Easy Hydroponic Kratky System using just Styrofoam and a Flower Pot

[@AliHammoud1]

That's so clever! And I love how you are sharing your journey in a very natural and easy to understand way! Thanks a lot! 💙

[@bgdn5]

you are pleased to listen briefly clearly and clearly! I add that there is no special need to put expanded clay in a netpot is an extra waste of time just use a smaller netpot. Try it💛💚💙

[@MakerDad518]

I'm so happy to come across your videos. You do such a good job at explaining everything in easy to understand terms. Thank you for sharing your wisdom.

[@patriciamillar5496]

I have lots of pretty pots so very glad to see this video. I bought a styrofoam knife from the dollar store and I always lay my lids on a piece of wood before drilling holes so I’m going to see if that works with the styrofoam. Really enjoying your hydroponic videos. I live in Phoenix AZ and seem to be in a spot where nothing will grow outside and everything takes so much water. I’m just starting hydroponics and not doing well but thanks to your videos I’m learning.

[@KellieMcRaeHurricaneInHeels]

I was trying to figure out a way to do this with pretty containers. I love this flower pot/styrofoam idea because it will allow me to get pretty pots for my little garden. Thanks for a great idea.

[@TikkiOOO]

Good luck with that Kellie, sounds like it will be really nice if you get nice looking containers! Thanks for the comment!

[@KellieMcRaeHurricaneInHeels]

@@TikkiOOO :-) I'm excited and looking forward to more of your videos and starting my new garden.

[@TikkiOOO]

Thanks Kellie, I appreciate it! Good luck with your new garden!

[@guybrock837]

You young lady are amazing! Sharing your experience is so very valuable, and helpful. THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH. My wifey and I are going to try your methods.

[@TikkiOOO]

Thank you Guy for your supportive and kind words. Good luck to you and wifey!

[@user-sf9mh1ms4q]

Was so excited to see your video since I just did the same yesterday (just one hole)! I used ceramic 2.5 gal with no holes just laying around in my backyard but I used 1/4" plywood that I have laying around, painted it to make sure it does not rot since it will be outside. In the bottom of the cover, I attached some pieces of 1 in wood all around to create a lock on the pot and fits it there tightly. for top heavy plants, like okra that I am using it for, I may need to duck tape to secure it in place when my plants mature. I also duck taped the 2in net cups because the wind is tipping it sideways already, also protection from occasional rain that may dilute the nutes.

[@tammimccoy8233]

TIKKI O!! YOU ROCK!!! I'm starting my 1st Kratky system and you just solved a major issue. I have plenty of flower pots, but not a lot of totes. Thank you, thank you for this video....until I get more totes, this will be a good start for a beginner....well at least for this beginner. You made an alternative way & INEXPENSIVE!! I'm able to save a few pennies and grow fresh vegetables & fruit at home. Thank you, thank you. Wishing you continue success & blessings.

[@TikkiOOO]

Wow Tammi, thanks for the really nice feedback and comment! good luck with your growing....remember, there are always ups and downs, but its really rewarding, so enjoy the journey!

[@tammimccoy8233]

☺☺☺☺

[@HK19691]

Great video! I have been growing using the deep water culture with an air pump. I’m growing my first batch of lettuce using the kratkey method. So far so good! I must admit it is a super easy way to do indoor hydroponics.

[@TikkiOOO]

Hi HK19691, it is much easier than DWC, but I think the DWC works better for tomatoes and cucumbers. I don't want to deal with pumps, so this works for me. Good luck with the lettuce, try different varieties....Thanks for the comment!

[@eddieyammine9047]

@@TikkiOOO Are tomatoes and cucumbers harder because u need a really big container?

[@jamescurrie5835]

I love your videos please keep putting more out you are a great teacher

[@sylviaw.1584]

Creative idea and will save a lot of money on materials. I have lots of flower pots to use. Thanks for creating this.

[@alexandrabavcevic995]

Thank you. I appreciate all your sharing your mistakes as well as your successes.

[@TikkiOOO]

Thanks Alexandra...I'm still making mistakes...and learning...thanks for taking the time to comment, I appreciate it!

[@PrairieJournals]

The snow outside lolol. Very nice and thanks for taking the time to show how you set yours up.🇨🇦

[@jennysprawson352]

Thank you for the video. I have not started hydroponics yet. My question is- Do you add water, if so how often?

[@sylviaw.1584]

Thank you for sharing your experience and the little tips to do or try in your videos. Well done :)

[@tiffanycaez4301]

It looks great. Can't wait to do my own

[@TikkiOOO]

Thanks Tiffany....as Nike says, "just do it!" Good luck!

