How to Build a Super Simple Strawberry Hydroponic System

[@vincentjackson3472]

I just want to fly over from NZ and have a beer with this dude as I walk around and admire his DIY setups. top notch stuff mate!

[@hesthatguy]

You Aussie hydroponic guys are developing the farming methods of the future. Climate change is going to make traditional farming impossible at scale. In the future these sort of setups are how we'll feed the world. Keep up the good work, my dude.

[@chrisrowe6340]

I'm Australian, I have developed a concept of farming on the ocean. The idea is to have a series of interconnected custom barges, that would have non-electric solar desalination, produce its own fertilizer (chemical free) in nft systems. If you'd like to learn more about my idea, let me know.

[@Slavicplayer251]

it depends on your view of traditional farming because traditional farming is small permaculture multiple crop farms where as modern industrial farming is massive flat monocrop fields that require massive amounts of fertilisers and herbicides to produce anything in quantity

[@Slavicplayer251]

⁠@@chrisrowe6340that would be prone to overtopping in rough seas thus destroying your crops, a better alternative is floating blue algae farms that then turn their crops into fertiliser and oil, then sending that fertiliser to land reclamation in the deserts of Australia specially north western Australia as both solar desalination, and reverse osmosis desalination can be done easily with the power of the sun and the tides with several spots on the coasts capable of producing 2.5 Gw/h each australia could be a agroforrest it just needs a push

[@mungoboomdecker9711]

This system has existed for years, just never really took off, most other systems use an inert substrate like rockwool. It suits certain crops like strawberries, cucumbers, tomatoes

[@matthewfarrell317]

I love strawberries and had lots of success hydroponically. Once we move the system I will use the pucks in an NFT system. I have found 2.4-2.6 EC and they explode with growth. The only tip, do not use a flood and drain system. We had a "few" in a tub, which turned into dozens as they kept running and rooting into the clay balls. It just became a mass of green. We got a ton of strawberries but eventually, they start to crowd the others out, and thinning them is extremely hard, Ended up moving them into a raised garden bed. I have 5 NFT rails so plan to use 1 or 2 for strawberries. Although we might be strawberried out, going from zero plants last year to now having hundreds lol

[@Hoocho]

"I have too many strawberries" - No-one ever XD

[@matthewfarrell317]

@@Hoocho I dunno, we were getting 3-4 punnets a day towards the end of the season it was nuts. The kids and birds couldn't keep up lol. Although leads into a funny story you might like. My best friend growing up, we would have been in year 9-10, his mum complained to us about mowing the lawn and we should do it, he complained of course and her exact words were "I do not care what you do, it is now your responsibility for the back yard". So being typical teenagers, and taking her words to the extreme, we removed the ENTIRE back lawn and replace it with pretty much 100% strawberry plants. We are talking nearly 150 sq metres of lawn now berries. Once it had thickened up, we had zero weeds ever. You could take a 10l bucket out there and fill it up 5 times over and still, there would be berries leftover. It was glorious. His mum, well she was NOT impressed lol

[@Hoocho]

@@matthewfarrell317 that’s actually amazing. There’s a deeper question here. Imagine the productivity of a world with strawberry lawns. m.kzbin.info/www/bejne/fqW4eWywlLSYr5o Plays in the background….

[@matthewfarrell317]

@@Hoocho It's one of the inspirations to the food forest we now have in the front yard. We have "enough" lawn in the backyard for the kids, and the rest is dedicated to growing food. Best thing, the kids love it, brag about it too friends, and strip the garden bare of food (even the birds cannot keep up with them lol)

[@Hoocho]

@@matthewfarrell317 now that, is the dream!

[@chris432t6]

Hoocho is the man. Always inspirational vibes and ideas (gonna try the wick in the hole idea for sure). Hoochos and Mark from SSM are my favorite gardeners from down under, hands down! Thanks guys!

[@d3w4yn3]

That look on your face was worth the wait!!! GLORIOUS!!! Making us all happy to try this!

[@lynngill1588]

Okay so also just watched the bit about you eating all of your Lettuces. If you are growing butternut lettuce ( the only type that I have found that has any nutritional value in it ) you might want to get far more out of a single plant by slow pruning . By limiting how much I take off a single plant at a time I have managed to keep several plants producing for up to 3 years at a run in my greenhouse. ( the only time I ever had to replant any lettuce was when my ex wife cut one to the bone all at ounce and so It didn't have any leaves left to produce more. )

[@legendofwelda6705]

Beautiful setup mate. Ever considered adding aquaponics to the system? Using fish waste to generate most of the plant nutrients and then eating the fish when they get big, closing the loop a little bit.

