How to Grow Kratky Hydroponic Lettuce Cheap & Easy

[@Keithers_]

The part watching the roots grow was super cool and I did not expect that. I was like, why is he cutting a hole in the- ohhhhhhh coooool.

[@anthonypeak1]

You have to premix the nutes with water and wait before testing. The ph changes as the nutes dissolve further over time.

[@DatFabric]

How long, like 24hrs?

[@enjiegrows8531]

​@@DatFabricNo, anthony means to stir longer..nutrients need to be totally dissolved before testing ph and ec.

[@dimitristripakis7364]

The hidden treasure of this video is revealing the 60-40 coco-perlite as a supporting medium. Had never thought of this and it seems ideal. Thanks mate!

[@GreenLove1]

I am getting started on hydroponics and have watched literally hundreds of videos, particularly on Kratky. This one is far and away the best. Subscribed, and sharing with my friends. Thanks for the ton of work you put into making this content, describing the science of the lighting, and overall also explaining what you would do differently. Great job!!

[@Hoocho]

Thankyou for the appreciation!

[@jerrydunlap6515]

Look up mhp gardener

[@GreenLove1]

@@jerrydunlap6515 thanks for the suggestion

[@multiversity6290]

How did it turn out?

[@GreenLove1]

I decided that only basil was worth growing Hydroponically for me. I live in California - we can garden outside year- round, and it's much easier and more nutritious than growing Hydroponically.

[@delaville680]

You have presented the most economical method of a hydroponic setup. I have very limited space. I bought two restaurant utility bus bins which are 7 inches deep and bought the Styrofoam sheets at my home improvement store (Lowes). Bought the cups and used Platonix Coco Coir to plant my seeds in the cup and set them in the nutrient prepared water so it covered about a third of the cup. As my plants developed a root system, I took out a little water so they would have the benefit of some exposure to oxygen as well as the water. I bought a Famurs TF1200 Grow Light and a TDS meter and I check the pH the old fashioned way with solution every other day. My plants are doing fabulous. In just three weeks I can harvest some of my lettuce. Thank you for your video.

[@elliotbc]

I've been looking around for container ideas. A bus bin is a great idea! Thank you!

[@davidlangan4902]

@@elliotbc I use a cement mixer from Home Depot... holds about 17 gals (with net pots in a cover). I want to say it cost me 11-12 dollars. Black and very sturdy.

[@eduardolozano3561]

Dude you delivered! Kratky was what I asked if you could try more of to help me (and many others) and this was a perfect example. Going to try and find a wide shallow container like you mentioned to grow lettuce and spinach. Always a thumbs up on all of your videos man

[@bengozzy408]

At 8:00 I'm seeing dry nutrient in the bottoms of the reservoirs. If they are not completely mixed into solution when the pH is adjusted, the pH may drop as they slowly dissolve.

[@bengozzy408]

I don't give a damn, but I'm not just anyone... I'm that guy on your girlfriend's IG, and she's loving every minute of it, patna!

[@skynjaydensdaddy]

@@bengozzy408 LMAO!! 🤣 sounds like something I'd say

[@trevormerivale6882]

@@bengozzy408 pity the exact same comment and the exact same reply comes up all the bloody time in the comment section in lots of different genres, but funny that the names always changes. The person who automates these bots should cop a bloody hiding, but violence is bad 🤬🤬🤬 If only the "person" would read the response, cause that was gold 👍

[@jenluvzya]

You put so much effort into this video. Thank you! I loved seeing the roots grow from the inside. The camera set up was genius 👍🏻

[@krisr8442]

Wow loved the time lapse and the root part was such a surprise. So cool love how creative you are!

[@Hoocho]

Thanks Kristen!

[@fzwliudehua3909]

@@Hoocho 磷钾肥配比不对

[@KeepOnGrowin]

You're killing it Hoocho!!! Love it! Keep on Growin' brother!

[@Hoocho]

Cheer Mike mate! I appreciate it.

[@PrayerOpensDoor]

I don't grow anything yet hydroponically I just enjoy watching you and your direct way of sharing this information. I have purchased everything I need to do this and am just awaiting the upcoming food shortage to try... thanks for all your ideas. No bevies today? Love from Canada.