[@eddiesanchez9095]

Hi Tikki... Excellent video... Thanks for sharing... I love the idea of the Plant pot for Hydroponics... I am curious to use styrofoam after seeing your video. I do suggest you should make another hole in order to pour your hydroponics solution. I also love the idea, that you purchased a BLACK Plant pot... This will definitely help with algae growing. Thanks Tikki

[@TikkiOOO]

Thanks Eddie for the comment, I appreciate it! I have a third hole to pour in the hydroponics since the runt cuke died....so far so good.....

[@nicolehadden5486]

Great video. How did you cover the holes at the bottom of the flower pot?

[@leopardwoman38]

Some flower pots do not have holes. If you want holes you have to punch out the indicated spaces on the bottom.

[@cassieyogalove]

thank you, this is so inspiring! How do you know what formula to put in the water? I just bought multipurpose liquid plat food. I am trying to grow lettuce any suggestions?

[@02121978able]

Thanks🙏🌹 Tikki o, didi from🇮🇳 india 🙏🙏

[@generalawareness101]

I need something to fit over that pot I can work with, but I just don't have any styrofoam. Any suggestions?

[@ssahasramorganics7664]

I always thought that NFT is the "Real Smart Hydroponic System " and to start anything you needed that first - then I stumbled upon your channel and viola! You grow just about anything with your Kratky - most interesting is the fact that you are not even using an air pump. My God I am so happy - I always wanted things to be simple - and with your ingenious and interesting experiments you DO make things look simple. Your catch phrase "...and if I can do it, even you can do it" - that's a very encouraging statement - I am gonna try your tricks ASAP ( ... and yes man - b**ls to NFT😀) - just joking - I am so happy today

[@TikkiOOO]

Thanks Ssahasram Organics...but really thank Dr. Kratky of the University of Hawaii, this ingenious method is something he worked on for many years. Thanks for your beautiful comment, I really appreciate it!

[@templeghg]

Do you run the light 24/7? I have also seen 18 hrs a day suggested. Curious what works best.

[@mariwillalwaysgivethanks]

I have cats and the only room they are not allowed into is my bedroom...I ordered an Aero garden and I plan to try my hand with growing cukes and tomatoes. Since I will be setting up in my bedroom, will turning off the grow lights thwart their growth?

[@MattGarver]

Nice reminder that others can retrofit flower pots for Kratky hydroponics. I have even seen cardboard used in other countries for a top cover. Surprised that the red ripe tomato did not get an honorable mention in your video.

[@TikkiOOO]

Hi Matt...good eye! That red ripe tomato found its place of honor in a salad bowl! Thanks for the comment!

[@mansimratsingh9031]

What is the wattage and specifications of the growth light you are using?

[@jamesgomes9799]

Very nice. Thanks

[@z-legend3688]

Outstanding! I'm a first timer and this looks very easy, convenient and (most importantly) inexpensive. How many holes did you get in the tote? I'm wanting to try some lettuce first and then tomatoes. Could I string up the tomatoes? Did you grow full size tomatoes or cherrys? Thanks for your instructions, loving it!

[@TikkiOOO]

Glad you are excited Z Legend, its very rewarding to have plants growing indoors. Try lettuce and microgreens first, they are the easiest. I prune the tomatoes and use determinate species, so they can grow more bushy. Both cherry and regular tomatoes, but buy seeds for low growing plants. Tiny Tim is a smaller growing type, check it out. I made three holes in a 5 gallon tote, 2 for the plants, and one to pour in more nutrients as needed. Good luck and thanks for the comment.

[@02121978able]

Again and again thanks🙏, sister, your method is very useful and practical skills

[@kimvaughan2140]

How often do you need to change the water? How often do you need to add more nutrients?

[@tomm5228]

Hi brilliant, I’m thinking of doing similar, do you change the water nutrients at a length of time, or do you add to it? From England cheers

[@Danbrown504]

Fantastic video. I've been looking for an alternative and that Styrofoam idea is what I'm looking for. Cheers look forward to the update

[@TikkiOOO]

Thanks Dan, the Styrofoam is holding up nicely so far! Thanks for the comment!

[@creativeline03]

Nice 👍. Thanks for sharing

[@dickysamhong]

completed explanation, thanks you very much🙏👍

[@karronlaneNOLA]

how often do you have to add water to flower pot and tote?? tks for the cool video :-)

[@DragonSephi87]

yo lady how long do the lights stay on whilst growing? is it on a timer or is it on 100% of time?

[@AK-Classic1]

Very well presented. Thanks

[@TikkiOOO]

Thanks Anand, I appreciate it!

