From rfrench@cs.stanford.edu Tue Feb  9 12:12:14 1993
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From: "Robert S. French" <rfrench@cs.stanford.edu>
Sender: rfrench@Hawg.Stanford.EDU
To: Larry London <london@sunsite.unc.edu>
In-Reply-To: Larry London's message of Tue, 9 Feb 1993 00:28:04 -0500 (EST)
	<Pine.2.4.53.9302090009.F13090@calypso>
Subject: Re: Subscription to Hydroponics mailing list.
Status: RO
X-Status: 

Welcome to the hydroponics mailing list!

Submissions to the list should be sent to:

		hydro@hawg.stanford.edu

Messages to this address will automatically be broadcast to all list
members.

Requests to be added to or deleted from the list should be sent to:

		hydro-request@hawg.stanford.edu

We have people from all over the country on this list.  It appears
that most are beginners when it comes to hydroponic gardening, so
personal experiences will probably be interesting to everyone.

			Happy Gardening!

From rfrench@cs.stanford.edu Tue Feb  9 12:13:08 1993
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From: "Robert S. French" <rfrench@cs.stanford.edu>
Sender: rfrench@Hawg.Stanford.EDU
To: hydro@hawg
Subject: Archives
Status: RO
X-Status: 


I will make an archive of all relevant messages sent to this list
available for anonymous ftp (unless there are objections...) so that
latecomers can see the information.  You can retrieve it from the file
pub/hydro/archive on hawg.stanford.edu.

			Rob

From rfrench@cs.stanford.edu Sun Feb 14 01:05:50 1993
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From: "Robert S. French" <rfrench@cs.stanford.edu>
Sender: rfrench@Hawg.Stanford.EDU
To: hydro@hawg
Subject: Hydroponics books
Status: RO
X-Status: 


Ok, we've now reached 20 list members and zero messages, so I thought
I'd start something.  (Many of the people on this list have indicated
that they're total beginners at this, so please don't be shy about
asking questions.  I'm sure the info will be useful to everyone.)

I've used the following two books for all my hydroponics information
so far.  Does anyone have any suggestions for other good books?

Richard E. Nicholls, "Beginning Hydroponics: Soilless Gardening",
Running Press Books.  I found this an excellent introduction.

Raymond Bridwell, "Hydroponic Gardening", Woodbridge Press.  This is
touted as the "number 1 book" but I found it very hard to extract
specific information from; he has a rambling conversational style that
I find somewhat annoying.




From london@sunsite.unc.edu Sun Feb 14 12:16:30 1993
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Date: Sun, 14 Feb 1993 01:39:32 -0500 (EST)
From: Larry London <london@sunsite.unc.edu>
Subject: Hydroponics - publications & general info
To: hydro@Hawg.Stanford.EDU
Message-Id: <Pine.2.4.53.9302140104.A6278@calypso>
Status: O
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(from Usenet, rec.gardens & misc.rural newsgroups):

--*--
I'd like to recommend a magazine which I have found most helpful regarding
growlights, hydroponics, and gardening in general.

Its called "The Growing Edge" and has been around for a few years now,
publishing quarterly.  The byline reads "Indoor and Outdoor Gardening for
Today's High-Tech Grower" and the magazine is just that.  For example, here's
a list of the articles in the Summer '91 issue:

   Thigmomorphogenesis - Plant Abuse as a Cultivation Technique
   Surfless and Turfless - A New Wave of Integrated Food Production
   Bioponics Part IV
   Good Vibrations - A 'Sound Diet' for Plants
   Drip Irrigation - The Basics
   New Efficiency for Home Lighting

And there are a number of regular columns, one of which reports on recent
scientific studies and what was discovered.  Lots of good info on hydroponic
methods as well.  The magazine is thin and costly ($5 an issue) but quite
informative.  You might check your local university library, or you can call
directly for a sample issue ($6.50 first class mail) 1-800-888-6785.  Several
of the garden shops in Seattle sell the magazine, as does one newstand.  It
appears to be quite popular.

