Hydroponic Garden - David Mathre Photography

Thursday (21-November-2019) — New Jersey

Indoor Hydroponic AeroGarden Farms Update

AeroGarden Farm 04, Right Tray, Day 39. The Basil at position R01 is doing very, very well. The other Basil, Chives, Dill, Parsley, and Thyme plants are much smaller. At the last update (Day 28) pH (4.11) TDS (467 ppm) so added 2 mL buffer and 8 mL of Miracle Grow/AeroGarden plant food. The new pH (6.26) and TDS (650 ppm). At day 39 pH (4.00) TDS (491 ppm) so added 2.5 mL buffer and 4 mL of Miracle Grow/AeroGarden plant food. The new pH (6.10) and TDS (615 ppm).

AeroGarden Farm 04 Right Tray at 38 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 400, 35 mm, f/8, 1/80 sec). (DAVID J MATHRE) — AeroGarden Farm 04 Right Tray at 39 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 400, 35 mm, f/8, 1/80 sec). (DAVID J MATHRE)

AeroGarden Farm 05 Left Tray Day 14. L01-L03 Cucumber (Burpee); L04-L06 Kale (Burpee); L07-09 Broccoli Raab (Burpee); L10-L12 (Bunching Onions (Botanical Interest). Initial bath: 8.0 L rainwater + 16 mL Miracle Grow/AeroGarden plant food with a pH (6.45) and TDS (424 ppm). At 14 days pH (5.90) TDS (360 ppm) so added 10 mL Miracle Grow/AeroGarden plant food. New pH (5.90) TDS (621 ppm).

AeroGarden Farm 05 Right Tray Day 14. R01-R03 Zucchini (Botanical Interest); R04-R06 Swiss Chard (Botanical Interest); R07-R09 Broccoli Raab (Burpee); R10-R12 (Bunching Onions (Burpee). Initial bath: 8.0 L rainwater + 16 mL Miracle Grow/AeroGarden plant food with a pH (6.45) and TDS (432 ppm). At 14 days pH (5.40) TDS (240 ppm) so added 1 mL buffer and 15 mL Miracle Grow/AeroGarden plant food. New pH (6.10) TDS (670 ppm).

AeroGarden Farm 06 Left Tray Day 16. L01-L09 Bok Choi (AeroGarden); L10-12 Broccoli Raab (Burpee). Initial bath: 8.0 L rainwater + 16 mL Miracle Grow/AeroGarden plant food with a pH (6.39) and TDS (404 ppm). At 16 days pH (4.84) TDS (45 ppm) so added 1 mL buffer and 20 mL Miracle Grow/AeroGarden plant food. New pH (6.30) TDS (630 ppm).

AeroGarden Farm 06 Left Tray Day 16. L01-L09 Bok Choi (AeroGarden); L10-12 Broccoli Raab (Burpee). 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)

AeroGarden Farm 06 Right Tray Day 16. R01-R02 Zucchini (Burpee); R03-R04 Summer Squash (Botanical Interest); R05-R06 Cucumber (Burpee); R07-R09 Pea Shelling (Burpee); R10-R12 Pea Sugar Snap (Botanical Interest). Initial bath: 8.0 L rainwater + 16 mL Miracle Grow/AeroGarden plant food with a pH (6.52) and TDS (415 ppm). At 16 days pH (5.01) TDS (160 ppm) so added 1 mL buffer and 15 mL Miracle Grow/AeroGarden plant food. New pH (6.48) TDS (590 ppm).

Daily Electric Energy Used (69.4 kWh) from Sense and Daily Solar Electric Energy Produced (31.9 kWh) from SolSystems and Locus Energy. More sun and warmer. Overall a net deficit of 37.5 kWh.

