Fertilizer ratio for cucumbers in 55 gallon drum

Closed hydroponic Kratky system with fertilizer ratios

[@wudwu2012]

To this year, I still come back to your video to remember how much master blend and all to add. 2023 grew amazing, cant wait for 2024 yeld! #207maine #mid40farmin

[@bamagot13]

Awesome!!!!!

[@redrockplumber5124]

Ah, refreshing! Simple and direct. Thank you!

[@organiccraftworks3153]

Perfect how did you know ! Getting ready to set up a 60 GAL Pickle Grow...Always appreciate your's and Leon's Gardening Organic Self Wicking help !

[@normamiller4251]

Very helpful!

[@bamagot13]

great! hope it works...

[@user-df3jz4il6o]

Do You think that aerating the fertilizer water might help keep it cooler and provide oxygen to the plants, similar to the air gap in the Wicking Tub corrugated pipe?

[@bamagot13]

Good question. I actually tried that in my other greenhouse and it probably did help with aeration, but it didn’t really help keep the temp cooler.

[@user-df3jz4il6o]

@@bamagot13 Thanks for the reply.

[@deejaybratsch]

Over the 9-10 week growing period how many times did you add fertilizer?

[@bamagot13]

Zero. The cucumbers grow until the 55 gallon drum is drained. Now if you decide to add more nutrient only fill it halfway or you will drown the roots

[@deejaybratsch]

@@bamagot13 thanks. Last year I drowned two by refilling half way up and three lived. I think I should have added fertilizer. We shall she what happens thus year. Thanks for answering

[@chrisz.9974]

What size net pot did you use?

[@bamagot13]

3”

[@madhusasidhar]

How did it go? Did it work? Any lessons learned?

[@bamagot13]

It works great. I picked 79 cucumbers off one plant using a 55 gallon drum. I have now started doing it via Dr. Kratky hydroponics so the tank never empties using a float valve. It’s great. If you just use the 55 gallon drum it will last around 9 to 10 weeks before the roots drain it drive water. You cannot fill it all the way back up with the existing roots or it will drown the roots. You may get by with filling it halfway back up with the same formula but once again you could lose it because of drowned roots

[@miket.3248]

2 cucumbers in a 55 gal, is it ok?

[@bamagot13]

Yes. It will drain barrel twice as fast though.

[@madmaxxmad2]

I find one is better for production, two drains it too fast and its difficult to refill without drowning the plant.

[@arrow1island]

You should have stated that 4 ounces in a 5 gallon bucket, means that in this rain barrel you have used 44 ounces of powdered nutrient

[@fgjf1079]

No, you’re wrong buddy. 4 ounces= 112 grams. 112grams/55gal = 2.24grams per gallon, which is the correct ratio. He puts the 4ounce in a 5gal bucket just to dissolve it, then he pours it in the barrel, and fills to the top with water.

[@atcarlumsy1503]

When you say "FOUR OUNCES", do you mean four ounces BY WEIGHT or FLUID OUNCES? Please clarify.

[@bamagot13]

actually four ounces of dry fertilizer added to water. sorry

[@atcarlumsy1503]

@@bamagot13 I presume you mean OUNCES in WEIGHT, and not ounces in VOLUME. Except for this minor confusion, your video was well-made.

[@NreharTheTowerKiller]

i got a white barrel but scared it will grow algae

[@bamagot13]

It will most likely. You can spray paint black.

[@chrisz.9974]

I plan to put a large black garbage bag over my barrel. Covers it completely very nicely. Just tape it up so it’s not flapping.