Rain, and much colder predicted for the next few days. Trying to catch up on some winter preparations. The rain barrels and outdoor hoses needed to emptied before it freezes. I am continuing to cut down the remaining wildflowers and clearing the walkway around the house. I am going to miss not having the rainwater for the hydroponic systems. For the winter I will need to filter the well water (ZeroWater) to remove the sodium chloride added from the water softener. Some of the work was recorded as time-lapse video with a Garmin VIRB-360 camera.
Daily Electric Energy Used (70.3 kWh) from Sense and Daily Solar Electric Energy Produced (31.6 kWh) from SolSystems and Locus Energy. More clouds than yesterday. At this time of the year the sun is lower, and the Sycamore tree leaves shadow the solar panels part of the day. Overall a net deficit of 38.7 kWh.
AeroGarden Farm 04 – Left Unit at 42 Days. F04L01 Plug; F04L02 Cosmos Dwarf; F04L03 Cosmos Early Dwarf; F04L04 Pug; F04L05 Zinnia Thumbelina; F04L06 Zinnia Lilliput; F04L07 Blue Cornflower; F04L08 Plug; F04L09 Plug; F04L10 Marigold; F04L11 Marigold; F04L12 Plains Coreopsis. The plants in this tray were moved from another garden two weeks ago. The Cornflower continues to grow very fast, but has not bloomed. The two Cosmos plants have not grown much. The Thumbelina Zinnia has one small flower beginning to open, and two more buds about to open. The Lilliput Zinnia is almost completely open, and has two more buds about to open. The Marigold is small, and has one small flower open, and two buds about to open. The Plains Coreopsis is growing, and seems to have a rouge Coreopsis plant that has a couple of buds? I tested the pH (4.89) and TDS (121 ppm). The rapidly growing plants need more food. I should also note that I have been adding more than a liter of water into the bath every day. Added 10 mL of Root Farm Base (4-0-1) and 10 mL Root Farm Bloom (1-4-7). After one hour tested the pH (5.24) and TDS (621 ppm). I hope this helps to get the Cornflower to bloom, and the Coreopsis plants to grow faster. I will test the pH and TDS on a weekly basis going forward.
Farm 04 – Left (Day 42). F04L01 Plug; F04L02 Cosmos Dwarf; F04L03 Cosmos Early Dwarf; F04L04 Pug; F04L05 Zinnia Thumbelina; F04L06 Zinnia Lilliput; F04L07 Blue Cornflower; F04L08 Plug; F04L09 Plug; F04L10 Marigold; F04L11 Marigold; F04L12 Plains Coreopsis. Image taken with a Leica TL-2 camera and 35 mm f/1.4 lens (ISO 640, 35 mm, f/8, 1/80 sec). (DAVID J MATHRE)
It has been four days since I first took a focus-stacked image of the Zinnia flower. Now there are about four levels of petals, and at least one more level to open. So as I plan for a time-lapse sequence for the opening of Zinnia flowers, it takes several days or even a week to open completely. I also noticed an Asian Lady Beetle Harmonia axyridis hiding in the flower. In the fall a number of these non-native Ladybug look alikes invade the house to hibernate. They were imported to eat aphids. I hope that doesn’t mean I have aphids invading my hydroponic gardens.
Zinnia Flower. Composite of 23 focus stacked images taken with a Fuji X-T3 camera and 80 mm f/2.8 macro lens (ISO 160, 80 mm, f/5.6, 1/30 sec). Raw images processed with Capture One Pro and Helicon Focus (DAVID J MATHRE)Asian Ladybeetle hiding in a Zinnia Flower. Image taken with a Fuji X-T3 camera and 80 mm f/2.8 macro lens and popup flash (ISO 160, 80 mm, f/16, 1/30 sec). (DAVID J MATHRE)
Daily Electric Energy Used (70.3 kWh) from Sense and Daily Solar Electric Energy Produced (31.6 kWh) from SolSystems and Locus Energy. More sun. Overall a net deficit of 38.7 kWh.
AeroGarden Bounty 01 at 42 Days. 01 Crimson Clover; 02 California Poppy; 03 Red Poppy Mix; 04 Lupine; 05 Strawberry; 06 Blanket Flower; 07 Sweet Alyssum; 08 Coreopsis Lance-leaf; 09 Strawberry. Only the Crimson Clover, Lupine, and Lemon Mint were doing OK. The others that had previously sprouted died and had mold/algae growing on the substrate. I checked the pH (5.80) and TDS (659 ppm). Additional plant food was not added. The dead plants were removed.