Actually, I don't have a subscription yet myself, as there is a local library
that has it.  The back issues are particularly informative.  One other source
of good information has been manufacturers catalogs.  They often contain
charts comparing light emission, talk about growing methods, contain advice,
etc.  If you are interested in growing under lights or growing hydroponically
you may want to call and ask for some catalogs.  Here are some numbers:

     Diamond Lights:  1-800-331-3994
     General Hydroponics:  1-800-486-6001
     Worm's Way:  1-800-274-9676
     Light Manufacturing Co:  1-800-669-5483

--*--
Subject: Hydroponic gardening source
A few weeks (?) ago someone was asking for info on hydroponic gardening.
Today I came across the following:
        Hydrofarm Gardening Products
        3135 Kerner Boulevard
        San Rafael, CA  94901

as an address to mail to for their free catalog (lights, hydroponic
supplies, books, videos, etc.).  I've never grown hydroponically
nor have I ever dealt with this company, but I thought whoever was
interested might wish to write them.

--*--
>Does anyone out there have knowledge of a good source of information for
>hydroponics?  This would include product reviews of commercial kits, recipes
>for nutrient solutions, instructions for DIY set ups.  Thanks in advance.

I don't know where to get reviews of commercial kits.  Recipes for
solutions can be found in a number of places, including Wyman's
Gardening Encyclopedia, and in a book in the list below.  I'm told,
however, that unless you plan a large hydroponic garden, or just like
to experiment, it is not worth it to mix your own nutrients.

I have this book: "Beginning Hydroponics: Soilless Gardening" Richard
E. Nicholls, Running Press, 1990.  Paperback, 127 pp.  ISBN
0-89471-741-3.  $8.95.  Has a bibliography and lists of sources for
greenhouses, lighting and hydroponics supplies.  It includes two
recipes for nutrient solutions.

The book "How to Build and Use Greenhouses" Ortho Books, 1978. $7.95.
Has a section on hydroponics, including instructions for building
growing beds and pump systems, as well as greenhouses and indoor
lighting (does not include halide or sodium lighting; the book is
somewhat old).

A quick look in the latest National Gardening finds the following
suppliers:

  Hydrofarm Gardening Products    1-800-634-9999 (Hydrofarm West, CA)
                                  1-800-227-4567 (Hydrofarm East, PA)
  Worm's Way                      1-800-274-9676
  Diamond Hi Tech Indoor/Outdoor Gardening (HID lighting)
                                  1-800-331-3994
                                  In CA, (415) 459-3994
  Superior Growers Supply, Inc.   1-800-227-0027
  Cropking, Inc.                   (216) 725-5656

Aquaculture Magazine is a good source of advertisements from U.S. equipment
suppliers.  They have a reader response card you can send in for information
from any of their advertisers.  It costs $21 / year for 6 issues sent to
Canada (less I think for the U.S.).  There is also a yearly buyer's guide
for $15.  You can order using a credit card by calling 704-254-7334.

Also call Argent at 1-800-426-6258 and ask for their free catalogue and
their book catalogue.  They have aquaculture chemicals and equipment, and
an extensive selection of books.

--*--
Best book I have found on aquaculture is

Huet, Marcel. Textbook of Fish Culture: Breeding and Cultivation
of Fish, Eyre & Spottiswoode Ltd at Thanet Press, Margate, UK
1971, ISBN  o/85238/020/8

Has special sections on carp, pike, trout, perch, catfish, eels.
And sections of building dams, feeding, and the usual.
Organization: Iowa State University, Ames, IA
Mike Campbell is a graduate student in the Agricultural Education & Studies
department here.  He has experience and a great interest in aquaculture,
biodynamics and alternative agriculture.  He is currently working on
developing a curriculum in aquaculture under a fairly sizeable grant
received by his department.  He is not on the net, but if you wish to
contact him, call the AgEdS main office here and ask for him: 515-294-5904.

