.

[@MattGarver]

That is because most other forms of hydroponics depend on dissolved oxygen in the water, which drops in heat and damages roots. Since the Kratky method uses moist roots near the water surface for gas exchange, and roots that dip into the water for water and nutrient uptake, this method is superior in heat. Keep in mind that even though this method works in heat, that some plants will be less tolerant to heat based on their physiology and traits.

[@SaurabhM-rg3xx]

Hi! I think i am late on this video but can you please share what was your nutrient solution temperature in this kratky setup ?

[@MattGarver]

Solution temperatures were around 90-98 F degrees.

[@ahmedaminemejri6226]

Usually when my temps in water exceeds 100 degrees fahrenheit the plant stress out and then root rot happens, did you transplant them after they were in the shades and had a good root system or did they grow right there from seeds ? are your seeds organic or hybrid ?

[@MattGarver]

Root root is typically found with deep water culture (DWC) and bubblers to provide gas exchange. When the water temperatures hit 100 degrees, there is not enough oxygen levels for DWC and roots begin to decay and rot. With Kratky hydroponics, gas exchange happens immediately above the water in the moist zone, which allows gas exchange at high temperatures. Only the root tips are submerged into the water, for water and nutrient uptake. Since those are barely in the water, the surface gas exchange of the nutrient keeps that area from going stagnant. Prolonged heat can affect plants, since optimal photosynthesis happens between 50 and 68 degrees Fahrenheit. I have done both transplant and start from seeds successfully. Also, I prefer large containers with a single fill up of nutrient for the season. Plants are healthier that way, and you will not risk the possibility of refilling and drowning the delicate air roots.

[@ahmedaminemejri6226]

Indeed but in my case root rot happen with the kratky method even though the plant is dropping its root in the water by itself and had some air roots, over here the temperature can reach 122 Fahrenheit and the high humidity make it even worse, that same plant do well in the shade or partial shade thought maybe if i let it mature in the shade it will be able to withstand the extreme weather when i move it toward the full sun later, anyway thank you for your answer Matt and happy growing

[@MattGarver]

@@ahmedaminemejri6226 Thank you for getting back, I am very interested in helping you out. When you mentioned 122 Fahrenheit temperatures, it all made sense. My local temperatures can hit high extremes, but with your brutal conditions the plants will certainly need extra measures. I can barely stand to walk a quarter mile in 122° f. Most growers rely on shade cloth and misting systems. It is an economical decision whether to grow indoors at that point.

[@mangofever4681]

Do you have a video where you add solution and keep it at a set level?

[@MattGarver]

kzbin.info/aero/PLQhMYAJDUCba7Xs0K0a34Y3xUOot3K2pV

[@mangofever4681]

@@MattGarver Wow, you did an extensive study on this subject. Thanks for the link.

[@MattGarver]

@@mangofever4681 Welcome

[@browndd1]

Do you add any beneficials?

[@MattGarver]

No, I just used Dyna-Gro 3-12-6 bloom formula at half strength and nothing else.

[@browndd1]

Good to know. I always worry about Pythium when my reservoir nutrients get too warm.

[@MattGarver]

Pythium seems not to affect the Kratky fill and forget system, since only the tips of the roots are immersed and gas exchange happens on the upper roots. In a system like deep water culture, warm water decreased oxygen carrying capacity and increases the risk of root disease.

[@user-om3yk7fs7e]

root rot no problem in high temperature in kratky ?

[@MattGarver]

No issues, in this method the gas exchange happens right above the water. Only water gathering roots are submerged and then only near the surface.

[@kar1pike]

Ok, then why did my cherry tomato die? The water was warm, I did not have a thermometer but it was warm to the touch. The top of the plant is all shriveled. I thought it was because the water got too warm.

[@MattGarver]

Would need more information. Most often either water used to top off or rain getting in container raises the level in the container too high and aeration roots die.

[@kar1pike]

Matt Garver It was getting enough air, roots were half way into the water and half exposed. Everything I have read says the water temp should be about 65 degrees.

[@MattGarver]

It's more about the area directly above the water level. If that little area gets submerged, the plant can "suffocate" and look as you have described.