How to Grow Kratky Hydroponic Tomatoes

[@fionakellie2352]

Someone below has probably mentioned it already. But an organic gardener I know recommends spraying the plant / fruit with chilli water. Get the fresh chilli, chop roughly, cover in boiling water, and allow to cool. Filter out the lumps and spray the water on the plant that is getting chewed. The rodent that won't eat chilli on the plant, won't eat chilli on the other plants. Actually works really well.

[@tinkertom3683]

Mad respect for all the effort putting this video together keep going please 🙏 next video how to grow a small tree using a hydroponic system

[@tillusgreenbottle9295]

Do you think this would also work with garlic whater?

[@fionakellie2352]

@@tillusgreenbottle9295 you could certainly try. There are bugs that don't like garlic. I use the logic if your bugs aren't eating something, eg chilli, it will work as a detergent. And to be fair, I don't get many bugs attacking my garlic.

[@mates321]

So isn't this just replicating store bought vegetables that are grown in greenhouses and have next to nothing nutrition?

[@danielpinedo8289]

Can confirm this works. Garlic oil also works

[@bradybunch84a]

I thought it was really neat how you took the time to just stop and sit in your chair and just appreciate what you have in life. I am glad you shared that with us instead of cutting that short segment out. This may have been the most important part of your entire video. Showing how taking the time to smell the roses is really easy but so many people miss this opportunity So important for our mental health. Just wanted to thank you for that moment. So many people miss out on those moments but maybe because of your video someone might just pick up on it. Thanks. Just found your channel and this is the first one I am watching. I'm very interested in doing some small hydroponic gardening for my wife and I. I like your speed when you are explaining things. No too fast, just right so the info can sink in.

[@Tpsx-cv4jq]

I love that you put put a camera INSIDE the tub so we could see the roots developing and the pulsing manner that plants suck water in throughout the days. Nobody else would’ve thought to give us that view, awesome thinking, man!

[@selbstversorgeraufmallorca]

Yes, I will improve my technique... thanks

[@serawasnever13]

I must admit I have rewatched this multiple times because it is just so dang satisfying and reasonable.

[@FraleyMusic]

I've been using "infinite" Kratky for tomatoes and cucumbers for a while. Definitely need to pay attention to the nutrient solution over time: (a) during hot times the plants transpire way more water than nutrients, so the nutrients get super concentrated to the point where the plants can no longer pull water (bad!); and (b) over time you can end up with deficiencies as the plants use up one component of the nutrients. Fully changing the water periodically works great for this. I do us a float valve, but I connect several containers together to a separate 2 gallon container with the float valve--it's too far for the roots to reach. It also requires all connected containers to be at the same level. When starting a new plant, I'll stopper the connection to the float valve so I can start with a full container, then connect it up once the plant has used enough water to bring it down to the proper level. Works great!

[@superkillr]

Are you doing any pH adjustments? What EC do you start at?

[@FraleyMusic]

@@superkillr My water source usually has an EC of 0.2, and I'm using ENVY brand dry two-part nutes (form Amazon), usually mixed to a final EC of 2.0--mainly because I'm lazy--I've been meaning to research tailoring EC to the veg I'm growing, although I often purposely run my tomatoes closer to 2.5, but I don't really worry about it. For lettuce, definitely closer to 1.5 EC. As for PH, after adding these, I'm typically running 6.0 to 6.5, so I usually don't even measure and assume it'll be fine. When water transpiration concentrates, nutes, the EC goes off the charts--last week (not having paid any attention, I drain most of the nutes, refilled with plain water, and the EC was *still* off the charts--LOL! So I drained again, refilled again with water, and got down to 2.4 EC (still more than my target 2.0, but I'm lazy). My biggest problem (I live in Hawaii) is that pests grow even better than plants, so I'm constantly battling moths, aphids, etc.

[@alexj.8710]

What do you use to connect your containers together?

[@FraleyMusic]

@@alexj.8710 I'm using 1/2" poly tubing and quick-connect connectors. Definitely not the cheapest way to go. For that I'd suggest hose or the cheap landscaping poly tubing available at big box stores, and non-quick-connect fittings. I'm using 2- and 5-gallon buckets for everything.

