How to Grow With Aeroponics

Cut a hole in the center of the bucket lid using the 4-inch keyhole saw. The hole should have smooth edges and hold the 4 1/2-inch net pot in place without allowing it to fall through. The rim of the net pot will hold it in place.

Drill a series of 1/16-inch holes in the tubing. This will allow the nutrient solution to be sprayed onto the roots of the plant. Cut a hole ¾ of the way up the bucket to make an exit for the pump's power cord once the pump is installed in the bucket.

Attach one end of the tubing to the submersible pump. Close off the other end so that the nutrient solution does not run out the opening. You can use a plug or fold the end over and tie it in place. The seal doesn't need to be perfect.

Place the submersible pump in the bottom of the bucket. Coil the tubing around it so that the coil goes from the bottom to the top of the bucket. Ideally all the holes in the tubing will be pointing inward. Feed the pump's cord out the side hole and seal the hole with silicone sealant to prevent leaks. Allow it to cure before using the system.

Fill the bucket with 1 to 2 gallons of nutrient solution. The submersible pump should be well-covered, but the solution should not be so deep that it covers the tubing. Fit the lid on the bucket and set the net pot containing the plant into the hole in the lid.

Set the timer to run the pump for 15 minutes every hour, day and night. This is a good basic schedule which can be adjusted to more or less frequent feedings if your plants require changes.

Check the level of the nutrient solution often, and don't allow it to get too low. The pump should never be fully exposed. Completely replace the nutrients every 2 weeks.