Kratky Method

DIY: Turn Your Cat's Litter Container into a 2.5 Gallon Kratky Hydroponic System. This video shows how to easily upcycle a cat litter container into a Kratky hydroponic system. I'm calling it the 'Catky' system. I'm using the Tidy Cats brand unscented container. It is made of food-safe plastic. Aside from the container, you'll only need a 2-inch net cup, a 1 7/8" hole saw and drill, clay pebbles or something to secure plant, and nutrient solution. I'm using Mega Crop in mine. I earn commissions from qualifying purchases made through the following links. Drill: https://amzn.to/4bRavPp 1 78" Hole saw: https://amzn.to/42UkuPS Net cups: https://amzn.to/3OVf7Kf Clay pebbles: https://amzn.to/49x3DoP Mega Crop: https://amzn.to/4bQr9yt Scale to measure nutrients: https://amzn.to/49urEgg TDS/EC meter: https://amzn.to/3UXGyHw pH meter: https://amzn.to/48HeUSk Grow light: https://amzn.to/3wyTAko Par meter: https://amzn.to/3wyYopU --------------------------------- Chapters: 0:00 Intro to Kratky design 1:33 Drilling hole for net cup 2:53 Final Kratky system assembly and plant installation

Kratky hydroponic radish grow with the Mars Hydro SP250. This is a quick grow test, using the Mars Hydro SP250. Since Mars Hydro sent me this light for review, they have upgraded the model to the SP3000. The radishes were started in an Aquaponics system, then later transplanted to the Kratky method. I show how to do all of this in the video, including mixing the Masterblend. Aquaponics setup - https://youtu.be/gtciB8_P6G8 Mars Hydro SP250 unboxing - https://youtu.be/Q7W1m9YMqMo How to mix Masterblend - https://youtu.be/LChJPgnmAnc As an Amazon affiliate, I earn commissions from qualifying purchases made through the following links. This is at no extra cost to you and helps support my channel, which I appreciate. Mars Hydro SP3000 (upgraded version from the SP250. The SP250 is no longer available) - https://amzn.to/3hdt18M Back to the Roots Water Garden - https://amzn.to/34yr2qj Masterblend nutrients kit - https://amzn.to/3h9NBGT Truncheon ppm meter - https://amzn.to/37DBsai Apera instruments pH meter - https://amzn.to/3aw4muS

This is the final update of the KS Lingria pepper plant in the large 60-gal pickle barrel. But it is not over, as it is transitioning to an aquaponic Bonchi (Bonsai Chili). This plant was fed Masterblend from start to finish. Large Kratky hydroponics - End of season roots on Khang Starr Lingria pepper plant - https://youtu.be/_4ZtodQWwCE As an Amazon Affiliate, I earn commissions on purchases made through the following links. Back to the Roots aquaponic Water Garden - https://amzn.to/3oQhfEt Everything you need to know about mixing Masterblend - https://www.pepperinfo.com/hydroponics/everything-you-need-for-mixing-masterblend/

Large Kratky Hydronics - End of season roots on Khang Starr Lingria pepper. This video shows the roots of the KS Lingria that was growing in the 60-gallon pickle barrel. The nutrients used were a mix of 4-18-38 Masterblend, Epsom Salt, and Calcium Nitrate. The Kratky method is a type of passive hydroponics popularized by Dr. B.A. Kratky. It was almost completed depleted, so I emptied it out, rinsed, and replaced with 17 gallons of fresh nutrients. As an Amazon affiliate, I earn commissions from purchases made through the following links. Setup DIY video for this Kratky system - https://youtu.be/iBWzwasIXxM MasterBlend nutrients - https://amzn.to/2uz9Phe Mixing guide for MasterBlend - https://www.pepperinfo.com/hydroponics/everything-you-need-for-mixing-masterblend/

This video shows how to change nutrients on large Kratky systems. The same principles apply though, to small Kratky systems. My Bih Jolokia in the 45-gallon trash gan was starting to show some nutrient deficiencies. The solution had dropped down by 2/3 the original volume and pH and dropped to 4.1. I replaced with fresh nutrients keeping the same level as before.

