Kratky Hydroponic for Beginners - Outdoors

Kratky method hydroponic works great indoors, but can also be done outdoor with great results. The only setback will be high temperature. In this video, I'm going to show you how easy it is to start or experiment Kratky hydroponic for the first time. I hope you like the video. Please like comment and subscribe!
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General Hydroponic Nutrients(MaxiGro 10-5-14)):
4 Gallon of water, pH is between 5.9 - 6.5
4 tsp of MaixGro

[@SeventhSamurai72]

These posts are awesome! Thank you for doing this.

[@jeremybutler2578]

I have an outdoor kratke tomato growing in a large plastic foldgers container...got flowers so far but not fruits yet...I'm in NY and its starting to get cold so it probably won't live much longer but I have plans to build something indoors with hopes that I can grow peppers tomatoes and greens with success and without the worry of frost problems. great video and thanks for the pointers

[@taekin9781]

Thanks for this video. Well spoken amd explained 😄

[@elizabethsansom6447]

Good suggestion about the black lid hitting the leaves thanks for sharing

[@Kanechi1000]

i now put the 16 party cups on the bottom of 10x12 trays and grow micro greens and bottom water. the advantage is you can have a week leeway before harvest. i would not have had the idea i it were not for you. thanks for your great work!

[@rramirez4217]

GREAT video! Thanks!

[@ladypilliwick8179]

I believe we're looking at some seriously bad economic times...this is definitely a good way to make a living .....thank you you did a good presentation ..Dallas Texas too

[@Y3sterdaysCub]

just found this video of urs. cheers for helping me out in the other videos mate.

[@ThingsWhichArentWork]

Nice video. Thanks Khang. Cheers!!

[@Jess-mw7ez]

nice video...I'm also from Texas..got a garden (soil)..got to try this hydroponic one day

[@Fmkayla]

I love all your videos. ❤❤❤ You my to go and I’ve been successful . I do like the original master blend though .

[@AJoshMorrow]

Khang's winter in Dallas is quite a bit colder than yours in Tampa. You could probably grow year round in pots if you're able to bring the plants in for the brief harsher days of winter. Or use frost cloth.

[@TrollHiddenCave]

I'm going to totally try this this season I'm going to get for 5 gallon buckets from Lowe's with lids drill a 2 inch hole. I'm pretty confident that I can jerry-rig a net cup out of plastic bottle or something I'm good at turning trash into something valuable

[@petermarsh4993]

Dear Khang, thanks for delivering an entertaining video series. A suggestion to reduce the sunlight heat effect on your pot lid would be to paint the top white. The sunlight would then be reflected instead of being converted into heat and burning your leaves.

[@digginthrutime]

I use maxigro, and you do have to adjust PH. I mixed it and tested it, it came to around 4.0 ph using bottled water that contains sodium benzonate and calcium chloride. Two basic compounds that raise ph levels.

[@Kube_Dog]

I always wondered what Captain Khang did after he retired from the Klingon Empire. Thank you for your service.

[@dave101t]

i was thinking the iffeminite guy from family guy, oooh i knoooow!

[@abdoaezah9804]

Thank u so much new nice job

[@Moe-ph4rp]

good work brother

[@n.phillips4093]

garlic does well in just water thanks four sharing

[@SynSurvival]

I'm also growing in Texas! DFW area. I grow inside and out, but I've never tried hydrponics.

[@hanneskaufmann8878]

Great - thanks

[@dantang65]

thankyou very much

[@scottmichael3745]

Cover the bucket lid with Mylar space blanket. Super cheep and reflecting the sun really keeps the heat down.

[@Tyrashabrooks]

Thanks

[@jypsydog6079]

Finally out on the Patio in AZ!!! 100 days/ 70's at night. Plants setting fruit. YEA FOR FALL! Paint your net pot White..

[@hellfireseeds3793]

Hey bro your from AZ me too

[@BenjasUberHobby]

I struggle with heat here in FL too. Looks good though :)

[@scottmichael3745]

So did I, then I started covering the container in mirrored bubble wrap. They get mailed to me when I buy frozen things so they're free too. It's like a freezer bad for shipping.

[@scottmichael3745]

I've also used space blankets, super cheep and reflect sun like mad. :-)

[@adventurious1234]

Nice...

[@paullong4086]

An idea to keep the leaves off of the net pot lid - create a small cone out of chicken wire to cradle the leaves above the lid.

[@julioalvarez4517]

you're from Texas??? so cool, I am too

[@One_more_cast]

Great video! What do you think is the best nutrients for hydroponics? is this maxigrow up there?

