My new experiment- Outdoor Hydro

[Micca302]

Howdy Pepperheads,

Well it has been a long time in the making, but finally finished my Outdoor Hydro Channel a couple of months ago. The project has taken a while and was suppose to be completed for Summer and not the end of Summer DOH!
Here is a pic of the Channel after the plants went in.

The Channel is approx 6Mtrs L x 650mm W x 200mm D. It runs on a recycling nutrient tank and uses a spray bar down the middle with the Channel on a slant so the nutrient runs back into the tank. Also the Medium is Expanded clay.
Seeing it was the end of summer I used established plants that were in soil. The plants went through a lot of shock and lost most of their leaves.

Now a couple of months down the track and the Channel is starting to look like this.

They definitely seem to like this style of growing, specially with the auto watering.

Here are some of the residents.

Trinidad Scorpion- Orange

7-Pod- Yellow

Hope you enjoy and will post some more pictures of the residents.

Micca

 

[Micca302]

Some more residents.

Arabian Scorpion

Chock Demon Hab

Chock Demon Hab flowers

Douglah

The main problem with them are Caterpillars. They seem to really love the hydro the little buggers.

Micca

 

[Micca302]

And finally some more.

Late arrival-Yellow Bhut (The top has been munched on)

TC07077

TC07077 Pods

7-Pod- Barrackpore

Happy Chilli Growing,
Micca

 

[LUCKYDOG]

very nice -- looks like your plants are loving it -- IM hoping to get some sort of water system going this summer as well

 

[Hinky]

That is TIGHT, Miccah!
What is your nutrient regimen?
Your setup looks very similar to what I've been building in my head, only using black poly barrels that have been cut in half longitudinally. Do you think you could start a post on the Grow Tech forum showing the details on your construction?

 

[Toleman]

Great work. How much expanded clay have you got there? It took me long enough to rinse and ph adjust 100 litres! I'd like to hear the specification too. Materials, reservoir size, pump ect.

I'm not sure if you have seen it but here is a system I have made for this year and will start using it soon. It works on a similar principle of recirculating drip irrigation:
http://www.thehotpepper.com/showthread.php?14288-DIY-drip-system-Hydroponics

Thanks Chris

 

[Silver_Surfer]

That's some setup you have and weed free. Looking forward to seeing the pod output of that fine system.

 

[Micca302]

Cheers for the fine comments.

I'll post a bit of info soon on it(getting ready for work), but unfortunately didn't take any photo's when constructing it Doh! The idea actually came from a friends much smaller system, just enlarged it.

Hey nice setup happening there Toleman And your right, that expanded clay was a nightmare. Trying to wash approx 450ltrs of pebbles is damn hard! Then try and afford to buy it too when it cost around $350 Aussie bucks to fill!

Gotta go,
Micca

 

[Wildfire Chilli Australia]

hey Micca
They are looking nice and healthy now. I still reckon to try and enclose that area a little bit to keep warmth in and hopefully you can have them growing through winter!
Keep us posted.