Supply Source MFGB1 Getting Started Manual

Mini-farm grow box

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Mini-Farm Grow Box

Getting Started

User Guide

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Page 1: Getting Started
Mini-Farm Grow Box Getting Started User Guide http://www.supplysource.com/ User-Guides_c_69.html 1-888-959-6415 Supply Source Customer Service...
Page 2: Table Of Contents
Table of Contents Page 3 Food Rising Grow Box Assembly Instructions (Starter Kits) Test the Water Flow Page 5 Plant and Lid Selection Guide Page 8 Introduction to Plant Nutrients Page 11 Page 12 Super Simple Plant Nutrient Instructions Page 13 Water Reservoir and Grow Box Start Up Instructions Page 13 Testing And Adjusting Your Water PH Level...
Page 3: Food Rising Grow Box Assembly Instructions (Starter Kits)
Getting Started User Guide FOOD RISING GROW BOX ASSEMBLY INSTRUCTIONS (Starter Kits) Congratulations on receiving your Food Rising Mini-Farm Grow Box! My name is Mike Adams, and I developed this system based on the Non-Circulating Hydroponics principles taught by Prof. B. Kratky at the Univ. of Hawaii. Here's a straightforward guide for assembling your grow box.
Page 4 ASSEMBLE THE SYSTEM: 1) Install the float valve in the side wall of the grow bin, where a hole is pre-drilled for your convenience. You may choose to install either the commercial float valve, or the 3D printed float valve. They both operate on the same principles.
Page 5: Test The Water Flow
TEST THE WATER FLOW: The Mini-Farm Grow Box is a self-watering system. You never need to add water or nutrients to the grow bin itself. Instead, you add water and nutrients to the water reservoir (the 3.5 gallon pail). If you wish, you can use a larger pail or other container to create a larger water reservoir.
Page 6 TIP: If you decide to drill your own hole for a larger water reservoir, use a drill bit with a diameter of 15/64". This is a common size in many drill bit sets. 6) Allow the water to fill the grow bin until the float valve rises sufficiently to block the incoming water flow. At this point, you should have approximately 2 or 3 inches of water in the bottom of the grow bin, and a much higher water level in your water reservoir.
Page 7 If you are using 3D printed parts, you may notice a slow drip of water escaping through the threads of the Float Valve Receiver. The solution for this is to wrap the Float Valve Receiver threads with "thread tape." This is commonly available at hardware stores and is used for plumbing pipe connections.
Page 8: Plant And Lid Selection Guide
Plant and Lid Selection Guide Plant Preferred Lid Ideal Temperature/Season(F) Sprout/Germination Time Salad Pack Arugula 9 holes 40°-55° 5-7 days Cress 9 holes 55°-75° 2-7 days Chicory 9 holes 45°-85° 7-10 days Corn Salad 9 holes 50°-70° 7-14 days Endive 9 holes 35°-85°...
Page 9 Plant and Lid Selection Guide - Continued Plant Preferred Lid Ideal Temperature/Season(F) Sprout/Germination Time Family Kitchen Herb Pack Italian Basil 6 holes 50°-95° 5 days Chives 6 holes 45°-95° 7-21 days Cilantro 4 holes 60° 10 days Dill 6 holes 60°-70°...
Page 10 Plant and Lid Selection Guide - Continued Plant Preferred Lid Ideal Temperature/Season(F) Sprout/Germination Time Leafy Greens Pack Amaranth 4 holes 60°-90° 3-4 days Broccoli Raab 2 holes 45°-85° 4-7 days Cabbage 2 holes 45°-85° 4-7 days Collards 4 holes 40°-85° 4-7 days Kale 4 holes...
Page 11: Introduction To Plant Nutrients
Introduction to Plant Nutrients Welcome to the Plant Nutrition Guide for the Food Rising Mini-Farm Grow Box. My name is Mike Adams, and I developed this system based on the Non-Circulating Hydroponics principles taught by Prof. B. Kratky at the Univ. of Hawaii. I'm also the lab director at a Forensic Food Lab where I test food, supplements and water for heavy metal contaminants such as lead, cadmium, mercury and arsenic.