[@NightFurry1]

hii, i got question. our local rockwool have some horizontal fiber. do i put the seed on the horizontal or vertical side? love all your videos :)

[@MichaelIreland]

Great video as always Khang! I am very tempted to give this a try. You could paint the netcup lid with white to reduce the heat. Also apply foil to the bucket to keep it cool. I also wonder if stirring occasionally would help maintain dissolved oxygen (like waves on a lake).

[@KhangStarr]

Thanks for the suggestion. I do have some insulation reflectors I could use, but I wanted to do it as simple as possible, and as cheap as I can, just for experimentation purposes. Yes, occasional stirring can create oxygen in the water, but that takes work, which I don't want to do lol

[@jarjarbinks6204]

You can buy a ready to eat lettuce for a $1..50

[@MichaelIreland]

jar jar binks where's the fun in that? :P

[@MichaelIreland]

Khang Starr ya, simple is definitely best. I wonder if there are white netcups out there.

[@dheller777]

I have a couple questions. Could I do this with some of my double cup Carolina Reapers and Ghost peppers? I have been using your General Hydroponics nutrient mixture and also your Master Blend mixture on my peppers. Would either of these mixtures be as good as the mixture setup you used in this videos for growing my super hot's outside in this setup? I already have my buckets and lids also so I would like your opinion on doing this. Thanks!

[@monpetitchou02]

I ❤ your ideas. Would you film a hydroponic video using non plastic materials, like clay or similar organic materials? Thx!!

[@maryboyd4918]

I think if you would have removed it from the pot (more heat) and cleaned the roots a bit it would have done better

[@3dandyrandy3]

Hey , Khang😀 do you have a video like this one but using the black tub with the yellow lid.

[@Ike92]

Question... i have changed the nutrients in the reservoir, after 8 hours the roots got stained brown i dont this its root rot can be?. should i do something about??? ph 5.8 ppm 800, basil krakty method 1 gallon reservoir. I left the same gap between the roots and level of water it had before water change.

[@generalawareness101]

Kratky where I live is a death sentence to the plants, and even DWC is because the average water temp is about 84-85f due to that being the ambient. Some years water gets over 100f as the local ambient temps can get to 110f.

[@zamenakhan-hosein9859]

Hi khang if you are growing outside without an overhead shed would the rain water get in the bucket changing the pH of the water in the bucket

[@playersrun1]

With the dirt still in the pot and the waterline at bottom of net cup, won’t the dirt continually absorb that water and be wet all the time ?

[@kamranki]

Good video sir! I live in Dubai, U.A.E. and weather here follows a similar cycle to weather in Texas (only that it gets hotter here in summer). I will try this technique for sure! Also, will it help with growth if there is an air pump / water stone? Thanks for the really helpful tutorial.

[@generalawareness101]

Kratky where I live is a death sentence to the plants, and even DWC is because the average water temp is about 84-85f due to that being the ambient. Some years water gets over 100f as the local ambient temps can get to 110f. I lost every single plant due to root rot from the heat and/or a fungus. High humidity + high temps Kratky, or even DWC is a nono. By next year I am going to do a tower or ebb and flow (flow and drain) so the plants don't sit in the solution.

[@mattnsac]

Should be checking PPM as well as PH.

[@darkhunter777]

При каждом периоде роста нужно менять формулу питательного раствора ! Разный тип и концентрация удобрений ! Большинство кто пробует заниматься гидропоникой не знает этой технологии ! Поэтому самое надежное выращивание это в грунте с применением удобрений. Грунт накапливает все полезные вещества, из за этого меньше шанс допустить ошибку.

[@alvaroandanabasaga]

You can use foil paper for the black gallon, it will not be hot,

[@haywardpatterson9010]

do you have a update on this grow ?

[@douggilpin2880]

nice video, but ur wrong about that maxi series being PH stable. I use it regularly and it's highly acidic. must be ph'd between 5.8-6.0

[@poppyseeds1844]

Why do you use a large container for lettuce when so many use smaller containers for lettuce? Is it because you are growing outdoors? Will it produce all season?

[@treymurphy6398]

Does that nutrient mix have everything

[@pamelaspalding1608]

can I grow flowers in this way

[@adventurewithken1961]

Do you switch to the flowering formula for plants that flower, peppers, once they start flowering?

[@Tpot9000]

I'm not sure if you mentioned this but I think you cut a hole in the center of your net cup bucket? I received mine on amazon and it doesn't have that hole in the center, which I probably will make to make it easier for roots to grow through.