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Monday (11-November-2019) — New Jersey

Indoor Hydroponic AeroGarden Farms Update

AeroGarden Farm 04, Right Tray, Day 28. The Basil at position R01 is doing very well. The other Basil, Chives, Dill, Parsley, and Thyme plants are much smaller. The Oregano and Rosemary plants did not sprout. At the last update (Day 14) the bowl was drained and refilled with 8 L rainwater and 16 mL plant food. The new pH (5.89) TDS (525 ppm). At day 28 pH (4.11) TDS (467 ppm) so added 2 mL buffer and 8 mL of Miracle Grow/AeroGarden plant food. The new pH (6.26) and TDS (650 ppm).

AeroGarden Farm 04 Right Tray at 28 days. R01-R03 Basil; R04 Genovese Basil; R05 Chives; R06 Dill; R07 Dill; R08-R09 Parsley; R10 Oregno; R11 Rosemary; R12 Thyme. 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)

Daily Electric Energy Used (67.4 kWh) from Sense and Daily Solar Electric Energy Produced (29.1 kWh) from SolSystems and Locus Energy. More sun, not as cold. Overall a net deficit of 38.3 kWh. I’ve run out of credits for the excess electric energy produced this summer, so will be paying an electric bill this month.

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Saturday (09-November-2019) — New Jersey

Autumn Indoor Nature in New Jersey

The Asian Lady Beetle is still on the Zinnia flower. My first indoor Marigold flower opened.

Asian Lady Beetle on a Pink Zinnia Flower. Image taken with a Fuji X-T3 camera and 80 mm f/2.8 macro lens (ISO 160, 80 mm, f/11, 1/60 sec). (DAVID J MATHRE)

Asian Lady Beetle on a Pink Zinnia Flower. Image taken with a Fuji X-T3 camera and 80 mm f/2.8 macro lens (ISO 160, 80 mm, f/11, 1/250 sec). (DAVID J MATHRE)

First Indoor Hydroponic Marigold Flower. Image taken with a Fuji X-T3 camera and 80 mm f/2.8 macro lens (ISO 160, 80 mm, f/5.6, 1/60 sec). (DAVID J MATHRE)

Daily Electric Energy Used (75.5 kWh) from Sense and Daily Solar Electric Energy Produced (31.8 kWh) from SolSystems and Locus Energy. Sun and clouds, but cold outside. Overall a net deficit of 43.7 kWh. I’ve run out of credits for the excess electric energy produced this summer, so will be paying an electric bill this month.

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Friday (08-November-2019) — New Jersey

Indoor Hydroponic Strawberry Gardens Update.

The strawberry plants in the Hydroponic Tubs appear to be doing better than the ones in the AeroGarden Farm (compare with yesterday’s post). In addition to adding more plant food based on the TDS, I am also titrating the addition of buffer to adjust the pH. I will watch the plants carefully, and my dilute with more water to bring the TDS between 500-800 ppm.

Hydroponic Tub 01 (Left) Day 45 and Tub 02 (Right) Day 28. Tub 01 has six strawberry plant runners from the outside Grow Towers. Tub 02 Sweet Charlie Strawberry Plugs (ISONS). Tub 01 (pH 5.28, 807 ppm); Tube 02 (pH 6.93, 477 ppm). The plants in Tub 02 are getting bigger. During the last two weeks added rain water a couple of times. Not sure if this is due to evaporation or respiration. Tub 01 added 1.0 mL buffer, 5 mL Root Farm Base (4-0-1), and 5 mL Root Farm Bloom (1-4-7). Tub 02 added 10 mL Root Farm Base (4-0-1), and 10 mL Root Farm Bloom (1-4-7). Post addition Tub 01 (pH 6.20, TDS 1080 ppm); Tub 01 (pH 6.24, 1010 ppm).

