strawberry tower

[brogz]

Makes sense about how much did this run you. Id be interested in making a few smaller versions of these with a single reservoir. It would be pushed off for a year or two but, It would be a really cool thing to have. Why didnt you run the line for the pump up the side of the pipe and then into the pipe. It would show in the beginning but, when it grows it would be hidden in there and look even better IMO.

[fintuckyfarms]

I did it this way because it is all temporary. This will part of an agriculture exhibit at our local fair in August. I will move all of the systems I am building up to the site the first part of June when we are going on a cruise for our 25th anniversary. The fair will then take over the maintance of the systems. So far most of the supplies have been donated but I will try to figure out the cost per each sometime soon for you. I also plan on building a much smaller version for my window using 4" pipe and using an air pump to lift the nutes up.

[brogz]

Well the small one would be something I would do. I really like the idea of hydroponics and want to grow lettuce that way but everyone tells me to just put it in the ground

[fintuckyfarms]

I will be growing spinach in mine and it will be in my south facing window indoors. I will be able to control the temp in the house better and keep it from going to seed right away. I will post some picts when I get it done. Tonight is my first night of graves so maybe Tuesday?

[fintuckyfarms]

They're growing...

[img]https://i1255.photobucket.com/albums/hh632/fintuckyfarms/8c9706c6.jpg[/img]

[brogz]

Looking good!
Are you seeing uniform growth over the whole thing or is one part growing noticeably faster then the other?

[fintuckyfarms]

So far the side next to the house is growing faster. I think because it is protected from the wind and we have had at least 2 days below freezing since they were planted. This week just got warmer (mid 60's and some 70's) and the other side is now starting to take off. I have lost maybe 5 so far that I pulled and will replant this weekend. I am adding some root stuff (will have to post the name later) and some peroxide to help keep things clean and oxygenated. This is the first time for me using perlite and it is some weird stuff but the plants seem to like it. Now if I can just keep the chickens away from them it will be all good.

[brogz]

How do you keep the perlite in the holes and what are you running for the roots?

[fintuckyfarms]

Some of the perlite does fall out but I think the weight of it wet keeps it mostly in place. I don't understand the root question.

[brogz]

So far the side next to the house is growing faster. I think because it is protected from the wind and we have had at least 2 days below freezing since they were planted. This week just got warmer (mid 60's and some 70's) and the other side is now starting to take off. I have lost maybe 5 so far that I pulled and will replant this weekend. I am adding some root stuff (will have to post the name later) and some peroxide to help keep things clean and oxygenated. This is the first time for me using perlite and it is some weird stuff but the plants seem to like it. Now if I can just keep the chickens away from them it will be all good.

What root stuff did you add in?

[fintuckyfarms]

Ohhh, I'm brain dead. I will post a picture when I get home from work.

[fintuckyfarms]

Sorry, I went home and went straight to bed and slept till I had to get ready for work. Will try to remember today

[fintuckyfarms]

Sorry it took so long to post but here is the root stuff I have been using. Not sure if it is really making a difference or not.

[img]https://i1255.photobucket.com/albums/hh632/fintuckyfarms/2012may012.jpg[/img]

[sonofdust]

I sure would like to see how this project turned out and the fine tunning you've done, if any..

[awell17]

I actually tried something similar to this last summer with stackable pots. I found some square plastic pots and drilled a 1 1/2 inch hole thru the middle. I put a 1 1/2 inch pvc through the middle and stacked the pots alternating each 45 degrees. It worked really great for the strawberries I planted. I just didn't know what to do with all the runners. I am also waiting to see how they handled the winter being that I could not cover the strawberries properly. I am zone 7b but we had a mild winter.

[fintuckyfarms]

The project was great, however there were some unexpected results. When moving the unit, the crowns sunk down into the tubes and got wet. As you can guess, some died because while strawberrys don't mind their feet wet, they hate wet crowns. If you search Tri-City Hydroponic Gardeners you can see the newspaper article that was done on them.
This year I will be glueing couplers over the holes to keep the crowns dry.

[fintuckyfarms]

A few updated photos of the towers. Getting ready to replant them and I learned a few things from last year.

I ended up builing a new stand that was taller and would accomadate both the strawberry tower and the flower tower since it was for display purposes. I built a box out of insulation to cover and insulate the 55 gal barrels. It worked perfect and I was able to keep the nutes cool in 90+ weather with just a frozen juice jug in the nutes.
This year I will not plant directly into the holes because when we moved the display to the fair grounds, everything shifted and sunk and the crowns went inside the hole and got too wet. They were growing and producing like crazy at home but started dying at fair. I will try net pots this year. I am going to try herbs this year and see how that works out. Saw it at disney world so it should work...
There was a great article in the local paper; the display made the front page and was on at least two news stations. Several people remarked they came to fair just to see the display.

I'm on face book almost everyday if you have any urgent questions, Tri-City Hydroponic Gardeners

[Highdroponic]

That is super cool!