General-hydroponics RainForest 236 User Manual download pdf (Page 3)

7. As your plants grow, maintain the appropriate level of nutrient solution in the

reservoir (14 to 16 gallons). Keep the nutrient level at the upper mark on the

drain/level tube until multiple roots have developed that hang down below

the growing cup. Once roots are well developed, you may safely allow the

nutrient level to drop as low as the lower mark on the drain/level tube. See

Maintaining Your RainForest for details.

8. After the cuttings have developed roots, add Hydroton to the cups to help

support the plants. Be sure to wash and soak the Hydroton before adding

them to the cups (see Equipment Assembly for details).

The Hydroton serve primarily as a mechanical support. If you expect to

transplant your cuttings, you may prefer to not use Hydroton at all.

start Seeds in the RainForest:

Always use fresh, clean seeds that are free of disease and/or soil contamination

1. Fill each growing cup almost to the top with Hydroton that have been

washed and soaked overnight in tap water.

2. Place seeds on the Hydroton as you would plant them in the ground. Cover

the seeds with a layer of Hydroton.

Most seeds prefer to be planted one Hydroton diameter below the surface.

Larger seeds may prefer to be planted deeper, smaller seeds closer to the

surface. Place very small seeds on a tiny piece of fine nylon netting, or other

non-absorbent support, just under the surface of the Hydroton.

3. Insert the cups firmly in the holes in the reservoir cover. Cover any unused

holes in the reservoir cover to retard water loss.

Place the RainForest in a warm, well-lit location.

Seedlings generally develop faster if the nutrient is warm (75-80 F); keep

the RainForest in a warm room or place the reservoir on top of a small elec-

tric heating pad. Place the RainForest in bright, indirect sunlight ~~ or use

color-corrected, or sun light simulating, lamps placed close to the

RainForest reservoir.

5. If using artificial lights, set the light timer to simulate a normal day/night

cycle. If using a motor timer, connect and set the timer. Plug in the sprayer

motor.

When sprouting seeds, it is preferable (but not required) to have the

RainForest motor cycle 1-hr ON/1-hr OFF, 24 hrs/day. Once seedling roots

extend through the bottom of the cups and into the nutrient solution, you can

use any of the timing options described under Cuttings: step 6.

6. As your plants grow, maintain the appropriate level of nutrient solution in the

reservoir (see Maintaining Your RainForest for details).

EQUIPMENT ASSEMBLY

1. If you are starting seeds, soak the

Hydroton

overnight in plain water to "con-

dition" them. Then rinse thoroughly to remove any sand or other small parti-

cles.

you are starting cuttings, it is better not to add

Hydroton

to the cups till

roots

have begun to form on the cuttings. If you plan to transplant the cut-

tings,

you may prefer to grow them totally without

Hydroton

Rinse any dust or debris out of the system parts.

3. On the

side of the reservoir, snap the clip into the hole that is directly above

the grommet.

4. If

you are using a Controller, connect the reservoir to the Controller (see the

instructions provided with the Controller) and proceed to step 6 below

If the reservoir is not being connected to a Controller, insert the rigid end of

the

elbow for the drain/level tube through the grommet into the reservoir

(you may

have to gently rock and twist the drain/ level tube as you push in

order to get the tube through the grommet).

5. Gently

push the upper part of the drain/level tube into the stud.

Add the nutrient solution and adjust the pH as described under The

Nutrient Solution.

7. Put the

lid on the reservoir and insert the motor in the lid. Briefly plug in the

motor to

be sure the power source and motor are operational (the sprayer

should deliver a strong spray into the "air gap" where the growing cups nor-

mally hang). Unplug the motor

8. Plant your RainForest as described under Planting Your RainForest.

Top

View of a Straight

Line Set-up

Hydroponic

Modules

Controller System

Top View of a Double

Line Set-up

Controller

Reservoir

Controller

Module

Straight Connector

Tee

Elbow

1 2 3 4

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General-hydroponics RainForest 236 User Manual Page 3

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