--*--

"Growing Edge" magazine, Indoor & Outdoor Gardening for Today's Grower

This month's issue, Vol. 3 #4, Summer, 1992 is especially interesting;
it has an article on combining aquaculture with hydroponics and another one on
biologically-intensive waste treatment systems; + many other
useful articles and advertisements. It's an amazing magazine albeit expensive/
size. For those interested in setting up electronic/electromechanical/
computer-based environmental control systems
to handle such things as soil moisture/humidity/temperature/air gas levels,
etc. there is an ongoing series of articles dealing with this topic complete
with construction plans, computer software, whole systems design-construction-
maintenance and materials/equipment/parts access info.

Subscription info:

The Growing EDGE
P.O. Box 1027
Corvallis, OR 97339
1-503-757-0027

U.S. delivered via 1st class smail and Canadian: $24.95, 1 year/4 issues
U.S. non-1st class smail:
     $17.95 - 1 year/4 issues
     $34.00 - 2 years/8 issues


They also have interesting books for sale such as:

"Gardening Indoors" George F. Van Patten
"Gardening: the Rockwool Book" George F. Van Patten
"The Hydroponic Hot House" James B. DeKorne

--------
I need a publication dealing with greenhouse propagation of vegetable
seedlings; let me know if you run across a good one.

Article 780 (15 more) in bionet.plants:
From: gilles.laberge@synapse.org (Gilles Laberge) 
ubject: Hydroponics & CO2
Date: 4 Jan 93 01:16:00 GMT
Distribution: world
Organization: SYNAPSE BBS - GATINEAU, QUEBEC - 819-561-4321
Lines: 23

To: mffowler@zeus.calpoly.edu (Michael Francis Fowler)
From: gilles.laberge@synapse.org
Date: 4 Jan 93 1am EST

MF>Oh...Since I am here-  I am curious what the effects 
MF>of supplementing Carbon Dioxide to my greenhouse
MF>crop of flowers and vegetables.  Any suggestions 
MF>about this is also greatly appreciated.   

Well I think that supplementing CO2 will increase the
"Greenhouse effect" in the closed stucture which will
increase the ambient temperature. This will throw off the
flowers natural cycle and have an effect contrary to what 
your looking for (more growth, longer bloom periods).

                                       G.L.
                                       Ottawa,Canada

Article 781 (15 more) in bionet.plants:
From: ajt@rri.sari.ac.uk (Tony Travis)
ubject: Re: Hydroponics & CO2Date: 4 Jan 93 10:28:32 GMT
Distribution: bionet
Organization: Rowett Research Institute

In article <9313232241.MIN-LRPBa00330.bionet-news@uk.ac.daresbury> you wrote:
: I am a Aeroponics/Hydroponics hobbyist.  Currently

I'm showing my ignorance here (again) but what is Aeroponics?

: I study Horticulture in college.  I am curious about
: careers in these related fields.  Any information
: about these would be greatly appreciated.  Thanks.

Did you cross-post this to bionet.jobs?

: Oh...Since I am here-  I am curious what the effects 
: of supplementing Carbon Dioxide to my greenhouse
: crop of flowers and vegetables.  Any suggestions 
: about this is also greatly appreciated.   

Elevated levels of CO2 are generally regarded as beneficial in a
greenhouse but if you are burning fuel to produce the CO2 you should be
aware that SO2 and NOX (various oxides of nitrogen) are also produced
which may have an adverse effect on your crop.

Even if you are burning 'clean' low-sulphur fuel you will get NOX
production if the air in the greenhouse comes into contact with hot
surfaces.  This is one reason why the best greenhouses are heated by
steam pipes.

