Grow tower finished with grow medium!

[@DragonflyArtz1]

I still very much enjoyed the "S" hook tutorial, and I learned how to string the grow tubes and run the water supply to them. Works for me! Thank you!

[@billtreusch]

Hi Donald, I just found your channel and I am looking forward to going through all of your videos. I am new this year to hydroponics, and really admire your setup. The overhead nutrient delivery in this video is awesome, simple and effective. It is too bad the straw didn't work as a grow medium. Thanks for taking the time to make your channel.

[@donaldporta]

Bill Treusch Thank you for the nice compliment--- I hope you have great success and rewards with your venture---Best of luck my friend---Don

[@GaryMcKinnonUFO]

This is great, the most creative approach i've seen to vertical hydroponic towers. I've not seen anyone use straw before nor your wicking rope in the other video. Power to ya pal :)

[@donaldporta]

Thank you very much!

[@moochnhowzn]

Excellent in every way as commonsense has become something of the past , well done

[@donaldporta]

Thank you!

[@jeffstreeter3037]

If there is some place near you that unloads tractor trailers that pull flatbeds and you see that the loads are leaving or coming in tarped. you can go to the staging area where the drivers tarp or untarp their loads and find lots of the S hooks on broken bungee cords that they tend to throw on the ground. Similarly at truck stops in the parking areas you can find many of these. I think I will start collecting these now.

[@ВладимирСафронов-в5ч]

Мульчирование для гидропоники это супер!!! Спасибо! You good man!

[@craftdinna9191]

I love that wirebending jig. You are such a smartie pants

[@XoshBitt]

And now I will be using hay. Great videos! Well done

[@donaldporta]

Thank you! but I started using coconut coir since the hay sprouted too many seeds. not a problem if you don't mind pulling them as they sprout.

[@donaldporta]

At 4 min. I am attaching the screen to the top of the tower---- this was a mistake and was removed--- good observation Don Avant!

[@jlk103144]

Donald Porta Yeah, I caught it as well, as I was watching it. Then when you were inserting the straw, you had it corectly. LOL. Gotta get back to watching the video.

[@kennmoitui8483]

Nice man!. Just found out your videos and I will definitely watch all of them

[@donaldporta]

thank you, but some may be a bit boring!

[@sava3507]

Mr. Porta thank you

[@محمدالروينى-ر8ش]

very wonderful Donald

[@davidbradley3074]

Paint your galvanized material, zinc is used to kill plant life and moss in yards and roofs and all it take is a little water to flow over the surface and then drip on your plant roots.

[@HieuTran-rm9md]

Very interesting sir , next video please, I wanna see how good those plants grow

[@niravkaka]

Your videos are inspiring ! Many thanks for sharing and helping people like me stoke their passion for gardening. You mention that sometimes you do not use any media in the towers - in that case do you use a netpot to support the plants and what is the media in the netpot ? and how do the roots get water and nutrients ? are they just sprayed from the top like a shower or you use jets and hit the stream at individual roots /net pots at different levels from the inside ?

[@donaldporta]

there is a drip tube at the top of each tower --- the drip is actually a small stream, about 7 gal per hour, this keeps the roots moist and feeds the plants with the fish wastes.

[@Dev_Everything]

This is the only version of a aeroponics system that I have seen use a medium inside of the tube.

[@donaldporta]

I have only read about it, so I needed to give it a try. I worked good for some plants and others didn't need it at all.

[@ВОЛОДАР-ь6з]

...блискуча ідея шановний друже !! Використаю обов'язково !!! ;)

[@southrnrs]

A year late in watching your videos and enjoying them and learning how did you get you tower holes formed like that? Thank you for sharing

[@donaldporta]

+Carson Liebenow I have a video demonstrating making the towers--- check it out---- good luck my friend, Don

[@southrnrs]

+Donald Porta Thank you

[@powerelctiricganratortips4977]

so good diteling

[@blakewallace8816]

so excited to watch all of your videos donald you do such an amazing job! from Australia!

