The crowns are situated in 2” neoprene inserts, which support heavy upright growth, while keeping moisture at bay.  This is a great way to prevent crown rot.  These systems have been fed FloraSeries, at ½ strength Label recommendations since their 2^ndweek.  An often overlooked option for feeding, is the “Basic Applications Table” found on any FloraSeries Label.  The numbers are in order of Grow, Micro, Bloom with the recommendations made  in ratios of tsp/gal.  Each number corresponds to a different part of the Flora Series trio(Grow, Micro, Bloom) by giving the number of teaspoons per gallon, for any phase of growth.   For example, the 3-2-1 recommendation for “Growth” provides 3 tsp Grow, 2 tsp Micro and 1 tsp Bloom per gallon.  It is a great idea, to start things with the 1/2 strength label recommendations, to see how your plants are able to be fed.

Recently, the switch was made to ½ strength 1-2-3 (Bloom Recommendation), to bolster heavy fruit production.  We have used NO additives.  They seem to enjoy a pH of around 5.8; we fed them at a higher pH (6.3-6.4) for a few weeks, before switching to the lower pH based on results.

We have been enjoying them here in the GH kitchen for about a week now, and we have a few thoughts.  The higher phosphorus content seems to make them ripen quicker, while allowing for a heavier water weight and pushing for the more distinct Strawberry sweetness.  The earliest berries, which were harvested from the systems while they were running ½ strength 3-2-1, seemed to have less water weight, but were a tad bitter and lacking in sweetness.  Happy Growing!

The greenhouse right now is filled with flowers. Remember the fruit trees that are waiting for transplanting? Many of them are currently in full bloom. I took some really crazy closeup shots, and it just blows my mind how each flower is so different from the next, yet so the same.

The greenhouse team has been busy at work potting up an entire orchard worth of fruit trees. These trees will eventually be transplanted into the General Hydroponics Farm Lab orchard, but for now they are cozy and warm indoors.

It’s really cold here in NorCal, and so I like to sneak over to the greehouse to soak up the warmth. Besides the decent temperature, there is the warming effect of looking at the rainbow of peppers growing in the ebb and flow trays. They look great, and are the perfect reminder of the real reason we all grow hydro: to get amazing results any time of year.

I took this shot on August 11:

They have exploded in the last month. Amazing.

Our biologist and greenhouse operator had one on one time with the students.

The professor and a student hear about stats from Terry.

Larry, on the left, joins the discussion, and analyzes with the group.

Everyone learned something, and the visit was as fun as it was informative!

Each tray of cukes is getting the same base nutrient GH 3 Part, but a different type of biological supplement. The control just gets the base, obviously. I can’t tell you what the supplements are, but I can say that they are mychorrizal in nature.

Here are the most recent shots:

UPDATE: One of my favorite readers wrote in to let me know that the plants seem to be getting different light! I wanted to let everyone know this photo was shot in the greenhouse at about 7pm, so the tray on the right only seems to have more light on it. The tray on the left also gets strong light, but in the morning. There is no artificial light on these, just the sun.