Awesome High Tech Hydroponics at CropKing

Katy and I got a complete tour of CropKing. They are constantly doing research on new hydroponic products and plants and have some really awesome greenhouses. Their lettuce house currently has a mobile system and a ton of varieties of lettuces and herbs. Their vine house has tomatoes in Dutch buckets like we do, but they are also doing a trial on flat grow bags placed over a gutter, and they have BEES! They also have a shipping container that is fitted with a complete hydroponic growing system and lots of grow lights. We got to see their production facility where they manufacture commercial and hobby greenhouses. It was a cool day! I will try to get to as many questions as possible. I love your comments!
-Devon
CropKing's website
www.cropking.com/
instagram homegrown.passion

[@CropKingInc]

Thanks so much for stopping by! Love the video and having you out to our greenhouses!

[@oby-1607]

It is so great CropKing is out there providing systems partial or whole to those who need it. The new channels looked really interesting. He was talking about different growing mediums that were different than Oasis. The shipping of Oasis to us is so expensive and were wondering if there were other options. As usual, Devon, you are always on top of what works best.

[@retiredlogman]

Devon thank you for sharing. It is always interesting to see the approaches people make in a greenhouse setting. This also gave a little more understanding than a website alone can do for a company like CropKing.

[@HomegrownPassion]

Of course! I was happy to make this video because they has really neat stuff, but they have also been good to us and their products that we use have held up really well.

[@AM-dn4lk]

Thank you for showing us Crop King. Awesome.

[@dadediytv7269]

Great content, learn a lot from this episode. Hopefully, I can incorporate some of this technology to my DIY greenhouse. Thanks Devon and CropKing!

[@qmoonwalker3847]

great tour! Thanks so much for taking us along. I was born and raised in Lodi......Lodi Calif that is :)

[@ChrisG-om9uy]

Thanks Devon & Katy for sharing your complete tour of Cropking. Love it!

[@bs4638]

Thank you for the tour of Crop King! If I do buy from them, I will know exactly where they were fabricated!

[@babsk4071]

Wow COMPLETE SYSTEMS👍

[@MrBigedtc]

Great video.

[@zeezeewhy]

indeed very informative, thank you

[@johnnosprads5883]

Agritech, the way of the future. Love it and love them modular adaptability and agile approach.

[@HomegrownPassion]

Yes they are definitely helping people get the ability to grow fresh produce in any climate. That’s why we love hydroponics. We can grow in the middle of winter and still get good crops. Thanks, Johnno.

[@MattGarver]

Watching this video was like going to Disney World for me. I totally enjoyed the site tour, and explanation of current grower technology! Thanks for taking the time to make this video!!!

[@HomegrownPassion]

Glad you liked it! I’ve been there before, but it was neat seeing it all again and getting to go inside the shipping container system.

[@dwightedmondson6959]

Great channel, I loved it 🇯🇲

[@sinatriapanduadhiyatma8586]

My friends Devon, i always proud of your action

[@summerbreezefarm]

This is our first year renting honey bee hives for the orchard blooming season. There is so much activity out there, buzzing around. My favorite time of year. I had no idea you can purchase bubble bees. This was a great inside view of Crop Kings testing grounds and I very much liked how he compared the container system and the greenhouse system. The expense is much greater due to electricity. Say Hi to Kati, Doug for me. I feel like you're my youtube family. Cheers!

[@HomegrownPassion]

Wow that is really cool! I'm really interested in honey bees. Bobby and I took a class on how to raise them before the boys were born. Maybe someday we will get a hive. Glad you liked the CropKing tour. It was neat seeing all the trials and the shipping container system. I will definitely do that and hope you have a wonderful weekend! 😊-Devon

[@EddieBlout]

Great video!

[@coreydalton7716]

Devon/Katy thanks for the Cropking tour. Interesting to see the shipping container system. They really utilize the space with that two tier elevator lift. Different than the Kimbal Musk venture. That urban vert farming is coming of age. Biggest player Kalera Greens. Really like the way they are trying to improve productivity. Keep growing & cooking 🌻.🔪

[@CropKingInc]

It is definitely maturing as a segment of the industry...and there are certainly some very large players taking a crack at it, and it is a very exciting time to be involved in CEA!

