Version 1.

Y R D O P O N I C S
H
TUP

D
P H IL IP P IN E SE

BACKY A R FOR

DU M M I E S
A Reference

WRITTEN BY MIGEN C. - FARM FOR ABUNDANCE

for the

Rest of Us!
Basics of Greenhousing
The best lettuce seeds I tried (100% Germination by Experience)
The best way to grow your seed
Simpliest Hydro Setup: Hydrponics in a Styro Box
ShopeePH Links of Things I Buy
Measuring your water
When to transfer the seedling
Signs to look for great growth
When to harvest
 THE FUTURE
OF FARMING

HYDRO up to 90% more

efficient use of water

PONICS production increase 3

to 10 times in the same
amount of space
decrease the time
before harvest

GREENOURPLANET.ORG
GREENHOUSING
 DO I NEED IT?
- is it worth the investment?
- is it too early to build one?
GREENHOUSE

PARTS OF GREENHOUSE AND

WHY DOES IT MATTER
- weather protection
- pest prevention

CONSIDER THE POSITIONING

- know where is east
- shading
 1. ...you are just trying it out first
YOU MIGHT
NOT NEED TO
with one to three styro boxes
BUILDING A
GREENHOUSE

2. ...you think there is little to

IF....

zero pests around your area

3. ...your setup can withstand

your location's weather
conditions

Remember: Keep Calm - you might not need one

 MIND THE HEIGHT
High-roof greenhouse is
better for air circulation
and temperature control. SHADE NET
(atleast 3.5 meters high Too much heat from the sun
from the ground) can burn you plant's leaves,
or kill them.

CLEAR UV PLASTIC
can help absorbs the UV
radiation and help dissipate
OVERHANG
the energy as low-level heat.
this is to protect the plants
inside from the rain brought
by the wind.

NET WALLS
Use white colored net. The
color white reflects heat FLOORING
while black absorbs it. Also helps avoid insects to lay
make sure that the net is eggs and avoid weeds to
fine and strong. grow. Can be made of wood,
FOOTWEAR concrete, bricks or vinyl
Use a dedicated footwear
when you or your guests
goes inside the greenhouse
KNOW YOUR EAST
The morning sun (6AM to 9AM)
and afternoon sun (4PM to 6PM)
are your plant's bestfriend.

Avoid shades during this time of

the day but keep them shaded
at noon when the temperature is
too high.

TIP: To keep my plants shaded and

away from noon sun, I use 50%
shade net for my lettuces and 70%
shade net for my seedlings.

here's the net I use

ShopeePH shop for shade:
https://invle.co/clcu70j
START RIGHT
Give them the proper care by
placing your seedlings to the
coolest part of your
greenhouse/location but also
minding the presence of the
sun.

They will not germinate if it's

too hot. They will also be
leggy if there is no enough
sun and at worse might lead
to early root-rot. Root-rot (def) : any of various plant
diseases characterized by decay of the
roots.
You will notice that your
seedlings will grow towards Leggy (def) : Leggy plants are marked by
flopping stems, uneven and sparse
where the sun is if they do not growth, and has longer stem than
normal.
receive enough.
SEEDS & SEEDLINGS
SEED & SEEDLING

IT'S MOSTLY
ABOUT GETTING
THE BEST SEED

"I've tried the seeds from

supermarkets, I've tried the seeds
coming from local lettuce farm, and
yet the only one I kept planting are
designed from the Netherlands" - Meg
TIP: Stock your seeds inside an
airtight plastic bag or container and
inside the fridge (not in the freezer)

100%
NO MORE TRYING JUST TO SEE HOW THEY GROW
I only plant 1 seed each seed hole and this has saved me space & money
It has saved me time because I follow a seedling-growing technique.
And I only trust ONE SEED BRAND so far and I am repacking it for you.

since I started using it

ShopeePH 100 Pcs Batavia Lettuce: https://invol.co/cl7ngog
 USE SEEDLING TRAY
Seedling trays can help you easily
monitor your seedlings, transfer the
seedling to the permanent pot and give
KEY POINTS
each seed ample space.
ShopeeLink https://invol.co/cl6mxks

PROPER WATERING
On the next page I will teach you the
best practice of watering your seedlings.