[@Jonathanmacgregor]

I deal with the same exact problem in my rain gutter grow system. I have 8 plants per gutter and in the heat they concentrate the solution in a few hours because of transpiration. To combat this in the summer I switch my reservoir to water and I top off each plant with nutrient solution once a week or so. Seems to be working well.

[@mrc3458]

Amazing... First, control your rodent problem with some trays of baking soda and cornmeal mix. It's not poisonous to the pets but is to rats and mice.... Second, I have a similar set up with the tubs. Except I have mine filled with compost and peat moss with a water revisor at the bottom 4 inches. They are all outside and grow good. I have watering set up on timers. Last year was the first year and I didn't have my feeding totally figured out. This year should be better. This gardening thing is totally a learning experience for me. Thanks for the video.

[@lolitabonita08]

finally u are helping those who do not have all the gadgets and machines to do what u do...thank you for helping the regular people to figure out how it is done..

[@anatomicallycorrectmuppets8180]

A couple of gutters, a bit of hose, a tub, and a cheap pump would cost a lot less than those 4 barrels and that plywood

[@simplysuperior2505]

That’s assuming you would need to go out and buy these things. Chances are you have a container with a lid in your house already. Not so much spare gutter, hose, water pump

[@lolitabonita08]

@@simplysuperior2505 the point here is that one can use anything...all input is appreciated and valid...few dollars or free is all good...at the end what is important is to try to grow food.

[@adenugadomingo2632]

E4r

[@cozzie4ra]

​@@anatomicallycorrectmuppets8180those "barrels" are $5 a pop and that marine ply can be expensive but you can salvage it from somewhere possibly

[@ShevillMathers]

I would suggest that your blossom end rot is a lack of sulphur and or magnesium, so some extra magnesium sulphate (Epsom Salts) would fix the problem with this individual plant. Also In my experience growing tomatoes in this technique, nutrient strength increases during hot weather as the plant uses more water than nutrients, so a top up with plain Ph 6.0-6.5 water helps to bring back EC levels to 2.4. I grow in a large poly house under Australian conditions where temps exceed 40C some days, even with 30% white shade mesh covering the poly house. Enjoy your series because you include a good range of methods from simple to more complex in terms of equipment used. I started hydroponics back in the 1960’s where I had to make all my nutrients from basic chemicals, nor any plastic tubs, tubing, accessories etc. I have a medical lab science background so had chemicals and test meters readily available. None of what we take for granted these days did not exist back then, no plastic containers/tubs, tubing, no LED grow lights etc. Greetings from Tasmania Australia 👍😁🇦🇺🦘

[@komolafeabraham4411]

Hi top of the day to you. I randomly stumbled on your comment and I reckoned you must have a lot of experience in hydroponics especially in tomatoes planting which I'm looking to go into in Africa. We have a lot of food insecurities and lack of standard food preservation method of tomatoes thus we depend on organic growers and that's seasonal, I looking to bridge the gap through hydroponics farming but I will want to learn from someone who can guide from their wealth of experience. Could you help mentoring sir? Please?

[@ShevillMathers]

P.S. Another method I use in hot weather is to switch over from nutrients to plain water at the correct pH. for a day or three. This helps to dissolve unused chemicals in the grow media. Also check the nutient tank and top up with pH'd water to maintain approx 2.4 EC, not critical and I have found that overall the tomatoes thrive very well. Too much nitrogen produces way too many leaves (vegetation) so I reduce the nitrogen to half when tomatoes are fruiting

[@resolvervossola]

Alguien podria dar la proporcion de nutrientes y explicar lo del ph para quienes nos iniciamos?

[@resolvervossola]

Alguien podria dar la proporcion de nutrientes y explicar lo del ph para quienes nos iniciamos?

[@resolvervossola]

Alguien podria dar la proporcion de nutrientes y explicar lo del ph para quienes nos iniciamos?