[@janeentereso2397]

Hi. Just found this video. Where to purchase seeds like you have used in this video?

[@luiseschmid7960]

where do you buy the seeds for cucumber, pepper and tomato plants?

[@JCC_1975]

5 gallon buckets work really well. Nice job 👍

[@TikkiOOO]

Hi 4 the homestead prepper....yes, they do...thanks for the comment, appreciate it!

[@dobishs]

Thanks for the wonderful video. How much of each nutrient in volume (for each gallon)? I don't have a good scale for grams

[@TikkiOOO]

Hi ys6425, grams is a weight, and volume is an amount, so I'm not sure how to convert. Some nutrients are lighter and others more dense, so weighing is more accurate. Maybe you can get an approximation by googling? Otherwise buy a nutrient solution that measures by the teaspoon, such as the nutrients by Fox Farms (2 teaspoons to a gallon of water). The scale I use is pretty cheap and small, around $10. Thanks for the comment!

[@myriadcorp]

When you start your seeds in the rockwool do you leave them in water the whole time they are growing prior to putting them in the final pot?

[@TikkiOOO]

Hi myriadcorp, yes, I keep them in the rockwool sitting in a little water to make sure the rockwool stays saturated with water. Thanks for watching and commenting!

[@virtualsoundzhub448]

@@TikkiOOO when starting your seeds do they need to be somewhere where there is light or without light or it doesn't matter whether they have light or not?

[@ajrahkhalil]

Thanks so much for your video and i'm very much inclined to do the same but your growing yours indoor. i wonder if i can do this kratky outdoor considering that i'm living in a tropical country the Philippines. More power.

[@TikkiOOO]

Hi ajrahkhalil, I don't see why you can't grow this outdoors, and you get the sun instead of having to buy grow lights! Good luck!

[@ajrahkhalil]

@@TikkiOOO Thanks a lot. Now i have courage to do this Kratky system outdoor. God bless!

[@SusanRogersMakingItWork4Me]

You can! Go watch Mike VanDuzee, he grows outside, kratky all the way.

[@global092]

Hi Tikki O I'm from NZ and last summer I used the styrofoam as you have done - well have you grown Courgettes/Zuchini hydroponically using the Kratky method - love your video's RJ

[@TikkiOOO]

No I haven't tried zuchini, it grows in the garden so easily in the summer which is what we are moving into now. I know for you its the other way around. Have you had luck growing zuchini using the Kratky method?

[@kerry8437]

Cucumber plants are heavier than lettuce. I would probably use thicker styrofoam next go around. In the meantime you could use a couple pieces of wood laid across the top of the container. Just to ensure the styrofoam doesn't split in half.

[@TikkiOOO]

Thanks for the advice Kerry. So far the styrofoam is holding up, but you are right, next time a thicker styrofoam....thanks for the comment!

[@kerry8437]

You're welcome. It's all trial and error. Keep trying new things and see what you like best. There's no wrong way just learning experiences. For all I know that styrofoam could actually be thicker than it looks. Love your videos. You and others have inspired me to start kratky hydroponics. As soon as my tomatoes are ready to transplant in probably another week I was planning on trying the styrofoam. Have some that's 2½" or so thick. Probably a little overkill but that's what I got for free. Since it's so thick I'll probably try using a pool noodle instead of a net cup.

[@TikkiOOO]

@@kerry8437 Thanks again Kerry for the words of encouragement. Pool noodle is a great idea, I saw another channel, Mike VanDuzee, using pool noodles...check his systems out on his youtube channel.

[@kerry8437]

@Tikki O. Mike has a great channel as well. Pool noodles are a great idea and I hope to try that out at some point. It won't be very appealing to the eyes and it won't be hydroponic. But if you remember the topsy turvys. I'm thinking of making my own with a 5 gallon bucket and a pool noodle. For whatever reason I have way better luck with tomatoes in dirt.

[@TikkiOOO]

Very interesting idea Kerry...I see they still have it on Amazon, and something called an upside down tomato planter...also on Amazon. Thanks for the feedback!

[@samanthanicholson9015]

That little guy should be moved to it's own container it isn't getting water, we had to do that to ours until they got more root then they shared containers for light so I don't have to put them all over, pretty plants and thanks for the tip about self pollinating variety to look for

[@TikkiOOO]

Thanks Samantha!

[@marklaidlaw3493]

Hi grate video :) did you check the ph of the water after mixing your nutrients? Thank you

[@TikkiOOO]

Yes, my Ph is always around 6.0. thanks for the question!