[@Rick-the-Swift]

Ah, I've considered this myself many times as I love seafood! Only problem is any animal I raise becomes an adored pet. Eating a pet fish would be like to going to China and eating someone's dog. I'd have to be pretty starving😅

[@jamesamestil7407]

This is the💣 of optimised systems you can easly put together anywhere in the world (having access to that little components and simplicity of it using pots, gravity.. ) only points to consider (Hoocho's got this almost all right): leveled and sturdy "gutter", food safe materials (hose, gutter, medium, rope etc..), and opaque light barrier everywhere to keep the roots and irrigation "water" in the dark. (have minimal light penetration = light trap air vents/holes + minimize or block any insects intrusion) Sterilized/clean everything between grows. That's it: apart from the nutrients solution topic, sanitization, (and the 3D printing not everyone can use), here you have a perfect video showing optimal growing method doable anywhere in the world "with any good foodsafe sealing methods". that's is epic content! thx for sharing

[@ricardo-iw9sq]

The first advert that came up "green monsters" say stop hydroponicing then the second advert was container farm "grow spec". The shear joy in your eyes eating your produce was funny, I just whish in the uk we had rain gutters like you guys its either 65mm sq or round or next jump up is 110 mm dia soil pipe thats cost effective. 👍👍👍

[@lidip8700]

Love your content, however I chose tge Kratky method to avoid Fungus Gnats in soils. But my tomatoes & strawberries are struggling. I was hoping to find the answer here, but you use soil...so I guess that's the Hoocho Method. Lol Maybe someday, if we build a greenhouse I can utilize your system. Thanks for all your time & work!

[@uscitizen5656]

Started some strawberry's in a straight up Hydro system in my spare bathroom. Already have leaflets and hopefully I get some serious berries this year. Left some open spaces so when it vies I can move the new starts right in so they can root..

[@78wikk]

So glad i found this page mate, fantastic.

[@SandraAnnEvans]

SO AWESOME AS ALWAYS! THANK YOU FOR YOUR CREATIVITY, EXPERIMENTAL POSSIBILITIES, AND YOUR IN DEPTH HYDROPONIC KNOWLEDGE! 😎

[@mikec3820]

straw berries in the ground are the best imo. that way they can spread way out. mine took over in less then a year. was only 5 plants. its now 100s lol

[@hewjater916]

The rain gutter system is the only way I grow carrots now. Best bit is you can reuse the coco as it's a root vege. Had success with beetroot and parsnips also

[@matthewsikorski4627]

Now that is the strawberry video I was looking for. Comparison of Hucho pucks, pots and 3d pots. It will be interesting to see the different size pots if that makes a difference.

[@RobsAquaponics]

Very tidy build mate. 👍 Just sent you an email as well. Cheers Hoocho. 😁🍻

[@franklinwaynejohnson2161]

Instead of that printed valve that can clog and fail, drill a hole in the end cap at the level you want and run water on a timer into gutter until it over flows into a reservoir. The over flow water can be returned to the source periodically. Much less likely to fail.

[@Rick-the-Swift]

Good idea, but I think the idea here was a "no power" system. Unless you're talking about a non electrical timer? Not sure something like that for water flow exists, but if so, could you provide a source? Thanks!

[@jezelantioch6384]

Glad i found your Channel!! GREAT WORK Sir.!!! 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@jamess1787]

Perfect timing! I have strawberries that I want to transplant..... Thanks!!!

[@Kinetic_CGI]

I would like to try growing my own, but there are so many varieties of strawberries, and some people have allergies to specific varieties. I do like your method growing, it is different from my method of Rubbermaid tubs.

[@charlesdang2557]

Oh stop it! Lol. Love the energy. Pucks are a great idea

[@christianblicher1358]

Last year i failed completely with raincutter hydro strawberries! i have been waiting for you to try it out! look out for root rot especially!

[@Hoocho]

Will do. I have a backup plan for this possibility.

[@element4studios]

You are such an enthusiastic dude! I am gonna include some hydroponics into my growing next year for sure.

[@russellphipps911]

Dont think you will regret the wicks

[@dusshan1]

Hi, what kind of nutrient solution is used here? I think it is very important step not mentioned in the video. Can you link any reference to that? Thanks!!

