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HYDRO HELP! I've lost my ability to grow!

It looks like there is a white residue on the inside of the blue bucket just above the water line. Is it residue from something or scratches from scrubbing it? I also have been known to brew some beer. One problem home brewers encounter with fermenting in plastic buckets is that when the plastic gets scratched, bacteria get deep into the scratches and it is impossible to get it out once it has set in. It looks clean and has been sanitized, but every time you start a new batch of beer, it gets contaminated from "who knows where". In brewing, bacteria = bad beer. Only cure is to change out the bucket or switch to more durable material like glass or metal. You may be having a similar contamination problem that will not come out due to microbes deep in the scratches. Just a thought that might help. Change out your buckets n lids?
 
It's easy to get frustrated when everything you try doesn't work, I've mastered that part for sure. Hang in there! I top feed mine with a shot glass from the time the germinated seeds go into the plugs or cubes. Until I see a couple roots poke out the bottom of the net pot. I only use ph'd well water to top feed, the seedling has enough goodies in it for a couple weeks. I always keep my ph between 5.5 and 6 . I plant germinated seed in starter, 7 days later I plant starter in 6 inch net pot low enough to cover with hydroton, 3 or 4 days later mix up nutes for the system. Everything is sterilized with H2o2 before doing anything. 5ml 34% h2o2 per gal of water, rinse. My rapid rooters seemed to want 1/2 shot water twice a day, they dried out quick until put in pot. Then they seemed to stay too wet. I'll probably stick with the rockwool cubes. Can you use just some bag seeds until you get it figured out?
 
I will second the bag seed idea. I usually throw some in when germinating to act as a control in case there is a failure to sprout from the expensive beans.
 
Harkle starkle little twink,
Who the heck you are I think,
I'm stoned as not most thinkle peep,
Besides I'v got all smoked out to get Sunday'ed up in
 
Ckbrew said:
It looks like there is a white residue on the inside of the blue bucket just above the water line. Is it residue from something or scratches from scrubbing it? I also have been known to brew some beer. One problem home brewers encounter with fermenting in plastic buckets is that when the plastic gets scratched, bacteria get deep into the scratches and it is impossible to get it out once it has set in. It looks clean and has been sanitized, but every time you start a new batch of beer, it gets contaminated from "who knows where". In brewing, bacteria = bad beer. Only cure is to change out the bucket or switch to more durable material like glass or metal. You may be having a similar contamination problem that will not come out due to microbes deep in the scratches. Just a thought that might help. Change out your buckets n lids?
Click to expand...

That's mineral deposits. The water here is wicked hard. And I'm sure there are scratches. I'll have to consider replacing the buckets. They aren't that expensive and I've replaced plenty of other stuff.

Thanks for the info and the attention.
 
Smoklahoma said:
It's easy to get frustrated when everything you try doesn't work, I've mastered that part for sure. Hang in there!
Click to expand...

I appreciate the encouragement. Thank you.

I top feed mine with a shot glass from the time the germinated seeds go into the plugs or cubes. Until I see a couple roots poke out the bottom of the net pot. I only use ph'd well water to top feed, the seedling has enough goodies in it for a couple weeks. I always keep my ph between 5.5 and 6 . I plant germinated seed in starter, 7 days later I plant starter in 6 inch net pot low enough to cover with hydroton, 3 or 4 days later mix up nutes for the system. Everything is sterilized with H2o2 before doing anything. 5ml 34% h2o2 per gal of water, rinse. My rapid rooters seemed to want 1/2 shot water twice a day, they dried out quick until put in pot. Then they seemed to stay too wet. I'll probably stick with the rockwool cubes.
Click to expand...

I germinate in the rooter plug in a paper cup covered with cling wrap secured with a rubber band. It's been very reliable. Assuming I can get the thing above ground, I've never really had trouble with the germination. I've also resorted to covering seedlings with a clear plastic soda bottle with the bottom cut off of it. I just kind of work that down into the Hydroton over the rooter plug with the seedling in it.

Can you use just some bag seeds until you get it figured out?
Click to expand...

I have bag seed. I was holding off on that, but it could be helpful as a stand in for plants I trust.

Thanks for the ideas. I appreciate it.
 
How long do You 'drown' your seeds before putting them into the plugs? I put a folded paper towel in a tray and just enough pH'ed water (to 5.0) to almost cover the paper towel, then I place the seeds in, just in contact with but not submerged in the water, and this method has worked well for me. Of course, not all of the seeds germinate all of the time, so I always start a few extras. I do not think that the germination method that You are using is the problem, I would suspect bad seeds from the supplier.
 
madams9 said:
The water here is wicked hard. And I'm sure there are scratches.
Click to expand...

"Wicked hard water"- I went back through post and did not see a mention of measuring TDS or EC. Have you checked that both before and after mixing nutes?
 
If you've got bagseed and are willing to try it, start a few in a coco/perlite mix and feed with your hydro nutes at half the manufacturer's recommended strength. If they do well, it could mean that you need a RO filter to get your hydro program back on track.

I started dabbling in coco to keep a few mother plants from growing too fast in my hydro setup. Having that experience kept me from losing ten plants in two tents when my water supply went funny this year. Hydro is awesome for quick vegetative growth and for complete control of the environment at the root level and that's all it has over coco or soil.
 
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