[@nickjohn2051]

Tpot9000 Yes. He mention on other video. I dont quite remember which one.

[@levitillman3273]

I like your channel. I would just suggest try to do the visual stuff your video is described to have, while you are educating verbally. It's KZbin fir videos, and starring at lettuce during a long monolog is kinda painful. Good luck, and thanks for your work.

[@bmstech500]

Sir, i have a problem,,,, my hidroponik set up,,,,after two weeks,,,,,ph over high,,,,,,,, ≈ 8.0,,,,,,can u help me?

[@ogunlekeolayinka8722]

This is Great. Can I do this inside greenhouse?

[@KhangStarr]

Yes

[@DJPOD21]

Move the bucket into the shade.

[@adamgraham6265]

how do u control water temperature?

[@lawrencespies8674]

The orange buckets are not food safe?

[@NoBadPit]

Tin foil secured on the net-pot, below the leaves, would keep the net-pot from overheating.

[@buck19]

Tin creates reflective hotspots

[@hazelmccullagh]

I wonder if this method would work during the summer outdoors in Irealnd? 10:10

[@muahri3199]

can we use it in Philippines?

[@jacobdollerup7116]

Hi Khang.Question i have not seen in any videos at all on kratky.Have u tested, or do u know of any tests for how low outside tempreture u can use a kratky system like this one? so u can start early i denmark, wee currently have 4 degrees celcius at night, and 9-12 degrees in the day.

[@KhangStarr]

I have tested lettuce and Tatsoi at lower temperature, around 45 F. At this temperature, the water is even colder, so the plants don't grow very well.

[@kerny8445]

I'm starting the exact same system, how cool. Doing peppers and greens. The peppers will be in the 5 gallon bucket, do you think greens would work well in a more compact container? I'm thinking somewhere between 1 liter and 1 gallon.

[@KhangStarr]

What type of greens are you doing? Some greens, such as lettuce, do not need so much water.

[@kerny8445]

Yeah, mostly lettuce, and some spinach. I'm gonna try sticking a 3" net pot cup at the top of a 1 liter soda bottle.

[@KhangStarr]

Kerny Ⓥ Spinach is not worth the time in this method as they don't produce much, unless you grow a bunch. I would go with Swiss Chard instead.

[@kerny8445]

Cool, will try that ty

[@tyzon1988]

why do you not paint it all white ? so it dossent get that hot ? like the others says why not wash away the soil first and then transplant it ?

[@bbairagee]

Hello! just wondering how to adjust the ratio of nutritions after rainfall top up the water label of the bucket?

[@Emeraldwitch30]

Oh gee I just saw a video of a guy In Hawaii that mentions on how to adjust your nutrients after rain dilutes or his float pump fills the nutrients tank. Sorry but ive no clue who he is. Im just stumbling my way through hundreds of hydroponics vids It was on doing kratky cucumbers.

[@katehill5638]

That is all the fertilizer you need for a kratky hydroponics?

[@azz75sl]

What part of Texas are you in

[@joyfrizzell1363]

Do you have to use clay pebbles or can you use something else? If you use seeds what do you use to put the seeds in? Also can you grow tomatoes and carrots? I hope you can answer my questions because you explained this so well. I am going to plant some vegetables.

[@KhangStarr]

Personally I have not done carrots or potatotes. Jeb Gardener has and he got pretty good results. Clay pebbles is a medium to grow my plants. You can use anything else you like that will not alter pH.

[@joecomet1938]

When using a 5 gallon bucket would adding an airstone help?

[@xanadu1jw]

Joe Comet the Kratky method does not use added air. The plant uses the water and as the water gets lower the plant grows air roots in addition to the roots that go down into the water. This is the advantage of the Kratky method in that no electricity is required to run air pumps.

[@Metqa]

Since this is growing outside, how do you keep rain water from getting into the container and diluting the solution and flooding the bucket? I grew tomatoes like this and they grew large and healthy (I guess) but the buckets kept flooding out whenever it would rain heavily.

[@goingslowlynowhere]

You can use fishtank silicone to seal around the netcup, but realistically? It will get some rainwater in it. That is not necessarily a bad thing with tomatoes though, they drink, a lot. Kratky is a bit tricky with them cause of that, it is not quite a the set-it-and-forget-it level in most cases. My two cents? It sounded like it worked either way, so why worry? If nature works with you, take it as a perk, and not a issue to fight 🙂

[@Fmkayla]

I drilled a small hole on side of bucket where water level should be maintained and then I tape a piece of screen over hole and when if any over flow would happen it comes out the hole .

