Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP
Posting-Version: version B 2.10.2 9/17/84; site mhuxt.UUCP
Path: utzoo!watmath!clyde!burl!ulysses!mhuxr!mhuxt!evans
From: evans@mhuxt.UUCP (crandall)
Newsgroups: net.garden
Subject: hydroponics
Message-ID: <1051@mhuxt.UUCP>
Date: Tue, 12-Aug-86 15:34:07 EDT
Article-I.D.: mhuxt.1051
Posted: Tue Aug 12 15:34:07 1986
Date-Received: Fri, 15-Aug-86 00:54:03 EDT
Organization: AT&T Bell Laboratories, Murray Hill, NJ
Lines: 26


  Because several people asked I'll tell you what little I know.  I've played
with this since 1980 and now have a seedling unit, a few bulb units, a city
green (no longer available but consistantly good.  If you can get a plastic
window box without holes, a smaller one with holes, a water jug (put a dime
size hole in lid) and a three quarter open centered circle of cork to hold jug
lid off bottom you can make one.), and several Living Wall Gardens (Tobey St,
Naples, N.Y. 14512; phone (716) 374-2340).  The LWG retain moisture well, esp.
the larger sizes and I plan to add another to my collection for next season,
but the medium is irritating enough when dry that I must use long sleeves,
gloves and mask during the set-up.  You can even start with a pot, deep saucer,
vermiculite and hydroponics fertilizer.  (Transfer LWG fert. to a jar; their bag
is awful.
  The three books I have are subequal.  All have useful info but each makes it
sound more difficult than it is.  Actually, if you have gardening know-how and
are observant it's easy.  J.S. Douglas' Beginners Guide to Hydroponics (SterlingPub.) has a 1971 register of IWOSC consultants and a further reading list,
S. Kenyon's Hydroponics for the Home Gardener (vanNostrand Reinhold) includes
a resource section and a companion planting guide, and R.E. Nicholls'
Hydroponics, Soilless Gardening has a resource list.
  Yeilds have been high for me with outstanding performance from:  basil, italian
parsley, kale, rocket, cress, tomatoes, chinese garland mums, chinese convol-
ulus, peppers and miniature brocolli.  Marigolds grow into almost-bushes.
  Someone out there must have more experience than I; please, comment and add.
I want to learn more.

                          Sukie Crandall