Tried to grow basil, tomatoes, hot peppers, chives, garlic, etc.

-All in a clear flood basin
-All in perlite
-All in clear plastic containers and cups
-All in direct sun, with no shade cloth

* I have a flood table for basil cuttings on the southern exposure patio which gets direct light in the morning. These guys arent growing much, but they are developing enormous roots, and look very healthy in the same solution I use in the other table.

Now questions, since I am new to this:

-Was this just instant death during summer?

-Should I cover the table, just allowing just the roots to be exposed?

-I am going to purchase shade cloth. What is a good % recommendation?

Any help, links, etc would be helpful. Seems like most hydroponics resources deal strictly with indoor growing conditions.

Yeah, I think it might be plant suicide growing in these temps, but the same established potted plants are doing a lot better despite the heat.

1. What are you using for nutrients?
2. What are the conditions of your nutrient solution? (temperature, concentration, pH)
3. How do the roots look? (white and healthy, gray, black?)

Nutrient solution should ALWAYS be kept out of direct or indirect light. You want as much darkness as you can attain. The same is true for roots. Some plants are more photophobic in their roots than others. Light can actually kill certain types of plants if their roots are constantly exposed to it, and most every plant will be stressed by it.

I'm betting that this is the problem you're having.

Has anyone used multiple 5 gal buckets linked together to make one system?

Does anyone use a vertical system?

Is anyone using large plastic trash cans to grow fruit trees?

Has anyone tries growing kiwi or grapes hydroponicly?

I will be setting up my home page with photos of my property and would love to get as much input as I can from all of you hydro experts. Bring it on.

Thanks a bunch.

Andy

Off the top I'd say you have light and nutrient problems. You need to check out the EC and pH requirements for the several things you are growing. That can be easily accomplished by checking on my Web site (URL in profile); search for "charts".

You'll find that each plant is different and though some things can share the same nutrient strengths, other's cant and will not survive.

Using clear plastic growing containers invites an enormous algae bloom. You don't want that, believe me.

Talk to norm first, then check out what I've told you and you'll be headed in the right direction.