There was some work done at Fairfield Experimental Station near Kirkham
in the UK during the 1970's concerning the relative merits of heating
the greenhouse compared to just heating the solution used to irrigate
the roots of plants grown using hydroponics.  Sadly, Fairfield closed
down years ago, but I'm sure the work was published.

        Tony.
--
Dr. A.J.Travis,                       |  Tony Travis
Rowett Research Institute,            |  JANET: <ajt@uk.ac.sari.rri>
Greenburn Road, Bucksburn,            |  other: <ajt@rri.sari.ac.uk>
Aberdeen, AB2 9SB. UK.                |  phone: 0224-712751

From: Roland.Gronroos@sgen.slu.se (Roland Gronroos)
ubject: Re: Hydroponics & CO2Date: 4 Jan 93 10:33:58 GMT
Followup-To: bionet.plants
Organization: Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences

In article <1993Jan03.232313.1313548@zeus.calpoly.edu>,
mffowler@zeus.calpoly.edu (Michael Francis Fowler) wrote:

> Oh...Since I am here-  I am curious what the effects 
> of supplementing Carbon Dioxide to my greenhouse
> crop of flowers and vegetables.  Any suggestions 
> about this is also greatly appreciated.   
> 

Carbon dioxide (CO2) fertilization is a common way to increase growth in
greenhouses.

I have tested the effect of CO2 on pine seedlings (Pinus sylvestris) there
was an increase in growth (DW increase) up to about 3500 ppm.

The following examples is cited from a brochure from (snail mail adress)
AGA GAS AB, S-17282 Sundbyberg, SWEDEN. They sell gas and equipment for CO2
fertilization.

Plant        ppm CO2     comment

Tomato      1000-1500   faster growth, earlier and larger yield (25-30%)  
Cucumber    1000-1500   faster growth, earlier and larger yield (25-30%)

Roses        1000       Larger yield, better stem and flower quality

Saintpaulia 1000-2000   Faster growth (24-62%), 1-2 weeks earlier flowering
                        , more flowers  
       
Atmosperic concentration is 300-400 ppm CO2.
In a closed greenhouse will the CO2 concentration drop to about 100-150 ppm
this retards growth.
Effects on man can be observed at 20000-30000 ppm CO2 after some hours
exposure. The authorities in Sweden regard 5000 ppm as safe for workers
spending  all their working-hours in greenhouse.

ubject: Aeroponics
From: mffowler@zeus.calpoly.edu (Michael Francis Fowler)
Date: Mon, 04 Jan 1993 18:58:13 GMT
Organization: California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo
Lines: 10

Someone asked what aeroponics was.  Well, it's the method, developed in
Israel, that suspends the root system in an enclosed casing ( or
whatever) and mists the roots.  Larger plants with smaller root systems
have been achieved by this method.  I grow tomatoes this way and have
been successful in growth of 3 inches per day and by doing this I have
sped up the growth time a couple of weeks.  But, this technique is even
less forgiving than hydroponics.  Any other comments anyone?  Please
add.
                                        mffowler@nike.calpoly.edu

rticle 786 (12 more) in bionet.plants:
From: samodena@csemail.cropsci.ncsu.edu (S. A. Modena)
ubject: Re: Hydroponics & CO2
Organization: Crop Science Dept., NCSU, Raleigh, NC 27695-7620
Distribution: bionet
Date: Mon, 4 Jan 1993 20:07:33 GMT
Lines: 34

In article <1993Jan4.104210.24053@gserv1.dl.ac.uk> ajt@rri.sari.ac.uk writes:
>In article <9313232241.MIN-LRPBa00330.bionet-news@uk.ac.daresbury> you wrote:
>
>: Oh...Since I am here-  I am curious what the effects 
>: of supplementing Carbon Dioxide to my greenhouse
>: crop of flowers and vegetables.  Any suggestions 
>: about this is also greatly appreciated.   
>
>Elevated levels of CO2 are generally regarded as beneficial in a
>greenhouse but if you are burning fuel to produce the CO2 you should be
>aware that SO2 and NOX (various oxides of nitrogen) are also produced
>which may have an adverse effect on your crop.