[@lagflu]

I’m curious on how this compares to vertical growing. Especially with strawberries

[@giles1962]

Two questions about 3D printing and Rain Gutter Grow/NFT systems. 1. What 3D Filament should I use for things that will be sitting outside in the sun? Would PLA be OK to use for this? 2. Should any unused holes in either a Rain Gutter Grow or an NFT system be covered over, to prevent sunlight getting in and growing mold etc. in the nutrient water? If so, do you have a 3D print for this?

[@sirblacksmith2297]

pla would not be ok for this, abs or petg

[@airmidofthebay]

Im in the us and the gutters Im finding are aluminum, vinyl or pvc. None of these are considered safe to use.... or are they? Ill have the set up under a shade ckith in a hoop house. Our summers get up to about 100 for weeks at a time. Would using these gutters be safe? Would they deteriorate and leach into my berries? What kind of gutters are you using please? Thank you for this info video. Helped me decide a plan.

[@saifalsuwaidi02]

at what temperature is it preferable to grow these strawberries ? can strawberries survive a hotter than average climate ?

[@Pummers38]

I have used a 16-19mm hole saw for the centre in the past for my pucks, though I'm currently using pool noodle.

[@michaelpye5972]

Hoocho, another great vid. I have tried strawberries in a gutter system with perlite media and in the open, They grew ok but put up many adjacent crowns in same pot (not runners) with small fruit and some dried up. Maybe try the coco

[@Carlos-ni3tq]

Que Ce usa para las verduras de hoja, lechuga , acelga , rúcula?? Y para frutillas? Gracias. Muy buenos sus videos.

[@thresh0014]

You've listed all items except what type of greenhouse mesh is that? Thanks! Sorry to bother, you've earned a sub either way.

[@f_youtubecensorshipf_nazis]

How do they taste? I finally got my soil and fertilizer dialed in where all my strawberries are sweet now. I am doing hydro strawberries but haven't fruited yet.

[@TNBNaturals]

You are so good at what you do 🎉🎉🎉

[@karlotto8925]

Happy to see you earn some sponsoring money which you can reinvest :-) I also plan a strawberry raingutter grow system with a landscaping fabric "channel" (serving as pot) above the waterchannel

[@forgotmypassword2804]

What kind of netting are you using for your canopy? Thanks

[@jamieweston4495]

Hi Mate. Can I ask what kind of strawberry's you have (the one you ate). All mine come out tiny.

[@Chefboyerb]

Love the Videos, have you considered doing any test with flexible down spouts?

[@fgregerfeaxcwfeffece]

I would worry about the foam, but considering that it is certified as a toy for small children it's probably food safe enough for this.

[@bubba4654]

Great video Hoocho. How do you pollinate the flowering veggie plants like eggplant, tomato in the greenhouse?

[@Hoocho]

I use a q tip, they will mostly pollinate themselves in the wind, but I find I get a higher rate if I manually do it.

[@bubba4654]

@@Hoocho Thanks Hoocho

[@LK-xe4vn]

Hello mate. Great instructions. But have very important question. How you do pollination of flowers for that strawberries? Do you have some bees to do the job or other method? I see nets everywhere so I bet they must stop any flying insects. Cheers.

[@bmahagan]

Love these videos but will never be able to afford 3D printing equipment. Is there anywhere I can buy the wicking wedges or vertical growing plugs?

[@peterdavid1207]

Hoocho, this is Peter D. another fan from Southern Californian...this is another informative VID...On my way to try my patch out....is there anything that can be done to make the strawberries sweeter? Are there any nutrient combination that you can hack to make that happen?

[@Hoocho]

Check out this resource: u.osu.edu/indoorberry/

[@peterdavid1207]

@@Hoocho thanks for the tip

[@DrSoapp]

Cool system! Thanks for the video

[@randymercer9309]

Can you please tell me what the white screen-like material is that you have on your greenhouse?

[@MrDigitalfreak]

any follow up video on the strawberry?

[@pietervanwyk3856]

The ol' reliable... Pucks 💪🏼

[@eddieyu80]

Google Monica summary: This video demonstrates how to build a simple hydroponic system for growing strawberries using a rain gutter and a drill. The system wicks from below and is designed for anyone to build without complex pot designs or 3D printing. The strawberries in the rain gutter grow system show faster growth and fruiting compared to those in the NFT system.

[@MacdonaldEdinburghElectrical]

I'm sorry I hit the thumbs down it must have been a mistake. love all your videos.

[@brownsugar1958ful]

Thanks for sharing ❤

[@olivertruswell]

Where did you buy the crowns? I'm in Brisbane so not too far.

