There's nothing wrong with growing food, this forum just doesn't have a lot of users yet. I'm developing a new hydroponic system and I'll probably test it outdoors on tomatoes first. I'm still in the process of buying all of the supplies that I'll need for the prototypes but I should have something going in a couple of months. Hopefully my back will be feeling better by then too or I'll have to get friends to help me put it together.
Hang in there...
Disclaimer: I still use HID and I'm NOT an LED expert. All of my LED knowledge is from other parties or research so I can't say from first hand experience one way or another. I also run a medical grow consulting business in SoCal.
Another Tomato plant update! Big Buds and Massive (insert Marijuana adjective here).
Plants are developing massively thick stalks. Leaves are a little droopy but the understructure is doing really well. No nutrients added with last water.
Here are the pictures!
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Going to thin the plants out this weekend and hopefully upload a video with my results. Again, I am a fanboy of these LED lights. George was so kind to ship a second light because of the voltage issues out here in the commonwealth of the east coast. The second light has had no issues.
I have moved them to the farthest point on my growing ship as i can in hopes that the light doesn't burn the maters... I am still amazed at the intensity of these LED's... I am guessing that a 160 watt Solar Flare is, at the minimum, equal to a 400 watt HPS.
Replanted the tomatoes in bigger pots and proceeded to thin them out a bit. The lights are still doing a wonderful job! Started to use a fan to circulate air and improve stalk strength.
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There was a PH problem that was causing the leaves to curl up. Mostly solved at this point! A few flowers appeared this week. A bit soon but the plants are so healthy its to be expected
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Just growing along! Removed a tomato plant that was suffering from a low PH. Its leaves were are curled up and wasn't doing well. Not sure if these lights may be a little too strong for the younger plants. The tallest leaves seem to develop a curled leaf. Though there are no problems with the plants growing at this point.
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You might try a plain water flush to remove salt buildup and continue to keep an eye on PH, soil acts like a buffer and it often takes a while to dial it in and see results.
Don't give up!
Disclaimer: I still use HID and I'm NOT an LED expert. All of my LED knowledge is from other parties or research so I can't say from first hand experience one way or another. I also run a medical grow consulting business in SoCal.
Had to increase the height of my lights because tomato plants were starting to get to close. I apoligize for the quick carpentry work but I need a weekend to build a better light mount. Until then, this will have to work.
A few small tiny tomatoes were sighted two days ago on one plant!! Hopefully its just the start of a bountiful crop!
PH problems are slowly being worked out. Thanks for the advice! I haven't changed the soil yet but am using natural lime and alkaline water purchased at a local grocery store. Will post an update late next week before a weeks vacation to warmer climates. Hopefully our dog sitter won't kill them while we are gone!
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California Light Works 020912 001.JPG (211.13 KiB) Viewed 3769 times
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Here are some more pictures. Tomato buds spotted on a few of them but they are still growing like crazy. Spent an hour last night tying up stalks to the wood posts so they wouldn't bend once they beging to bear fruit.
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California Light Works 020912 001.JPG (244.11 KiB) Viewed 3746 times
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