By Orlando Jude
Cucumbers II
Submitted on Sat, 2009/05/30 - 10:55am
Last updated on Sun, 2009/05/31 - 2:20pm
Posted in
I'm starting a new log on cucumbers too.
I planted 2 Burpee Burpless Beau Hybrid Cucumbers in a Classic, and started 2 more in rockwool that will go into a bucket when I pull the current plant there. It only has one cuke on it which I'll be harvesting shortly, then I'll replant. I'm going to use Flora Mato on my cucumbers since Peat -- http://aerogardenmastery.com/drupal/content/cucumbers-grown-aerogarden-episode-ii-return-cuke -- is using the 3 part Flora Series. We'll be able to compare. I'm only 1 week later than he. Will be interesting. I'm also going to try to start another bucket/trash can cuke outside, which will tell me if the light I have inside needs supplementing.
The fun begins again!
Sat, 2009/05/30 - 1:52pm
#2
That particular AG is on a bookshelf. It will have a space blanket 'enclosing' it so to speak, and an extra light if needed. I'll post pictures when it's all set up. Right now there's nothing to see. 
I'll try to do once a week pictures like Peat's doing, so we'll be able to see the differences in nutes -- if any.
Sat, 2009/05/30 - 2:22pm
#3
Oh good, this will be one to follow with the flora mato nutes, I'm curious to see if there is any difference. The weekly pictures will be good, it's a neat time line in the life of a plant and is a feature I particularly like.
On a slight technicality, I'm using the 3-Part Flora Series and not the 2-Part Flora Nova as you said in your post. 
Sun, 2009/05/31 - 2:27pm
#4
Ok, this is it. Day 0. 
I had to re-do my seeding, so I fixed up my shelf, and planted 2 cukes in a Classic set on Tomatoes/Peppers. Fed 1/4 tsp Flora Mato per the label.
Have also started more seeds in rockwool to replace one of the current bucket cukes that seems to be at the end of production. Only got 4 cukes from it. And also started cuke seeds to go in a bucket or trash can that I'll put outside for comparisons.
Here we go!
Sun, 2009/05/31 - 2:55pm
#5
Good, lets see if the Floramato can get these cukes growing as they should - best of luck. 
Sun, 2009/06/07 - 7:11pm
#6
My week one cukes. Doing good with chives. 
.
Have replanted my SS w/ herbs & flowers. 
These are also doing good.
Have started cucumber seeds to plant outside eventually, in trash can.
Sun, 2009/06/07 - 7:20pm
#7
I look forward to seeing what your flowers do! Part of why I'm dabbling at other things with my flower mini, is that I haven't decided what flowers to do next.
Sun, 2009/06/14 - 10:52am
#8
Cukes @ 2 wks in a Classic -- being fed Flora Mato. Looking healthy.
Sun, 2009/06/14 - 12:17pm
#9
Looking good.
Are you keeping notes on the EC and feeding dosages per chance? I would be interested in this for future reference in case Dr Resh's formula doesn't work. If your FloraMato comes good then I may change over to that for subsequent cucumber grows.
Do you intend keeping both cukes and the chives in the same AG? I think you will be running into a lack-of-space problem when the cukes start taking off. I only planted one cuke, you can see how big it now is at week 3, the AG is nearly covered!
Mon, 2009/06/15 - 2:15pm
#10
Peat: Yes, I'm keeping notes. Probably not as good as yours, but will post them in the next couple of days and try to be more consistant.
re cukes: I know they grow fast, but then sort of turn into just long vines, and not so many leaves, and I really want to fill the whole shelf spot with them since I'll be able to concentrate lots of light there. I take it you'd like me to take one out? Guess that'd be a better comparison, right? I can do that of course. Actually I could put one in an empty bucket, or outside in a trash can configuration. Ok, ok, --- I'll do it. Chives will be going into jars. I'm actually growing lettuce in jars right now and they're doing fine. I fed with a small bit of the formula you gave for the AG ruby tom. But the chives turned out to be the indicator of poor nute strength. I noticed a bit of yellowing, so I added more mato and sure enough they greened right back up within 2 days. I'll get this typed up and posted.
More later,
Here ya' go:
|
5/31 |
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Planted Burpee Burpless Beau Hybrid Cucumbers in Classic w/chives Fed 1/4 tsp Flora Mato per label directions |
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6/8 |
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Chives yellowing |
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6/9 |
EC 0.6 to 1.4 PH 6.0 |
Added 1/2 tsp Flora Mato to raise EC |
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Mon, 2009/06/15 - 3:06pm
#11
Thanks, just the thing. 
It's good to see what's being fed and what EC your using, I'll copy your results when you start harvesting loads of cukes - kick the flora series into touch. 
Mon, 2009/06/15 - 10:48pm
#12
You've inspired me, Judith. I needed more Flora Bloom anyway, so ordered some FloraMato to try on my peppers and eggplant. Hoping it'll be much easier to use. 
Hey, maybe even work with my tap water or something radical like that!
Tue, 2009/06/16 - 2:08pm
#13
It's super easy to use, and I AM using it with tap water. I just sprinkle it on the water and it desolves really quickly. (either directly in the bucket, etc, or if the plant needs water too, then add to a gallon of water & pour it in) MUCH easier and quicker than using the 3 part series. But I don't know how the plants will like it yet. So far, it seemed an easier fix tho, when the chives got to looking a little yellow, I just added a little mato directly to the bowl, and in two days the plants were greened up again. I feel like maybe using it right from the beginning like this, I'll be able to let the plant tell me when it needs an extra hit. I'm also checking the EC so as not to overdo it, and I'm keeping in mind Peat's numbers. For instance: if he says he's raising the EC to 1.8 or whatever, then I know I can let mine go to that level too. Having Peat doing his grows is helping me tremendously.