[@m.b.boyack2228]

Excellent time lapse footage. Some of the very first root/reservoir footage on KZbin. pH should naturally increase slightly over time as food is consumed not go down. Most coco growers use specialty coco nutrient formulations or increase calcium and magnesium levels in their nutrient mix even on supposedly buffered coco, as even good coco will hold onto calcium especially. This may have affected/dropped your pH.

[@playalong3399]

Woh dude! All the sudden the time-lapse music and stuff.....totally awesome!!!!! Lessgooooooo!!!!

[@billrobinson9308]

Amazing time lapse and that back track King Gizzard…?!??? Love it !

[@Hamm3rJack]

Wow! Time lapse of the roots is amazing footage! Great video.

[@hidroponianapratica7269]

pH changes when the concentration of nutrient solutions changes. In your case I would guess that the concentration of the nutrient solution increased because of the plants drink the water, more nutrient for less water equals to a increase in the concentration. This change causes the pH to change too. Would you agree ?

[@kareneverling5860]

I have experienced this, especially when it's dry out vs humid.

[@Lorensz91]

excellent video. to riduce the growth in height you can leave only one plant per cup, once you're sure they've germinated. if you leave 3 or 4 together they will compete for light and will tend to grow longer stems

[@diveensen]

What an awesome sound track.... For the growth... I like the guy that choose that....♥️♥️♥️♥️

[@BugsBunns]

The video was already hyping me up to the idea of growing my own vegies in my apartment during winter, but when The Fourth Colour came on it got me on another leve! Amazing video thank you for all this info it's incredibly helpful!

[@hikiula]

Thank you again for my continuing education in hydroponics. Excellent tutorial video.

[@Arx9845]

Well done Hoocho! Your teaching and video production is superb!

[@multiversity6290]

I have just begun my hydroponic/aquaponic journey. While I love gardening, I have been interested in aquaponics for sometime but haven't yet started(next year). Then I came across your channel on hydroponic techniques and have watched quite a few episodes so today I went to Bunnings and just set up a couple of containers using the Kratky method. I have recently purchased a 3d printer and looking at growing ginger the same method you use as I also love ginger beer and ginger mead.

[@Leo-pd8ww]

Just a theory. The pH dropped because in the early stages the consumption ratio of water/nutrients is higher, causing the concentration of nutrients to increase. When the lettuce is mature they use more nutrients and the water/nutrient consumption ratio drops. That could explain why after you adjusted the pH, it doesn't change any more. Or not in any significant amount. Fantastic footage and music. Very psych. Adding a root cam was a great idea.

[@wayward.wallace]

One of the coolest timelapse bits I've seen... loved that song

[@MyTube4Utoo]

A fantastic video! Especially love the time lapse. I'm changing to a whole foods, plant-based diet, and my goal is to eventually grow a large portion of my food, much of it indoors. So far I have an 8-bucket DWC hydro. system set up, several AeroGardens, and AG-type gardens, and I'm getting ready to start growing leafy greens in totes similar to those in this video, and I'm going to do a 4-bucket DWC system. With that, and what I can grow outside, I think I can easily grow most of my food. I even have a Meyer Lemon - Lime Bush that I'm going to grow in a container, since I'm in Zone 6.

[@robynriggs2336]

I love this! I am on this same journey as well :) However, I am literally just starting - researching how to start putting pieces together for a system. Best of luck in your journey, I think this is a wonderful opportunity for people! What do you think of your Aerogardens? I originally wanted the XL farm ones because they stack and I thought that was amazing. However, hubby talked me back down to earth to make our own system. But, I may still get one or two of those for herbs for the counter.