Page 12: Super Simple Plant Nutrient Instructions
SUPER SIMPLE PLANT NUTRIENT INSTRUCTIONS UltraClean Super Plant Food mixes come as follows: (http://www.supplysource.com/Ultraclean-Super-Plant-Food_c_50.html) 1. The plant mix, such as a "lettuce" formula. This plant mix contains the micro nutrients (trace minerals), potassium nitrate, monopotassium phosphate and other key nutrients needed by your plant. 2.
Page 13: Water Reservoir And Grow Box Start Up Instructions
INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE 3.5 GALLON WATER RESERVOIR: For the 3.5 gallon water reservoir (white pail), add water and nutrients as follows: •Fill the pail 1/2 full with water. •Add 3 level teaspoons of plant mix. Stir until dissolved. •Add 3 levels teaspoons of CalMag mix. Stir until dissolved. •Fill the remainder of the pail all the way full.
Page 14 Here's a list of pH ranges, found on SimplyHydro.com Note that this is the pH *after* you add plant nutrients. Beans 6.0-6.5 Broccoli 6.0-6.5 Cabbage 6.5-7.5 Cantaloupe 6.5-6.8 Carrots 5.8-6.4 Chives 6.0-6.5 Cucumbers 5.8-6.0 Garlic 6.0-6.5 Lettuce 6.0-6.5 Onions 6.5-7.0 Peas 6.0-6.8 Pumpkin 5.0-6.5 Radish 6.0-7.0...
Page 15 Recommended pH testing products (very affordable) General Hydroponics PH Test Indicator, 8-Ounce http://www.amazon.com/General-Hydroponics-Test-Indicator-8-Ounce/dp/B003Y3F34I Micro Essential Labs pHydrion Urine and Saliva ph test paper , 15 ft roll with dispenser and chart, ph range 5.5-8.0 http://www.amazon.com/Essential-pHydrion-Saliva-dispenser-5-5-8-0/dp/B0001SR4NM...
Page 16: Understanding Plant Nutrient Basics
UNDERSTANDING PLANT NUTRIENT BASICS: All plants share common needs for specific nutrients and minerals. The three most common nutrients used in conventional agriculture are: N = Nitrogen. This is the "fuel" that plants use as an energy source. P = Phosphorous. This minerals supports crucial plant physiology functions that keep it alive. K = Potassium.
Page 17: Plant Nutrient Mixes
PLANT NUTRIENT MIXES UltraClean Super Plant Food mixes come as follows: 1. The plant mix, such as a "lettuce" formula. This plant mix contains the micro nutrients (trace minerals), potassium nitrate, monopotassium phosphate and other key nutrients needed by your plant. 2.
Page 18: Advanced Plant Nutrient Information
HOW TO MIX NUTRIENTS FOR MATURE PLANTS Target TDS = 1500 + your original water source Mature plants benefit from a higher nutrient concentration in the water. Use the same method described above, but aim for 1500 ppm instead of 1200. Advanced Plant Nutrient Information The following plant nutrition guide offers detailed guidance on nutrient concentrations and pH levels for different types of plants as well as their growth stages.
Page 19 REVIEW: ppm = parts per million. You can assess the parts per million of the nutrients in your water by using a low-cost TDS meter purchased for about $10 - $15 from Amazon.com. pH = Acid/Alkaline level. Low pH is more acidic. High pH is more alkaline. Most plants prefer a pH between 6.0 and 7.0, but they can usually survive in a range of 5.5 to 7.5.
Page 20 STRAWBERRIES: pH target = 6.5 - 6.8 during all stages of plant life Strawberry Fertilizer 8-12-32: Use 11 grams per 10 gallons of water during growth stage • Use 17 grams per 10 gallons of water during blooming stage • CalMag Plant Food: Use 12 grams per 10 gallons of water during growth stage •...
Page 21 HERBS: pH target = 6.2 - 6.5 during growth stage / 5.8 - 6.2 during blooming stage Pepper and Herb Fertilizer 11-11-40: Use 11 grams per 10 gallons of water during all stages • CalMag Plant Food:: Use 14 grams per 10 gallons of water during growth stage •...