[@nickthorne5872]

Your videos are really something special mate. Been following your content for awhile now. Your content has helped me more than any other in my own hydroponics journey. And even more so than that, the videos are just a joy to watch. Very few sources of content exist that fall into my "Comfort" category, and yours is one of them, meaning that I always come back to your channel, skim through your videos, and just relax and watch, learn, appreciate, and feel all the positive vibes that come along with it. Your bit where you are relaxing with your plants between takes says it all. That's what it's all about isnt it? You enjoy what you do, and you are putting in the work so that others can enjoy what you are doing right along with you, and maybe even take some of that enjoyment into their own hands through their own home gardening. Simply amazing. I was also watching when you went through your break up, and I really empathized with you then, as i'm sure most did. That is so unbelievably hard. But look at you now. You look amazing. You are in shape, healthy, surely from eating the freshest plants on earth ;), you're smiling. It's great. Yeah there may still be some pain and hardships in there, but you are doing it. Still doing what makes you happen. Still pumping out videos for others to enjoy.. I'm proud of you, and I don't even know your name 😅 Hoocho, I appreciate you!.

[@Hoocho]

Woah. Mate. I love this. Thank-you.

[@nickthorne5872]

@@Hoocho You're very welcome! Meant every word. Stay well. A big hello from Maryland, US.

[@lindalaws3857]

Wow nick ..nicely stated .man's humanity to man ..

[@ScottSpeedPro]

That was one of the best creative uses of timelapse I've ever seen, really well done!

[@VNGardener79]

Your knowledge took a long time to acquire, with a lot of trial and error. I sincerely thank you for your generosity in sharing your growing knowledge it's priceless to us all. It's good to see you looking better ❤

[@RudolfKeller]

Probably this was the most valuable video on the kratky method I've seen so far. Thank you for the details. Specially on the topic on how to keep growing after the plant has consumed all the nutrients in the bucket. Would love to see how it goes after refilling the bucket once or twice.

[@freeman7788]

In hydroponics one can expect deficiencies of most of the essential nutrient elements, i.e., nitrogen, potassium, calcium, magnesium, sulfur, phosphorus, iron, manganese, boron, zinc, copper. Silicon or sodium deficiencies might occasionally develop in some plant species.

[@zashah06]

Where did you buy your fertilizer.

[@topquark35]

I spent a lot of money setting up a Kratky system outdoors, and it was a disaster. I was able to grow tomatoes but they hardly produced any fruit. I am not in the States and my main obstacle was the weather. It was either scorching hot or there was torrential rain. Every time it rained, the buckets would overflow and the nutrient water would be replaced by dirty rainwater, and the plants would drown (I tried countless measures to counteract this but to no avail). Either that or there were days or even weeks when the sun wouldn't come out. It was a total train wreck. Now I am restarting my Kratky adventures, but this time I am doing it indoors and I bought some Sansi grow lights. I think that is the only way to go, unless you have a greenhouse like yours where the plants are not exposed to the elements and are protected from rain. A greenhouse and a large space with a large yard where the sun always shines all day.

[@belleomalley1022]

Hearing you mention flow and seeing how happy you are right now makes me so happy given how hard things were around 5 months ago. I know not every day will be like this but it's good to see you're experiencing this happiness again. Thank you for doing another kratky! I don't have access to electricity outside so I can only do kratky so this is super helpful! I hope to do this with cucumbers! I'm so glad I found your channel. I rewatch your videos until you put out a new one haha. I learn so much from your content and your passion is so inspiring. The fact that you are consistently considering different types of communities and their access is incredible. Keep on keeping on, Hooch! So happy to see you thriving once more!

[@zain5496]

The editing, explanation, and conceptual design is really out of the box ❤ Thank you

[@katrinacremeans1132]

we have a small homestead in the usa. we've also struggled with rodents in the gardens with our cats and dogs we found a non toxic solution. we started out with a small tub with a hole the size of the rodents filled the bottom with corn muffin mix for a few weeks once they where comfortable with it and we had till fill it often. then we make a mix of corn muffin or corn bread mix to equal parts baking soda dry. and made sure there was a source of water near by. what it does when they eat it and drink water it causes gas rodents can not pass gas there for it kills them dogs and cats can pass gas so they are safe from the effects out side the annoyance of passing gas. rodents love corn so it draws them to it and covers the smell of the baking soda. wish you luck amazing videos thank you

[@montanateri6889]

INFINITE KRATKY! You are so awesome! I'm going to grow indeterminate tomatoes (cherry) inside my apt, and you are the only one who has ever answered the question "can I keep Kratky going forever?" I've been estimating that if I only let the water fall to a set level, then fil the tub up leaving a good amount of air roots still NOT in water, wouldn't it be fine? And you told me!! I'm so glad that not only are you my favorite channel for grow tips, YOU ARE ALSO PSYCHIC! 🥰 Hats off to you! I'll keep watch for the next part of this. Love your Channel Hoocho!! If you could be so kind, also mention if there are other veg plants that can be grown infinite.... like indeterminate tomatoes can.

