Cityfarm Little Green Thumbs Program
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Where can I purchase a Maxikap indoor
garden kit?
A: Please phone Cityfarm at 780-488-2500
for ordering information.
Q: What is included in the indoor garden
kit?
A: The kit consists of a 1000 watt, metal
halide, full spectrum lighting system, four Maxikap watering
systems (including soil bags, plant box, fertilizer and liner),
germination trays, plant stakes, seed packages and a manual.
Q: What plants are suitable for the indoor
garden?
A: We have been growing cucumbers,
tomatoes, beans, peppers, Chile peppers and basil and parsley.
You can also try Brussels sprouts and flowers. In a deep pot, we
have grown carrots and some schools have grown lettuce in an
aluminum lasagna pan.
Q: How often do I have to water my plants?
A: After the Maxikap System has been set
up, filled with water and you have transplanted your seedlings
into the soil bag, it will be a while before they need more
water. Refill the box when the water level has dropped halfway
down. Don't forget to add fertilizer as well. Once the tomatoes
are about 1m tall, the box will need to be refilled every 4-6
days.
Q: Six days ago we started some tomato and
pepper seeds in peat pellets and put them in a tray. The
tomatoes are up but there is no sign of the peppers. I filled
the tray today so that there is standing water inside it. Is
this too much water?
A: Seeds germinate at different rates and
so your peppers need a few more days. Your room might be too
cool. Most seeds germinate when the soil temperature is between
20° C (68° F) and 30° C (86° F). Because of constant moisture
loss to the atmosphere, the soil temperature is always cooler
than the air temperature. I would place the seed tray about 1m
below the light (metal halide lamp). The lamp will give the
seeds the warmth they need to germinate. Also, pour off the
excessive water in the tray, as the seeds may rot.
Moisture is critical for germinating seeds. They like a moist
but not soggy environment. Seeds require oxygen and if kept in a
waterlogged state, they may rot. On the other hand, if the soil
dries out, the seed will lose whatever water it has absorbed and
will die. Finding the middle ground can be difficult and comes
easier with practice. After sowing the seeds, cover them with
the humidity dome, a plastic bag, or glass to seal in moisture.
When the seeds germinate, remove the covering and allow the soil
surface to dry between watering but make sure they don't dry out
completely. It's a good idea to put the humidity dome on before
leaving for the weekend.
Q: Our cucumbers are producing flowers but
no fruit. What should we do differently?
A: The hybrid variety of long English
cucumbers some schools receive with the indoor garden kit
produces female flowers (with small immature cucumbers located
directly behind the petals) and set fruit without the need of
pollination. Other varieties that produce both male and female
flower might need hand-pollination. A fine art brush can be used
to pick up pollen from a male flower and transferred into the
female flowers. This procedure has to be repeated frequently.
Q: Some of our tomatoes are not producing a
lot of fruit.
A: Tomatoes have both the female and male
parts in each flower, and must only be tapped to pollinate. Once
these vegetables begin to produce flowers, the children can
gently tap the flower clusters every day with a toothpick or
their own finger. Ensure that every cluster of flowers gets
tapped daily until they begin to bear fruit.
Q: Several partially ripe cherry tomatoes
are splitting. What is happening?
A: The tomato plant may not be getting
enough water. Do not let the box run dry. A large temperature
drop at night could also be the cause of splitting.
Q: We planted lettuce between the cucumber
plants but it is really pale and spindly.
A: Lettuce does not like the heat of the
(metal halide) lamp. Try to grow it off to the side where it is
cooler but still gets lots of light.
Q: The cucumbers have leaves that are
cupping and have light coloured spots. Is that a problem?
A: Your plants might be suffering from a
calcium deficiency. Speak to your local garden centre and they
can recommend a suitable fertilizer.
View a photo essay
of Cityfarm's own indoor garden.
Donate to this
program
|