AeroGarden Bounty 01 at 42 days. 01 Crimson Clover; 02 California Poppy; 03 Red Poppy Mix; 04 Lupine; 05 Strawberry; 06 Blanket Flower; 07 Sweet Alyssum; 08 Coreopsis Lance-leaf; 09 Strawberry. Image taken with a Leica TL-2 camera and 35 mm f/1.4 lens (ISO 250, 35 mm, f/8, 1/80 sec). (DAVID J MATHRE)
AeroGarden Bounty 02 at 14 days. 01 Oriental Poppy; 02 Oriental Poppy; 03 California Poppy Mix; 04 Nasturtium; 05 Cornflower; 06 Red Poppy; 07 Red Poppy; 08 Red Poppy; 09 Red Poppy. The Oriental Poppies sprouted, the California poppy is doing well, the Nasturtium didn’t sprout, the cornflower sprouted, and 3 out of 4 of the Red Poppies sprouted. I check the pH (5.65, and TDS (629 ppm). The plants that sprouted were moved to Bounty 01, and a new set of seeds started in Bounty 02.
AeroGarden Bounty 02 at 14 days. 01 Oriental Poppy; 02 Oriental Poppy; 03 California Poppy Mix; 04 Nasturtium; 05 Cornflower; 06 Red Poppy; 07 Red Poppy; 08 Red Poppy; 09 Red Poppy. Image taken with a Leica TL-2 camera and 35 mm f/1.4 lens (ISO 320, 35 mm, f/8, 1/80 sec). (DAVID J MATHRE)
Daily Electric Energy Used (70.6 kWh) from Sense and Daily Solar Electric Energy Produced (16.9 kWh) from SolSystems and Locus Energy. Lots of clouds. Overall a net deficit of 41.1 kWh. Geothermal HVAC was on to heat the house (6.4 kWh).
Indoor Hydroponic AeroGarden Farms 01-03 Week Six (42 days) Update.
AeroGarden Farm 01, Left Tray, Day 42. Red Heirloom Tomatoes and Golden Harvest Tomatoes (seed pods from AeroGarden). All plants sprouted, but growth is still slow. Reflectors didn’t seem to help much. I checked the pH (5.56) and TDS (>1000 ppm). I decided to clean the bath and replace the water (8.0 L rain water) charged with 16 mL of the Miracle Grow/AeroGarden plant food. New pH (6.24) and TDS (418 ppm). Three of the Golden Harvest tomato plants that seemed to be dead were replace with new pods.
AeroGarden Farm 01 Left Tray at 42 days. Position 1-6 Red Heirloom Tomatoes. Position 7-12 Golden Harvest Tomatoes. Image taken with a Leica TL-2 camera and 35 mm f/1.4 lens (ISO 100, 35 mm, f/11, 1/10 sec). (DAVID J MATHRE)
AeroGarden Farm 01, Right Tray, Day 42. A variety of lettuce plants have not grown much in the last two weeks. Red Romain, Deer Tongue, Paris Island, Black-seeded Simpson, and Red Sails (seed pods from AeroGarden). Some leaves were harvested during the last two weeks. I checked the pH (3.60) and TDS (804 ppm). The pH was too acidic. I put my chemist hat on and did a titration to figure how much buffer I needed to add to bring the pH between 5.5 and 6.5. Based on the titration I added 5 mL of buffer And 8 mL of the Miracle Grow/AeroGarden plant food. This brought the pH up to 5.99.
AeroGarden Farm 01 Right Tray at 42 days. R03 Red Romaine; R02 Deer Tongue; R04, R06 Marvel of 4 Seasons; R05 Paris Island; R07, R09 Black-seeded Simpson; R08 Red Sails. Image taken with a Leica TL-2 camera and 35 mm f/1.4 lens (ISO 160, 35 mm, f/11, 1/10 sec). (DAVID J MATHRE)
AeroGarden Farm 02, Left Tray, Day 42. Mini-Jalapeno Peppers, Purple Super Hot Peppers, Red Fire Peppers (seed pods from AeroGarden). Growth is still slow, even after adding reflectors. I checked the pH (5.24) and TDS (>1000 ppm). I decided to clean the bath and replace the water (8.0 L rain water) charged with 16 mL of the Miracle Grow/AeroGarden plant food. New pH (6.34) and TDS (400 ppm). Removed F02L08 (didn’t germinate/moldy). Replaced with F10L10 Sprouted New Mexico Hatch pepper. Filled positions F02L10, F02L11, F02L12 with sprouted Szechuan peppers from F10L10, F10L11, F10L12.