[@jooooohn401]

I've always wondered how far you would want to let the water to fall before refilling, because if you wait too long you will have a lot of air roots being re-submerged, even if only refilling to halfway. You also have to figure out how often you need to dump the solution and refresh it rather than topping off, since the plants will pull certain nutrients out and if you're just topping off you will run into deficiency issues over time. Always a problem I run into when growing peppers in smaller kratky containers. FraleyMusic commented above with some details on the issues you can run into. I think if you can find a way to run a float valve to keep it continuously topped (since you're in an apt), that would make life easier as long as you remember to flush everything out here and there. For other plant ideas, peppers can grow for many years (I've kept the same jalapeno plants alive for 5ish years). You could try cucumbers/squashes/vining plants in kratky as well, look up Khang Starr's channel, he has a ton of kratky/hydro content as well. He is usually focused on peppers, but has done plenty of videos on melons/cucs/etc in hydr as well.

[@ernieyribe970]

Thank you from Ernie of Southern California. Your explanation and use of the Kratky method is phenomenal. I use this method as well and you also answered several of my questions that I had regarding refilling halfway and checking the nutrients and or changing them out. So happy to have come across your channel. Thank so much for your hard work your trials and your successes. Anxious to follow up on your float system and ideas.

[@stevepretorius3329]

Thank you for all the experiments, they contribute so much to the Hydroponic community. Love your work, thank you.

[@d3w4yn3]

Off the charts man... you are OFF THE CHARTS!!! I've been researching over and over again, and I think you kind of shredded everyone else out there! Going to be using your experiments this next planting season!!!

[@danielnixon6418]

Love the channel and the direction and the diversity of content. Keep up the great work.

[@teneighteenuganda]

This was exactly what I needed. I'm going to be doing tomatoes in big kratky on a cattle panel tunnel and I was trying to wrap my head around the size, etc. I've saved it for another watch! Thanks from a hydroponic newbie in the SE USA

[@KeanuV111]

Amazing work Hoochos :) really loving the kratky systems you're showing us. I'd be really keen to see this method without LECA or Coco coir for growing tomatoes or other fruiting plants. And I absolutely love the idea of using the float valve, would be so cool to see this done on smaller containers (maybe even 20 or 30L buckets with the float valve so that you can grow in Kratky, with no electricity or pumps, just a gravity fed float valve, and not having to use such large containers and no other growing medium. Thanks so much Hoochos!

[@inspiringenlightenment9827]

You know I was just thinking of that, long ago I remember seeing a gravity method that had a continuous recycling flow once primed, until evaporation level reached critical volume levels. I was thinking that method would be optimal?

[@wek3000]

Really good video, the time lapses was great! Thanks for such a intense and nice work!!!!!!!!!! keep on sharing that we keep adding like to your work!!!!!!! 🤑

[@sambagamb]

Hey Mitch, to hold the pot saucers to the plywood you could maybe grab a couple of bits of flat scrap wood and make ledges to slide the saucer into on three sides, then a removable ledge you could screw on and off when you want to move the saucer, so just one screw instead of a bunch. Maybe there's some cool quick-release idea for the removable ledge out there... I've learnt so much from this video, thankyou, hope that helps in some small way.

[@michaelberkowitz7919]

This is what I've been waitimg for. Thanks! For the people suggesting pepper spray, etc.: Russian proverb " a starving dog will eat horseradish" rats, too!

[@baranjen]

Thank you very much for all the effort that you have put into your video. So well explained, easy to follow and your Timelapse’s are sublime!

[@kryptonana4516]

Thank you from Oz, the land down under. Your time lapse feature is awe-inspiring and mesmerizing. Beats other hydrophonic channels. Thanks for sharing!

[@cs7717]

Don't know if you will read this or not, but bubblegum works wonders for killing rats. Apparently they cannot digest it. Try putting some bubble gum up high so your puppies can't get to it and see if it does the trick. (New subscriber here.)

[@Hoocho]

Cheers mate

[@cs7717]

​@@HoochoI was thinking, too, that since most of yours is ground level, you could easily put it in a secure metal frame on the ground to allow the rats access and keep the curious puppies safe.

