My mix of veggies (colorful root porn)

I decided to finally get in on the grow log action with some pictures of my random mix of plants.

• Swiss Chard(3 plants, 2 are in one net pot)
  • Planted 12/16/2012
• White Beans(I have no clue how harvest these things, I just wanted to try to grow them)
  • Planted 12/1/2012
• Beefsteak Tomatoes(2 plants but one is really struggling)
  • Planted 12/1/2012
• Aji Sweet Peppers
  • Planted 8/2012 but it went through a huge bought of fungus and it took a long time to recuperate

I have a bunch more that I just planted yesterday (1/19) so I will be need to be expanding my grow tubs quite a bit:

• Dill
• Celery
• Mesclun lettuce
• Basil

Awesome root porn! The pink roots are looking awesome

Thanks to some eagle eyes on reddit noticing I planted these in the future, I updated my post to state they were planted in 2012

Info on my setup:

My DWC bins are HDPE #5 plastic that are covered on the sides and bottom with Foil Tape designed for ducts. The tape is very good at blocking out light and doesn't easily tear off. I decided to still use aluminum foil on the top so I could replace it periodically.

Nutrients: JR Peters Hydro FEED
Bacteria: MycoGrow, I add 1 quart of tea made with this to each water change which is why the white roots are slightly brown. It is beneficial bacteria that keeps fungus at bay and speeds root growth.
Lights: Florescent Lights (hodgepodge of 6400K and 5500K) with about 17,000 lumens. I do have a 1000 watt sodium light but I need to replace the ballast when I get some more cash.
Bubbler: Air pump designed for a 370 gallon aquarium pumping air into about 9 gallons of water.
Airstones: 2 micro bubblers and 2 regular stones

My next setup is going to be a Ebb and Flow table with 1000 watt HPS light. I don't use it yet since it is overkill for how much I am growing right now and I need to replace the ballast.

REALLY looking forward to seeing this! Any particular reason you switch to E&F?

Also, how's the myco working? Tried finding some over here but haven't had any luck so far...

My initial reason to switch to Ebb and Flow is that i wanted more water movement. Secondarily I really dislike having a full DWC and then wanting to inspect the water and needing a second person to help me because the plants are so heavy. With an Ebb and Flow I can also have a singular reservoir and then supply a couple of tables with nutes.

As for the Myco, I love it! Aside from it keeping bad bacteria at bay, it really inspires healthy root growth.

I am really digging the Swiss Chard, we have now harvested from it twice and it keeps growing at a furious pace. Prior to growing it we had no idea how to use it but we are finding it is great in just about anything from pasta to omelets.

Harvest: #1
Date: 1/21/13
(We harvested more but didn't take a picture)


Harvest #2
Date: 1/26/13


Ready to be cooked:

My crazy breed of heirloom tomato (day 47):


My pepper has more than a dozen flower buds on it right now.



I thought these were white beans but they are bush green beans (Finally found the seed packet label)



Pepper on the left, tomato on the right:



Bush beans on the left and Swiss Chard on the right



Swiss Chard on left, tomato on right and Peppers in the immediate background.

Some of my green beans:


I am having issues with the leaves on my green beans. Any ideas on what this is? I am guessing it is because of the stress on the plant with producing so many beans right now.


Right now I have more than a dozen flowers on my pepper plant..

Looks like it might be an Mg deficiency on your beans.

What's the PH?

That could very well be it. I am never quite sure how much to add. My PH is at 6.2 and i have not seen any fluctuations with it all.

PH seems fine then, too acidic and it will limit Mg uptake. Too much P might also affect Mg uptake negatively though!

My pepper plant is finally fruiting! So far there are 8 and counting...

Thanks! I am really digging it and my wife is now bought into it as well. I think it was the Swiss Chard that really convinced her that hydroponics was the way to go. They are really a fun plant to grow and the nutrients alone from them are worth it.

My wife just bought Kale (and a bunch of other seeds) and we are getting ready to start up our 2 Ebb & Flow systems I built just for them. I will have to look into Collard greens but I have never eaten them before. Kale is amazing when baked in the oven with garlic and olive oil to make "chips" out of it. How do you use collards?

About ready to start up the Ebb & Flow! Today I built a stand for the tubs and just need to put a piece of plywood across the top to finish it. I will also add another reservoir underneath the table for the second tub. This will allow me to run different nutrients for different veggies. Ideally I will have a few of these tables each with 2 tubs. Now I just need to setup my HPS hood and ballast and move some seedlings over.



Hydroton and STG Hail grow medium