I'm enjoying the experiments, but want some real production too!
Tue, 2009/06/16 - 2:37pm
#14
Hey Jude!
Now that sounds like something I could do! I can get down with a 1 part nute! So are you just adding a sprinkle of the FloraMato and nothing else? If so that would be great for me to use instead of the AG nutes. I would love that! And then I would totally try some cukes myself in the AG3! I took the hood off my AG 3 & have a grow lamp over it so I can raise the light as high as I want. So gimme the skinny on exactly what you did 
Tue, 2009/06/16 - 8:07pm
#15
Wait!!! Nothing's been proven yet. Peat proved he can grow cukes with the 3 part Flora, but this Flora Mato is entirely new. No one has grown anything (on the boards) with it yet. If you want to grow with it, understand you'll be experimenting too. Check my cucumber II log for what I did.
Tue, 2009/06/16 - 9:06pm
#16
oh ok! I will put the breaks on it! You know how I can get! lol!
Tue, 2009/06/16 - 9:17pm
#17
I adore your enthusiasm, Jessi!
Actually, now that the cucumber beetles have arrived (early this year...) I'm thinking I should soon revv up my cukes-under-seedling-lights experiment. Hm.
Tue, 2009/06/16 - 10:33pm
#18
Thanks G! Ew bugs! U know how I HATE bugs! I made a really effective spray that kills almost anything! I posted a link to the recipe on my grow log page.
Wed, 2009/06/17 - 10:01am
#19
I was looking at the product label for the FloraMato, GH were saying to use the MaxiGrow to start (vegetative phase) and then to switch to the FloraMato one the flowers/ fruit start to set. If you were growing lettuce/chives/herbs etc. (non-fruiting plants) for example, then it would probably be best to stick to the MaxiGrow as opposed to the FloraMato.
There are so many products to choose from...
Jessi - if you want to ditch the AG nutes and do something really straightforward with liquids, then there is a 2-Part nutrient which would do for you, it would give you better results than the little AG tablets and would last a very long time.
Wed, 2009/06/17 - 10:58am
#20
Dear dear Peat. You do insist on making me tow the line, don't you! Ok, ok. I was ignoring that part, but now I guess I'll have to make a quick trip to the store and get the Maxi to be a better comparison to yours. Sigh...... (lol)
Wed, 2009/06/17 - 11:02am
#21
Ooops, sorry.
Wed, 2009/06/17 - 11:05am
#22
I say continue the experiment! Who knows it might really be all you need! It could happen
I want a 1 part nute & I'm holding out for it!
Wed, 2009/06/17 - 11:10am
#23
You can buy one part hydro nutes, it's just that multiple parts are better... 
Wed, 2009/06/17 - 11:46am
#24
Gimme that link! I will get it when I run outta AG nutes. I have soooo many left over from failed seed kits 
Wed, 2009/06/17 - 1:20pm
#26
Ok, here's the update.
|
5/31 |
|
Planted Burpee Burpless Beau Hybrid Cucumbers in Classic w/chives Fed 1/4 tsp Flora Mato per label directions |
|
6/8 |
|
Chives yellowing |
|
6/9 |
EC 0.6 to 1.4 PH 6.0 |
Added 1/2 tsp Flora Mato to raise EC |
|
6/17 |
EC now 1.4-1.6 – PH 6.5 |
Drained, flushed, refilled and added ¾ tsp Maxi Gro. |
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Will add pictures shortly.
Peat: Hydro store guy says they don't carry the Flora Mato, that when it's time to move from Maxi Gro, they recommend Maxi Bloom. So I'll probably be switching to Gro when Mato is gone. What are your thoughts?
Wed, 2009/06/17 - 1:31pm
#27
$66! um no! lol!
Wed, 2009/06/17 - 1:43pm
#28
The FloraMato & MaxiBloom are for flowering/fruiting.
The MaxiGrow is for vegetative.
Technically... You should be on MaxiGrow now, once the cukes start producing then the switch to either FloraMato or MaxiBloom would be best.
Jessi - thought you may not like that price, but, if you consider that AG want nearly $15 for an extra nutrient tablet bag (which will probably go all mushy), then it's not so bad after all.
Wed, 2009/06/17 - 2:28pm
#29
Cuke in Classic at 2 wks & 4 days (from seed) now starting MaxiGro.
Cukes in Bucket started at same time.
Cukes in Trash can outside, started at same time.
(foil is to keep sun out -- will make it neater, and add netting, shortly)
I can't seem to keep it all straight. I meant: First Maxi Gro then Flora Mato, then when that's gone, I'll go to Maxi Bloom.
Wed, 2009/06/17 - 8:37pm
#30
Jessi - the maxigrow and floramato are one-part dry nutes - just used serially. (Maxigrow for vegetative weeks, Floramato fruiting weeks.) Maxibloom & Floramato are an either/or - Floramato is supposed to be better for fruiting veggies like tomatos & cukes.
I buy from hydroponics.net . Their shipping is kinda steep, but I haven't found anyplace cheaper, or the cheaper places didn't sell in the smallest sizes, or whatever.
But I dunno yet whether Floramato is better than the 3-part GH nutes. Hasn't even arrived yet.
Cool Judith! I can't wait to see how it turns out. Will the ag have supplemental lighting?
Beth