greenhouse sensation Hydrogrow NFT Quick guide

V15-301211
Telephone
0845 602 3774
www.GreenhouseSensation.co.uk
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Assembly and
maintenance
instructions
Hydrogrow
NFT

Hydrogrow
Advanced growing for bumper crops
You’re well on your way to achieving 3x bigger harvests and much faster growth.
Your planter uses the growing method known as ‘nutrient fi lm technique’, a thin fi lm of water and nutrients
is continuously pumped to the plant roots. The constant access to water and nutrients and the
superb access to oxygen results in healthier plants that grow more quickly and produce bigger yields.
Link your Hydrogrow to a holiday watering kit and your plants will even be fed and watered for up to 2
weeks at a time, so you can go on holiday knowing your plants are in safe hands.
The Hydrogrow NFT takes centre stage at our visitor greenhouse where our team of horticulturalists
(we call them our Gardening Angels) develop new products and grow bananas, papaya, pineapple
and ginger as well as tomatoes, chillies, herbs and salads.
We’re pretty proud of the fact that our visitor greenhouse holds the Guinness World Record for the
world’s longest tomato plant. The record breaking tomato plant was grown in a Hydrogrow planter
and is recorded at 65ft but it actually continued to grow to 92ft.
The greenhouse is open to visitors all year, so if you’re in the area pop in to sample the fruits of our
Gardening Angel team’s labour and have a chat.
Location:
Towngate Works
Dark Lane
Mawdesley, Lancashire
L40 2QU
(turn left when you drive into Towngate Works)
Got a question? Need some advice?
Our Gardening Angels are on-hand to answer any questions
Phone: [phone]
Email: [email protected].uk
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Welcome to the world of greenhouse sensation™
Thank you for choosing a
Greenhouse Sensation Hydrogrow NFT.
Come and see our bananas
Hints, tips and special offers
search ‘Greenhouse Sensation’
‘Like’ Us
Hydrogrow NFT spare parts & replenishments
5 plant
system contents
gs201 Tank/Reservoir
gs202 Tray
gs203 Pre-cut Top-Plate
gs901 Submersible Pump
gs902 Delivery Tube
gs905 pH Test Kit
gs906 pH Down 125ml
gs903 Emptying Tube
gs904 7.6m Spreader Mat
gs913 Solution Heater 100w
gs914 Solution Container A
gs915 Solution Container B
gs908 Measuring Beaker
gs907 3ml Pipette
nutrient packs
universal
gs001 Nutrient A & B x 1
Acid Test Kit
pH Down 125ml
3ml Pipette
Measuring Beaker
gs002 Nutrient A & B x 2
Acid Test Kit
pH Down 125ml
3ml Pipette
Measuring Beaker
gs003 Nutrient A & B x 1
gs004 Nutrient A & B x 2
gs005 Nutrient A & B x 1
Acid Test Kit
gs006 Nutrient A & B x 1
pH Down 125ml
3ml Pipette
nutrient packs
hardwater
gs007 Nutrient A & B x 1
Acid Test Kit
pH Down 125ml
3ml Pipette
Measuring Beaker
gs008 Nutrient A & B x 2
Acid Test Kit
pH Down 125ml
3ml Pipette
Measuring Beaker
gs009 Nutrient A & B x 1
gs010 Nutrient A & B x 2
gs011 Nutrient A & B x 1
Acid Test Kit
gs012 Nutrient A & B x 1
pH Down 125ml
3ml Pipette
3 plant
system contents
gs101 Reservoir
gs102 Tray
gs103 Pre-cut Top-Plate
gs901 Submersible Pump
gs902 Delivery Tube
gs905 pH Test Kit
gs906 pH Down 125ml
gs903 Emptying Tube
gs904 7.6m Spreader Mat
gs918 Solution Heater 50w
gs914 Solution Container A
gs915 Solution Container B
gs908 Measuring Beaker
gs907 3ml Pipette
Got a question? Need some advice?
Our Gardening Angels are on-hand to answer any questions
Email: [email protected]
Email: [email protected]
Facebook: Greenhouse Sensation
Got a question? Need some advice?
Our Gardening Angels are on-hand to answer any questions
Email: [email protected]
Got a question? Need some advice?
Our Gardening Angels are on-hand to answer any questions
Your Hydrogrow NFT
was designed and made
by us in Lancashire,
where we also
grow bananas!