DO NOT COVER THE TRAY

This might work for other seeds or
plants such as tomatoes but not for this
specific lettuce seeds.
 step 1

STERELIZE YOUR MEDIUM

Mix 10ml of 3% Hyrdogen Peroxide (H2O2)
to to 1L Water and use this solution to
soak your cocopeat to this solution before using
Hydrogen Peroxide is also known as agua oxinada where you can buy in pharmacy or grocery stores

step 2

FULL BUT COVERED ENOUGH

Loosely fill each hole with cocopeat them.
Put one seed each hole and cover
the seed slightly - just enough to be unseen.
DO NOT BURRY THE SEED TOO DEEP

step 3

SPRAY PLAIN WATER

Spray the top with water every morning and/or
afternoon on days 0 to 3. Make sure your tray has drain
holes.
STARTING TO SPROUT
On day 3 - 4 you will see cotyledon leaves. This is the
time that you have to make sure they are getting
enough sunlight without burning them and perform
bottom watering technique. (see next page)

Cotyledons are not considered true leaves and are sometimes referred to as "seed leaves,"
because they are actually part of the seed or embryo of the plant.
BOTTOM WATERING
To make sure your seedlings are growing strong roots,
use the bottom watering technique. Soak the bottom of
your tray with plain water or water with solution (see
below for reference) for about 15-20 mins and then take
them out to drain. You do not want to drown your seed,
the goal is for the cocopeat to absorb the water from
the bottom.

WATERING SUMMARY
DAY 7 - 11 DAY 14
DAY 0 - 3 There should be atleast two real leaf
Bottom watering technique with 50%
Spray the top with water every morning and sprouting by this time, By then, you can
nutrient solution (do not mind PH level this
afternoon transfer your seedlings to its permanent
time)
pot.

DAY 4 - 6 DAY 12 - 14
Bottom watering technique with just plain Bottom watering technique with 100%
water. nutrient solution (do not mind PH level this
time)

See page 23 - 26 for How to prepare your nutrient solution.

TRANSPLANTING
Rule of thumb: When there are two real leaves
already, it is a good time to transplant your lettuce.
(this is expected on the 14th day of seed planting)

FILL THE BOTTOM

Make sure there are cocopeat at the bottom of your
netpot that will absorb the water.

TRANSFER EVERYTHING
To avoid stress to the plant, include the cocopeat
medium from the trays where roots have grown.

FILL THE TOP

To keep your seedlings standing well, fill the top of
TIP: Transplant your seedlings in the the net pots.
morning or afternoon when the
environment is cooler.

NETPOTS Shopee Link: https://invle.co/clcu743

KRATKY METHOD
HYDROPONICS
IN A BOX
KRATKY METHOD

The Kratky method is a passive hydroponic technique for growing plants

suspended above a reservoir of nutrient-rich water.
HYDROPONICS
IN A BOX
KRATKY METHOD

PROS CONS
Low Maintenance, Low Cost, Very Not for large scale production although some
good for begineers to understand farms use this. Not great for large and fruit
the science behind hydroponics bearing plants.
 IN A BOX
HYDROPONiCS
LEVEL
How deep?

SPACING
Enough space gives the leaves
enough access to light.

MEASURE
Let's dive the numbers.
SPACING
BOTAVIA LETTUCE needs
12 to 18 inches space apart
from the center

ShopeePH 100 Pcs Batavia Lettuce:

https://invol.co/cl7ngog

BUTTERHEAD LETTUCE needs

6 to 8 inches space
from the center.

TIP: Make sure the holes in your box

fits perfectly to your netpots. You do
not want sunlight to penetrate inside
the box and to your water.
LEVEL OF WATER

TIP: Mine is just

right here... a
little bit above
the net pot's
bottom. ABOUT DAY 0
SINCE TANSPLANT
ABOUT DAY 14
SINCE TANSPLANT
ABOUT DAY 28
SINCE TANSPLANT

Note: You would only need to add water if it's too low for the plant's age, otherwise leave it as is.
Its roots need some space to breath. Per lettuce plant will need about 1.5 to 2 litters of water
per life cycle which will also depend on your surroundings temperature.
TOOLS YOU NEED

PH METER EC METER TDS METER

measures the measures the units measures the Total
acidity of your of electrical charge Dissolved Solids in
water. the water

PH Meter Shopee Link:

https://invle.co/clcu76kf
PH Meter, TDS/EC
with Thermometer
Shopee Link:
https://invle.co/clcu76ks

THERMOMETER
measures the
temperature
MEASUREMENT TO REMEMBER
See next pages on how to mix your water

PH EC TDS TEMPERATURE
Lettuce 5.8 to 6 1.5ms/cm 560 to 840 ppm 20 to 28 deg C
(100% solution for seedlings day 12 onwards )

300 to 400 ppm

(50% solution for seedlings day 7 to 11 )

** PH, EC and TDS are explained on the next page

Note: When using the Kratky Method, I personally check and adjust my water's PH level,
and TDS only once and at the start of the cycle (the time to transplant the seedlings).