Let's remember a bigger threat: incomplete combustion may produce
ETHYLENE......a plant hormone related to....undesirable "timing" effects
in greenhouses.

>Dr. A.J.Travis,                       |  Tony Travis

Article 790 (17 more) in bionet.plants:
From: Roland.Gronroos@sgen.slu.se (Roland Gronroos)
ubject: Re: Aeroponics
Date: 5 Jan 93 08:03:09 GMT
Followup-To: bionet.plants
Organization: Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
Lines: 23

In article <C0CKvF.CyE@iat.holonet.net>, timper@iat.holonet.net (Tim
Perkis) wrote:
> 
> Can you recommend any references on aeroponics?

The review article:
Therory and techniques for steady state mineral nutrition and growth of
plants.
T Ingestad & A-B Lund 1986. Scandinavian Journal of Forest Research
1:439-453.

Matematical theory, culture and stock solutions, growth units and plants is
described in this paper. 

From rfrench@cs.stanford.edu Sun Feb 14 12:17:25 1993
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Date: Sat, 13 Feb 93 21:33:25 -0800
Message-Id: <9302140533.AA02198@Hawg.Stanford.EDU>
From: "Robert S. French" <rfrench@cs.stanford.edu>
Sender: rfrench@Hawg.Stanford.EDU
To: hydro@hawg
Subject: Hydroponics books
Status: RO
X-Status: 


Ok, we've now reached 20 list members and zero messages, so I thought
I'd start something.  (Many of the people on this list have indicated
that they're total beginners at this, so please don't be shy about
asking questions.  I'm sure the info will be useful to everyone.)

I've used the following two books for all my hydroponics information
so far.  Does anyone have any suggestions for other good books?

Richard E. Nicholls, "Beginning Hydroponics: Soilless Gardening",
Running Press Books.  I found this an excellent introduction.

Raymond Bridwell, "Hydroponic Gardening", Woodbridge Press.  This is
touted as the "number 1 book" but I found it very hard to extract
specific information from; he has a rambling conversational style that
I find somewhat annoying.




From rfrench@cs.stanford.edu Sun Feb 14 22:24:08 1993
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	id AA12381; Sun, 14 Feb 93 20:18:01 EST
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Date: Sun, 14 Feb 93 17:16:42 -0800
Message-Id: <9302150116.AA11334@Hawg.Stanford.EDU>
From: "Robert S. French" <rfrench@cs.stanford.edu>
Sender: rfrench@Hawg.Stanford.EDU
To: hydro@hawg
Subject: [Z: Re:  Hydroponics books]
Status: RO
X-Status: 


I'll see if I can add an automatic Reply-To: line somehow...

----- Begin Forwarded Message
Date: Sun, 14 Feb 93 19:48:17 EST
From: uaturoff@king.mcs.drexel.edu (Z)
To: rfrench@cs.stanford.edu
Subject: Re:  Hydroponics books

(will a standard bounceback message hit the rest of the mailing list? -Z.)

> I've used the following two books for all my hydroponics information
> so far.  Does anyone have any suggestions for other good books?
> 
> Richard E. Nicholls, "Beginning Hydroponics: Soilless Gardening",
> Running Press Books.  I found this an excellent introduction.
> 
> Raymond Bridwell, "Hydroponic Gardening", Woodbridge Press.  This is
> touted as the "number 1 book" but I found it very hard to extract
> specific information from; he has a rambling conversational style that
> I find somewhat annoying.
> 

I don't have the specific reference off hand, but I am still thoroughly 
convinced that this is the bible of hydroponics.
(from the Library of Congress catalog):

     LC Call Number: SB126.5 .R47 1989

             Author: Resh, Howard M.

              Title: Hydroponic food production : a definitive guidebook of
                      soilless food growing methods / by Howard M. Resh.