[@donaldporta]

Blake Wallace Thank you my friend---Don

[@incubatork]

with alternate cuts either side of the towers you get more plants per tube, not double but maybe 35% more. turning the tubes 90° they all get the sunlight

[@LeRenardian]

Great and simple system, thanks you so much!

[@donaldporta]

Glad it helped!

[@taffythegreat1986]

I think i would've tied a wire to the top of the pipe and placed one S hook onto the frame. This way would make it earier to take down the tower and use less hooks. Otherwise nice job 👍👍

[@mohammadyusuf1299]

Love from borneo... indonesia 👍👍👍👍👍

[@isaacsmandigo9179]

I see that this video was made on the 2nd of November 2014. May i ask that you make an update and show us the current set up. Update us on all the changes you made and what advantages did you benefit to date. Based on your experience, would you advice new comers to use vertical growing on a commercial scale? I would appreciate your help. Thank you.

[@donaldporta]

My best results have been without any grow medium, ie after the plants have developed a root mass large enough to do the wicking throughout the tubes. I would get the plants started in my floating beds (DWC), in net pots and wait until the roots were well developed, then place them into the towers.

[@isaacsmandigo9179]

Thank you for your prompt response. Cheers

[@hsinmind]

Thanks!!! This is a nagging question I need an answer for!!!

[@nehirinhayalleri330]

Thank you

[@peterlukaszyk6024]

Does it need straw? I prefer coconut fibre pots with no medium inside tube just roots running free. And water on timer to allow roots to breathe

[@donaldporta]

coconut coir is the best way to go, and a timer is great!

[@TuLamLay]

Did you try with LECA (lightweight expanded clay)? They don't collapse, lightweight and release moisture when water not running through towers​.

[@donaldporta]

I used it in the net pots, but not filling the towers. Thanks for the suggestion, i'll give it a try. Don

[@emiliogreenwood8190]

Nice jig for the s-hooks but I think you can probably buy them a little cheaper then going for all that work

[@jackson027]

great job man

[@Basilikum11]

Did you ever try coconut wool as a medium? We use it instead of rock wool as a substrate for the net-pots, it works really well!

[@donaldporta]

No I haven't---I could not find a source for the coconut wool--- can you suggest where to obtain it?

[@donaldporta]

***** I believe you are right--- thank you!

[@AliBaba-mb1pu]

Perfect idea, thanks! This is very available in the Philippines and will save on expensive net pots! We were using old coke bottle bases b4.

[@sanithsok8544]

Great sharing !

[@MrKallolkumar]

Question: What is to mix with water for nutrition supply to the plants when using the pond mix filter medium? What if the system be exposed to broad daylight and open night-sky?

[@donaldporta]

The fish waste will change into nitrates by the effect of beneficial bacteria that the plants feed on. The plants are in the greenhouse for it's warmth, If you are in a warm climate you may grow outdoors.

[@PauloPinto_AquaponiaCoyote]

very good Donald...that pump you use?

[@daginselden5770]

Hi, i was just wondering if you made the tower or got it somewhere? If you did make it why did you only put plants on one side? and do you have a video of making them somewhere by chance (if you did). I like the way it looks bent rather then trying to cut the whole at an angle and using pvc fittings...

[@donaldporta]

Here is the tower build; kzbin.info/www/bejne/hnTam6Wkn8mtetU , the plants on one side is recommended for the towers that are in the grow tower cluster--- most light will be coming from the one side, and the plants to the back will be taking the light there. once you start making the towers they are pretty easy. Thanks for your comment my friend---Don

[@donavant1676]

At about 4 min, he says he's attaching the screen to the bottom of the grow tube...Is is just me, or does it look like he's attaching it to the top?

[@allan9584able]

yep

[@everettmellish]

Don Avant Oooops

[@klausochs7006]

Realy Good idea .

[@donaldporta]

Thank you! 😊

[@klausochs7006]

@@donaldporta i saw some of this on eBay for 350 Euro ;-) i must laugh loud . Greats here from Germany .

