The Growing Edge - Media-Free Jar System

Media-Free Jar System

The plants will be grown in glass storage jars--pickle jars work well. To prevent the growth of algae, cover the sides of jars with aluminum foil. Hold the plants in place with a lid. Small pieces of Styrofoam cut into circles to fit the mouths of the jars work especially well. You can also use the lid that comes with the jar. The jar will be filled with nutrient solution. If you use the jar's lid, use a pair of tin snips to cut some holes into it. The holes should be about a 1/2 inch in diameter--they need to be more than large enough to accommodate the stems of the growing plants and the pump tubing (see below). Filter floss or polyfill will be used to hold the plants in place. If the lids are made out of metal, line the holes with pieces of plastic tubing to protect the stems from any jagged metal.

An aquarium pump attached to tubing will provide adequate oxygen to the roots. Put the tubing through one of the holes in the jar lid and let it rest on the bottom of the jar. An aquarium air stone should be on the end of the tubing in the jar. The aeration rate should be gentle to avoid damaging the roots.

Materials

Jar, Styrofoam and a knife or jar lid and tin snips, Plant, Aluminum foil, Aquarium pump, tube, and air stone, Filter floss or polyfill, Nutrient

Hint: If you want to use more than one jar, you don't need another pump. Simply buy a three-way splitter for the pump at a pet store.