[@dennisdean3925]

Great introduction to CropKing. Very informative. I really was impressed with their automation and monitoring set up. I'll be contacting them shortly and no doubt working with them on some commercial system. Thanks for all your work in putting the video together.

[@steveraman4562]

excellent info keep it going cropking wish you all the very best from germany

[@JohnAdams-ki1fv]

Great idea for a vid.. as usual !! Those guys have a clean set up , also ! Thanks for the effort and content

[@HomegrownPassion]

I appreciate that, John and glad to hear it!

[@leerike694]

Excellent!

[@tterb777]

another great episode. It's cool to see Crop King headquarters finally too

[@HomegrownPassion]

Thanks, Brett! I was really impressed seeing it in person. That shipping container system was so cool.

[@bs4638]

They should pair the shipping container system with solar panels on the roof to reduce electricity bills.

[@putin4773]

How much cost of built greenhouse?

[@ivorytreefairy]

Guys, you are amazing!

[@DrAahad-xo6ev]

Very good one.

[@FensterfarmGreenhouse]

Nice. I am looking at their strawberry system. It was really cool to see that! Chuck

[@HomegrownPassion]

Thank you, Chuck. It looked like they were making a really nice system. I hope you got to see some of CropKing when you were there. I had no idea about their shipping container system. That was pretty cool.

[@FensterfarmGreenhouse]

@@HomegrownPassion we did but there wasn’t much going on in the greenhouses at the time. Never saw the container either. There is one just like it in Nashville Tn though. Your dad was going to send me some pictures of the tool that he made to drive in the ground posts fir the greenhouse. Can you check on that for me when you see him sometime? Have a great weekend sister! Chuck

[@lenienschob972]

y guys are doing good thx for the video

[@GarrisonLeRock]

Awesome to see their shop and understand your relationship with them! If I ever get enough money to buy a production greenhouse I will do so through them.

[@HomegrownPassion]

We are very happy with their products. Our greenhouse and components are over 6 years old now and still holding up really well. I hope you are able to have your own greenhouse someday. It's really fun. I'm saving up for a hobby one at my house.

[@stormytuesday9902]

I love the service I have gotten from CropKing ! I have not been disappointed once. I am making plans to add more NFT’s soon 😊

[@HomegrownPassion]

So glad to hear that! I love that they trial and learn about all of their products before they offer them for sale. Their new NFT channels are really nice!

[@luisurena97]

Hi beautiful, really nice setup 👍🏼 thanks for sharing

[@qamarmalik8179]

Nice tour, it seems a difficult and expensive process, good luck ,

[@rawbsworld6604]

Totally forgot about this one, glad I viewed again lol now I know what I’m looking at 😂…. October got the desktop 👍 fresh salad for 🦃 day. Realized 8 plants and 2 months between harvest wouldn’t do.. ordered more rails the “modern” 3.7 4ft’ers finish up this home build + desk top bring me up to 32 plant sites 👍 didn’t meet Paul or get a tour but everyone I met there when I picked up my order were really super nice folk! 😁 yes as yourselves I’m close enough to drive there! 😝 45 min. Dunno where y’all at … Indoor water garden I call operation winter lettuce …. Working on operation hydro , for summer time greenhouse System , maters & peppers? Whelp sorry for getting verbose. LoL now you know my back story & why I’m here … 🤣 to absorb anything I can use.. 🤗 still learning 🤷‍♂️😳

[@HomegrownPassion]

We are so happy you are here and love your comments...keep them coming. Thinking about having a open house this spring/summer...you will have to come and visit us!

[@rawbsworld6604]

@@HomegrownPassion 👍 …. .. 🤙

[@christophercole5242]

I think Crop King has the best deals on NFT channels. Could always make some out of vinyl gutter downspouts, but for a two piece, professional grade setup, $34 for 10 foot sections isn't bad. Looks like they are working on a lot of good stuff.