            Edition: 4th ed.
   Publication Info: Santa Barbara, Calif. : Woodbridge Press Pub. Co., c1989.
  Phys. Description: 462 p. : ill. ; 24 cm.

              Notes: "For the professional and commercial grower and the
                      advanced home hydroponics gardener."

He seems to be very thorough with his presentation of the topic, not missing
anything important.  Unfortunately, I haven't yet been able to add this book
to my library, since it's $34.95, and the way he's been updating the book, 
I wouldn't be surprised to see a 5th edition sometime this calendar year.

At this point, I've had to just hunt for it and drool over it.  

Z.
uaturoff@mcs.drexel.edu



----- End Forwarded Message

From den0@lehigh.edu Tue Feb 16 23:51:29 1993
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  (5.65c/IDA-1.4.4 for hydro@hawg.stanford.edu); Tue, 16 Feb 1993 13:37:39 -0500
Message-Id: <199302161837.AA36265@ns2.CC.Lehigh.EDU>
Date: Tue, 16 Feb 1993 13:37:37 EST
From: den0@lehigh.edu (DEAN E. NELSON)
Subject: Constant circulation
To: hydro@Hawg.Stanford.EDU
Status: RO
X-Status: 

>From what I've read, most hydroponic systems flood the aggregate, and then
let it drain.  This is done periodically.  Since I want to integrate my system
with a constant flow filter system for a large tank of fish, I would like to
use a hydroponic system that uses a constant flow of water.  I have read about
systems that mist the roots, and also wick systems.  But, what I've read
doesn't provide any details about materials, etc.

I would appreciate any leads on sources of information.

Perhaps some of you may be interested in my project, which I have been
planning for the last 6 months or so.  My wife raises rabbits (around 50)
and several years ago, I started raising worms in the manure pits under their
cages.  This last summer, I built a shelter for worm beds outside, because the
conditions which are best for worms are best for rabbits.  The worms have been
quite successful.  I am planning to start selling them this spring as bait,
but I also wanted to find other uses.  One idea was to use them as food for
fish that we could then eat.

I have found a lot of information on raising fish, and have decided to put a
tank (3'x6'x21') inside a quonset greenhouse (made from PVC piping and
plastic) and incorporate a hydroponic garden into the filtering system.  I
would be happy to hear from anyone who has done anything similar, or that
would like to. It would be nice to avoid as many mistakes as possible the first
time around.

Dean Nelson
den0@lehigh.edu


From time@ice.com Tue Feb 16 23:55:37 1993
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From: time@ice.com (Tim Endres)
To: den0@lehigh.edu
Subject: Re: Constant circulation
Date: Tue, 16 Feb 93 18:17:12 EST
Cc: hydro@Hawg.Stanford.EDU
Organization: ICE Engineering, Inc.
Reply-To: time@ice.com (Tim Endres)
Message-Id: <1CE00001.qdo175@tbomb.ice.com>
X-Mailer: uAccess - Macintosh Release: 1.7b6
Status: RO
X-Status: 


In Regards to your letter <199302161837.AA36265@ns2.CC.Lehigh.EDU>:
> >From what I've read, most hydroponic systems flood the aggregate, and then
> let it drain.  This is done periodically.  Since I want to integrate my system
> with a constant flow filter system for a large tank of fish, I would like to
> use a hydroponic system that uses a constant flow of water.  I have read about
> systems that mist the roots, and also wick systems.  But, what I've read
> doesn't provide any details about materials, etc.
> 
> I would appreciate any leads on sources of information.
> 
> Perhaps some of you may be interested in my project, which I have been
> planning for the last 6 months or so.  My wife raises rabbits (around 50)
> and several years ago, I started raising worms in the manure pits under their
> cages.  This last summer, I built a shelter for worm beds outside, because the
> conditions which are best for worms are best for rabbits.  The worms have been
> quite successful.  I am planning to start selling them this spring as bait,
> but I also wanted to find other uses.  One idea was to use them as food for
> fish that we could then eat.
> 
> I have found a lot of information on raising fish, and have decided to put a
> tank (3'x6'x21') inside a quonset greenhouse (made from PVC piping and
> plastic) and incorporate a hydroponic garden into the filtering system.  I
> would be happy to hear from anyone who has done anything similar, or that
> would like to. It would be nice to avoid as many mistakes as possible the first
> time around.
> 
> Dean Nelson
> den0@lehigh.edu