[@joshhyma842]

Do auzzy's not wear blundstones? Or has it become a western world fashion? Half the tradesman I know/work with in Canada wear them lol. Nice vid cheers.

[@martysgarden]

Nice looking all round setup😎, exploration fun!

[@gonzalojoaquin4978]

whats the white substance you mixed along with cocopeat called?

[@UberLinny]

How did these go with the 1L POTs ???

[@honeybadger6127]

I just had success growing radishes in a kratky style!

[@lalanspike9702]

sir, good day, what is your Nutrient Solution use for this method? and how to blend that nulsol?

[@origamidad1]

what was your online source for your crowns, please?

[@angryboba]

Awesome build! How did it turn out? Any lessons learned?

[@SuperGreenLab]

What a delicious looking strawberry!! keep up the amazing work man 💪 how's the Wasabi going?

[@damo2707]

Love it mate, keep it up!!

[@lorenawilliams4229]

Have you tried the pool noodles, I saw someone else using it in another channel and seems to be a much cheaper option with less work.

[@user-sk2tc7mz5o]

yup super simple. Just get yourself all this hardware and gears. everything is so affordable and sustainable.

[@russellphipps911]

Nft strawberries go off in full fertilizer

[@sethakan]

Do you know if I can store the plants in paper like you got them delivered? Where I come from strawberries in the ground dies in the winter and come back in the spring. Now I just wonder if I can save the plants/roots over the winter to put them in the hydroponic system in the spring again? Should I put them outside? In the freezer?

[@Awed1b]

So, how did they grow? What kind of yield? Thanks, B.

[@karandeepsingh8134]

Hi , i wanted to know what kind of hydroponic system is good for strawberry , so that we can grow more number of plant in the same area .

[@eddieyu80]

I tried using 3 to 6-inch net pots for strawberry. But it seems that 6-inch one fits best for holding up to 6~8 leaves after 3 months when plant starts flowering and fruiting.

[@MaryJoMatey]

Do you mean 3" or 6" net pots?? Did u put soil in them ??

[@eddieyu80]

@@MaryJoMatey yes, I added Pearlstone and potting soil in 1:19. But some professional vendor even add some coco fiber shred, it is very convenient for grower. The potting soil alone is not enough to support air and moisture for the root.

[@maryjoycausing5918]

Am new here I just want to know how you set up Your greenhouse? Thanks

[@jims4763]

Do you get alot of fungas nats since your coco is always wet?

[@user-qc8eq8uh7b]

Your the best

[@waynekelly6499]

my strawberries are in the gutter system and it is gravity fed and seems to be getting to much water? The leaves are turning bark brown. I keep trimming them off and the berries seem to be to plentiful as they are staying small and have mulitple berries on each plant 8 to 12.

[@GlynisDance]

Great video - thank you. :)

[@ritacachia1416]

Where can i find the pattern for the gutter ends please..? Which size gutter did you get? Bunnings has 2 different sizes.Thanks in advance. Great information.

[@Hoocho]

The files are on my Patreon, and the smaller pipe is the one you're after... It's the cheaper one.

[@davidcaple5547]

Hi Hoocho, love your videos, always full of good ideas. I've tried to replicate your system here but the compost in the pots is getting too wet and the strawberries are dying from what looks like root rot. :( When I life a dead plant I can hold the compost in my hand and squeeze the water out as if it is a sponge. I'm thinking the problem is the water level is slightly too high in touching the compost. Would it be better it I stood each pot above the water and just rely on a wick to draw the water to the conpost?

[@Hoocho]

Yep 100%

[@davidcaple5547]

Thanks@@Hoocho

[@scr8pincivichb]

What is on the ends of the gutters? Did you make them or buy them?

[@arrow1island]

How do you go with the Aussie heat in those rails.. I tried the same thing using 90mm stormwater pipe but in the heat of the day, the water gets too hot and root rot sets in.

[@MaryJoMatey]

what are the size of the pots ??? that u used?

[@designboyau]

love these systems! super curious to see if Hop rhizomes can tolerate hydroponic systems, either RGGS or Kratky Bucket.

[@bkpickell]

Forgive me if I'm wrong, but it's been a really long time since I grew anything in hydroponics. If memory serves, I used a product called Orca, I believe it is formulated for hydroponics systems. My go to however was always great white, which is not. With the great white it's granular so it doesn't fully disolve in water and requires frequent cleanings. But I stuck with it, because I had the best results with it over Orca.