[@DDCRExposed]

I grew Kratky lettuce last season, successfully, for the first time last year. Grown tomatoes would be amazing as my tomatoes did nothing because of the poor growing conditions. This video is perfect timing for the next growing season. I will have to try this out.

[@DDCRExposed]

The amazing part is watching the plants forcibly grow up during the night shots and then stop their growth during the daytime. Fascinating stuff!

[@phoenixsun832]

Just discovered this video. Thankyou this was beyond well done and informative

[@Niph1]

Super. All of it. The time lapse, the music, the information.

[@Pistolpete28]

Great video as always really love how you break down your learnings from each build and the options or improvements from those learnings. When we travel to mars i'm not leaving without you.

[@Asa-r6v6y]

You get peace of mind not by thinking about it or imagining it, but by quietening and relaxing the restless mind.

[@Brabo1506]

Hey Hoocho, I've been following your channel for a while now and I really love the content. The vibe is great and it's a good learning experience. I want to build a similar system, except with some small changes to facilitate a place on the windowsill and I want to put strawberries in there. Thank you very much for the explanation and the concept.

[@Custodian4815]

23 minutes of Wisdom. Thank you mate.

[@matthewstrydom6992]

Thanks for this man. Absolutely love your videos. Just started hydroponics and exploring the kratky method as in South Africa, with loadshedding, some methods are risky.

[@Gundumb_guy]

Dude that time lapse is trippy af!! Great editing my friend. It looks like the plants are sub aquatic animals like jelly fish or something! Crazy

[@lynnem8991]

Awesome, as always - thanks Mitchell Love your videos, so good for those of us starting out, love simplicity 👌💚.

[@fatimapimentel8464]

this video was so much more exciting than action movies for me.

[@bernhardjanssen9284]

it is a Dutch invent that are used now all over the world !

[@FarmsteadStories-tt]

Wow, this is so useful! Who else feels the same way?

[@qmoonwalker3847]

Thanks Hoocho! This looks like a great idea. Question: Did you keep the tomato plant suckers trimmed back? Were these indeterminate tomato plants?

[@logicmr.8351]

love the way you edited this video

[@dingdongdaddy589]

Have been doing hydroponics for years - tried several different methods… Have weeded them all out and now 100% kratky. Hands down the “easiest” way to go, for me…

[@Elizabeth-l5m1i]

Love doesn't make the world go round, love is what makes the ride worthwhile.

[@backyardmedicine]

Hey Brother. awesome video! And thanks for the time-lapse. Maybe for the roots to spread out more, try top-feeding only in the beginning so the roots spread among the media and have the nutrient level just below the media, forcing the roots to spread within and soon they start growing out and down finding the rez. Just requires hand-feeding for a while or automating it with a pump

[@DURULUHAYAT]

The stories are important, though. For hobby gardeners like us, the soil is sacred because tomatoes grown from the ground are organic. Some elements must be added to the water in Torakless agriculture.

[@nicolebarton6158]

I don't know if this has been said already...I would imagine so. But..I felt it so strongly, I have to say it. Okay, that insane time-lapse psychedelic tomato clip coupled with that trippy AF song, was pure art mate! Absolutely Brilliant! reminded me of an '80's INXS video mated with a Beetles LCD trip video. Well done you!!

[@katherinewinkler8847]

I don't have a greenhouse, can I do this and grow tomatoes in my backyard ?

[@Alexis-iq7lz]

Yes, though how long you could do it for would depend on your growing zone. Not all year, perhaps, but during the growing season, sure thing.

[@wardaldo69]

The problems that I find catch people out are 1) the temperature of the feed inside the container - leading to various nutrition lockouts 2) refer to number 1 3) in larger containers not regulating ph properly .. . Although the plant I specialise in for around 39yrs isn't these, I am very knowledgeable through personal experiences on various different grow systems/methods And as I said the temperature can make a big difference depending on your grow space with this particular method ,or dwc / any method where the roots are continuously submerged. ...(for the masses) So if your grow space is pretty hot then perhaps consider a different style of hydro where the nutrient container isn't actually in the "hot" grow space itself. But yea awesome vid thank you 👍😎 ... And if you get these kinda systems spot on ,they WILL blow your socks off with the results of a Happy Plant 🌱❤️👍😎🌍 ....Oh and personally I'd always go for food grade plastic products for any grow container if possible, if making one homemade and unsure what type to use 👍👍👍❤️

[@notallowed33]

Cool video! But what fertilizer do you use? Can these live without a pump keeping the water from stagnating or is a pump required? Thank you! I appreciate the info.

