project blog
project blog
“Nutrient solution is pretty critical so you will need to create a functional fertilizer injection system. You will also need reliable pH and EC meters, and will need to keep them calibrated, every week.
Drip irrigation is preferred. Ebb and flood benches or subirrigation does not work as well as salts accumulate in the substrate and the plants don’t perform as well.
Before planting dormant plants, we give them a 15 minute soak in an acidified peroxide solution such as ‘Oxydate’ (1:100). This rehydrates the plants and kills off any pythium that might be present.
Whatever system you are planting into, the plants and substrate should be watered in very well (flooded), over the top with a water breaker, to saturate the substrate and settle it around the roots. Make sure your substrate is evenly wetted before starting drip irrigation or you will have permanent dry spots. We irrigate with just water in the drip for the first couple of days, and then switch to nutrient solution. See more information of irrigation.”
Witten by Mark Kroggel (Jan 2014)
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This project is funded by a grant from the Walmart Foundation and administered by the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture Center for Agricultural and Rural Sustainability.
Mark’s soap box - vol.2
Sunday, January 26, 2014