Hydroponic Tub 01 (Left) Tub 02 (Right). Day 28 L01-L06 Strawberry Runners from outside Grow Towers; R01-R06 Sweet Charlie Strawberry Plugs (ISONS). Image taken with a Leica TL-2 camera and 35 mm f/1/4 lens (ISO 250, 35 mm, f/8, 1/50 sec). (DAVID J MATHRE) — Hydroponic Tub 01 (Left) Day 45 Tub 02 (Right) Day 28. L01-L06 Strawberry Runners from outside Grow Towers; R01-R06 Sweet Charlie Strawberry Plugs (ISONS). Image taken with a Leica TL-2 camera and 35 mm f/1/4 lens (ISO 250, 35 mm, f/8, 1/50 sec). (DAVID J MATHRE)

Hydroponic Tub 03 (Left) and Tub 04 (Right) Day 02. Both Tubs have Sweet Charlie Strawberry plants with washed roots (ISONS). Tub 03 (pH 4.34, 649 ppm); Tube 04 (pH 4.39, 703 ppm). The plants in both tubs are getting bigger. During the last two weeks added rain water a couple of times. Not sure if this is due to evaporation or respiration. Tub 03 added 2.0 mL buffer, 5 mL Root Farm Base (4-0-1), and 5 mL Root Farm Bloom (1-4-7). Tub 04 added 2.0 mL buffer, 5 mL Root Farm Base (4-0-1), and 5 mL Root Farm Bloom (1-4-7). Post addition Tub 03 (pH 6.34, TDS 887 ppm); Tub 04 (pH 6.38, 951 ppm).

Hydroponic Tub 03 (Left) Tub 04 (Right) Day 28. L01-L06 Sweet Charlie Strawberry free roots (ISONS) ; R01-R06 Sweet Charlie Strawberry free roots (ISONS) . Image taken with a Leica TL-2 camera and 35 mm f/1/4 lens (ISO 500, 35 mm, f/8, 1/50 sec). (DAVID J MATHRE) — Hydroponic Tub 03 (Left) Day 28 Tub 04 (Right) Day 28. L01-L06 Sweet Charlie Strawberry free roots (ISONS) ; R01-R06 Sweet Charlie Strawberry free roots (ISONS). Image taken with a Leica TL-2 camera and 35 mm f/1/4 lens (ISO 500, 35 mm, f/8, 1/50 sec). (DAVID J MATHRE)

Hydroponic Tub 05 (Left) Day 45 and Tub 06 (Right) Day 28. Tub 05 has six strawberry plant runners from the outside Grow Towers. Tub 06 Chandler Strawberry Plugs (ISONS). Tub 05 (pH 6.06, 1208 ppm); Tube 06 (pH 5.07, 781 ppm). The plants in Tub 06 are getting bigger. During the last two weeks added rain water a couple of times. Not sure if this is due to evaporation or respiration. Tub 05 no additions. Tub 06 added 1.0 mL buffer, 5 mL Root Farm Base (4-0-1), and 5 mL Root Farm Bloom (1-4-7). Post addition Tub 05 (pH 5.86, TDS 1220 ppm); Tub 06 (pH 6.18, 1041 ppm).

Hydroponic Tub 05 (Left) Tub 06 (Right) Day 28. L01-L06 Strawberry Runners from outside Grow Towers; R01-R06 Chandler Strawberry Plugs (ISONS) . Image taken with a Leica TL-2 camera and 35 mm f/1/4 lens (ISO 250, 35 mm, f/8, 1/50 sec). (DAVID J MATHRE)

Hydroponic Tub 07 (Left) Day 14 and Tub 08 (Right) Day 14. Tub 05 has six strawberry plant runners from the outside Grow Towers. Tub 06 Chandler Strawberry Plugs (ISONS). Tub 07 (pH 4.34, 1191 ppm); Tube 08 (pH 4.02, 1240 ppm). The plants in both tubs are getting bigger. During the last two weeks added rain water a couple of times. Not sure if this is due to evaporation or respiration. Tub 07 added 2.0 mL buffer. Tub 08 added 2.0 mL buffer. Post addition Tub 07 (pH 6.20, TDS 1194 ppm); Tub 08 (pH 5.40, 1220 ppm).

