How We Got Started!
We created a water culture system to grow the Mesclun Lettuce seeds! We began by collecting materials such as:
- 2 Gallon Sterilite Container
- 2 1/2 Inch thick styrofoam
- 3 Clear plastic cups
- 2 Elite Air Stones
- 6 Feet of clear tubing
- 3 Cubes of Rockwool
- 1 1/2 Cups of clay pellets
- 2 Tetra air pumps
Once we gathered these materials we began assembly by designing and cutting holes into our cups for the roots to obtain water. The sheet of styrofoam was cut to size with a band-saw to allow it to fit into the 2 gallon Sterlite container and float! We also cut the cups in half to fit snug against the holes that we cut in the styrofoam using a hole-saw. Two small holes were drilled into the side of the container to allow for the Elite air stone tubing. This was the beginning of our windowsill water culture system!!! 🙂
DAY 1! Planting! Wednesday March 6, 2013
Let the Planting Begin!
We began the planting process by cleaning out our materials with bleach and water! At the same time we used a clean one gallon jug to begin mixing our powdered nutrients with warm water. We then tested the PH levels of this mixture of nutrients and at the first try it was within correct PH levels!! While this mixture set to room temperature we installed the Elite air stones and tubing. We then placed Rockwool into our cups and surrounded the Rockwool with clay pellets!! The seeds were then placed into the indent in the Rockwool. We then gently poured the nutrient solution into our container and placed out floating styrofoam base into the water. Carefully, without washing the seeds away, we dampened the Rockwool and turned on the air stones. Finally, we turned on the metal halide light and set the timer to stay lit for approximately 18 hours a day!
Monday March 11th!!
Our plants grew!!! 🙂
Our plants are about 1 inch tall! Everything grew that we planted and the leaves looked healthy so far! We took a PH reading using the electronic PH tester and the PH read 7.1 which was too high. As a result, we mixed a new batch of nutrients which had a PH of about 6.5. We switched out the nutrients in hope of healthier plants!
Wednesday March 13!!!
The PH was too high!! It read 7.4 so the water was replaced with fresh and fresh nutrients were added. The final PH for the day was 6.6! The only difference in the plants was the height!