The system that you want is a gravity feed system. You set your plants
in a trench ( can be plastic above ground or in ground lined) that
returns the water to your resevoir. The trench is lined in black plastic
(roots need dark I think) and capillary matting is layed on the bottom.
The plants are started in rock wool cubes and set in as soon as roots
appear. The flow is a set speed ( drip rate) that must be controlled
. The nutriet stream just constantly flows over the roots. Victory
Gardens just visited a place that had this system. I also have used
it. I haven't however used fish nutrients. The plants are rather particular
on the combination of chemicals because you are main-linning them.
You may have to pump the water in to a resivior and adjust the balance.


Please let me know how you are doing. I have wanted to try this but
you really can't do it on a small scale. ( at least I couldn't find
a way). Any info you can pass my way would be appreciated.
Thanks 
Karen
kareb@ice.com
> 


tim endres - time@ice.com  (UUCP: heifetz!tbomb!time)

USENET - a slow moving self parody... ph

From uaturoff@king.mcs.drexel.edu Mon Feb 22 11:54:21 1993
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Date: Mon, 22 Feb 93 11:38:16 EST
From: uaturoff@king.mcs.drexel.edu (Z)
Message-Id: <9302221638.AA15050@mcs.drexel.edu>
To: hydro@Hawg.Stanford.EDU
Subject: Research Programs...
Status: RO
X-Status: 

One of the things I've been seriously considering is getting into a graduate
level program in hydroponics.  The problem with this is that I have yet to
find such a program.  I think that the reasons is either (1) it's too
lightweight to become a college-level program, or (2) not enough people
know enough about Hydroponics to offer a decent offering of courses.

I know that some serious research is going on.  I remember reading about 
a program recently partially funded by the Namibian government to take small`
plots of ground, and raise food and tilapia fish, so that both the fish and
the plants are being managed symbiotically.  Apparently, this research project
is being done by a private group.  

Ideally, working in such a setting would be better than going to school if only
because I'd be making money rather than spending it.  But I think that 
credentials are sufficiently important and that the word has to be spread
about hydroponics that I'd be willing to put up with a university environment
(read: university stipend) to do some decent (first time) research.

Any comments?

Adam.
uaturoff@mcs.drexel.edu

From rfrench@cs.stanford.edu Tue Mar  2 20:30:45 1993
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Date: Tue, 2 Mar 93 16:15:10 -0800
Message-Id: <9303030015.AA01807@Hawg.Stanford.EDU>
From: "Robert S. French" <rfrench@cs.stanford.edu>
Sender: rfrench@Hawg.Stanford.EDU
To: hydro@hawg
Subject: Vegetables with small root systems?
Status: RO
X-Status: 


One of the worst things I've done recently is clean the roots from
last year's crop out of my hydroponics system.  Cleaning tomato and
corn roots from 100 gal. of pebbles (by taking them out 1/4 gal at a
time and separating the roots by hand) is really obnoxious.  What are
some good vegetables to grow that develop SMALL root systems?

			Rob


From uaturoff@king.mcs.drexel.edu Tue Mar  2 20:31:02 1993
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Date: Tue, 2 Mar 93 19:23:04 EST
From: uaturoff@king.mcs.drexel.edu (Z)
Message-Id: <9303030023.AA22242@mcs.drexel.edu>
To: hydro@Hawg.Stanford.EDU
Subject: Limitations of hydroponic systems....
Status: RO
X-Status: 


It seems to me that the whole theory/practice behind hydroponics would allow
any kind of environment to be reproduced at will.  Case in point: Biosphere2.

