There are a number of different Wilma Drip Hydroponic systems. The most common for home use are the Wilma 4, 8 and 10 pot systems. I have purchased two 4 pot and two 10 pots systems to go in my greenhouse.
Drip systems are the most widely used Hydroponic systems in the world. They are commonly used in commercial facilities for growing long term crops like tomatoes and peppers. Drip systems provide plenty of aeration (more than ebb and flow) because plant roots are never totally submerged, but are never allowed to dry out.
Wilma Drip Hydroponic systems operate very simply. A pump has tubing connected to it which then branches off to smaller tubes feeding many plants. Nutrient solution is dripped onto the base of each plant where it then trickles down through the grow media (inert or soil based) and into the roots and finally drains into the reservoir where it is re-used. Wilma Drip Hydroponic Systems using this growing technique is generally favored by gardeners who wish to grow small to large sized plants, while providing a precise and controlled feeding program.
During the winter 2008/9 I been experimenting with my 4 pots systems. Initially I tried growing some dwarf and runner beans but it was too late in the session. They flowered but the flowers died off.
My cabbages and cauliflowers were decimated by caterpillars. Those that survived I transplanted to the the 4 pot systems. I haven’t done to much with them, other than remove any caterpillars I found. The cabbage as recovered and the cauliflowers have nice small heads. There are some dying leaves, so suspect that I need some more nutriants.
I suspect that I’m over watering them as well.
At the moment I have an 8ft by 6ft greenhouse that doesn’t receive much winter sun. I intend to move it , but need to rearrange my sheds to do this.
My thoughts for 2009 are:
- 1 10 pot wilma drip system for tomatoes
- 1 10 pot wilma drip system for sweet peppers
- 1 4 pot wilma drip system for melons.
- 1 4 pot wilma drip system for Aubergines.
I would like some chillis and courgetes as well.
The location that I’m going to move the green house to has an 10ft by 16ft shed. which begs the question due I get a larger green house ( mine is nearly 10 years old), or by a secound 8 by 6 green house.
Which every option I end up chosing, I would like to use a green house heat sink and bury the wilma trays into the ground to have more head room for plants to grow.
Taking it one step further I would like to have solar panels to power the pumps, fans and LED grow lights. The fan takes only 1W and the pumps 1.3W each so a 10W solar panel will do the job. But the pumps at 220V and I would need an inverter.
To help extend the session I have acquired 3 X 13W LED grow lights (12V) so need at least 36W of power for every hour the grow lights are on. They would be only required during the spring and autumn but that is when the weather is less likely to have sufficient sunlight. Hence this will push up the size and cost of the solar panels required.
I’m looking for some good deals on solar panels, battery and inverter. I will need a 12V timer to be able to switch the LED growlights on and off.
19 Mar 09
Finally resited my greenhouse and have installed all my Wilma Drip Hydroponic systems. To gain more height for the plants to grow the trays have been dug in to a depth of about 6inches. The holes were lines with the bubble wrap that the hyproponic systems came in and then a layer of ploystreene to help insulate water from the cold ground. The trays hold over 200lts of water so with the insulation may act as a natural heat sink as well.
I have been buying my Wilma drip systems on ebay , whilst I checked for damage and correct quaility, I didn’t check that the pots for the 10 pot wilma drip system where correct. I had been supplied with 11ltr pots instead of 6.5ltr pots. I decided to keep the 11tlr pots as they would be good for growing longer carrots in.
Yesterday evening visited my local hydroponic shop and purchased 200ltrs of clay gravel ( going to need another bag next month), 10 6.5ltr pots, some nutrients and two test meters.
The trays were filled with water to help get rid of the chlorine.
Time to experiment.
Filled 10 x 6.5ltr and 4 x 11pots with clay pebbles, gave them a good wash to remove any dust to save the pump filter.
I’ve temporarily powered the pumps to check they work, using extension lead protected by an RCD. I have a slight leak on the joints on the 10 pot system, will need to find a way to seal them.
Tasks.
Add nutrients and test to correct level
I’m using Canna Hydro Vega A+B during the plant growth phase
“CANNA’s HYDRO VEGA (formerly known as Substra) guarantees healthy green plants and an excellent result. After years of research, the nutrient has been uniquely formulated for use with tap water. Ideally suited to ‘Run to Waste’ systems and passive feeding. This fertiliser gives the plant all the nutrients necessary during the growing phase.”
Canna Hydro Vega A+B
and then Canna Hydro Flores A+B for the flower / fruiting phase.
“CANNA HYDRO FLORES (formerly known as Substra) stimulates flowering/ fruiting and provides for an unrivalled juice production and large yeilds. This fertiliser is used the most world-wide and provides all the nutrients that the plant needs during the blooming phase. This product is very popular among experienced as well as inexperienced growers, due to its simplicity to use. Ideally suited to ‘Run to Waste’ systems and passive feeding.”
Add 5 Tomato Roma VF plants – Have surplus seedlings so worth a risk.
See Growing Tomatoes In Wilma Drip Hydroponic System
Tags: Tomato Roma VF, wilma drip 10 pot system, wilma drip 4 pot system
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