[@HomegrownPassion]

you are right we did lots of research and CropKing had the best channels and ease of use for cleaning and harvesting. Watch out for the channels you can't take apart.... how do you clean them

[@TheThelorax]

How often do you have the water run through the channels? Do you ever get root rot? I was under the impression you aren't supposed to keep rockwool consistently wet.

[@rogerboardman6481]

Out in the garden with snow in the air this morning thinking how nice it would be to be working in a greenhouse.

[@HomegrownPassion]

Oh bummer, where are you located? It’s actually pretty cold here in Ohio today, no snow though.

[@rogerboardman6481]

@@HomegrownPassion south central Michigan just north of where Indiana, Ohio, and Michigan come together. Trying to plant Patterson onions.

[@HomegrownPassion]

@@rogerboardman6481 Ok not too far. Hope it warms back up soon. I grew some Patterson the past two years. They didn’t get very big, but the stores really well.

[@rogerboardman6481]

@@HomegrownPassion storage is the reason I grow them, also grow granex but usually use them first as they don't store well. Weather wise we have been spoiled this year, back to reality is harsh.

[@laltapersaud2782]

Great video really enjoyed it!!! I'm a small farmer from Guyana and I would like to know if you can please tell me some fertilizers you guys use...it would mean alot !!!

[@CropKingInc]

Lalta there are many fertilizer calculators and recipes out there that will give you specific targets for individual elements. Given your location, you will certainly want to look for a local supply of fertilizer salts.

[@beeristadhirta6655]

Great

[@greenleafgardening9470]

Wow 🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰

[@TheRoon4660]

You do lovely videos. I think I asked you this question before but I will try again. Have you ever calculated the difference between growing in dirt outside and doing what you do? I'm thinking about land area to grow what you do inside along with labour, fertilizer, etc. I know it's an educated guess and there are potential perils inside and out.

[@HomegrownPassion]

Thank you very much and sorry for not getting back to you before. Katy and Doug decided upon hydroponics mainly because of the location of the farm. Our issues are weather, pests and wild animals that have all taken a toll on crops we have tried to grow for ourselves in the past. With hydroponics, we can grow greens all year, manage bugs from getting into the greenhouse, and we do not have to worry about deer or raccoons. We could have crops in a soil greenhouse, but that was another thing that we liked - clean produce, and E. coli is not an issue for us. Many customers tell us they like how easy it is to wash our lettuce since their isn't dirt stuck in between the leaves. Fertilizer is definitely a higher cost in hydroponics, labor is probably similar. I'm not sure how someone in a different climate would answer this question, but we enjoy hydroponics. Hope this answers your question. - Devon

[@TheRoon4660]

@@HomegrownPassion Thank you so much Devon. I am Larry from Montreal and I was born in 45. Sometimes it feels like 1845. I so much appreciate your response. In these turbulent times it is nice to watch the way your family works. You are so intelligently productive. I will try to find a way to mock your model.

[@steveraman4562]

@@HomegrownPassion nicely said

[@pierreshasta1480]

Hello, Paul is perfectly right to point out that lettuces grown in containers are much more expensive than those grown directly in his greenhouse. Considering the number of led lights, air conditioning, ventilation ... the electricity bill must be important. In my opinion, container growing should be used for fruits and vegetables with a high selling price, (lettuce price is too low), and for winter production. Maybe strawberry growing would be profitable.

[@HomegrownPassion]

We agree...

[@davidbutton8497]

Hey they have the right name nice work person I didn’t see the pizza 🍕 shop anywhere but hey expansions are on his mind later 🌱🌲🌱🌲⚡️🍺🍕🍕🍕🍕🎶🍕🎶🧨🎶

[@HomegrownPassion]

Yep you never know! 🍕🥬🥦😁

[@davidbutton8497]

@@HomegrownPassion and you can be the head chefs 👩‍🍳 take control like ladies should all be doing later before I get slapped ❤️🧨❤️🍕🍕🍕👩‍🍳👩‍🍳🤟

[@jeanLo215]

The only downside in my opinion from CropKing is the shipping cost. I will like to promote and use them as much as I can, but the reality is that shipping cost is a killer.