[@marklaidlaw3493]

@@TikkiOOO thank you :)

[@SusanRogersMakingItWork4Me]

Very nice!

[@TikkiOOO]

Thanks Susan, I appreciate the support!

[@Alphasig336]

Run the drill backwards will keep from tearing material

[@SangariaTotal]

Good

[@rosigarcia4178]

Wow 😮 woman,thanks so much

[@TikkiOOO]

Thank YOU Rosi!

[@janetlis2613]

Clever

[@TikkiOOO]

Thanks Jan R!

[@poumaofarm6499]

Good job, I like it

[@TikkiOOO]

Hi, កសិដ្ឋានពូម៉ៅ Pou Mao Farm thank you for the nice comment!

[@miket.3248]

can you take it outside?

[@TikkiOOO]

Yes, Mike, some people grow hydroponically outdoors if they live in a temperate climate. I am not so lucky....

[@wi54725]

I used to love growing hydroponically indoors, and when I saw the title of your video, I had concerns. Styrofoam is really a toxic product that should never be used for food stuffs. Styrofoam contains styrene, and styrene has direct links to cancer, dementia, and issues with eyes and ears. Stryofoam notoriously leaches into the media it encompasses. I hope you can re-visit this and try it again with less toxic products. We stopped growing hydroponically, because the acid in the nutrients caused the plastic to leach, and even BPA-free plastic releases plasticides. So, we went back to outdoor farming.

[@SoSofties]

I was wondering about this too when I see all the plastic tubs people are using. I just ordered gallon glass jars to try.

[@voiceologist]

Glass Mason Jars gallon size, great idea, and downspout/gutters in place of plastic totes..

[@faustinobonnici5047]

what about the holes in the pot dont you have to close

[@TikkiOOO]

This pot is a self watering pot, no holes in the bottom.

[@paulbedeaux8701]

Why place the styrofoam on top of the pot? Rather cut it slightly smaller then the inside diameter of the pot, and let it float on the water? Just make sure you put spacers under the planting tubs, that only the roots are in the water. But otherwise, great video

[@TikkiOOO]

Hi Paul, thanks for the comment! I had not thought to do that since there needs to be a gap for the air roots. Can you explain a little more why you would float it on the water? Thank you!

[@paulbedeaux8701]

Hi @@TikkiOOO I float it on the water so that the roots are the same level from the water all the time. The distance from bottom of the pot to the water is always the same, even with the plants drinking, and with evaporation. It also means that you can leave the plants for long periods without having to top up the nutrient solution.

[@hvnbndmatron4672]

Hi you published this almost a year ago and just now 2/26/20 coming up on my video feed. I was just wondering how to address the plastic toxicity issue. I never worried about it before and I container garden with a lot of plastic pots and big box store buckets with soil outdoors. Is it possible to replicate your styrofoam and plastic planter idea using a terra cotta pot and bigger terra cotta saucer? I have no idea how difficult it would be to cut holes in that type of saucer and somehow would have to plug up the big hole in the large container. I know it wouldn’t be as easy or as cheap as plastic. I wish doing things the healthy way wasn’t so expensive or difficult. I may have to switch over all my containers to terra cotta. I sure hope there are no toxic issues with terra cotta! PS never did hydroponic gardening before. Do you have any advice?

[@jalur_langit_ar_sky]

@@hvnbndmatron4672 how about using plywood as plastic substitute?

[@finsburyproductions2748]

Why have you got the drill in Reverse?????

[@TikkiOOO]

Hi Finsbury...no worries...I was just trying to make indentations and then I cut out the holes with a knife. Have a great day!

[@TheSHOP411]

Most people go in reverse when cutting plastic or styrofoam because it doesn't tear up the material so bad. It's something I have noticed on a lot of the hydroponics videos. I have since done it and it does work better

[@atribecalledjudah5436]

Hidden Mickey

[@TikkiOOO]

?

[@brcastillo1844]

Love your channel, Tikki, but, friends, styrofoam is very toxic! I wish more programs would include education about food safe plastics!I say this with great love and appreciation!

[@TikkiOOO]

Thanks for the comment and input B&R. What do you think about using downspouts to grow in, I'm not sure what they are made from...I've seen people using them very successfully.

[@bque9444]

Eeew, styrofoam. How about using a much better environmental choice?

[@allthegoodstuff3394]

Styrofoam is bad for the environment

[@TikkiOOO]

Thanks for the comment!

[@leoandrews1696]

I'm wondering if it's not better to reuse the styrofoam, rather than throwing it away in landfill.

[@02121978able]

🙏🏼🙏🏼💐👍nice information