Step 1:

Gather the following materials and tools:

Materials

1. Food-safe plastic container

2. Food-safe net pots (Seen here is a 3D printed cup with PLA)

3. Clay pebble hydrotons

4. Aquarium air pump and stone

Tools

1. Sharp utility knife

2. Cutting board

3. Permanent Marker

Step 2:

1. Plan out how many cups will fit on within the area of your plastic container

2. Trace the outline of the net pots on the cover of the plastic container

3. Now draw a smaller circle, roughly matching the depth of the net cup's lip. Without doing this, your cup will slip through the plastic cover.

Note: You could also measure the circumference of the widest past of the net cup, below the lip and trace a circle using a drawing compass.

Step 3 :

1. Cut out the smaller circles using the utility knife and cutting board.

2. You may have to adjust this size as needed if the cups don't quite fit.

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Note: There is some flexibility in the plastic that will allow the cup to squeeze in. Better to stay on the cautious side as you can always cut more, but can't add back.

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Step 4:

1. After cutting out all holes, insert the cups into the lid to ensure everything fits properly.

 

Note: This will hole will allow the water to wick up through the paper towel to the seeds/plant)

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Step 5:

1. Use the hose from the air pump to trace a circle to cut out so you can feed the tube and air stone into the container

Cut out the hole. Adjust as needed.

Step 6:

1. Feed the tube through the cut hole.

2. Attached air stone to the end.

3. Attach the other end of the tube to the air pump.

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Step 7:

1. Fill all cups with the clay pebble hydrotons. Ensure to not fill past the top of the cups.

2. Either sow or transplant seedlings into the cups. 

 

Note: If using seedlings, ensure the roots go down as far as possible. The roots will need to touch the nutrient water.

Step 8:

1. Pour nutrient water into the container until the bottom of the cups are submerged.

2. Plug in the air pump and ensure air is flowing through.

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Note: Ensure you mix your nutrient water according the the manufacturers instructions. At the early stages, you should follow the concentrations for starting seedlings (usually a lower concentration)

Once the plant is established (meaning new leaves are appearing), the concentration should be increased.

Step 9:

1. Place the jar near a window or under a grow light.

2. Ensure that the nutrient water is replaced weekly.

3. If algae or mould form, carefully remove the plant, clean the all parts with soap and water, and replace the nutrient water.

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Note: If you are growing in the winter where natural light is reduced, you will need to use a grow light to ensure the plant is getting the light it needs. On average plants need 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight. For best results provide 12 to 16 hours of exposure to a full spectrum grow light.