How to Have Your Very Own Hydroponic Garden

Want to build a fun, cool and green science project. Then try Hydroponics. Hydroponics is a project that you can build into an ordinary 2 liter soda bottle. All you need are a few inexpensive items and a few seeds and you can build a fully working hydroponic set. This works best with smaller plants, such as radishes which I will be using.

Step 1 What you will need

1. A two liter soda bottle
2. A coffee filter
3. Plant seeds
4. Duct tape
5. Scissors or hobby knife
6. A strip of felt
7. A marker
8. Perlite (You can find this at a gardening store or hardware store.)
Note: I am not responisible for any damages made to you or anything else with any of the materials you use for this project SO BE CAREFUL

Comments

[burriedalive]

I think you might have better luck with larger rooted plants if you wrap the bottle with aluminum tape to keep all that nasty old light off of those tender little roots. =^..^=

[vrkelley]

So...what sort of nutrients are these plants using?

[IgnorantZebra]

I think the plants are using the perllite for food because i think that when you pour the water through it sort of fertilizes it so the water has nutrients for the plant in it

[King.Cobra]

that's incorrect. your nutrient solution feeds the plants. the perlite gives the plant's root system something to anchor to.

[awang8]

Perlite... Doesn't contain any nutrients. It's really just superheated volcanic rock.

[ArtemisBlue]

Although it does contain little Calcium, you're correct. Best option is what Rocketfueler posted.

[Rocketfueler]

Miracle Grow does have perlite that's infused with Miracle Grow. I use it. Can get it at any Home Depot or probably even Walmart. You can use it with no other growing medium -- all by itself -- and it will feed your plants just fine.

[chirp-o-tron]

Thanks. I'm going to build one. I love radishes :)

[chirp-o-tron]

I just need to find a soda bottle somewhere...

[awang8]

Buy soft drinks!!!! YEAH!!!!

[IgnorantZebra]

You could buy a cheap 2 liter seltzer bottle

[IgnorantZebra]

If it works good for you and you like it please vote for it in the earthjustice contest

[chirp-o-tron]

Before building this, I was just curious, does this work by evaporation, or does the plant just get enough water when you water it?

[IgnorantZebra]

The water soaks up through the felt. When you water it though you have to pour it through the top so it goes into the bottom resivoir.