Do greens grow in the blue ?

absys · 07-06-2006, 03:00 AM

Vegetables, healthy food, does anybody has some experience in growing greens on board ? any pictures of one existing installations ?

May be hydroponics is the answer, may be there is a company specialised in this but i am not aware of it...

For sure climatic conditions depending the where abouts are a matter in this, hydroponics is said to work all year through, good for salads, peas, tomatoes, aromatic herbs, Oregano or peppermint...

Do they cultivate vegetables or aromatic herbs on the cruising ships, yachts or container ships ??

The only one i saw was Mel Gibson and his tomatoes in Waterworld !

Antonio Torres · 07-06-2006, 11:01 AM

absys,

I don't have a direct answer for your question, but one part of the problem can be solved with sprouting.

I use to eat sprouts everyday, at home or travelling.
Sprouts can develop very well in glass flasks or canvas bags that you can hang.
You can find instructions on how to sprout in:
http://wwwusers.rdc.puc-rio.br/anabr...chip_suco.html
English translation without images
http://wwwusers.rdc.puc-rio.br/anabr...hip_seeds.html

The folowing seeds are easy to sprout, but you can try many others:
peanut
chikpea
sunflower
lentil
pea

oat
wheat

Usualy you can eat them after 24 hours, depending on the temperature.
They sprout faster in warm weather. In cold wether it can take longer.

Wheat grass is also very easy to grow when travelling.

absys · 07-07-2006, 06:04 AM

Thanks Antonio,

That is one good idea, fast and easy to store before use !

thanks for for this...

but the research would be about really like having a garden on board !

This should be possible by Hydroponics, i wonder if one such equipment is made for installation on board ?!?

This is simple material, one plastic rail with holes and granules inside, the liquid with nutritients and one pump to circulate, just on board it must be on a proper moving support...

Dhowdodger · 07-07-2006, 07:26 AM

The amount of power needed to run a grow light would make hydroponics a diffulcut option on a sailing yacht, using a skylight may work thou.
I know that some cruising sailiors grow stuff out of tomato grow bags on deck whilst at long time anchor, never seen or heard of a system set up within a yacht, unless cultivating mold counts.

Antonio Torres · 07-07-2006, 07:58 AM

absys,

As you said, maybe Hydroponics will be solution, but I'm not aware of any project taking course.

There are a few questions to be answered about growing greens onboard:
- What will be the amount of space required (number of people x volume)
Even considering that you can superpose containerers (like shelfs), there will be a considerable need for a lot of dedicated space.
- The vegetable garden needs sun light
- CO2 produced by the greens should not disturb the crew

It seems to me that it will require a special project and that usual layouts will not be easy to adapt.

Probably it will require a boat larger than a conventional one for the same kind of intended use.

Although hydroponics seem to be an interesting solution, I should also consider conventional soil and nutrients.
A variety of greens must be available to supply a balanced diet.
Different greens have different nutrient needs. I believe that hydroponic technologies have beeen developed regarding monocultures in the same nutrient supply circuit.
Usualy hydroponics work well for a large and free motion area.
Maybe conventional methods are more feasible.

blazeboss · 07-07-2006, 09:54 PM

little off topic but it was kevin costner not mel gibson in waterworld along with jeanne tripplehorn.you would do well to order juice plus and superbluegreen algae both online before a long cruise save you a lot of worry!

dancerscap · 07-08-2006, 12:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Antonio Torres

absys,

As you said, maybe Hydroponics will be solution, but I'm not aware of any project taking course.

There are a few questions to be answered about growing greens onboard:
- What will be the amount of space required (number of people x volume)
Even considering that you can superpose containerers (like shelfs), there will be a considerable need for a lot of dedicated space.
- The vegetable garden needs sun light
- CO2 produced by the greens should not disturb the crew

It seems to me that it will require a special project and that usual layouts will not be easy to adapt.

Probably it will require a boat larger than a conventional one for the same kind of intended use.

Although hydroponics seem to be an interesting solution, I should also consider conventional soil and nutrients.
A variety of greens must be available to supply a balanced diet.
Different greens have different nutrient needs. I believe that hydroponic technologies have beeen developed regarding monocultures in the same nutrient supply circuit.
Usualy hydroponics work well for a large and free motion area.
Maybe conventional methods are more feasible.

Just picking nits here but growing greens consume co2 and produce oxygen

Antonio Torres · 07-09-2006, 09:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dancerscap

Just picking nits here but growing greens consume co2 and produce oxygen

Plants can absorb and emit carbon dioxide and oxygen; the process of respiration takes oxygen in and releases CO2, whereas in photosynthesis, the reverse happens.

At NIGHT there is no photosynthesis process (depends on light) but plants continue respirating and liberating CO2.

Popular wisdom says that its not a good practice to keep plants in a bedroom at night, unless the windows are opened.

I believe that the compartment where vegetables grow should have some independent ventilation system.

MerlinBrasil · 08-10-2006, 03:36 PM

Consider "Aeroponics". Google is your friend

Simpler, better yield, less weight, etc., from all I've read on the subject. I'll be doing some practical research later this year but if it lives up to spec, it's a vastly superior choice for self-sufficiency, yummy salads and veggies, etc.

Antonio Torres · 08-10-2006, 08:51 PM

MerlinBrasil,

I had never seen references to Aeroponics before.
It seems to be interesting.
Thanks for the information.

Do you know about any aeroponic's project going on in Rio de Janeiro.

K1W1 · 08-11-2006, 05:13 AM

Hi,

Years ago I was shown onboard Mylin IV, they were growing herbs on the tankdeck in a couple of trays.

One thing to be aware of for long distance cruisers if you were to enter Australia or New Zealand with ANYTHING fresh or living you will think that all previous inspections by Agriculture people elsewhere in the world were just cursory tours compared to what is officially known in NZ as "The Rummage Squad"

MerlinBrasil · 08-17-2006, 11:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Antonio Torres

MerlinBrasil,

I had never seen references to Aeroponics before.
It seems to be interesting.
Thanks for the information.

Do you know about any aeroponic's project going on in Rio de Janeiro.

Hi Antonio,

Nothing going on in Rio that I know of, but I do expect to be doing some serious testing later this year.

It's a new subject to me, as well. I've long had an interest in hydroponics but, if workable as it seems to be, aeroponics solves a lot of self-sufficiency challenges aboard.

Regards,
Merlin