On Mon, 31 Oct 2011 13:48:39 -0700, Winston
wrote:

Larry Jaques wrote:
On Mon, 31 Oct 2011 12:34:06 -0700,
wrote:


(...)

http://www.insideurbangreen.org/aeroponics/
Scroll about 25% down to play the video:
"CNN Covers The Rooftop Aeroponic Tower Gardens"

Yuckin' Fuppies. "Only" $500 for a plastic tube! (Plus $6 for a small
pump, $3 for nutrients, and $5 for tubing, maybe?)

At last, an acceptable profit margin.

(...)

The plants will sprout from a vertical piece of ABS DWV anchored
to the frame.

Is ABS DWV (drain, waste, vent) food-safe? Please check into it if
you haven't already. I've only seen it used in drain, waste, and vent
plumbing so far.

I sure hope it is, given that it is used in the manufacture of
Lego bricks and musical instruments.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Acrylon...adiene_styrene

"food" and "safe" don't appear on that page at all. Me no think so.
Best research that little item, eh?


This appears to be quite similar to hydroponics, but the medium is
air, not water or soil. Check out green wall/vertical garden systems,
too. Much more pretty, so SWMBO may prefer it. YouTube is rife wif
'em.

The beauty of the tower is that I can move it easily
under cover for frost protection or for better sun exposure.

Could move? Yes.
Will move, in practice? Um, I doubt 'er, Biyull. /hic accent



Right now, I'm looking for some 12 V ~80 PSIG water pumps to
cycle at 4.2 milliHertz (a few aerosol spritz's every 4
minutes). I'd rather not be in the 'water pump business' so
a turnkey solenoid - driven pump would be super cool.

Perhaps something like this, with a solenoid pressing from
above:
http://www.seaquistperfect.com/PAGES...technical.html

It appears that he had a constant drip system going.

Ideally, the nutrient would be atomized.
This boosts the root uptake far more than would a conventional
drip system which would leave a large proportion of the roots
dry.

What do the roots want, to be waterlogged or gasping in air?
Let us know what the planties say, OK?


Ideas gratefully entertained.

Or amusedly or cringingly?

I can guarantee *some* reaction, most of the time.

Rightio!


--Winstondis

? 'Splain, please.

--
Inside every older person is a younger person wondering WTF happened.