[@miniphoton]

I had just started understand your rain gutter system, may I know does it grow just as quick as NFT or other system.

[@patricka179]

I'd love to be able to buy your end caps for these mate. Looking to get a 3D printer in a month or two but itching to get some gutters systems setup!

[@annes5864]

Hi, great vid. How many times per day and for how long should the drip system be for watering strawberries with the gutter system? Ta

[@danieldewindt3919]

Where do you buy the vinyl pipes? Pvc is toxic

[@kitrussell9358]

Great video, how are you keeping the coco from dropping into you rain gutter system ? Looks cool👍

[@Rick-the-Swift]

Good question. I'm guessing because they may be in a covered green house type of environment, so they don't get much watering from the top down, if any. In such a situation the plants roots will "fix" the soil in place, making it difficult for it to loosen or crumble on its own.

[@capebee4839]

What covering are you using on the roof and on the sidewalls of your greenhouse?

[@gallery51]

what happens when the strawberries outgrow those pots? can you just replace with bigger pots in the same position or do you have to rearrange the whole system?

[@Rick-the-Swift]

Could you just trim the plant down and let it regenerate?

[@karimhayes3134]

can i do this with my aquaponics . my concern is the small white rocks will get into the system . i already use coco in my vertical towers

[@Hoocho]

The only problem I see is that aquaponics is meant to be a closed loop the RGGS system is very much compartmentalised. The res feeds the gutters, but the water never returns. I'm not sure it would work. *however, I only have a surface level knowledge of aquaponics and I would encourage experimentation.

[@jonp3674]

great video

[@robertdelgado9677]

If you are just cutting foam, you can 3d print a hole saw 👀

[@paullebsack1109]

Hey Hoocho, New to the whole Hydroponics system. I am building a Dutch bucket system with 15 buckets. How do I determine the size (gph) pump I will need. Any help? Thanks

[@esibros2026]

Any chance you could let me know if you use the same nutrients water 💧 container for all the different veggies/plants? Do they get feed from the same place does it effect any of the plants I have read all plants have the same npk ratio but when u go to buy them at Bunnings there all different. What's your thoughts. Do you use a grow and a separate veg nutrient or the same all the way through the grow season

[@Hoocho]

I use the same fertiliser for all the veg, just at different strengths The NFT is run at 1.5 EC The rest at 2.4 EC

[@jamieweston4495]

Can I ask where you ordered the Rubygem strawberrys from. I would like to order some.

[@Hoocho]

ssr.farm

[@kendalbyron5648]

What nutrient balance do you use in the nft system that allows you to grow peppers as well as veggies bro? 👀

[@Hoocho]

It's just 1.5 EC Tomato Spec Nutrient, Keep it simple. The RGGS are the same just run at 2.4EC

[@kendalbyron5648]

Thanks man

[@JonathanTKL]

is the coco to perlite ratio measured by weight or by volume?

[@bigchief2331]

Are you a tradie or just learning as you go? It is my dream to have a homestead and grow my own food, make my own beer, use solar power etc, but being low income (self employed and by choice, I value my limited time on this earth over slaving away 5 days for money) and not having much knowledge in building etc not sure how to achieve it. I have a modest savings balance but land prices are getting too dear and then I would have no money to get started on these projects. Just seems so unachievable and I feel stuck :\

[@whiskey2446]

Why do you use coco, and not the dirt it comes with.

[@bkpickell]

I was never able to get strawberries to grow in NFT. Every plant always dies. From what I understand NFT causes far too much humidity. That has just been my experience. I've grown about everything in hydroponics, strawberries has been my only failure. I even grew corn in 5 gallon bucket dwc bubble buckets. I will say though, I always use hydroton and have never used coco so that may be why my strawberries failed as well. The coco may provide more protection.

[@richardholst5673]

what size cotton cord do you use for wicking ?

[@richardholst5673]

sorry forgot to say your channel is amazing and got me excited again about hydroponics and I have binged your channel for the last 3 days and I planted my first seeds yesterday after waching videos

[@Hoocho]

@@richardholst5673 hahah it’s addictive AND contagious. Pretty sure the wick is 6mm cotton sash cord. I’ve also played with 8 and 10mm. Use whatever fits your pot holes.

[@holstrichard]

@@Hoocho I am looking to diy a solution using 1l water bottles cut the top off and invert and then fill with nutrients and use the cord as a wick through the bottle top ..as I live in a flat it’s a window sill grow area for me ..I found 5mm that looks like it will do the job but I will see how it goes ..