FAQ for Hydrogrow NFT
Q. Can I grow plants from seed in the Hydrogrow NFT?
A. It is not recommended to do this. The Hydrogrow NFT is designed for growing plants
from planting out stage to maturity.
Q. What plants can I grow in my Hydrogrow NFT?
A. Any plant will grow in a greenhouse sensation™ system. Best results are obtained
with fast growing crop plants, such as tomatoes, chillies, and cucumbers.
Q. Where can I use Hydrogrow NFT?
A. A greenhouse or conservatory is ideal but anywhere with plenty of light, air and heat
(but not too hot) is fi ne.
Q. Can I mix plant species in my Hydrogrow NFT?
A. Yes. More vigorous plants should be placed higher in the system, for example
tomatoes should be nearer the delivery tube and peppers nearer the water outlet of
the growing tray.
Q. What should I do with water and nutrients emptied from my reservoir?
A. Use it on pot plants, border, hanging baskets or vegetable patch.
Q. How can I tell if my water supply is ‘hard’?
A. You don’t get much lather with Hardwater and it furs up the kettle. If you are in any
doubt use ‘universal’ greenhouse sensation™ nutrients.
Q. My water supply is really hard. Is it ok for the Hydrogrow NFT?
A. Yes it’s fi ne but you can improve your water by diluting very hard water 50:50 with
rainwater. Still use hardwater nutrients.
Q. How much topping up is normal?
A. It depends on how well your plants are growing. The topping-up they need the
better the growth. Our record is approx 12 litres per day for 2 hero chilli plants in
a 3 plant Hydrogrow NFT.
Q. My plants have water droplets on the leaf each morning. Is it ok?
A. Yes it is sign of good health.
Q. How long can I expect the nutrient pack to last?
A. The more nutrient solution the plant uses the healthier it is. You can expect nutrient
packs for the Hydrogrow NFT to last a season.
Component list for Hydrogrow NFT
1 x Reservoir 1 x emptying tube 1 x delivery tube
1 x submersible pump 1 x pH test kit A & B nutrient & beaker
1 x phosphoric acid 1 x spreader mat 1 x tray & 1x top plate
1 x 100w heater
optional

Testing and adjusting the pH (acidity) of the nutrients & water
The pH of the reservoir contents should be maintained at between 6.2 and 7.2
Repeat pH tests frequently in hard water areas and weekly or fortnightly in softwater areas, use
greenhouse sensation™ pH down if necessary.
To check the pH using the greenhouse sensation™ acidity kit supplied:
1. Take a 2ml sample from the reservoir in the phial provided. REMEMBER to switch off the
pump and heater before placing hands in the tank.
2. Add 2 drops of reagent to the phial.
3. Shake the phial gently and compare the colour with the test card to determine the pH.
The desired pH is anywhere between 6.2 and 7.2 if the test is green the pH is fi ne .
If the test shows blue (with no trace of green) it needs to be adjusted down. Use the greenhouse
sensation™ pH down and the pipette provided. Add the pH down sparingly (try 1ml at fi rst until
experience tells you how much you will need). Allow the reservoir an hour to mix thoroughly then
re-test the acidity. Remember it is better having to repeat the process than to overdose with the
pH down.
If the test shows yellow, add tap water. If the yellow colour persists, or in the case of accidental
overdose of pH down, the solution should be changed as soon as possible.
In a small number of areas or if using 100% rainwater for the water supply the test result may always
be yellow. If this is the case contact greenhouse sensation™ for further advice.
Hints and advice
1. Keep a diary noting of all your planting out dates and reservoir changes. Also recording all topping
ups required. The more water and nutrient used the better the plants are growing.
2. A weak acid solution is ideal for cleaning pump of lime-scale. Using the pipette measure
approximately 5ml of gs pH down for soft-water areas or 10ml of greenhouse sensation pH down
for hard-water areas and add to 1 litre of water in a suitable plastic container. At reservoir changes
run the pump in this container for 10mins. You can store this solution for future use in a suitable
container. Always label the container.
3. The ideal time to clean the pump is when you are carrying out a reservoir change.
Part fi ll the reservoir with water to help stabilise the tank before
assembly and to ensure it is level.
Place the tray into position with the access fl ap at the same
end as the maximum level indicator (triangular ledge) inside
the Reservoir. The 5 plant option includes nuts and bolts for
attaching the tray to the Reservoir’.
Push the wide end of the delivery tube into the pump outlet,
then remove the rubber cap from the side of the pump and
attach the air tube onto the pump.
Fix the pump to the inside base of the Reservoir using the
rubber suckers. Put the narrow end of the Delivery Tube
through the hole in the tray and place the air-tube outside of
the Reservoir. The air-tube valve can be adjusted by
turning the top clockwise to open, we recommend using it
fully opened.
Roll out two lengths of Spreader Mat to cover the base of the
tray, overhanging the Spreader Mat slightly into the Reservoir.
Don’t worry about overlaps or gaps in the Spreader Mat.
Fill the reservoir to the maximum fi ll level (the top triangular
indent at the pump end of the reservoir). Run the pump to wet
out the Spreader Mat.
Assembly instructions for Hydrogrow NFT