[@PhillipMelanchthon]

@@robynriggs2336 My personal experience is that the Aerogarden counter models, particularly the Bounty Basic, are very effective. It has the automated features, day counter, custom light cycles that make an indoor garden flourish. The Harvest is smaller and less informative. These counter top models are forgiving teachers of hydroponic basics. I have two Farm XLs. The XL model is 36" of grow height, and I actually find it to be too much height for what I realistically use. You can certainly grow a full sized tomato plant if you wish, but I grow dwarf varieties and they are abundant producers at 18" - 24". The Farm Plus model has 24" of grow height, which is the space I use most of the time. The XL is awkward in shape. If you place it on the floor, the display is at waist height but the grow deck is around your ankles, so you're lying flat on the floor to inspect your seedlings or add nutrients. If you place it on a counter, you get the grow deck to a reasonable height but you have to climb on a kitchen stool to read the LED display (and I'm 6' tall). You need a coffee table for a reasonable compromise.

[@manassehbungi4789]

You have done fantastic work teaching some of us who are just looking into doing hydroponics. Thank you so much for this educative material.

[@mamajan99]

Thank You. Saved me a bunch of experimenting. MHP Gardner got me trying this years ago. His rafts were thicker and smaller and thus floated. The extra thickness of the foam provided a bit of air space for the roots. I use thin reflective silver "Solar Blankets" around the plants to reflect even more side lighting. Saving seeds probably is where the real cash savings are! Great Job. HIT LIKE!

[@melbrowne1625]

Have to agree Amazing to capture in real time via camera Awesome TY!

[@maderightamerica3216]

Out of all the grow systems we have watched you design to produce fresh organic vegetables we like the gravity fed system the best. The kids call you Professor Hoocho. The kids try to mimic your accent it's funny to watch them be so enthusiastic about getting a chance growing their own vegetables. Thanks Professor Hoocho.

[@janice3259]

I love watching your plants dance to the music!!

[@richardcooney7789]

Hi I saw one fellow do this but he cut the foam small enough to float on the water and made askirt on the perimattor from black cloth fabric to prevent light from going in , Great show .

[@robertmiller8210]

Thank you very much for posting this video. I am going to follow your advice to a "T" . I'm in Michigan and I'm heading into the long winter months (though very mild so far) Having greens growing in my house during these months will be so much fun and surely help with my winter blues. I've watched a lot of your videos and they're all great. Please keep up the great work, it's very much appreciated!

[@destitute8493]

I'd suggest a split screen showing root and leaf growth simultaneously.

[@jpweek5885]

nah mate, that would just look like my screen's wearing a thong

[@SendingThruHardware]

That moment when you find a fantastic hydroponics channel, and he plays king giz! Thanks for the fantastic content hoocho!

[@accidentallyfasting5768]

I just finished a gravity gutter system based on your build and am loving the coco perlite. Can't wait for it to be warm enough for me to my my plants out there from indoor dwc!

[@jeffmcintosh209]

dude yes. as trying to find a way to grow greens without taking up the space for more important crops this this right here thank you for this

[@Bongwell420]

Timelapse of the roots was amazing haha Thank you!

[@CaitlinJBall]

I love this method. You can actually get a head of lettuce to grow using a gallon water jug. It's the same thing, you just cut the top off, put your nutrient solution in, and drop your net cup in with the seeds. I found out it worked when I didn't have the heart to throw away sprouts and I wanted to give them their best chance. The ones in the gallon water jugs actually survived longer than most of the others we had in larger systems. There are still some in our back yard that survived winter in California. ^.^ You should try it out. - oh, I did cover the jugs in black plastic to prevent algae.

[@barbaradumler6503]

Did you glue the black plastic to the jug or just wrap it around. I was thinking of using the black trash bags. Thanks in advance.

[@CaitlinJBall]

@@barbaradumler6503 originally I used black plastic bought in bulk from a farm supply store, I think it was 2mm. Later, when the prices rose, I began using adhesive vinyl which saved on materials and was far easier to apply.

[@barbaradumler6503]

@@CaitlinJBall Thanks! I'm originally from San Diego, and then Los Angeles and now in Meridian, ID. Love having the seasons. I definitely will be trying this but it will be indoors.

[@JulioMacarena]

I've watched a lot of hydroponic vids - trying to learn the best way for me to approach it. This is by far the best. Thanks Hoocho.

[@lam0nt1]

Amazing! The time lapse (with the music) really makes the video. Excellent work and really shows the novice how to get started. Would love to hear more about timing with lights vs. sunlight, etc. in future videos. Thanks!