[@СергейБойченко-и7м]

Hello, Donald. Thank you for your video. I wonder if it is safe to use PVC for planting.

[@donaldporta]

The manufacture informed me that the pvc that is used in the drain pipes is the same as that which is used in the palatable water lines.

[@puddlesmeadher6792]

thank you :)

[@bigjaw93]

Thank you for sharing your amazing design Mr.Donald. Where does the water go once is flows from the top?

[@heckyes]

Straw was a neat idea! I think you'd be better off with pea-gravel, the kind that is used in school playgrounds under swingsets and such. It would be infinitely re-usable and easy to clean. This assuming any kind of medium is necessary. Why did you figure you needed a medium to begin with?

[@donaldporta]

+enticed2zeitgeist Straw is a bad idea--- it rotted too quickly and clogged the bottom of the tubes. coconut coir is a good idea to go with. some of the plants need to grip into a medium and worms can live in it so this will also fertilize the plants also. most of my plants I do without the grow medium. good luck my friend--- Don

[@salwahassan695]

Thank you very clear explanation sure I will try it

[@j.danaclark89]

Does the decomposing straw not change the Ph of your water negatively?

[@donaldporta]

the straw was removed shortly after, the straw broke down too quickly and settled in the bottom of the tubes and clogged them. I'm thinking of using coconut coir instead.

[@j.danaclark89]

Good to know, thanks.

[@lordweaselfreak]

coir will become too water logged, id try straight perlite

[@ryno856]

lava rock crush it up if you cant get the small stuff.

[@roberts4411]

Did I miss something ? In first video you ran clothes line rope through it yet there was none here ? Also I noticed some use no medium like your straw and simply let the water run over the roots What’s the difference ? Very good video

[@donaldporta]

Depending on the plants you are potting determines how the towers are set up to function. if the plants have a well developed root structure this will act as the wicking source, and if using the net pots with this type of plants the grow medium is not needed, all the nutrients are in the water.

[@ybaggi]

at 3:30, it seems that you are putting the screen at the top of the tower while narrating that it is th bottorm which makes more sense. can you confirm etither way? thanks.

[@donaldporta]

+Yves Baggi You are right --- the screen goes at the bottom--- after doing a hundred of these, I was getting a little punchy! thanks for your comment my friend, Don

[@FishermanFR]

Congratuletions!! Top show!!

[@Александрерофеев-й6м]

class!!!very original.thank You

[@yogeshpatidar9650]

sir you add in fish tank any other chemical for best results in plants...

[@shamsmujaddidi4586]

Good video and thanks much for your efforts. My question is if wet the straws don't they go bad after a while? Thanks

[@donaldporta]

Yes it will, my follow up wad wet straw rots too quickly and I switched to coconut coir

[@FensterfarmGreenhouse]

Are you still using a grow medium filling the tubes? Chuck

[@donaldporta]

No, the root system as it grows carries the water.

[@caracerful]

Does it grow better than rockwool?!

[@donaldporta]

rockwool will not have seeds which sprouted and then had to be pulled.

[@caracerful]

@@donaldporta soo it is a sort of a good growing media to put into a net cup?

[@caracerful]

@@donaldporta i mean can we use straws in a cup

[@donaldporta]

@@caracerful no, straw has too much seeds and breaks down too fast and puts too much matter in the system and starts clogging things--- best to stay with the coconut coir.

[@THEJONESFAMILYCHANNEL]

Nice!!!

[@donaldporta]

Thanks!

[@عبدالعزيزالمطرودي-م2ط]

Tanks

[@edgarrato]

hello, thank you for your videos i have one question the water its always running on the towers? or do you switch on/off 15 min like hydro?? best regards edgar

[@donaldporta]

+Edgar Rato The water is always running- thanks my friend---Don

[@turdfurgison97]

Would you just replace the straw after each grow?

[@RedskinzFan]

I hope youre using NON gmo organic straw

[@donaldporta]

right on with that.

