Hydroponic information.

Cole_Robbie · October 9, 2016

I looked into the organic idea, and my understanding of the OMRI rules was that all plastic must be food safe. That sounds great, but if one is using a mag-drive pump to move water, there is no such thing as a food-safe water pump for hydro. That product does not exist.

If you're not trying to get certified and are thus willing to overlook minor details like that, there are organic nutrients for hydro. They are expensive, of course. It is difficult to refine and filter organic fertilizers into a liquid that will not clog up spray lines, tubing and emitters. It is also much more challenging to avoid pythium and root rot, not impossible, just more challenging, especially in DWC.

The easiest way to grow organic tomatoes inside would be to use a pro-mix type of media that was organic and then add organic fertilizers.

October 9, 2016	#16
Cole_Robbie Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Illinois, zone 6 Posts: 8,407	I looked into the organic idea, and my understanding of the OMRI rules was that all plastic must be food safe. That sounds great, but if one is using a mag-drive pump to move water, there is no such thing as a food-safe water pump for hydro. That product does not exist. If you're not trying to get certified and are thus willing to overlook minor details like that, there are organic nutrients for hydro. They are expensive, of course. It is difficult to refine and filter organic fertilizers into a liquid that will not clog up spray lines, tubing and emitters. It is also much more challenging to avoid pythium and root rot, not impossible, just more challenging, especially in DWC. The easiest way to grow organic tomatoes inside would be to use a pro-mix type of media that was organic and then add organic fertilizers.