SOIL vs. HYDROPONICS for Growing Broccoli Microgreens Indoors: Who wins?

[@Irish_Goodbye_Guy]

I’ve been watching videos on microgreens for hours and this is the most thorough and informative video I’ve found. Thank you for doing such a great job.

[@ManatsananChantaramontriECo]

Hi ONTHEGROW I watch many of your vids I really love it. I have a question is there any alternative option for Ocean Solution 2-0-3 ? Because I check on website, It's didn't have option for ship outside USA. I live in south east Asia btw Thank you.

[@OnTheGrow]

Thank you so much for your support! If you're looking for an alternative to Ocean Solution 2-0-3, you might want to consider other liquid seaweed or kelp-based fertilizers that are more accessible in your region. Products with similar N-P-K (Nitrogen-Phosphorus-Potassium) ratios, like 2-0-3 or even 1-0-2, can work well. Alternatively, you could try making your own nutrient solution using water-soluble fertilizers, ensuring you adjust the concentration to avoid overfeeding your microgreens. If you have access to compost tea or worm castings, they can also be great natural options. ps- did you try placing an order through our website? We ship internationally to most places, and to figure out if we can ship to you, you'd need to try placing an order and imputing your address information, then our system will determine shipping costs as well as if we can ship to you or not. www.onthegrow.net Hope this helps! 🌱

[@zdenev]

Hello I follow you on KZbin and I have to say BRAVO. Everything is explained in such detail that it really attracts a person to grow microgreens for personal use. Since I live in Slovenia, I can't buy seeds through your links. I have to find them at my dealer. That's why I have a question. I'm wondering if broccoli seeds for sprouts and broccoli seeds for microgreens are the same? Thank you for your answer Best regards Zdenko

[@michelemize]

I have Bootstrap Farmer trays with holes rather than mesh. Any reason why those wouldn't work for growing microgreens with your silicone medium?

[@antetomasevic1195]

How much water you give them on 7-8 days? 1cup or more? Twice a day the same portion? Is it best to keep ph 5.5-6.0 or 6.0-7.0 did you try with bigger ph?

[@leole9837]

Is it 2.5 grams or 25 grams of seeds? also, what is the EC reading on those hydro trays?

[@OnTheGrow]

We use 25 grams of seeds for this setup, and typically we don't measure the EC when growing microgreens. However, since we're using Ocean Solution 2-0-3 at 0.5oz per gallon of water, which is a liquid nutrient with a low NPK ratio, the primary focus is on providing trace minerals and nutrients. At this dilution, the EC should be fairly low, likely in the range of 1.0 to 1.5 mS/cm, depending on the initial water's EC and any dissolved salts.

[@Nickc86]

Honestly the biggest struggle I have is which to use I actually have your all in one dome tray, but I can't decide whether to keep using those or to use soil. Micro trays are great because they're reusable. But they're just something amazing about being able to saturate the soil do blackout take the top off couple days later and then let it grow harvest without have to water it twice a day.

[@OnTheGrow]

Absolutely, I can see where you're coming from with your struggle! Have you considered exploring the Kratky tray setup? It could be a great fit for you once your microgreens are past the germination stage (typically the first 3 to 4 days). It allows you to maintain moisture without constant watering, giving you that flexibility you appreciate after the initial setup phase. It might be worth checking out if you haven't already! Here's a video kzbin.info/www/bejne/mqualJeVbtOdY7s

[@Nickc86]

@@OnTheGrow That's actually genius which one of you came up with the idea of using kratky like that. He's done some genius work with hydroponic but never thought about doing it from microgreens. How well does that work for broccoli sprouts since they're only about a week long

[@OnTheGrow]

It was a joined idea between my husband and I! We had actually done a video on it years ago for pea microgreens, then I (Mandi) decided to revisit it a few months back using our reusable grow mediums and love it! I find it works really great for broccoli microgreens. As for the amount of days you can step away, it really varies on your actual grow-spaces climate, and sometimes variety. But in general for most microgreens, we can get any where from 3 to 8 days of not having to do anything after germination.

[@Bdub-o1x]

are all 3 trays planted with the same weight of seed ?

[@OnTheGrow]

Yes! The exact same amount and all went through the exact same germination and were put under the same grow lights. At the beginning of the video, we show the seeding and germination process for all 3 trays 🌱🌱✨️✨️

[@lordsigurdthorolf1202]

I prefer sand to soil, less messy and reusable. ;>)

[@racebiketuner]

600 years after that silicone pad goes into landfill, it will be essentially unchanged. Stainless steel is significantly more eco friendly.

[@OnTheGrow]

You bring up a great point about the long-term environmental impact of silicone versus stainless steel. While it’s true that silicone doesn’t biodegrade quickly, its durability allows for multiple uses over a long period, reducing the need for replacements. However, if you're aiming for the most eco-friendly option, stainless steel does have the advantage of being fully recyclable. Both materials have their pros and cons, but I can see why you’d lean towards stainless steel for a more sustainable choice.

[@Amandahugginkizz]

​@@OnTheGrowgreat point!

[@Amandahugginkizz]

U shld have done 1 hydroponic tray with jst water its redundant to do both they clearly r gnna grow the same. Lots of people grow them with jst water

[@paraskevaspsychogios2543]

hydroponiiiiic

[@OnTheGrow]

💧🌱💧🌱💧🌱💧

[@Mintt.0]

I have cancer patients so I can’t use ocean solution and hydroponic system for growing cuz they are not allowed to take any kind of chemicals, i always wanted to use hydroponic but not using it for them

[@OnTheGrow]

It's understandable that you'd want to be cautious about what you're growing for cancer patients. I (mandi) remember when I was 11 and my big sister was in the hospital for acute myeloid leukemia, we had to be really cautious. While hydroponic systems often use nutrient solutions that are seen as "chemicals," it's important to note that many of these nutrients are the same minerals that plants would naturally uptake from soil-just delivered in a more controlled manner. If you’re still interested in hydroponics, you could explore organic nutrient solutions made from natural sources like compost tea or seaweed extract, which might align better with your needs. There are organic solutions as well as synthetic. We use organic. Always consult with a healthcare professional and do your own research, though. That way, you can ensure it's appropriate for your patients' specific requirements. Also, thank you for doing the work you're doing with cancer patients.

[@rocksolidwealth]

Was it seed starting soil? If it was it would be a more fair comparison to give it the same feeding as the hydroponic.

[@Amandahugginkizz]

I'm sure some natural nutrients are 100 times better thenbthe toxic crap the hospital is giving them

[@a3_a3]

For microgreens, adding nutrients is waste of time, same with soil. The seeds contains all the nutrients it needs. Only when you are growing beyond first true leaf & into adult do you need to worry about soil/nutrients. If only growing microgreens, then get automated sprouters for near set & forget microgreens.

[@1ronman1]

Yall post too many shorts not enough videos therefore I’m out

[@OnTheGrow]

Sorry to hear that, but we're only doing 1 KZbin video every Friday from now on, when we first started KZbin we spent the first 2 years filming 6 videos a week, which each take many hours between filming, editing and growing. We realized how unhealthy that is for our mental health and well being, and will no longer push our self like that when it comes to actual videos. Shorts take way less time for us, and many people still love them! Goodbye, and we wish you the best with your grows! 🌱😀

[@sciencesaves]

cococoir wins!

[@OnTheGrow]

🌱🌱🌱