[@daewoo818]

I love the cat straight chillin on the chair watching you.

[@deadxmouth]

What is it you're doing at about 9:50 or so, when the water starts draining out? It looks like you drill a new hole and attach some sort of device?

[@hanknelson3231]

I did not know about the oxygen roots, thanks so much.

[@kongxiong6005]

Dude you are freaking awesome. I love time lapse videos to prove your point. I just subbed

[@bluesmattersband1160]

Such super cool growing music, especially when playing at 1.5 speed.

[@adammcgeorge3538]

My outdoor Kratkys (passion fruit, tomato, cucumber, chilli, pineapple) use up the water and leave the remaining solution very strong, so I have to keep an eye on them and make sure, 1 they don’t dry out and 2 they don’t get cooked from concentrated solution. I’ve not worried as much about PH, but will check that in the future too.

[@golfshoe9321]

This is incorrect. Plants don't selectively take up certain nutrients and leave others. The plant takes up the nutrients evenly, so the concentration remains constant. You are assuming the plant is taking up water and leaving solids behind, which is incorrect.

[@adammcgeorge3538]

@@golfshoe9321 what is your explanation for the solution getting more concentrated then?

[@golfshoe9321]

@@adammcgeorge3538 Evaporation?

[@adammcgeorge3538]

I live in the tropics and this also happens in my NFT rail.

[@golfshoe9321]

@@adammcgeorge3538 For kratky, you almost want to seal the system for two reasons: evaporation and light of course.

[@peppi7777]

Nice video. For the pH issue it may be caused by not enough CO2 exchange in the room. Open windows for fresh air in and out helps keep the pH up. Maybe air tube maker that is used for fish tanks can help? Maybe this thought may help fine tune things more controlled. Out side would be fine. If it does it out side too then maybe make the foam smaller for air to exchange inside the toat. Hope that may be an idea that would work.

[@dennisbiesma]

Air tube might fix it, but then it wouldn't be Kratky anymore, but DWC.

[@jezreeljamesmanrique6724]

Really enjoy it watching from the start of seedlings to maturity. Great video and info.

[@recless8667]

You can also cut circles out of foam with old tin cans. Cut the rim off a can, optionally sharpen the edge with a file, and use it like a cookie cutter.

[@serohe11]

thanks for the idea. when you mentioned cookie cutter, I got out my cookie cutters and I will use them. My styrofoam is a bit thinner than his so they should work. Thanks!

[@kingzach5000]

I love how you properly pronounce the letter H. Love it I showed my child and she died lol. No one believes me but what sound does the letter H make??? Exactly love the content as well

[@MosesMLam]

One of the best Kratky videos I've seen. Totally to the point, and the time lapse of above and below put this above all others. Nice work. Subbed.

[@bunker931]

Might be too late but I think the "lenthiness" is actually your lettuces bolting. The crops are going into flowering stage triggered by a long period of light cycle and/or temperature. If you think the light is too far and cause the lenghtiness, the seedling should be much longer.

[@michealamorrison1609]

I absolutely love that you showed them growing! That's so awesome!

[@mikemotorbike4283]

Hoocho, kudos on a superb timelapse with music segment! The big players could learn something from you.

[@runnersluck4390]

Great video, even better music!! Haha. I'll watch that timelapse again for sure!

[@anneiconex1473]

SO NEAT with the time lapse camera!! Awesome

[@bobknob96]

Why use extruded foam instead of the plastic bin tops ? I love your economical approach and its inventiveness Thanks for your videos

[@apple-on5pq]

possibly the ammonium in your nutrient solution that affect the ph. When ammonium evaporate, absorbed by the plants or converted into nitrate, it releases hydrogen ions and lower the ph of the solution.

[@itsmeluann4187]

I love the video and the way you set up the camera as the roots grew. Thank you!

[@erikaboyer4125]

That was some awesome Time-lapse footage! Great video. Thank you.