[@devbachu7072]

i could never grow hydro ponics stuff never I hace a pH tester an still they plants all melt

[@p.c.6706]

can you tell me if maxigro is organic? i am getting little information when trying to look it up. thank you.

[@KhangStarr]

It is not organic.

[@guardianpresencerobotics7776]

try cardboard around the buckets to protect the plant from the heat solar powered air stones

[@Tyrashabrooks]

is this the only nutrients you use in this setting or are you using the three step system as well thanks

[@KhangStarr]

Yes, that's the only one I use.

[@labratter]

How do you prevent too much rain water from entering the bucket? I would like to try tomatoes outside with hydroponic system but was worried about too much rain water.

[@KhangStarr]

When it rains, I just relocate the bucket.

[@NCRealEstate919]

Drill a 1/2" hole at the top of the bucket, above the waterline, that will drain any rain water that comes in.

[@MrDragonUTube]

Where in Texas are you, I'm in the D/FW Area. Do you do any greenhouse gardening?

[@S....]

So how often do I need to change the water? Add new water? Nutrients?

[@KhangStarr]

Lettuce only need 1 gallon to grow fully, I never change or add.

[@dennycorn9541]

I am concerned about rain entering bucket and drowning the plant. We get a lot of rain.

[@rasgrizzly]

what happens when it rains? would you have to go back to check the ph in the water again?

[@KhangStarr]

Great question. The reason I grow this in buckets is so I can move it when it rains. If you happen to not be able to move them in time, pour out all the water and mix new nutrients and fill to exactly where it was before the rain.

[@DadePomsouvan]

Why does the water pH has to be acidic? I use aireator pump to pump air/oxygen into the water. It helps grow the plant much faster and keeps the water cooler.

[@MAMDAVEM]

to make the nutrients available (ionised) to the plant

[@JayWkingdomskrumble]

Are you trying to get acidic soil? 7.6 is neutral so the 7.8 coming from the tap is perfect, 6.0 is more acidic..

[@peterhofman7188]

7.6 is not neutral, 7.0 is.

[@GaryWRose]

Why don'tr you wash the soil off the roots???

[@scottmichael3745]

Because there is no water flow the dirt will just settle to the bottom. No big deal, but if you have a water pump then you'd better clean that dirt off or your pump is doomed! I use several methods.

[@NotoriousPyro]

@@scottmichael3745 It will contaminate the water and potentially cause root rot. It's best to wash it off if the plant is in soil. If in coir then it can be left as is. Also add a dose of endosan 5 or silver bullet...

[@scottmichael3745]

@@NotoriousPyro had not thought of that. Good point, thanks for the advice brother! I appreciate it.

[@emiliasuroto5512]

hello texas.greeting from bandung indonesia. due to covid.i swich from hospital to my garden n starting doing hydrophonics. it has the same principle. counting the concentration and which macro -micro nutrien to choose at the right time. make me dizzy and..... happy. waiting for your kind answer. tq.

[@debcobern312]

Paint the tops white.

[@Tyrashabrooks]

can I use this method for two week old seedlings Instead of the 3 part system thanks

[@KhangStarr]

Rain will fill up the container which could drown your plants. It's best to move the bucket during rain.

[@haywardpatterson9010]

Khang Starr can you just drill a overflow hole on the side for rain water to exit out ? Also that should give the roots oxygen right ?

[@JoshSendo]

more oxygen to the roots would also help???

[@MrDragonUTube]

What if I want to use this method for peppers, would it work?

[@jicamaconchileylimon]

yes

[@joyfrizzell1363]

One more question? Do you have to cover the plants? Sorry for all the questions but I really need to know.

[@KhangStarr]

You don't cover the plants, but you need to cover the bucket.

[@joyfrizzell1363]

Thank you so much. I am really interested in growing vegetables this way

[@ansvel]

Use aeration and you will be fine.

[@tammynguyen9724]

Hi Khang, can I use Maxigro for indoor plant as well?

[@KhangStarr]

Yes, you can. There are instructions on the label to show you.

[@patrickhenigin4805]

I use maxigro for indoor plants with great results. For flowering plants I switch to 3 part flora grow/micro/bloom when they go into flowering mode. Results are very satisfactory.

[@hugocdiver]

How often you add nutrients?