Nutrient Dosage Chart
Add nutrients every time you add water. Use the following dosage rates
3 plant Hydrogrow Reservoir holds 19 Litres of water mixed with nutrients
5 plant Hydrogrow Reservoir holds 45 Litres of water mixed with nutrients
Young plants use the Standard Dose and strongly growing plants use the Maximum Strength Dose.
After adding nutrient dose to reservoir tank allow time to mix thoroughly and test pH and adjust
if necessary.
Top-up the Reservoir as necessary, the number of top-ups required will depend on the plant’s uptake
of the solution, the more the plant uses the healthier it is. Always refi ll the Reservoir to the maximum fi ll
level (the top triangular ledge at the pump end of the Reservoir).
NEVER ALLOW THE SOLUTION TO FALL BELOW THE LEVEL OF THE PUMP.
*Use normal top-up dose on every occasion except when your plants are growing very stron gly and
are in good conditions of light and heat.
Reservoir changes
Empty and refi ll the reservoir every 3-4 weeks.
1. Switch-off PUMP and HEATER and remove delivery tube from the pump.
2. Fit the emptying tube onto the pump to drain the reservoir either to waste or collect in
buckets for use elsewhere. Fit an extension hose to emptying tube if convenient.
3. You don’t need to completely empty the reservoir but gently inclining the reservoir towards the
pump will help.
4. Replace pump and delivery tube into tray. Refi ll with clean water and nutrient dose. Young
plants use start dose, strong growing plants use full dose. Adjust pH if necessary.
5. Switch on pump and heater.
Dosage Universal water Hardwater water
start dose 5ml of nutrient A
+ 5ml of nutrient B
with every 1 Litre of water
4ml of nutrient A
+ 4ml of nutrient B
with every 1 Litre of water
maximum
strength dose
8ml of nutrient A
+ 8ml of nutrient B
with every 1 Litre of water
7ml of nutrient A
+ 7ml of nutrient B
with every 1 Litre of water
In all cases use the same amount of A & B
Assembly instructions for Hydrogrow NFT
Remove cut outs and place top plate in position.
The 5 plant option includes adhesive pads. Peel off the
backing on the adhesive pads and fi t to the edge of the tray.
If using the optional heater set the heater to the required
temperature (65°F to 75°F.18°C to 22°C).
Attach the suckers to the heater and secure in a horizontal
position on the base of the reservoir. THE HEATER MUST BE
SUBMERGED AT ALL TIMES. See heater instructions.
Leave the heater in the tank for 2 hours prior to planting out to
allow the water to reach the correct temperature.
1. Ensure that your electricity supply incorporates an RCCB
protection devise, or alternatively use a socket mounted
RCCB power breaker unit.
2. Ensure pump and heater are reconnected in accordance
with manufacturers instructions
3. Always switch off electricity supply before making contact
with nutrient solution in tank.
ELECTRICAL SAFETY
FIRST

Are my plants ready to transplant?
Always remove the plant pot or the rockwool’s plastic cover prior to planting in your Hydrogrow NFT.
We do not recommend starting your plants in a pot or rockwool cube larger than 7 or 8cm/3inches.
Always remove the pot or rockwool cover prior to planting in your Hydrogrow NFT.
Planting out
Remember you should have abundant white roots on the outside of your soil or rockwool cube before
transplanting.
Place the young plant through the pre-cut holes to rest on the tray.
The fi rst few days
Signs of root growth into the tray should be seen within 48 hours. At this stage add greenhouse
sensation™ nutrients at the start-up dose rate (see page 7). In the right conditions root growth is
amazingly rapid. The picture opposite shows the roots of a tomato plant after just three weeks in a
Hydrogrow NFT.
Making up your nutrient
Your two nutrient bottles contain nutrient powders which need to be mixed with water.
Add 2.5L of warm water to each bottle. Shake the bottles thoroughly to ensure the
powder dissolves fully.
A & B nutrients should always be used in equal measures and should be added to the
water seperately, add the required dose of A to your watering can or jug of water
followed by the required dose of B nutrient.
Our gardening experts are available to help with any questions you may have.
Call: 0845 602 3774
Email: [email protected]
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