how to build a large 60-gallon Kratky hydroponic system. I set up a large 60-gallon pickle barrel to use as a mega Kratky hydroponic system. The plant I used was a Butch T Scorpion, that I originally had grown in a 5-gallon DWC hydroponic bucket. Some of the links below will direct you to Amazon, as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases at no additional cost to you. Parts shown, used or mentioned in the video: Truncheon nutrient strength meter - https://amzn.to/2Z81D1j Dyna-Gro 7-9-5 - https://amzn.to/31IMnJG 6-inch net bucket - https://amzn.to/31MftrD

I'm growing a pepper cross under my Sansi LED Floodlight. I'm growing a Malagueta x Khang Starr White Thai. Both the parent plants were grown under this light also. Other videos I've made on this Sansi LED floodlight: Sansi LED floodlight test - https://youtu.be/niuVz8KuptE Sansi LED floodlight 10-week follow-up - https://youtu.be/YJcHjGusXv4 Sansi LED floodlight update 3 - https://youtu.be/J2VUqx3KBZI Note: Sansi sent me this light for free to evaluate. Article I wrote on how to mix MasterBlend nutrients - http://bit.ly/2XkJ65W I earn commissions from purchases made through the following links, at no extra cost to you. This helps support my YouTube channel. The following products were shown or mentioned in the video. Sansi LED Floodlight - https://amzn.to/2NlnbXm Masterblend nutrients - https://amzn.to/2LpLJMp Air pump - https://amzn.to/2XAAszf Air stones - https://amzn.to/2Xcb17U

I'm testing out a variation of last year's 27-gallon Kratky tote. Last year I had to super hot pepper plants in it, but they seemed to remain in extended vegetation mode and took a very long time to produce peppers. This year, I'm growing one hot pepper plant in it, a KhangSta Yellow, but confining the roots to the volume of a 5-gallon bucket. The nutrients from the entire 27-gallon tote will still be available. As the plant draws the nutrient level down, the pre-installed float valve will maintain a static nutrient level. I make commissions from purchases made through the following links. This is at no extra cost to you. Items that are shown or mentioned in this video: Dyna-gro 7-9-5 - https://amzn.to/2RiEkiU 27-gallon tote - https://amzn.to/2IQdn0i or look for the Commander brand, black with yellow lid at Lowes or Home Depot. Mini Float Valve with 1/2" barbed adapter - https://amzn.to/2ITGcZw 1/2" black vinyl Pond tubing - https://amzn.to/2KIGR4U or look in the pond kit section of 1/2" top hat grommet - https://amzn.to/2NoucCL 1/2" barbed connector - https://amzn.to/2tPuZo2 Shutoff valve with 1/2" barbed connectors - https://amzn.to/2Ktqt9g 5-gallon bucket - https://goo.gl/VDjU62 Net pot - https://amzn.to/2IQamPo

This is the first look at two large Kratky systems that I just set up. I'll publish a more comprehensive video showing setup and grow progress soon. I'm using Dyna-Gro 7-9-5 nutrients. The 60-gallon pickle barrel system is new. The other one in the 45-gallon trashcan was made a couple of years ago. Here're some videos on it. 45-gallon Kratky setup - https://youtu.be/TrcOr9D__BI 45-gallon Kratky final update - https://youtu.be/X2i0Fl6Mm48 I earn commissions for purchases made through the following links. This is at no extra cost to you. Dyna-Gro 7-9-5 - https://amzn.to/31dTpGY Net pot bucket lids - https://amzn.to/2WRgEas This was shot with Osmo Pocket - https://amzn.to/2WRgGz6

2018 Pepper grow update #18 for 9/16/18. This is a short update, covering the plants on my porch. Not much change on my drip system plants, and it was raining outside. The peppers plants on my porch are in Kratky method systems, with float valves to maintain a static nutrient level for each plant.