[@deborahbarbagelata9691]

Can you tell me the name of the hole punch you used and where could I find it. Thanks

[@donaldporta]

Here is your link to the punch; amzn.to/2p5JiVc Good luck my friend---Don

[@MrJalankaki]

Hi Donald, thanks for your videos. They are fun to watch. I have a question. Approximately how much pump capacity do I need per tower? Since pumps here are rated in Liter per hour, a 5-warr 400 Liter/hour pump will approximately serve how many towers? Have you needed to use plant nutrient solutions to grow your vegetables?

[@donaldporta]

+Stef Noose Since the plant nutrients all come from the fish food, I find I have to supplement with Iron, Potassium, and magnesium. . On the towers, the recommended flow rate is about 7 gal/hr, so I guess your 400 liter pump should handle about 30 towers, but remember the hourly rate will be diminished with the height the pump has to push. good luck my friend---Don

[@yogeshpatidar9650]

sir which is best hydroponic or aquaponic

[@donaldporta]

Trying to be organic, I favor aquaponics, and the reason is that after 3 or so months with the hydroponics, the water is dumped and is a chemical concoction. also hydroponics will use insecticides which can make it's way into our food.--- just my opinion. Don

[@rexbroward1132]

on a different vid you used a string as a drip line, why the straw as a grow medium?

[@donaldporta]

coconut,core,instead.

[@pabloquiroz8878]

amazing sr.

[@ahmadnajib1062]

nice...

[@mndaudi2502]

Why u didn't explain that how does water recycle

[@fuadalhammadi3785]

great idea.thanks

[@61riaz]

hi it nice but little bit long video you can mak it short like filing of straw tieying and some other thing any how its good information goodluck

[@2traktor]

Thnx this is usefull video

[@allan9584able]

where you get towers from

[@donaldporta]

The PVC pipes came from a pipe plumbing supply--- the final cost of about $2.50 each---- you have to make them---- fairly simple to do, just time involved!

[@allan9584able]

i am going to get the gropockets and glue them on, easier and quicker and no blockages

[@robinhoodloom5795]

Wow

[@nikprawdzik3591]

U screened the top end fyi

[@anaksabah9085]

malingkat bayan 👍

[@natiunea]

Are you by chance of Romanian origins ?

[@donaldporta]

Mother from the Ukraine, Father from France.

[@lospotrillos869]

dios te vendiga

[@saltybildo4415]

Pex is da shit

[@donaldporta]

I started using pex with any repair work that I do--- here in NW PA. the winters freeze pipes and in spring there leaks, no broken pipes with pex

[@HSQ786]

lucky u didnt show us all 200 S shape wire clip ....haha

[@donaldporta]

a lot of repetition there!

[@thingsifoundontheinternettoday]

who would use a biodegradable medium in a grow towers?!?

[@1982MCI]

Can you show us a video of the grow medium yiye using?

[@이동훈-e1o9n]

풀이 썩어버리면 어떻게 해요 선생님

[@kenabisan4731]

Diy king

[@saltybildo4415]

Use fittings man

[@RedskinzFan]

Could have saved yourself TONS of time and attached the clothesline to the pipe itself instead of using the SHooks.

[@donaldporta]

good advise!

[@jonnyrox116]

Nothing but a rotting mess as the straw decomposes

[@donaldporta]

You are right--- straw is not the right grow medium to use--- coconut coir is good to use.

[@steverosenthal5723]

@@donaldporta I have a setup similar to yours and been having a bear of a time growing my strawberries in my towers. Are you strictly coco coir now? Or is there a mix you use? Also does the absorbing properties of the coir maybe promote root rot since it's always wet? Or does the coir compact a lot in your towers? I'm looking for a change this upcoming spring as I've lost 500 strawberry plants each year for 2 years and looking for a solution.

[@yogeshpatidar9650]

sir you add in fish tank any other chemical for best results in plants...

[@ahmadnajib1062]

nice...