[@wiredesigner]

hello which is better nutrient for hydroponic

[@chaipk3254]

ดีมากเลยครับ

[@SlackerU]

That's a lot of plastic & perlite. I'd like to see one where the entire high-tunnel is on a pond-liner to eliminate all the drain-lines & pots. I think I need more research on the benefits of soil-less vs soil in hydroponic growing.

[@pettermakkonen2831]

is it eco growth medium in the fluid for the plants?

[@CropKingInc]

I'm not sure I understand the question Petter?

[@maheramer7523]

Hi teacher ! "Hapi holy month Ramzan " b setup Love from Pakistan

[@HomegrownPassion]

Thank you! Happy Ramadan to you as well. How are things going in your country? What has your weather been like?

[@maheramer7523]

@@HomegrownPassion hi Teacher Devon ! Pakistan will be colourful due to Ramzan and weather is very sunny.

[@HomegrownPassion]

@@maheramer7523 I’m glad to hear that! We are having some cold days here, but hopefully it will get warm again. There are a lot of trees and flowers blooming right now.

[@emmanuelong5382]

This guy looks like Ryan Reynolds 🤣🫶🏻

[@damiano8554]

Perchè non appaiono i sottotitoli?

[@HomegrownPassion]

Non lo so. Vedrò se riesco a risolvere questo problema. Grazie per avermelo fatto sapere.

[@tangobayus]

High tech = high cost.

[@HomegrownPassion]

no not really.... high tech = high out put and great tasting produce which = happy customers and profit

[@hadiakhondi7129]

Please subtitle

[@HomegrownPassion]

I am not sure why subtitles did not appear for this video. I will try to fix it. Thank you.

[@luckeychuckey70]

0:56 DOG :( !!!

[@alaefarmestatesllc]

Hey Paul why is ur shipping to Hawaii 3 times the cost of the material? Literally tried ordering 10-8’ nft channels. Cost $280. With shipping, 700+. What a joke! And to anyone wondering, no that’s not what UPS normally charges to ship a few pieces of pvc to us here in Hawaii. That’s all crop king.

[@HomegrownPassion]

Did you call them? That does not sound like something they would do on purpose.

[@alaefarmestatesllc]

@@HomegrownPassion yes I’ve called them. 100% on purpose. They even told me they can’t UPS anything over 8’ because UPS won’t accept anything over 8’. Bs. I’ve ordered 1 piece fishing poles through UPS in the past a lot longer than 8’. Hence y I was trying to order just the 8’ through them. Live your channel. Absolutely can’t stand crop king or support them after that bs shipping quote.

[@robsnyder2351]

@@alaefarmestatesllc I don't work for Crop King or UPS but I do know they limit size on packages. In looking at the UPS website the largest size listed is 1,728 cu in. When you're dealing with a package 96" long the other dimensions can only be a combined total of 18". Your fishing pole surely would have fit in a tube of 4 3/4" diameter or less. Meanwhile 10 NFT channels would not fit in 2" by 9" or 3" by 6" or you get the point. I plugged in Lodi and Honolulu for a ballpark guesstimate. Yes, it provided a shipping cost just under $85 but you have to figure those dimensions would only accommodate one or possibly two NFT channels per package. If you end up shipping in multiple packages it is going to add up fast. This is just me thinking out loud. Only they could answer exactly why the quoted shipping was so high but that seems like something to be addressed over the phone with them. This just doesn't seem like the appropriate place to air such grievances real or imagined. I just chose somewhere in Hawaii. I really don’t care which island.

[@alaefarmestatesllc]

@@robsnyder2351 lol at ground shipping price. Not an option for me really. Imagined? Lol. I don’t need to imagine anything or make anything up. If ur gonna quote someone a ridiculous shipping price, be prepared to be called on it wherever that may be. I am a commercial farmer. Wanted to do a small backyard nft grow at home for fun. Also I don’t live on the island of Oahu. But yes, lots of factors. None of which should cost $300 bucks to ship some pvc to me. Period.

[@rbnow4803]

If you are looking for a backyard system for yourself...instead of 10 8 foot channels, have you considered 20 4 foot channels? Shipping a shorter box might make a huge difference. I am a hobbyist and built a CropKing 16 channels 4 level indoor system, and love it.