Aeroponic barrel garden? Anyone ever try one

[DirtyCoconuts]

I read this instructable

Aeroponic Barrel Garden : 6 Steps (with Pictures) - Instructables


And I want to try it lol


Any one ever try something similar?

[DirtyCoconuts]

So I am going to bump this once before I just start building something like the instructable in hopes someone has some experience or insight.

I want a lot of leaf plants this year and I have no luck without automation bc the sun is brutal all year round.

I have a barrel and I’m not afraid to use it lol!!

[kvet]

This looks like a variation of tower aeroponic systems. What are the benefits of using a barrel vs narrower pipes? Seems like a lot of wasted space inside the barrel.

[estación seca]

I've seen aeroponics used for rooting cuttings, but hydroponics for growing on. Plants in aeroponics die faster than in hydroponics when the electricity fails. Why not fill the barrel with perlite? Plus hydro can get by with a less powerful pump than aero.

[DirtyCoconuts]

Both great ideas. I can easily switch to a 4”-6” pvc pipe and use a medium inside very easily as well.

Exactly the sort of advice I was hoping for.

I like the partially closed system and so I will try to adopt that in the tower but a top drip system into perlite does sound like a better approach than the sprinkler

[kvet]

Originally Posted by DirtyCoconuts

Both great ideas. I can easily switch to a 4”-6” pvc pipe and use a medium inside very easily as well.

Exactly the sort of advice I was hoping for.

I like the partially closed system and so I will try to adopt that in the tower but a top drip system into perlite does sound like a better approach than the sprinkler

It seems like a fun project, hope it works out if you do it! The following is not intended to discourage you, but more to help prepare you when you design this thing. I had a conversation several months ago with an experienced commercial grower and the topic of tower systems came up. He said he tried setting one up about 30 years ago, and due to both cost and work involved, called it a failure. The plants at the bottom of the tower would die from root diseases since they were always wet. Fungus gnats were constantly around the lower areas. The plants at the top were too dry, requiring constant attention to keep alive, and did not produce as much.

In theory, it's an interesting system because you can grow high density. Of course, this gentleman's experience is just one example, and it was from a long time ago. When I did some research into it a while back, I didn't come across downsides, so maybe things have changed. I'm sure advancements have been made in designs, including drainage, placement, etc.

I'm kind of thinking about this system, too, since I have limited space and I don't want to grow just one or two plants. I. Want. To. Grow. All. The. Veges. *crazy eyes*

[DirtyCoconuts]

kvet- that is also the kind of info i wanted- i will be using the mix of principles here from aero, hydro and a little semi hydro.


the system will have the garden and the res. the garden is now going to be a length of 4-6" pvc filled with coarse perlite and leca ...i am going to have a drip system at the top run for 15 minutes every 2 hours. all day and night.

i will adapt this as needed but it is my intended plan. once the reality of reality hits...semper gumby

[DirtyCoconuts]

Sept flowers and a tower garden in progress by J Solo, on Flickr


i have it up and running- dialing it in day to day. thanks for the good suggestions

it is filled with perlite and has a "closed" system to handle 15 gallons

it runs 15 minutes every 2 hours from 6 am to 10 pm and off at night.

i had to make a "T" in the feeder bc the force of the pump was too strong and just sprayed out of the top holes with much comic flourish. so it is basically ready for me to make a second one lol

[kvet]

Very cool!! Do you have a way to drain/replace the water easy?

Post updates as things happen, whether good, bad, or ugly/pretty

[DirtyCoconuts]

the water still comes out of the side holes to a degree. this is caught in the basin which also drain back into the res. so the water is all caught, in theory, what actually happens is about a gallon or two is lost each day.

when it rains it refills by itself from basin.

i see positive growth on the all the volunteers lol so i am optimistic