In this video, I show how to set up a float valve controlled tote using the Kratky hydroponics method. I'm growing two pepper plants in this system. Written installation steps on my website. https://www.pepperinfo.com/2018/07/27-gallon-float-tote-dual-plant-setup-and-installation-guide/ Topics covered: - Float valve installation - Reservoir connector setup - Nutrients setup - Plant transfer Parts needed * 27-gallon tote - https://amzn.to/2IQdn0i or look for the Commander brand, black with yellow lid at Lowes or Home Depot. * Mini Float Valve with 1/2" barbed adapter - https://amzn.to/2ITGcZw * 1/2" black vinyl Pond tubing - https://amzn.to/2KIGR4U or look in the pond kit section of Lowes or Home Depot, or order online * 3/4" drill bit - https://amzn.to/2NnF443 * 5/8" drill bit - https://amzn.to/2KNeWRL * 1/2" top hat grommet - https://amzn.to/2NoucCL * 1/2" barbed connector - https://amzn.to/2tPuZo2 * Shutoff valve with 1/2" barbed connectors - https://amzn.to/2Ktqt9g * 5-gallon bucket - https://goo.gl/VDjU62 or something bigger like a trash can) * Bucket Lid - https://goo.gl/mgY8CN * Nutrients - https://www.pepperinfo.com/hydroponics/hydroponic-supplies-nutrients/ * 2 x 6-inch net pots - https://amzn.to/2u1fLf1 (Two if setting up dual system, else just use one) * Coco chunks (https://amzn.to/2tSg3pr) or clay pebbles (https://amzn.to/2NknJsC)- supporting medium * Wrench - https://amzn.to/2lPLE6L for tightening the float valve nut * Drill - https://amzn.to/2tTkHmW for drilling holes for float valve and the reservoir connector * Utility knife - https://amzn.to/2tTlLqW For cutting hole/s in the tote lid * Lid covering - Spray paint for plastic, or aluminum foil. This will block light, preventing algae from growing in the container.

This setup appears to work very well. I'm going to pull this Holy Basil out and dry it, then start something else.

I mentioned this project in the previous pepper grow update, and put it together over the weekend. I'm growing Holy Basil that I started in the wicking germination/sprouting bottles (https://youtu.be/xHC7qnS4yCI) I transplanted them to a shallow 10-gallon tote. Initially, it'll function as a Kratky design, but as the nutrient level drops to a certain point, the installed float valve will allow nutrients in from a 5-gallon reservoir, maintaining a static level of nutrients from that point forward. Parts used in the video: Kingbo50W: https://goo.gl/VCBo6X Light hanger: https://goo.gl/LNFZwA 2x2 grow tent: https://goo.gl/AmgqqF float valve: https://goo.gl/79NbT3 Masterblend nutrients: https://goo.gl/dstJ1v 5-gallon bucket shallow 10-gallon tote

In this video I transfer an Orange Manzano pepper plabt from a DWC setup to a Kratky system in a 32 gallon trashcan. The nutrient used is Dyna-gro 7-9-5 at 1 tsp/gallon. The video doesn't show the full potential of this system, as I started it very late in the season. It still did very well. More information about Kratky method hydroponics can be found here: https://youtu.be/pZZO1tYqcwk The original build video for this setup is here: https://youtu.be/SnKriSBNFMY

This video shows my office garden. I have three plants growing in non-circulation hydroponics (kratky method), and three other plants growing in an AeroGarden. All of them are being fed Dyna-Gro 7-9-5. The three Kratky grown plants are Cinnamon Basil, Tiny Tim Tomato, and Garden Sage. In the AeroGarden I have another Tiny Tim, a Lime Basil and a Dwarf Mexican Piquin pepper plant. Both Tiny Tims and the Piquin plant are producing fruits now. The Kratky plants are only getting sunlight from a Western facing window. For more information about my office garden and transcript of this video, please visit my website at https://www.pepperinfo.com/office-plants-kratky-window-garden-and-aerogarden/