Unless I notice signs of stress on the leaves, rootrot or weird coloring of the water, I
passively leave the water solution just as it was from the time I prepared it.
ADDING NUTRIENTS AND
MEASURING WATER
Reminder: The amount of
nutrients will depend on the
current state of your water.
Some water source contain
minerals/salt/dissolved solid
materials at its default state
therefore there is no formula to
follow but only to measure.

A B If it's your first time to pour

nutrient solutions such as this,
be patient. Pour little by little of
Nutrient Sol Nutrient Sol each solution until you reach the
target TDS or EC numbers .
Shopee Link Nutrient Solution I use:
https://invle.co/clck2pr Eventually, you will be able to
master and know your water
well.
See next pages for steps on how to prepare your nutrient solution.
 Prepping: Read the instructions
ADDING NUTRIENTS AND
of your hydroponics solution,
MEASURING WATER follow the steps on how to
dissolve them to water and
become the Nutrient Solution to
add to your reservois.

Step 1: Add this Nutrient Solution

A to your water. Give it a good
stir and let it settle for atleast 5

A B
mins. Make sure that Sol A is
mixed well before adding Sol B.

Step 2: Add the same amount of

Nutrient Solution B. The Sol A
Nutrient Sol Nutrient Sol and Sol B has to be equal by
amount. Give it a good stir.

Step 3: Measure your TDS and/or

EC. Add more water if it is above the
target number or more Nutrient
Solution if it is otherwise.
CONTROL YOUR PH LEVEL

Step 4: Once your TDS is stable,

measure your PH level. If your
PH level is too high proceed to
next steps. (see page 24 for your
target PH Level)

Step 5: Dilute the 85% Acid down

H3PO4 to 15% by mixing 1L of water and
20mL of the 85% Phosphoric Acid

PH Down Step 6: Add your PH Down

solution (15% Phosphoric Acid) to
your reservois if needed. You
Shopee Link: Phosphoric Acid
https://invle.co/clcu790
might only need a drop or two to
bring down PH7 to PH6
 YEY! YOU'RE
ALMOST
THERE
NOW, WHAT TO LOOK
FOR?

"Like every living creature, plants need some love too."

 White Creamy Colored Roots
SIGNS THAT YOURE If roots are brown, that's a sign of rootrot. Check
your water, your space for your roots to get
DOING WELL oxygen, check your temperature.

Healthy Leaves
Yellowing from the bottom can be okay if it's not
too much, otherwise cheack your water.

No Insect Bites or Insect Marks

Try spraying Hydrogen Peroxide Soln, the one
you used to sterilize your cocopeat to use
against leaf miners. If you see leaf eating worms,
take it away using a puller.
HARVEST
 TIME
They should be ready to harvest
3 to 4 weeks from the day you
transplant.

SIZE
Some farms simply know when
they are big enough. Others like to
harvest them early but certainly
not late.
SHARE YOUR HARVEST
AND YOUR
FARM PROGRESS
with the
#FarmForAbundance
 CONGRATULATIONS
I hope I helped you level up the confidence to grow your own food

If you have any questions email me at

[email protected]

Join Our Growing Social Group

Facebook: Farm for Abundance

https://www.facebook.com/farmforabundance

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 SHOPEE LINKS
Involv is an affiliate program for creators like me. Purchasing using this links will not affect the price of the products
posted and yet will generate a small amount of monetary benefits that will help us continue what we do for the
community. I personally have tried purchasing to these shops and has done a good work so far.

ShopeePH shop for Net Shade: https://invle.co/clcu70j

100 Pcs Batavia Lettuce: https://invol.co/cl7ngog

Netpots Shopee Link: https://invle.co/clcu743

Seedling Tray ShopeeLink https://invol.co/cl6mxks

PH Meter & TDS, EC with Thermometer Shopee Link: https://invle.co/clcu76k

Shopee Link Nutrient Solution I use: https://invle.co/clck2pr

Shopee Link: Phosphoric Acid https://invle.co/clcu790