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The Kratky Method By Dr. Bernard Kratky .

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davon96720

New member
The bottle system on that page I would say doesn't allow enough root air for one. I would recommend some hydro baskets to facilitate air flow, I used a peat pellet wrapped in mesh, it allows air flow and reduce some diseases. Also the container will cramp the plant when it starts getting some size. A head of leaf lettuce uses up a gallon during a cycle, more if warm. The bigger your reservoir the better, I did use smaller storage containers the first time, flushing the system each week with fresh solution doing a sort of sea of green set up, just a few gallon capacity, with a maybe 8 starts in basket on each rectangular tray with 2 trays on each self, branches trained through the slots in self about. I used florescent light on the sides for penetration and I got 2 oz from 2 selves the first time.
 
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davon96720

New member
I used 5 gallon buckets quit successfully, once the roots reach, that's a bit of water unless it's warm. Unless the bucket gets really low with water or the plant gets really big that usually hold a plant down. Initially, let the water just touch the hydro basket or use a wick of some sort, allow for root air. As the plant starts to grow, the water will lower and allow air for the roots, they can drown in not. I used 1 gallon pots too with air holes drilled in the side, open resevoirs the pots set in, water half way up.
 
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davon96720

New member
Sorry, I don't have any pictures, I lost almost everything I had in 08. Haven't done this since 06 and presently I am not in a medical cb state.
 
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davon96720

New member
Kratky Nutrient solution

Equal amounts of two stock nutrients were added—just once per crop—so that the electrical conductivity of the nutrient solution in the raceways ranged between 1.5 to 2 mS. One nutrient stock solution consisted of 1 pound of soluble greenhouse-grade calcium nitrate per gallon of water. The other stock solution was comprised of a mixture of .6 pounds of magnesium sulfate and 1 pound of Chem-Gro 8-15-36 Lettuce Formula per gallon of water. The Chem-Gro formulation, available from Hydro-Gardens (www.hydro-gardens.com), also contained micronutrients. The 25-gallon batches of stock solutions were stored in opaque plastic trash containers and mixed prior to use.
 
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dudin

Active member
Would you say that the "Kratky method" is the air gap between the medium and the nutrient solution.
I have found self watering pots that I think combine hempy buckets, wick action, swc and "Kratkys" "air gap". It works like a charm. Roots submerged 24/7 and no circulation at all.
Refill every week (rather small pots).
I think Mr Kratky has done some incredible work and I'm glad you (Davon) are here to shed some light
 
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zero244

New member
I agree it will work, and it seems to work better for shorter season plants. But if you look a grows using this method anything the produces fruit suffers in yield. I did find it surprising the plants can live in non aerated water for months.
 
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davon96720

New member
Kratky method

Kratky method

Kratky designed his system so it could be used in 3rd or 4th world countries. The aim was to make a simple, easily constructed system that did not have extensive inputs: circulation systems, electrical needs - none, simple water sources - such as open catchment gravity flow systems, easy to figure nutrient procedures. Also, needed to be reliable, it is.

The air gap is a means to an end. Roots need air or they suffocate or drown.
 
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rüdiger

Hey I try the kratky, *körfez* style by rüdiger:biggrin:

here we have a rooted clone in easy plug 4 days in(veg)

The nutrient solution is touching the bottom of the plug, its npk
8-12-24 @ec 0,8. I do no ph measurements.

She grows in experimental flouro sog setup, her light cycle is 12/5/2/5 @ <25w sq. feet.
I will induce flower soon.

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rüdiger
 
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rüdiger

I put second clone(ACE Malawi) into the *körfez* system.
Her ec is 0,5 she is very low feeder, lets see if she can handle this situation.

I will change the lightning schedule for the first one(lets call her "soldat" ) to 12/12 this night. Soldat is now flower day 1.
I will not change anything on the nutrient solution, it was ~ 450ml from start. My goal is wet and forget.
Her root development looks good and the "air" part seems to like it.






rüdiger
 
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rüdiger

This is not possible the plug wont touch the nutrient solution from start.
As I understood the goal with kratky is that the airgap "grows" while the water roots feed the plant with nutrient, so I have to start with plug in contact.

:tiphat:rüdiger

sorry maybe i missunderstood you.

I want to know the minimum amount of nutrient solution that is need to maintain the plant till harvest. So i start with very low amount. maybe she dies, that wont be tragic. I try until it works.
 
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rüdiger

soldat, day 4 12/12.
shes a bit slow and has minor problems with p uptake.
but i like her roots. they look aero:biggrin:


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rüdiger
 
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rüdiger

pushpush

This shit works, it must be only scheduled.

Soldat, day9 12/12
The 'körfez' container is ~ half full, she drank something like 220ml of nutrient solution in 5 days veg and 9 days flowering.
It seems that she took mostly the P and K out of the nutrient solution and we have a N buildup now.
its clear she wont survive till harvest with the remaining NS.

the most amazing is her roots for me, over 2/3 are in the air gap, and something like a taproot comes from the side of the plug.


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rüdiger

thank you, the plant is still alive i post picture tomorrow.

but she will die soon. i dont know if i can kill her:biggrin:

maybe fil up.

but i think is better to start again with 1liter or a bit more.

have to drink some milk:biggrin:
 
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dudin

Active member
Again if you fill it do not fill more than half. Love what you are doing. I cooked mine on the balcony otherwise it looked good all the way.
 
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rüdiger

ay,

The first flower appeared today fellas, i cant kill her:biggrin:

The water level in körfez system is only 1cm high now.

I will now fill her up to the exact half of the körfez container.

I fill up with nutrient solution NPK 0-12-24 (+4 MG) @ 0,8 ec and i will foliar feed her with worm tea.

I also measured the temperature inside the container @ ~18,5°C.

I have some ideas with the kratky method. start your engines gentleman!

update soon
 
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