Hydroponic Tub 07 (Left) Tub 08 (Right) Day 28. L01-L06 Chandler Strawberry free roots (ISONS) ; R01-R06 Chandler Strawberry free roots (ISONS) . Image taken with a Leica TL-2 camera and 35 mm f/1/4 lens (ISO 320, 35 mm, f/11, 1/50 sec). (DAVID J MATHRE)

Daily Electric Energy Used (66.3 kWh) from Sense and Daily Solar Electric Energy Produced (33.19 kWh) from SolSystems and Locus Energy. Sunny most of the day. Overall a net deficit of 33.1 kWh.

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Thursday (07-November-2019) — New Jersey

Indoor Hydroponic Strawberry Gardens Update.

AeroGarden Farm 05, Left Tray, Day 28. Chandler Strawberry Plants (from ISONS). Even though I replaced the buffer solution two weeks ago, the plants seem worse and/or have died. The roots are brown with very few if any new white roots. I checked the pH (4.54) and TDS (520 ppm).

AeroGarden Farm 05 Left Tray at day 28. R01-R12 Chandler Strawberry Plants (ISONS). Image taken with a Leica TL-2 camera and 35 mm f/1.4 lens (ISO 800, 35 mm, f/8, 1/80 sec). (DAVID J MATHRE)

AeroGarden Farm 05, Right Tray, Day 28. Sweet Charlie Strawberry Plants (from ISONS). Even though I replaced the buffer solution two weeks ago, the plants seem worse and/or have died. The roots are brown with very few if any new white roots. I checked the pH (4.19) and TDS (553 ppm).

AeroGarden Farm 05 Right Tray at day 28. R01-R12 Sweet Charlie Strawberry Plants (ISONS). Image taken with a Leica TL-2 camera and 35 mm f/1.4 lens (ISO 500, 35 mm, f/8, 1/80 sec). (DAVID J MATHRE)

AeroGarden Farm 07, Left Tray, Day 28. Sweet Charlie Strawberry Plants (from ISONS). Even though I replaced the buffer solution two weeks ago, some plants seem worse and/or have died, although some have new white roots. I checked the pH (5.07) and TDS (714 ppm).

AeroGarden Farm 07 Left Tray at day 28. R01-R12 Sweet Charlie Strawberry Plants (ISONS). 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)

AeroGarden Farm 07, Right Tray, Day 28. Chandler Strawberry Plants (from ISONS). Even though I replaced the buffer solution two weeks ago, some plants seem worse and/or have died, although many have new white roots. I checked the pH (5.09) and TDS (720 ppm).

AeroGarden Farm 07 Right Tray at day 28. R01-R12 Chandler Strawberry Plants (ISONS). 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)

I ended up culling the dead plants in all of the above gardens. Those that had new white roots were all moved to Farm 07 Left Tray and Farm 07 Right Tray. The dead leaves were trimmed. The hydroponic bath solution was replaced with 8.0 L rain water plus 15 mL Root Farm Base (4-0-1) and 15 mL Root Farm Bloom (1-4-7). Farm 07 Left pH (6.5) TDS (750); Farm 07 Right pH (6.27) TDS (726). Will check back in one and two weeks to see if these plants continue to grow.

AeroGarden Farm 05, Left Tray. Cleaned and filled with 8.0 L rain water with 16 mL of MiracleGro/AeroGarden plant food (4-3-6); pH (6.45) TDS (424 ppm). The tray was then planted with L01-L03 Cucumber (Burpee); L04-L06 Kale (Burpee); L07-L09 Broccoli Raab (Burpee); L10-L12 Bunching Onions (Botanical Interests).

AeroGarden Farm 05, Right Tray. Cleaned and filled with 8.0 L rain water with 16 mL of MiracleGro/AeroGarden plant food (4-3-6); pH (6.45) TDS (432 ppm). The tray was then planted with R01-R03 Zucchini (Botanical Interest); R04-R06 Swiss Chard (Botanical Interest); R07-R09 Broccoli Raab (Burpee); R10-R12 Bunching Onions (Burpee).

Daily Electric Energy Used (71.6 kWh) from Sense and Daily Solar Electric Energy Produced (14.1 kWh) from SolSystems and Locus Energy. Cloudy all day plus rain. Overall a net deficit of 57.5 kWh.