[@MikeTaylor-tw5wb]

Hoochos, I have never seen a time-lapse of roots growing like that before. You have great content. Subbed. I'm currently building a kratky system, but I'm thinking of putting an air stone in with it, in the hopes it will speed up growth.

[@chadlawrence2240]

dude...you're the man! EXCELLENT work and explanation!

[@RRan-dk7ct]

Thanks.....@12:18 because it got leggy well i call it stair stepping was that particular lettuce bitter if you can remember ???

[@pseabrook]

Best hydro channel on YT!

[@sillysillytom]

wow, more time lapse please!!!! that was just awesome

[@reggiemeigs7036]

Fantastic time lapse.

[@patrickmcmanus5373]

Cheers mate The pH issue could be because the Kraky system isn't airated so small roots die and rot in the nutrient solution. Just a thought. I would add a air stone and pump.

[@alizarincrimson123]

Getting ready to start this is a week and am really excited about it. Great video! Thanks for sharing.

[@ihtsarl9115]

very very interesting and very practical growing setup Thank you for this instructive video

[@2rcalkins]

Amazing! You did an awesome job with both the grow setup and the video. Thank you.

[@MichaelHager-w8z]

Question please, at 9:52 minutes into your video you drilled a hole in the side of the container and inserted some sort of device. What is it?

[@Unwantedbaby]

Your vids are the best plant vids. 🐐

[@eddiemcdaniel9893]

Hey there from the beach in south Mississippi, thanks for your videos, entertaining.

[@alexlavertyau]

I love the timelapses, they're awesome

[@anthea_project]

This video is brilliant and very well done. As per le drop of pH that could be caused by the plant readjusting the pH of the solution. Also if the solution is not replenished it could be that the selective absorption of negative ions leaves an excess of positive charge in the solution. Did you check the EC together with the pH? The anoxyc environnent in the tub could have produced reactions resulting in the pH to lower. Happy to discuss all the possibilities to check which of these hypotheses was your case.

[@avialexandru3071]

Man, you are gold. Love the vudeos and the explanations. Done in a fun and cool way. Really nice. This gives me confidence to try gardening and different techniques

[@jennyfrompr8940]

You got me at "time lapse" 😃 that was amazing to watch!

[@supernaturalbc2008]

More blue light in your LED's can prevent the stretching too.

[@maximosh]

The black container/res needs shading from direct sunlight when outside because they will heat up. The cooler the res the more oxygen water will hold and that's important for good results. There's a graph somewhere that shows oxygen in water is proportional to temperature. Over all a good video with what can be achieved for minimal effort and resources.

[@uechiropractic8932]

Time lapse grow was so cool to watch...

[@maradall]

Great simple set-up! I've done something similar using Corflute rather than XPS foam - it is thinner (3mm corflute is still strong enough, but 6mm is probably better) and waterproof too, so very reusable. Now I'm going to try using coco fibre & perlite in my netpots - but I'm a bit concerned about the fine coco fibre leaching out from the cup into the solution. Coco fibre is not really dirty the way actual dirt is, but still, best not to have it in the solution.

[@geoffharrower2845]

I live in northern NSW where it can get pretty hot. I’m considering using polystyrene for boxes to keep the nutrient solution temperature variations minimal. Do you have any comments on that idea? Are you still using cor flute?

[@maradall]

@@geoffharrower2845 All I can say is, try it & see how it works. I don't have any real expertise or knowledge - but trying different things has taught me a lot more than I used to know! All I can say is, as with any insulation, it works well until it doesn't (i.e. heats up inside) - and then it keeps the heat in. So if you are somewhere where it gets cool at night, you would probably be ok. But if you get a real heatwave, you might need to use a bit of TLC and manage it more closely. (The same way you manage the temperature in your house - open up at night after a hot day.) I'm in SE Qld - it gets pretty hot here too. And no matter what you do (short of internal growing & temperature control) then lettuce is not going to grow well in summer. Instead, for salad, I started growing microgreens, with plants more tolerant of heat. Buckwheat, sunflower, broccoli, cabbage, peas have all worked well. plenty of others to try too, depending on your preference.