AeroGarden Farm 02 Left Tray at 42 days. L01-L03 Mini Jalapeno Peppers; L04-L06 Purple Super Hot Pepper; L07-L09 Red Fire Pepper Image taken with a Leica TL-2 camera and 35 mm f/1.4 lens (ISO 200, 35 mm, f/11, 1/10 sec). (DAVID J MATHRE)
AeroGarden Farm 02, Right Tray, Day 42. Romaine Lettuce (seed pods from AeroGarden). All plants sprouted, and most are growing but some developed brown tips. Several leaves harvested during the last two weeks. I checked the pH (4.27) and TDS (459 ppm). The pH was too acidic. I did a titration to figure how much buffer I needed to add to bring the pH between 5.5 and 6.5. Based on the titration I added 4 mL of buffer And 16 mL of the Miracle Grow/AeroGarden plant food. This brought the pH up to 6.2 and TDS to 760 ppm. I’m thinking of completely removing the middle plants to allow the outer ones more room to grow.
AeroGarden Farm 02 Right Tray at 42 days. R01-R09 Romain; Image taken with a Leica TL-2 camera and 35 mm f/1.4 lens (ISO 200, 35 mm, f/11, 1/10 sec). (DAVID J MATHRE)
AeroGarden Farm 03, Left Tray, Day 42. Broccoli, Swiss Chard, and Arugula (seeds from Botanical Interests). All Broccoli plants sprouted, but one is growing much faster than the others. The remaining Swiss Chard plant that was moved to position 10 is also growing robustly. The Arugula in position 11 an 12 came from a different Farm tray and are fighting to find some light. I checked the pH (6.45) and TDS (215 ppm). The pH is OK, but the robustly growing plants need more fertilizer. Added 15 mL of Root Farm Base (4-0-1) and 10 mL of Root Farm Veggie (1-5-7). The new pH (6.25) and TDS (788 ppm). Harvested some Broccoli leaves, and Swiss Chard leaves (that were both used to make soup for lunch) to make room for the other plants.
AeroGarden Farm 03 Left Tray at 42 days. L01-L03 Broccoli; L10 Swiss Chard; L11 Arugula. Image taken with a Leica TL-2 camera and 35 mm f/1.4 lens (ISO 250, 35 mm, f/11, 1/10 sec). (DAVID J MATHRE)
AeroGarden Farm 03, Right Tray, Day 42. Cauliflower, Kale, Arugula (seeds from Botanical Interests). Two Cauliflower plants are growing robustly (F03R01, F03R03). Two of the Kale plants are growing robustly and had been moved to positions F03R07 and F03R11. The Arugula plant in F03R09 came from a different Farm. The unused positions were all plugged. I checked the pH (6.86) and TDS (327 ppm). The pH is a bit high, and the robustly growing plants need more fertilizer. Added 15 mL of Root Farm Base (4-0-1) and 10 mL of Root Farm Veggie (1-5-7). The new pH (6.64) and TDS (824 ppm).
AeroGarden Farm 03 Right Tray at 42 days. R01, R03 Cauliflower; R07, R11 Kale; R09 Arugula; Image taken with a Leica TL-2 camera and 35 mm f/1.4 lens (ISO 320, 35 mm, f/11, 1/10 sec). (DAVID J MATHRE)
Daily Electric Energy Used (52.9 kWh) from Sense and Daily Solar Electric Energy Produced (3.1 kWh) from SolSystems and Locus Energy. Clouds and rain all day, some heavy. Overall a net deficit of 49.8 kWh.
Monthly Electric Energy Used (1759 kWh) from Sense and Daily Solar Electric Energy Produced (792 kWh) from SolSystems and Locus Energy. Overall a net deficit of 967 kWh. The first month since March where I will be paying a power bill (although significantly reduced based on the surplus remaining from the summer). The hydroponic systems will be adding ~ 700 kWh/month to my power use.
I noticed that the 1 gallon water bottles that supply the trays for the Romaine Lettuce, Broccoli, Swiss Chard, Cauliflower, and Kale that are in robust growth mode were all empty. I refilled the water bottles, and then measured the pH and dissolved solids (DS). Based on the results, I added more plant food for two of the trays before their scheduled feeding. I also harvested some Swiss Chard, Kale, and Arugula since the leaves were blocking the smaller plants in the trays.