I remember reading recently that it is impractical to raise grains (wheat,
rice, etc.) in a greenhouse environment because the plants are too finicky.
Then again, there is the question: Why would you _want_ to do this if
you have Kansas....

Which leads to my question.  Is there anything inherently difficult about
raising grains that would prevent such a greenhouse effort?  Does the 
greenhouse/hydroponic approach give any benefit that isn't being investigated?

Hope this isn't _too_ vague.....

Z.

From i919802@redgum.ucnv.edu.au Tue Mar 16 23:16:55 1993
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  (5.65c/IDA-1.3.5 for hydro@hawg.stanford.edu); Wed, 17 Mar 1993 07:58:31 +1000
From: Dougie <i919802@redgum.ucnv.edu.au>
Message-Id: <199303162158.AA25478@redgum.ucnv.edu.au>
Subject: First try not the best :(
To: hydro@Hawg.Stanford.EDU (hydroponics mail-list)
Date: Wed, 17 Mar 93 7:58:30 EST
X-Mailer: ELM [version 2.3 PL5]
Status: RO
X-Status: 

  A few months ago I decided to try out a hydroponics system to grow
tomatoes. The system consisted of a 10" deep tub which was filled with a
commercial nutrient solution (apparently pH buffered) and a wire frame
on top which was covered with a layer of grow-wool. The plants were
anchored to this frame and approximately half of the root system was
submerged in the solution. At the bottom of the tub were a couple of
aquarium airstones hooked to an airpump to supply root aeration. This
system seemed to work well for a couple of days. But after about a week,
the new leaves formed seemed to be distorted. They were not of the
proper shape and were very shiny. I decided to give up on the idea for
a while but now I would like to try again. However, I do not know what I
did wrong last time and would like to resolve these problems before I
build a larger system. There was no sign of algae growth or anything in
the tub after the week, so I am at loss to explain what happened. Does
anyone know what I did wrong?

Dave.

From Snyder_Larry%Clearwater@ccmail.timeplex.com Wed Mar 17 17:44:37 1993
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Date: 17 Mar 1993 14:23 -0500
From: Snyder_Larry%Clearwater@ccmail.timeplex.com
Subject: Hydroponics Using Sea Salts and Sea Water
To: hydro@Hawg.Stanford.EDU
Message-Id: <01GVX2E2J2DU8WWCJS@sys30.timeplex.com>
Mime-Version: 1.0
Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7BIT
Status: RO
X-Status: 

I have interest in using Sea Salts and/or Sea Water to do hydroponiocs.  My idea
is to use the Sea Salts or Water to provide trace elements to the plants.  If 
any on has information on this subject please provide it to me.  Be new to this 
group I look forward to networking with you all.  I am located in the Tampa 

From rfrench@cs.stanford.edu Sat Apr 10 21:57:00 1993
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Date: Sat, 10 Apr 93 18:42:16 -0700
Message-Id: <9304110142.AA21375@Hawg.Stanford.EDU>
From: "Robert S. French" <rfrench@cs.stanford.edu>
Sender: rfrench@Hawg.Stanford.EDU
To: hydro@hawg
Subject: Starting a new year...
Status: RO
X-Status: 


Well, for what it's worth, I've started my hydroponics garden for the
year.  Over the winter I cleaned it out and sterilized it with
chlorine, so hopefully the plants will be happier this year.  So far I
have planted 9 Burpee's Breeder's Choice yellow corn and two Ace
tomatoes.

The local tap water has a pH of 9.2, so I'm using MirAcid as my
nutrient.  This brings it down to around 7.5, which isn't TOO bad.
Maybe I'll try a mild acidifier (like General Hydroponics' "pH Down")
if I have problems.

			Rob