[@abdelrahmanelbehiry6081]

I think the ph dropped due to the concentration of some substance, the water got less so the concentration of a substance got higher and tgat changed your ph, awesome work 💪

[@robertm4050]

When measuring solutions temperature can have a big affect on pH. So if your water was colder/warmer when mixed and originally tested then that could be it.

[@dustinmeier9753]

A trick for hole saws on foam... Reverse your drill to get a cleaner cut.

[@rekaviles]

Awesome video. Informative, entertaining, good production work. Nice song choice too.

[@esha9000]

I was mesmerized. This was awesome.

[@twohandsandabrush8581]

Great video!

[@csevergreen1478]

Thanks for sharing this video.. It will really help especially those who wants to start planting lettuce at home.. Happy planting.. Happy growing.. More blessings to come😇💚

[@aussiesheriff7079]

🙏 Hoocho, another great lesson on Hydro growing. I do recommend local Hydro shops over going to Bunnings, you’ll get better advice, nutrients and equipment to suit your grow 🍻

[@Cathevasion]

Very awsome to see and very well done. what kind of salad is it? hope you will understand my not so good english talking and thank you for sharing your experience, I loved it!

[@barbarastefani254]

Thank you for this video I got some buckets I’m gonna give it a try

[@Brianshydroheaven]

very cool , simple method , fantastic video.

[@rahbabakahn]

Very instructive grow video. Should be very easy to copy this method. I'm going to try this myself this winter (in NY, USA). BTW - I love watching all of your hydroponic videos. Your green-house garden, and outdoor gardens are awesome. I have an outdoor back yard garden, but it gets a lot of shade from my neighbors trees (probably about 6 hrs direct sunlight in summer (July & August). Can you give me any recommendations for vegetables that grow well in shade ? I may try the rain-gutter hydroponic system next summer. Thanks again for the videos.

[@mekuhl]

Great vid! Please put a vid to discuss lighting settings other than height in your queue.

[@Hoocho]

Check out this video if you haven't already 😊 : kzbin.info/www/bejne/Y3u7p3dmZ8uBhcU

[@alexm8553]

@@Hoocho Hey Hoocho, long time listener first time caller, any chance you could let us know which light you used for this system? I have seen a few of your reviews and have purchased a few setups on your advise but I haven't bought anything for a lettuce setup.

[@Hoocho]

@@alexm8553 I used a spiderfarmer sf1000 If you’re just doing lettuce it’s probably overkill. Check out the sf600 review I did. That’ll give you better coverage and is cheaper.

[@parksonsgraphics1514]

I saw your video and I liked it very much, I made the structure similar to your idea and the water capacity is 240 lts with 30 plant net cup set up, but now I need your help to provide guides on nutrition details, how much TDS level required and what nutrition you added, please describe the nutrition solution name and total TDS Level and do we need to change the TDS Water level at a particular stage, plz help us, I'm new and startup entering in this field

[@samljer]

sacrificed the totem to get those growing root shots, that was epic, thx.

[@geejay9398]

Great video!! You should ad a small air pump and air stone in the water and it will do wonders. Cheers.

[@khaelz]

Can't we use the lid that comes with the container? Does it have to be an extruded foam?

[@mossycroak6638]

Yes you could. Foam is a good option if you don't have a lid.

[@davidlangan4902]

@@mossycroak6638 Foam also has two advantages: (1) you can have multiple foam tops for a tub each with different numbers of holes/spacing and (2) if you stop gardening you will still have your original top to use it for storage again.

[@Evolve_Bodyboards]

Use original lid with a few net pots and clay pebbles bro

[@neilbaesel3767]

I like the extruded foam tops. Lots of times the plastic lids can be tricky to hole out without cracking,

[@teddetgen9410]

How are you starting seeds in hydroton? With rapid rooter pods or just putting a seed in the rocks?

[@martyferguson4384]

i watch all these videos and noone ever talks about what lights to use indoors, great video , presentation and cinematography, very professional and descriptive, thank you. please anyone link light suggestions for this setup thank you

[@martygroover]

Thanks, Hoocho. I went to Kratky after my cheapo pump died. Good for leafy greens and such, but not so good for larger stuff. Cheers.