HydroKit Dutch Buckets – 6 Plants

Growing Guide

Let’s Start Growing

Like all living organisms, plants need regular care to thrive. Here’s a breakdown of the growing journey with essential instructions and pro tips.

Understanding the Plant Lifecycle: 4 Phases

1. Germination Stage

   Seeds sprout and begin forming small seedlings.

2. Vegetative Stage

   Seedlings develop into strong young plants ready for transplanting.

3. Growth Stage

   Plants grow until harvest. (Leafy herbs and greens are usually harvested before flowering.)

4. Flowering/Fruiting Stage

   Most plants eventually flower. Leafy greens are harvested before this stage, but fruiting plants must flower to produce fruits.

Key Hydroponic Tips

1. Just 5 Minutes a Day

   Spend 5–15 minutes daily checking EC, pH, spraying leaves, and ensuring proper light.

2. Daily Spraying

   Treat it like a daily shower. In summer, 2–3 sprays a day may be needed.

3. Clip, Don’t Pull

   Always use scissors to harvest. Pulling may damage roots or nearby plants.

4. YOBO – You Only Buy Once

   EC and pH meters are one-time investments. They keep your system balanced.

5. Smart Hack

   Let tap water sit uncovered for 24 hours before use. This lets chlorine evaporate.

6. The Crazy Tomato Rule

   Grow in-season plants. Tomatoes out of season won’t perform well even with perfect care.

Phase 1: Germination

This stage can take 3 to 6 weeks depending on the plant. Follow these steps:

1. Prepare Rockwool Cubes

   Soak 8 cubes in water for a few hours. Place them in a germination box with holes.

   (Note: Some seeds like mint and celery benefit from pre-soaking in water.)

2. Planting the Seeds

   Make a small hole in the center of each cube.

   Place 2 seeds using a toothpick.

   Cover the hole gently using the same toothpick.

   Mist generously and close the lid.

3. Initial Darkness (Except Light Lovers)

   Keep in a dark place for 48 hours (except light-lovers like mint and celery).

   After 48 hours, keep Rockwool moist and expose to sunlight.

4. Sprouting

   Seeds sprout within 2–16 days depending on type.

   Once sprouted, give direct sunlight.

   If seedlings grow tall and thin, they need more light immediately.

5. Thinning

   After one week of sunlight, use scissors to cut the weaker seedling in each cube.

6. Root Growth

   By week 3, roots will start to come out from the bottom of the cubes.

   Place the cubes in a shallow water tray under sun. Never let them dry out.

7. Ready for Transplant

   Once roots reach beyond the cube, the seedling is ready to be moved to the system.

Notes for Phase 1

• Do not squeeze Rockwool cubes. They’re fragile and can be damaged easily.

• Always use clean water. pH should stay around 5.8–6.0.

• Plants like lettuce, kale, tomato, and broccoli need more spacing.

• Mint, basil, arugula, tomato are summer crops.

• Lettuce, parsley, coriander, field arugula are winter crops.

Definitions

• EC (Electrical Conductivity):

  Measures nutrient concentration. Add A+B solution to increase EC, or add plain water to decrease.

  Cairo tap water = ~0.5 EC

• pH (Acidity):

  Affects nutrient absorption. Ideal range = 5.5–7.5 (Target: 6.0)

  Use pH Down solution to lower it.

  Cairo tap water = pH 7–7.5

Phase 2: Transplant to the System

Preparing the Dutch Bucket

1. Line each bucket with a mesh cloth inside, pressing firmly to fit.

2. Rinse perlite with water. Let drain, then fill the bucket.

   (Make sure no perlite leaks from the sides.)

Preparing the Water Tank

1. Fill the tank with water that was left uncovered for 24 hours.

2. Measure initial EC (usually ~0.5).

3. Add nutrients:

   Add 25 ml of Solution A per 10 L of water. Stir.

   Add 25 ml of Solution B per 10 L of water. Stir again.

   Target EC = 1.6 (adjust by crop type)

4. Adjust pH:

   Use pH meter. Add 1–1.5 ml of pH Down per 10 L of water.

   Don’t add more than 0.25 ml at once. Stir and retest.

5. Insert water pump in the tank and close the lid to prevent light exposure.

Transplant Steps

1. Dig a small hole in the perlite.

2. Insert Rockwool cube with seedling.

3. Cover gently with perlite and keep the plant upright.

4. Cover surface with reflective foil (cut a hole for the plant stem).

5. Insert the irrigation pipe next to the stem through the foil.

6. Turn on the system. (You can automate with a timer later.)

Tips and Reminders

• If using a 50 L tank, multiply nutrient doses by 5.

• Follow EC and pH meter guides carefully.

• Check pH every 4–6 days.

• High EC = plant burn.

• In summer, spray leaves 2–3 times daily.

• In winter, spray once daily or every other day.

• Use shade netting or expose to sunlight depending on crop and weather.

Phase 3: Plant Care and Monitoring

After transplanting, maintain plant health with these steps:

• Monitor pH and EC regularly.

• Mist plants daily (more often during heat waves).

• Ensure water is reaching root zone. Check every 4–6 days.

• Ideal temperature range: 18–26°C

• pH variation is natural and reflects plant activity.

• EC dropping = nutrients used → refill nutrients.

Refill Strategy

1. When adding more water to the system,

   start by adding half the amount of Solution A + B.

2. Check EC.

3. Add small amounts gradually until target EC is reached.