[@coreyn]

Oh my gosh dude! Those are the biggest tomato leaves I’ve ever seen! Good job my friend, channel rocks! Gratitude🙏

[@lindakelly2260]

I have a question. Do you re-fill the water/nutrient solution during the growing period or do you just let it go? I really want to try this but trying to figure out the logistics.

[@lisahatfield2642]

This is my question too.

[@amandadavis5367]

I'm pretty new to it all, but I have successfully added more solution when it seems to be low, but do not refill to ask the way, because it will suffocate the air roots. Also, I'm only going to refill a couple of times before rinsing and replacing the solution because I'm concerned about build up.

[@danielwebb1004]

Get the Kratky paper. www.ctahr.hawaii.edu/hawaii/downloads/A_Suspended_Pot_Non-circulating_Hydroponic_method.pdf Kratky says do NOT refill.

[@steveshuffle]

I immediately wanted to ask about oxygen within roots. Answer arrived at minute 17! Brilliant! and awesome video!

[@dorianmccarthy7602]

I was very curious to see you do an EC and pH test on the remaining nutrient in each of the buckets. I was wondering whether the water was being stripped out faster than the nutrient or vice versa. If the water was getting stripped out quicked (Toastey Queensland summer growing conditions) then maybe making up a lower strength solution to put in the buckets would be worth it instead of using the premixed IBC contents. food for thought (Pun intended).

[@davehoover8214]

Thank you for your work. Love learning about this. My wife and I have a Kangen water machine and we can dial in how acidic or alkaloid we want our water. Have you ever tried tweaking the pH of your water or do certain plants prefer a certain pH? Thank you again?

[@alexnightflydance]

"DANKE" from Germany 👌 good Job nice to know 😎

[@badamson3330]

This is one of the better videos that I've seen on hydroponics thank you so much for doing it and it's with tomatoes which is perfect for me thank you so much

[@Brian-Gigi]

That time lapse with the infrared was freaking awesome❤

[@Tpsx-cv4jq]

You have an interesting style of editing footage, too. I really enjoyed the timing and spacing of clips, you do a really nice job with the videos, dude!

[@djtheg6819]

The best thing about this video, other than the awesome tutorial about tomatoes, is the introduction to a amazing band king gizzard the lizard wizard that's featured in this video.

[@MrLandslide84]

The videography and music is amazing in the time-lapse, subbed.

[@paradisejannah786]

Tq Hoocho.. I rarely stick to a video till end. This time.. I watched ur video from start till end. Good sharing bro..

[@Katya-zj7ni]

Loved the folk/ rock ( shades of Jethro Tull) as the plants were growing and pulsing underwater! Really cool video ❤

[@StrangeStories12]

Wow! This is one of the all-around Best made, and most informative videos I've seen on this subject. The time-lapse was especially amazing. Incredible work buddy! I think I will do something similar indoors with grow lights, dwarf indeterminate varieties, and smaller containers. I'm tired of fighting all the issues outside and there's no way I can have a proper greenhouse right now.

[@xBreaker666]

12:20 damn thats my favorite song mate. I'm gonna see them coming weekend, I'm so excited

[@mehmetelci4832]

what is the name of the song

[@xBreaker666]

@@mehmetelci4832 KGATLW- Crumbling Castle enjoy mate!

[@barrysahd5764]

Hi... I have been doing Katky Chilli Peppers and recently I planted a cabbage, which really grew beautifully. To regulate the water level, I drilled 2 x 6mm holes in the side of my first bucket, about 150mm from top and 100mm from the bottom. Into these holes I put an elbow which I sealed and then connected a 6mm transparent hose between the two elbows. This allows you to see your water level at all times. I also connected all the buckets together with the same 6mm transparent hose and ensured that the buckets were all on the same level, I marked my water gauge pipe with a piece of white tape at an ideal top level and at 150ml from the bottom. Because water finds it's own level, the depth of water in all the buckets is the same and the first bucket will indicate the depth of all the buckets. When the water level nears the bottom mark, I start filling the first bucket, at a trickle so that nothing gets disturbed. When the water gauge indicates that the level is near the top mark, you stop filling. This allows your water level to be the same for all your buckets and refilling is a breeze. I hope this helps

