I wanna share with you the so called "Kratky method", a hydroponic way of growing herbs, leafy greens and all sorts of stuff without any growing media.
I use glass bottles, which I made a nice 3D-printed adapter for. It fits an optional wick (useful for the start) and holds everything in place. You can even refill them later on!
Plant roots need both oxygen and water. If you only put them into a full glass of water, they'll die due to suffocation ("overwatering"/ root rot).
In the Kratky method, the level of the nutrient solution drops as the plant grows, and oxygen is provided that way.
I really like this method for growing lettuce on my balcony.
The main benefit, compared to a classic growing medium like coco coir (or even soil), is that you don't even need any growing media you have to dispose of later on. Zero waste.
And of course all those neat other hydro benefits, like fast growth, less pests, and so on.
I guess you are using colored glass mainly to reduce algae growth?
Correct! ๐ I haven't observed much algae growth yet.
But I'm also experimenting atm how it turns out when I spray coat them.
This year I have a 50% shade cloth, but last year they were uncovered and hot afternoon sun fully blasted onto them, cooking everything to mush.
I now painted a few of them white, and I hope this reduces algae growth and heating significantly.
Good old white-wash with slaked lime should do the trick as well I would say.
I never heard of that and looked into it. I haven't found anything regarding glass. Are you sure it adheres well to a bottle? Is it weather proof?
It should, yes. It is commonly used on old glashouses with glas pannels around here.