evans@mhuxt.UUCP (crandall) (08/12/86)
Because several people asked I'll tell you what little I know. I've played
with this since 1980 and now have a seedling unit, a few bulb units, a city
green (no longer available but consistantly good. If you can get a plastic
window box without holes, a smaller one with holes, a water jug (put a dime
size hole in lid) and a three quarter open centered circle of cork to hold jug
lid off bottom you can make one.), and several Living Wall Gardens (Tobey St,
Naples, N.Y. 14512; phone (716) 374-2340). The LWG retain moisture well, esp.
the larger sizes and I plan to add another to my collection for next season,
but the medium is irritating enough when dry that I must use long sleeves,
gloves and mask during the set-up. You can even start with a pot, deep saucer,
vermiculite and hydroponics fertilizer. (Transfer LWG fert. to a jar; their bag
is awful.
The three books I have are subequal. All have useful info but each makes it
sound more difficult than it is. Actually, if you have gardening know-how and
are observant it's easy. J.S. Douglas' Beginners Guide to Hydroponics (SterlingPub.) has a 1971 register of IWOSC consultants and a further reading list,
S. Kenyon's Hydroponics for the Home Gardener (vanNostrand Reinhold) includes
a resource section and a companion planting guide, and R.E. Nicholls'
Hydroponics, Soilless Gardening has a resource list.
Yeilds have been high for me with outstanding performance from: basil, italian
parsley, kale, rocket, cress, tomatoes, chinese garland mums, chinese convol-
ulus, peppers and miniature brocolli. Marigolds grow into almost-bushes.
Someone out there must have more experience than I; please, comment and add.
I want to learn more.
Sukie Crandall