[@ndoniyamanzi5877]

I would love to see a video of your set up for someone still new to this and trying to make sense of everything

[@fgjf1079]

The first time they’re all filled with solution, they should all be filled with regular strength solution. When the reservoir gets low, and it’s time to top it off, I would make the top off solution 10% or so stronger so that it brings up the ppm’s on the containers with the plants. Plus, the plants will be bigger at that point, so they can handle a higher ppm anyways.

[@fgjf1079]

Drilling holes on the platform seems too restrictive. I would just put in a net basket, and hang or glue some sort of platform right under the net basket. This will force the roots to grow to the sides and then down, without having to use soil.

[@laphillips5517]

I like and appreciate your time lapse video footage. Very thorough explanation and instructions with helpful tips.

[@keglandau]

Thanks Hoocho. You are a legend

[@premkumaran8896]

Thanks for such a wonderful video on the Kratky method. Much appreciated.

[@engreen100]

감사합니다.

[@naomimccowen2720]

Thank you. Your video is exactly what I wanted to know about kratky tomatoes. Apartment dweller but I have grandparents who let me borrow their backyard and sunlight. 😊

[@JudiChristopher]

I am so Happy to find this (your) video... TODAY... I was going to Give up on a dream... because the High Cost of FOOD in the last year. I was literally in Tears a few minutes ago... So heartbroken. UNTIL I saw your video a few minutes ago. BACKSTORY: I am moving back to Albuquerque, New Mexico (US) to RE-Open my Acting Studio... Not just an Acting Studio but want to also have Mystery Dinner Theatre... That has to have copious amounts of FOOD to feed not only Actors but our customers for the Mystery Dinner Theatre. TODAY... I had come to the realization that for especially this SUMMER ACTING CAMP... totalling up the Cost of food was going to be approximately $7500. or more, since Food cost is STILL going up. I paid over $6.20 for a doz eggs... UNREAL... and $1.00 for ONE Onion... which used to cost me $0.35 cents... I can still Teach acting to my students and the can bring their own Snacks, Lunch and evening Dinner... but I can't do a Mystery Dinner Theatre without Dinner... "HELLO" LOL I want to incorporate FOOD for teaching to TEACH the Actor how to cook for themselves and how to ACT while Cooking (which isn't easy) because you're doing 2 ACTS at once... and cooking is an ACT all in it's own. I have entertained the thought of growing our own vegetables, but didn't want the hassle and cost of the Electricity etc... This video is so Helpful and I feel once again, I will not have to put my dream of helping kids, teens and adults on ACTING and How to Cook and NOW HOW TO GROW their own vegetables... I even want my own Chickens... (Do you have a video on how to raise chickens?) YOU and this Video are a God-Send... Thank you and God Bless, Judi Christopher New Mexico (USA)

[@maqadash.1west]

The Lord is plaguing this pace with destruction, fires ,hurricanes and war- bc of your treatment of the Israelites (mxcn, native Americans &negros) yite foke got a huge debt to pay.

[@MarkSegree]

Wow. Not sure how i got here but happy i did. Summer is coming and will definitely try this for my balcony tomatoes i do every year.

[@GlynisDance]

Your studio is amazing - I loved what you did to the ply! Very interesting video.

[@JoanneHastie]

Whoa! Those are impressive tomatoes. I’ve been growing them from seeds in 4L coffee containers. They are all 3 to 4’ tall and flowering. I started in September. I was refilling to the brim almost daily. I will leave it 2/3 to half full after watching this video. Thanks for sharing your process and experiment so clearly!!

[@freeman7788]

In hydroponics one can expect deficiencies of most of the essential nutrient elements, i.e., nitrogen, potassium, calcium, magnesium, sulfur, phosphorus, iron, manganese, boron, zinc, copper. Silicon or sodium deficiencies might occasionally develop in some plant species.

[@Itried20takennames]

That growing timelapse was really cool.

[@caravanlifenz]

Great to see those time-lapse photos taken of the tomatoes.

[@theangrypainter826]

Great montage and music! Ty for the tips. I will give this a try this spring!

