The H-mini growing system is versatile, and can be used for:
- Hydroponics
- Propagating
- Microgreens
This guide explains the hydroponics method. If you have a double-level H-mini, we suggest you use hydroponics only on the bottom level, as it's easy to spill water when used on the top level.
A quick overview
- Re-hydrate jiffy pellets in water, using the supplied nursery.
- Plant seeds in the jiffy pellets.
- Germinate the seeds in a warm place. When the seeds come up, open the nursery lid a little to prevent too much humidity.
- When the seedlings have grown their first true leaves, move the jiffy pellets into a net cup, and place the cup into the H-mini.
- Keep the water/nutrient level topped up so the jiffy pellets don't run dry.
Best plants to grow
We've found that salads (cut-and-come-again) are a winner in the H-mini using the hydroponics method. You can also grow herbs like Basil, where a single stem can produce a lot of leaves.
Leafy greens like Spinach beet, Chard or Kale are also good, but take longer to grow.
Salads with a few leaves per stem, such as Rocket, are better in trays, and not as suitable for the deep-water technique of the H-mini.
Nutrient management
Add nutrient solution to pure water in the proportions described on the label. The Formulex single-solution we recommend requires 5ml per litre of water.
If you have hard water where you live, we suggest you use purified water or rain water instead.
When you top up, top up with nutrient mixed in the same proportions.
Maintenance
Every month, discard old nutrient and replace with fresh. This helps prevent bacteria, fungus and other problems with your plants.
Keep light away from nutrient and roots
Your H-mini is supplied with hole covers, which should be fitted to unused spaces, to prevent light from getting to the roots (which stunts growth) and from the nutrient (which would cause algae to grow).
Further reading
The hydroponics method used in the H-mini is the "deep water technique". Plants will soak up all the nutrients they need from the solution that they are sat in. Roots do however need oxygen, so make sure that the water level is only just over the base of the net cup, which allows the plant to grow "air roots" above the level of the water.