AeroGarden Farm 02, Right Tray, Day 38. Romaine Lettuce (seed pods from AeroGarden). All plants are growing robustly. A second batch of leaves harvested yesterday (used for Caesar Salad). I noticed that the tops of some leaves were turning black. Research said to check pH (4.34) and dissolved solids (381 ppm). The pH should be between 5.5 and 6.5, and the dissolved solids between 500-700 ppm. So I added plant food before the next scheduled feeding in 4 days. The pH is now 5.7.
AeroGarden Farm 02 Right Tray at 38 days. R01-R09 Romain; Image taken with a Leica TL-2 camera and 35 mm f/1.4 lens (ISO 640, 35 mm, f/11, 1/40 sec). (DAVID J MATHRE)
AeroGarden Farm 03, Left Tray, Day 38. Broccoli, Swiss Chard, and Arugula (seeds from Botanical Interests). All Broccoli plants sprouted, but growth for two are being crowded by the Swiss Chard plant. Only one of the Swiss Chard plants sprouted, and is growing robustly. It was moved to position L10. Positions L03-L06 were plugged. The Arugula in position L11 an L12 came from a different Farm tray. After the picture was taken, harvested leaves from the Swiss Chard and Arugula plants. Measured the pH (6.16) and dissolved solids (312 ppm). The pH was OK (should be between 5.5 and 6.5), but the dissolved solids were low (should be between 500 and 700). So added plant food before the next scheduled feeding in 4 days.
AeroGarden Farm 03, Right Tray, Day 38. Cauliflower, Kale, and Cilantro (seeds from Botanical Interests). All Cauliflower plants sprouted, and are growing robustly. Two of the three Kale plants sprouted, and are growing. All Cilantro plants sprouted but are growing slowly. The Kale was moved to positions R07-R08 and will try to start another Kale plant for position R09. The Cilantro was moved to the front three positions R10-R12. Positions R04-R06 were plugged to allow more space for the Cauliflower and Kale. Measured the pH (6.50) and dissolved solids (562 ppm). The pH and dissolved solids were OK, so will wait until the next scheduled feeding. The cauliflower plant at R02 leaves were turning brown, so it was removed. The Cilantro plants are growing slowly and were being crowded by the larger Kale plants so were moved to a different Farm tray.
AeroGarden Farm 03 Right Tray at 28 days. R01-R03 Cauliflower; R07-R09 Kale; R10-R12 Cilantro; Image taken with a Leica TL-2 camera and 35 mm f/1.4 lens (ISO 640, 35 mm, f/11, 1/40 sec). (DAVID J MATHRE)Harvest – Swiss Chard, Kale, Arugula. Image taken with a Leica TL-2 camera and 35 mm f/1.4 lens (ISO 640, 35 mm, f/5,6, 1/40 sec). (DAVID J MATHRE)Tomato and Bean Soup with Swiss Chard, Kale, Arugula. Image taken with a Leica TL-2 camera and 35 mm f/1.4 lens (ISO 320, 35 mm, f/5,6, 1/25 sec). (DAVID J MATHRE)
AeroGarden Farm 04, Right Tray, Day 14. The Basil at position R01 is doing well. The other Basil, Chives, Dill, Parsley, and Thyme plants are much smaller. The Oregano and Rosemary plants did not sprout. Measured the pH (4.89) and dissolved solids (747 ppm). The bowl was drained and refilled with 8.7 L rain water and 16 mL plant food. Measured the pH (5.89) and dissolved solids (525 ppm).
AeroGarden Farm 04 Right Tray at 14 days. R01-R03 Basil; R04 Genovese Basil; R05 Chives; R06 Dill; R07 Dill; R08-R09 Parsley; R10 Oregano; R11 Rosemary; R12 Thyme. Image taken with a Leica TL-2 camera and 35 mm f/1.4 lens (ISO 640, 35 mm, f/11, 1/40 sec). (DAVID J MATHRE)
Daily Electric Energy Used (63.2 kWh) from Sense and Daily Solar Electric Energy Produced (7.1 kWh) from SolSystems and Locus Energy. Clouds and rain most of the morning. At this time of the year the sun is lower, and the Sycamore tree leaves shadow the solar panels in the afternoon. Overall a net deficit of 56.1 kWh.
Weekly Electric Energy Used (427 kWh) from Sense and Weekly Solar Electric Energy Produced (176 kWh) from SolSystems and Locus Energy. Overall a net deficit of 251 kWh. Of that 158 kWh is due to the new hydroponic systems.