[@smurfys_world]

The plants look like they are swimming! 😊

[@NadiaKhaledArt]

I loved this video ,how well you explained the process and to see the plants growing is so cool. Thank you

[@jacquecilliers]

That's so impressive!! I started cherry tomatoes (gardeners delight) in kratky hydroponics recently. I got a pythium infection and I am treating this with hydrogen peroxide. It doesn't seem to go away and knowing fungi... it probably won't. A few errors I made: I germinated seeds in compost to start with, transplanted to a bigger pot (with compost) and transferred the seedlings to hydroponics from there. This entailed washing the roots and moving them into rockwool. I think I got a fungal infection due to the plants not being used to growing in water. I see you start all your hydroponics in inert media, and not compost. I will try this next time. The roots of my current kratky hydroponics cherry tomato seem to have stopped at the water line. They look like they have burned tips. I have assumed that my hydrogen peroxide treatment is a little harsh (1ml of a 12% solution per liter, per day). I have cut this in half and will dose every second day to see what happens. It's all about learning! Great video and thanks for sharing.... youtube videos aren't easy. Made double difficult when you do timelapse!!

[@TheJohnnyDarc]

Was already loving the video and then King Gizzard came on!!! 🤘🏻Phenomenal !

[@c-5921]

the music around 12:40 is Crumbling Castle by King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard

[@kabaste8326]

awesome presentation and explanation. no details missed! thank you.

[@vastila]

Excellent taste in music! Did not expect to hear King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard on a hydroponics video!

[@deltadawn679]

You gained a new sub from Texas, USA. Awesome video! Love the time lapse! 🤗💖🤗

[@johnhughes9484]

you said rodent problems its up to you we had rabbit problems we used Irish spring bar soap and a cheese grader and went around our grow area kept them away for us just a suggestion great vid.

[@FarmingUncovered98]

Beautiful images and useful information! You did a great job!

[@shakeesangwenya4927]

Woow! What an excellent lesson by an excellent teacher! You have made this appear easy. This has left me very optimistic and want to try it out right away. Thanks.

[@sgt_retiredcharlie4102]

This is awesome and my wife and I are definitely going to try out this method this summer! Thank you for the great video and the great explanation!

[@ownagebox]

after viewing some vids on this growing systems i find that you get the most benefit from it when you fully automate it or make to an aquaphonic type so that you dont have to watch the nutrients in the water all the time. With soil you dont have that problem

[@markjust86]

15:58 I didn't see that concrete block there, for a minute I thought you were the hulk in disguise holding up that whole plant and lid in 2 fingers!

[@blooey5231]

love the look of the studio !!! Thank you for the knowledge share

[@billbucktube]

Watching the “Root Camera” the air exchange is shown. There was a gap between the lid and the bucket so air could change there. If the lid had been sealed to the bucket the heating and cooling of the nutrient and air would push air up through the netpot clay or the coir when it heated and pulled air in when it cooled. Good setup‼️

[@newnoveltyy]

Awesome video, inspiring me to give this a go! The KGLW in the timelapses makes it EXTRA. Keep it up

[@krnotley2864]

I grew tomatoes, peppers and eggplants outside, where there was no place to stop the critters, because they live there. BUT, they really don't like chilis: So, I grew jalapenos, and rubbed the juice and seeds every few days all over the pots (these were Earthbox pots, that automatically watered the plants, fertilize once a season, very nice), the cages, the cloth mulch around the plant. It wasn't perfect, but it was definitely helpful.

[@tdechill]

Great video. I did try tomatoes in 29 liter buckets, but they ran out of nutrient half way through the season. One comment though: you started the video by saying “ one doesn’t need lights, you can also do it outdoors. But you’re not really doing outdoors when you’re growing in a greenhouse. When I first started doing “Kratky” five years ago, I did it outdoors before getting a small greenhouse. In the outdoors, rain dilutes the nutrients and keeps the water level too high. A good thing to mention I think.

[@youtubetruthlife4750]

make holes in the sides with pool noodle will make the rain problem go away. However I like to get consistent results, so i grow in a grow tent with grow lights.

[@alanday5255]

Hey there can you tell me which video is an introduction to what nutrient solution you use? thank you.

[@shiretsu]

oh man you even did the time lapse. thank you that was beautiful