Electric outlet in place.

I was going to cut the patio pavers to size early to day, but could not find my masory saw blade. So I will have to buy a new one some time this coming week, before can cut the pavers. How ever, I did add another 2x6 to the framing. Which I then mounted the the electric outlet to. You can see it here with the weatherproof cover on it.

Finished second NFT support wall

Finished the second support wall last night. You can see the electric outlet hanging near the top of the wall.











The new wood framing made out of 2 x 6's was started tonight, but ran out daylight to get much done with it. Now need to get some 2 inch pavers on top of both walls before I do any more framing work. Will try to get pavers tommorrow after work.

Now I need to decide if I going to reused the existing PVC tubes or replace them with new ones. New ones will allow me change the spacing between plant holes. Will sleep on it tonight.

Old support structure taken down.

Ran out of time tonight trying to get second support leg/wall built. Did get the old NFT support structure taken apart and ready for the garage man.

New support structure for NFT tubes

The NFT tubes support structure is getting rebuild. The old wooden structure is being replaced with concrete blocks for the legs at both ends. Here you can see the one end being build. The other end will be bit harder, due to having electric line coming up thru it. I'm hoping to have the other end completed tomorrow. The new legs/walls are 39 inches wide, compare to the old structure of 24 inches. This should allow me room for four NFT tubes.

I thinking that I might try a doing a deep water NFT system with two tubes this year. Along with the standard NFT system.

NFT tubes support legs are cracking.

Today when I was placing my NFT tubes back on the support structure. I realize that I never got the electric outlet wired up on the stand. So I went ahead and wired it up. I the process, I found that the wooden legs of my support structure were all starting to split apart. Most of them didn't look like they would last another season. So I decided it time to rebuild the structure. So this will be one of my projects this coming week. It also means I have to wait until next weekend to fire up the NFT system, weathering permitting.

Cleaning the NFT tubes

Getting the NFT tubes ready for the new growing season. I'm scrubbing the the insides of the tubes, by closing off one end. Adding 1/2 cup of bleach with 1 cup of water to the inside of tube. Then using a piece of 1/2 inch pvc tubing, with a sponge attached ( see picture ). I pull the 1/2 inch tubing back and forth with some downward pressure thru the NFT tube. Works quite well.

I purchase some sweet 100 tomatoes plants early today. I hopine to get the NFT tubes up and running by next weekend, so I can insert some of the sweet 100's in the NFT tubes.

Next Morning Check

The four plants from the day before are still wilted. I removed them this morning to let move air circulate the remaining plants. All other plants are looking OK.

NFT, Late Evening Check

Cooler air has moved into the area this evening. All but four plants are showing signs of recovering. Will check again in the morning.

NFT, All Plants Showing Signs of Wilting

NFT main system. The heat index is now 95, all plants are starting to show signs of wilting. Looks like if this heat wave keeps up, all the plants will die. Adjusted the pH to 6.0, Hoping this might help the plants accept more water.

Plants Under Stress In NFT Tubes

NFT Tubes main system. Four plants have started to wilt. The heat index is currently at 108. I believe the plants are unable to to take in enough water due to their small root system. The same plants in the the Hydro Buckets are doing just fine in this heat. Not sure if the problem just due to lack of water or if the plants can't get air either. In any case, I added a air pump and air stone to the nutrient tank. Also increase the slope of the tubes to get more fresh water pass the roots. Checks the plants again that night and notice some were recovering from the heat.

Latest Photo Of NFT Tubes

Latest photo of the NFT tubes. The plants here are about 3 feet tall. The the hot weather finally here, plants consumed about 8 gallons of nutrient Saturday.

Top Heavy

Upon checking the NFT tubes after work today. I found that one large tomatoe branch had collapse from weight of the rain on its leaves. Good news is the branch didn't break, it just buckle. A couple of tomatoe clips and the branch was back good as new. Also all the tomatoes plants in the Hydro buckets are getting top heavy and leaning to one side. Time to put the support structure up. This will be done this week, weather permitting. Still need to move the vertical NFT tubes to the sunny side of the house.

New Grow On Strawberry Crown

Spotted some new grow on one of strawberry crowns today. Good sign that they all will all grow this season. With all the over cast and rain the past 2 weeks, I was afraid they might rot. Also based on garage roof over hang above the vertical NFT tubes, there will be be very little sun light reaching it. There fore it's time moved it to the sunny side of house next week .

Leaking End Caps

I been using the cheap end caps that should be glue into place. Which I didn't do, so the caps could be removed for easy cleaning of the tubes. This results in water leaking from the caps once the plants get larger. So this season I replace them with pressure testing caps. When you turn the wing nuts clockwise, a rubber gasket expands making a air tight seal. Turn them counter clockwise, the cap becomes loose and removeable. Lowes sell them for approx. $6.00 each.

Place Plants In The First NFT Tube

Place seven better boy tomatoe plants in NFT tube one today. Hoping to startup the first
channel of Hydro Buckets tomorrow.

NFT Tubes Turn On Today

Turn on

Turn on the NFT tube system today. No plants in it yet.

Eliminating the grass

Got tried of coping with the grass that was growing under the NFT support structure. So this year a placed brick pavers under the whole structure.

Current picture of my NFT system