[@KhangStarr]

Lettuce only needs 2 gallons at the most. I never add after filling the bucket. Here's what it looks like recently plus.google.com/118382364204627409312/posts/KmYAEQ7jT5L

[@squirrelattackspidy]

Can you use this type of setup to grow a tropical fruit tree, like a papaya or a mango tree? Also, did you have to buy a bucket cover and then cut a hole to put the 6" net cup in there? Reason I ask is because I found the net cup on Amazon but I can't seem to find something that looks all in one like your setup. What do you use to cut the hole to put the net cup in? How do you cut it so that the cup fits in like yours? If I use the outer rim to trace the hole the net cup will fall right through. Thanks for your help! Here's the link where I found the 6" net cup - www.amazon.com/Gro-Pro-Net-Pot-Inch/dp/B001RUHN8O oh wait. I think this is what you got: www.amazon.com/Wide-Lip-Bucket-Basket-Container/dp/B0049XIIGC/ref=pd_lpo_86_lp_t_3?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=WMXRN5FGVHNVJERDKACZ

[@zamenakhan-hosein9859]

Home depot has those to fit in the 5 gal bucket /order on line

[@aldrichallenbarcenas6740]

Can you just put the lettuce in the shade? Just beside the window but not directly hitting the sun?

[@KhangStarr]

No, lettuce is one of those plants that require sunlight, will not work in shades. They actually require certain spectrum from outdoor light, that is why you can grow them during the cooler months where the sun is not always at peak.

[@aldrichallenbarcenas6740]

That would be a problem. I'm from a tropic country and the high noon reaches around 30-35C (86-95F) summer or rainy season.

[@IAmMisterD]

personally, I've had more success growing lettuce in the hot summer UNDER shade cloth (I use landscaping fabric). Direct sunlight seems to burn the leaves and slow down growth. (and I'm in Canada!) lol even my pepper plants are happier in a more shaded spot. It's strange.... Zone 5A

[@lifesshortlivefast69]

How much would rain hurt the system? Or are these required to be covered?

[@techcheck5019]

haha, I didn't even think about that. Rain would totally ruin the system. It would leak in and fill up the bucket and if the person didn't go and pour some water out the plant would drown. Plus even when you pour some of it our you are losing some of your nutrients. I think it's best to say that growing with the sun with hydroponics is best done inside a green house type thing where the rain can't hit them.

[@hillbillyprepper3987]

To keep the water line where it should be (at the root line) you can drill 4 holes equally around the bucket for drainage so it wont drown them plus it allows air to get into the bucket for the roots.

[@spacejihadist4246]

Maxigro is too expensive in my area.

[@30dmdr]

DWC with no oxigene in water? it works?

[@KhangStarr]

This is called "Non-Circulation" hydroponic method, often refer to as "Kratky" method. There is no need for an air pump with this method.

[@-AnyWho]

should have just taken a bunch of them clay pebbles and glued them to the black plastic to keep the leaves off of it without needing to keep monitoring it ...

[@grahambate3384]

A lettuce from a shop is under a dollar ready to eat, cheers

[@tvideo1189]

The problem is rain. With that huge opening, any rain just dilutes the nutrient solution beyond usefulness..

[@DallasWalker2024]

Hi khang can i remove all the dirt and leave the water lower so the root can have space to breathe ? thanks khang

[@KhangStarr]

Yes, if the plant is older, doing that is a good idea. If the plants are younger, like a seedling, you can have the water all the way up the roots.

[@DallasWalker2024]

Khang Starr oh really why seedling stage can handle no oxygen ?

[@DallasWalker2024]

Now you make me realize my baby plant dry up really fast

[@KhangStarr]

Because they are very small and require very little oxygen, unlike the larger plants. Also, water does have some oxygen, just not enough for the larger plants, unless you add an air pump. With Kratky "non-circulation", you start with a small seedling, as the plant grows, it will drink the water lowering the level. As the level drops, the plants developed air roots at the top and water roots beneath the water. The air roots take in oxygen between the gap. Hope that helps.

[@DallasWalker2024]

Khang Starr ah ha ic now thanks khang so much 🌸

[@tammynguyen9724]

I stay in San Francisco. Tap water is 7.9 pH , but after mix Maxigrow 1teaspoon/gallon , the pH goes down to 3.9. Do you know why, can I still use it for my plant?

[@KhangStarr]

Not sure why it would drop that much, my water is around 7.8. Try using pH up.

[@KhangStarr]

Or you try re-calibrating your pH meter.

[@ClubXrock]

I'm in Australia and am currently experiencing the same issue.

[@sophealay6689]

Hi ! Do we need to change or add water ?